WPT Australia Festival 2026
The WPT returns to The Star Sydney for a 21-day double-header festival. WPT Prime Australia Championship (Sep 17–22, AUD $1,500) opens the schedule and the WPT Australia Championship (Sep 24–30, AUD $5,000) closes it, with a dozen side events, satellites and cash games running throughout.
The schedule
| Date | Event | Buy-in | Guaranteed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | Festival opens — side events + satellites | Multi | The Star Sydney tournament floor |
| Sep 17 | WPT Prime Australia Championship Day 1A | AUD $1,500 | 3 starting flights |
| Sep 22 | WPT Prime Australia Final Day | — | Champion crowned, livestream on WPT |
| Sep 24 | WPT Australia Championship Day 1A | AUD $5,000 | 2 starting flights + turbo Day 1C |
| Sep 30 | WPT Australia Championship Final Table | — | Livestream, Passport awarded |
How to register
From the lobby cage to the buy-in.
Online: Open the official registration page →
On-site hours: Cage 10:00 – late daily during the festival. Late-reg on Main flights through Level 12.
Late reg: Every Championship flight re-enters through end of Level 12.
ID: Passport for foreign entrants (Australia requires ETA/eVisitor for most Western nationalities — apply online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au).
Payment: AUD cash at The Star cashier, EFTPOS card up to A$5,000, TICO markers for higher buy-ins if you have a Star Rewards account.
Getting there & where to stay
Airport, transit, hotels.
Airport: Sydney Kingsford Smith (SYD) — 25 min by taxi/Uber to The Star, or ~35 min via the T2 airport train to Central then light rail.
Transit: The Star Sydney is in Pyrmont on the west side of Darling Harbour; light rail from Central and Circular Quay stops at The Star.
- The Star Grand HotelOn-siteAttached to the tournament floor. WPT block available with the best rate.
- The Darling at The StarOn-site (5-star tower)Higher-end suites in the same complex; free-drink Sky Terrace for premium guests.
- Novotel Sydney Darling Square~10 min walkLower nightly rate across the water in Haymarket; walkable through Darling Harbour.
From lobby to your seat
The walk-in walkthrough.
- 01Apply for an ETA (subclass 651) before flying — it's online, ~AUD $20, and takes minutes.
- 02Bring an ID and open a free Star Rewards account on arrival; it's required to be seated in tournament and cash games.
- 03Buy in with AUD cash or EFTPOS card up to the daily card cap; wire transfer for A$5K+ takes 24h.
- 04The tournament room is on Level 1 of The Star casino — follow WPT signage from the main casino floor.
Satellite paths
Win your seat online before you fly.
| Site | Format | Buy-in | When | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPT Global | Australia Championship online satellites | $5 – $525 | Nightly through early Sep 2026 | Visit ▸ |
| PokerStars (AU excluded) | AU players cannot use — Australians must satellite via WPT Global or fly in | — | — | Visit ▸ |
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On the ground
What seasoned regs already know.
- ♣The Star has a strict cover / no-shorts dress code after 19:00 — bring closed shoes and long trousers for evening play.
- ♣Restaurants inside The Star (Momofuku, Sokyo) are good but book ahead; The Star food court and Pyrmont pubs are the quick dinner-break option.
- ♣Sydney in September is early spring — 15–22°C, changeable. Pack layers, the tournament floor is heavily air-conditioned.