For many players at the Irish Open, action at the tables really does play second fiddle to the “craic”. The award-winning Dublin festival is world-renowned for its non-stop roster of fun, games, competitions and live music and for delivering the kind of nights that players talk about long after the last card is dealt.
Bust another tournament? Need somewhere to drown your sorrows? Just head for The Craic Den! The Craic Den is the beating heart of the Irish Open and we’re upping the ante this year with an entertainment schedule so stacked, you may struggle to find time to play poker at all. (Cue Niall Farrell!)
The 2026 Irish Open festival is taking place from March 26 to April 6 at the Royal Dublin Society and, every single night, The Craic Den will be providing a packed line-up of live music, games and promotions designed to keep the party going well into the small hours.
Competitions, promotions and FUN
As always, Phil “Let me Entertain You” Baker will be masterminding all the organised contests from 9.30pm to 11pm every night – and if past years are anything to go by, expect plenty of chaos along the way. Player favourites like Beer Pong, Shuffleboard and Corn Hole will all be back in The Craic Den this year along with our ever-popular Race, Casino and Comedy Nights. But, for 2026, we have a fresh batch of NEW competitions planned that are already getting players super excited (and just a little bit nervous).
I’m a Poker Player, Get Me Out of Here – this one will definitely get players squirming as Phil Baker sees just how far you’re prepared to go in a series of challenging “Bushtucker” trials that test nerves, bravery and dignity in equal measure.
The Quid Game – The Quid Game is based on Netflix’s hit series The Squid Game and kicks off a specially-themed “Eastern Promise night” in The Craic Den. Keep your wits about you to win prizes in a series of skills-based contests – and the chance to see Phil Baker in a kimono. We’re building a boxing-style arena specially for Eastern Promise night, with inflatable Sumo wrestling bouts following straight on from The Quid Game for those brave enough to step into the ring.
Balls in the Air – this game does what it says on the tin. Keep … the … balls … in … the … air! Prizes for those who don’t make a balls-up on this one.
Phil will also be hosting Play Your Cards Right and Banging Bingo sessions in the early evening slots, with Karaoke and Lip Sync battles rounding out the entertainment in the late night slots – because nothing brings people together quite like questionable song choices.
Deaf comedian John Smith
The Craic Den will also be hosting a debut performance at the Irish Open by Deaf comedian John Smith – at 10pm on Saturday March 28 (the middle of the “festival within a festival” for Deaf players.) John, who lost his hearing when he was three, is a passionate BSL Teacher and Deaf rights activist who has performed for deaf and hearing audiences all over the world.
Live music
Live music is a HUGE part of the Irish Open vibe and there will be performances every night in The Craic Den to keep the dancefloor busy and feet a’tapping. No Limits and Brian Brody were a big hit last year so they’ll be back but we also have a ton of new bands lined up including The Sick Notes and Jaker Band. As always, we like to mix it up but don’t worry – there’ll be plenty of fiddles, Irish drums and sing-along moments along the way.
Ireland World Cup play-offs
The Ireland v Czech Republic World Cup play-off will provide a ton of extra excitement at the start of this year’s Irish Open. Ireland is now within shouting distance of a place at next summer’s World Cup finals … and the country’s first World Cup appearance since 2002! We will – OF COURSE! – be screening this vital match on March 26, starting at 7.45pm in full Craic Den style.
The pre-match Happy Hour runs from 7pm to 7.45pm and we expect the Guinness to be flowing even more liberally than normal! Expect big cheers, big emotions and an atmosphere to match. If Ireland win, their next play-off match will be a home match at the Aviva Stadium (round the corner from the RDS) against Denmark or North Macedonia on March 31. Once again, we’ll be going large in the Craic Den! No half measures.
Happy Hours
Happy Hour takes place every night in The Craic Den and typically starts around 8pm. On the first World Cup play-off night on March 26 (and – potentially – the second play-off match on March 31), Happy Hour will run from 7pm to 7.45pm. Big thanks to our sponsors PokerStars, Paddy Power and Luxon Pay for helping to keep the good times flowing.
Don’t miss some hilarious 2025 Craic Den reports by our bloggers: Dom Clementson made his debut visit to The Craic Den last year and also wrote up his second foray here. Thanks also to blogger Christopher Karlen for sterling duty covering last year’s Cornhole contest.
