Unibet Open Poker Festival Relocates to Marrakech for Extended 2026 Run

The Unibet Open poker festival is shifting its 2026 edition to Marrakech, Morocco, where an eleven-day schedule will run from September 24 through October 4 and feature two separate Main Events along with a complete lineup of side tournaments, and this move comes directly after the series posted record attendance figures during its most recent staging in Paris.

Event organizers have confirmed the dates and location through official channels, noting that the Moroccan capital city will host the full program while maintaining the festival's established format of multiple buy-in levels and daily tournaments that run concurrently with the flagship events.

Event Structure and Schedule Details

Two Main Events anchor the 2026 calendar, each carrying its own distinct entry requirements and prize pool structures, while the supporting schedule includes numerous side events that range from low-stakes formats to higher-roller contests designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of participants throughout the eleven days.

The timeline begins on September 24 and concludes on October 4, allowing players and staff sufficient time for travel, registration, and recovery between the primary competitions, and this compressed yet comprehensive window mirrors the successful operational model that produced the record numbers in Paris.

Transition from Paris Success

Paris hosted the previous edition that set new benchmarks for player entries and overall participation across the festival's various tournaments, and those results prompted the decision to expand the geographic reach by selecting Marrakech as the next destination.

Organizers cited sustained growth in international interest as a key factor, with data from the Paris stop showing increased registrations from regions outside traditional European markets, and this trend supports the choice of a North African venue that offers new accessibility for players traveling from Africa, the Middle East, and southern Europe.

Geographic Expansion and Player Access

Marrakech provides a central location that reduces travel barriers for participants based in multiple continents, and the city's established infrastructure for large-scale events includes suitable venues equipped for extended poker operations with dedicated tournament floors and support facilities.

According to PokerNews reporting, the announcement emphasizes how the series continues to broaden its footprint beyond Western Europe, building on previous stops that have rotated through various cities while maintaining consistent standards for tournament integrity and player experience.

Those who have followed the Unibet Open across its history note that each relocation typically coincides with measurable increases in overall attendance, and the 2026 move aligns with this pattern by introducing a destination that combines competitive travel costs with established hospitality resources.

Operational Preparations and Tournament Offerings

Preparations for the Marrakech edition include coordination with local authorities to secure necessary permits and ensure compliance with regional gaming regulations, while the tournament software and staffing teams remain consistent with those deployed during the Paris run that achieved record results.

The full schedule encompasses satellites, turbo formats, and deep-stack events that feed into the two Main Events, creating layered opportunities for players to qualify or enter directly across the eleven-day period, and this structure allows for continuous action from morning through late evening sessions.

Figures released following the Paris edition indicate that combined entries across all events exceeded prior benchmarks by a significant margin, and the decision to extend the 2026 calendar to eleven days reflects an effort to sustain that momentum without compressing the calendar.

Conclusion

The relocation of the Unibet Open to Marrakech for the September 24 to October 4, 2026 period establishes a new chapter for the festival by combining its proven tournament format with an expanded international venue, and the inclusion of two Main Events alongside a comprehensive side schedule positions the event to build directly on the record participation achieved in Paris.

Industry observers tracking the series note that such moves often correlate with continued growth in player numbers and geographic diversity, while the fixed dates provide a clear planning window for participants worldwide.