The World Poker Tour (WPT) has announced that WPT Seoul will be held at INSPIRE Entertainment Resort from October 30 to November 9, 2026, marking the grand opening of the resort’s newly built entertainment area on the second floor. The venue, designed to host premier poker events, will feature the YY Poker Club, a 70-table poker room, alongside the Daia junket room and the Ultra Lounge, a nightclub and premium bar.
The 11-day festival will present 46 events with buy-ins ranging from KRW 300,000 (approximately US$203) to KRW 8 million (around US$5,415), accommodating a wide spectrum of players. The WPT Seoul Championship Event will be the centerpiece, starting on November 5 and concluding with a final table on November 9. Participants will compete for a guaranteed prize pool of KRW 1 billion, and the final table will be livestreamed globally for fans who cannot attend in person.
As published in a press release, veteran tournament director Danny McDonagh will oversee the series, bringing decades of experience from the Asia-Pacific poker circuit. Attendees can also enjoy nightly entertainment at the Ultra Lounge during the festival, complementing the poker experience with premium hospitality.
INSPIRE Entertainment Resort’s Integrated Offerings
INSPIRE Entertainment Resort has positioned itself as a fully integrated destination, combining accommodation, gaming, dining, and entertainment. The resort houses a 1,275-room five-star hotel, the 15,000-seat INSPIRE Arena, and Splash Bay, a year-round indoor water attraction beneath a glass dome. Guests can explore Discovery Park, an outdoor entertainment area, or visit INSPIRE Mall, a cultural complex blending shopping, dining, and leisure.
The resort’s second-floor entertainment space, which will host WPT Seoul, is a highlight of this expansion. The YY Poker Club is equipped with a dedicated livestream studio and high-end amenities. The Daia junket room provides exclusive facilities for high-stakes players, while the Ultra Lounge offers premium nightlife experiences.
WPT® Seoul will be the inaugural tournament in this space, setting a benchmark for future events and reinforcing INSPIRE’s position as a leading entertainment and gaming hub in South Korea. Players arriving at the event will be welcomed with a dedicated Players Party, providing a fitting introduction to the newly unveiled venue.
Global Reach and WPT Legacy
The World Poker Tour has long been a global leader in televised and live poker tournaments. Since 2002, WPT has hosted events in 48 countries, drawn over 400,000 participants, and awarded more than US$1.5 billion in prize money. The organization has also been at the forefront of innovation in poker, creating a television show format that helped spark a global poker boom.
WPT Seoul represents the brand’s continued expansion in Asia, providing players in South Korea with access to world-class facilities and international tournament structures. The event will leverage the resort’s infrastructure, including hotel accommodations, entertainment offerings, and advanced poker amenities, to deliver an immersive experience for all participants.
INSPIRE Entertainment Resort, adjacent to Incheon International Airport, is well-positioned to attract both local and international players. With the WPT Seoul festival inaugurating its new entertainment space, the resort aims to establish itself as a premier destination for high-profile gaming and live entertainment events in the region.