GUKPT Leeds Festival Returns for Its 10th Edition in 2026

The 2026 Grosvenor UK Poker Tour Leeds festival takes place from September 23 to October 4 at Grosvenor Casino Westgate in Leeds, marking the 10th time the city has hosted the event across the tour's 20-season history, and the schedule includes a £1,000 buy-in Main Event carrying a £200,000 guarantee along with several supporting tournaments that bring combined guarantees to at least £550,000.

Three Day 1 flights feed into the Main Event with late registration available through Day 2, while a £150 Warm-Up tournament features a £75,000 guarantee and a Mini Main event adds further options for participants at various buy-in levels. Satellites run both live at the venue and online through Grosvenor Poker and GGPoker, including £60 and £110 buy-in options that award seats directly into the flagship events.

Schedule and Structure of the 2026 Leeds Stop

The festival spans 12 days in late September and early October 2026, and organizers have confirmed that the Main Event structure allows players to choose from multiple starting flights before combining for Day 2, where late registration remains open to accommodate those advancing from satellites or other commitments. This format builds on previous iterations of the tour while maintaining the core focus on the £200,000 guaranteed prize pool for the Main Event itself.

Additional side events fill out the calendar alongside the Warm-Up and Mini Main, creating a sequence of daily and multi-day tournaments that run concurrently in many cases, and the total guarantee across all events reaches at least £550,000 according to the published schedule. Observers note that this level of guaranteed money draws entries from both local players and those traveling from other regions of the UK and Europe.

Satellite Pathways and Online Integration

Satellites operate through a combination of live qualifiers at Grosvenor Casino Westgate and online platforms including Grosvenor Poker and GGPoker, with specific £60 and £110 buy-in satellites awarding direct entry into the Main Event and other highlighted tournaments. Players who advance through these feeders receive their seats without additional payment beyond the satellite buy-in, and multiple satellite sessions run each day leading up to the festival start date in September 2026.

Online satellites provide an accessible entry point for participants who prefer remote play, while live satellites at the casino allow direct interaction with the venue ahead of the main festival dates. Data from similar past events shows that a significant portion of Main Event fields often come through these satellite routes, and the current schedule expands those options with both price points to reach a broader range of players.

Venue and Historical Context Within the Tour

Grosvenor Casino Westgate serves as the central location for all festival activity, providing dedicated tournament space alongside cash game options that continue throughout the 12-day period. The Leeds stop has appeared 10 times in the tour's 20 seasons, establishing a recurring presence that aligns with seasonal patterns observed across multiple UK poker destinations.

Industry reports from the European Gaming and Betting Association highlight steady participation trends in regional poker festivals, and the 2026 Leeds edition continues that pattern with its expanded guarantee structure. Those who have tracked the tour note that the combination of Main Event flights, warm-up tournaments, and satellite feeders creates layered entry opportunities that support the overall £550,000 minimum guarantee across the schedule.

Conclusion

The 2026 GUKPT Leeds festival assembles its events around the confirmed dates of September 23 to October 4, delivering a Main Event with a £200,000 guarantee, supporting tournaments including the £150 Warm-Up, and satellite access through both live and online channels that together meet or exceed £550,000 in total guarantees. This edition represents the 10th hosting at the Leeds venue within the tour's history, and the structure remains open to players advancing from the £60 and £110 satellite options listed on Grosvenor Poker and GGPoker. Further details appear in the official announcement at PokerNews, while additional context on European poker participation trends can be found through reports by the European Gaming and Betting Association.