The autumn edition of the Malta Poker Festival is under way at Portomaso Casino, running from October 23 to November 4, 2026, with a €1,000,000 guaranteed Grand Event and 2025 WSOP Main Event champion Michael Mizrachi scheduled to host. The headline tournament carries a €600 buy-in, which keeps it accessible to regular live players while the guarantee gives it the weight of a major festival main event. Alongside it sit two IPS-branded events, a Hendon Mob Championship, a ladies' event, mixed games and a full slate of high roller and bounty tournaments. This guide walks through the schedule and explains how to get the most out of a festival like this. For a broader view of where to play, see our tournaments page.
Who Is Behind the Festival
The festival was founded in 2018 by Ivonne Montealegre, who still leads it. Describing its philosophy, she said: "Our goal is for all players and especially beginners or recreational players to have a positive experience." On the effort behind the brand, she said: "This is 14 years of work for me." That emphasis on recreational players matters, because a festival that attracts beginners tends to build softer fields than events aimed mostly at professionals.
The Grand Event
The MPF Grand Event is the centrepiece. It has a €600 buy-in (€530 plus a €70 fee), a €1,000,000 guarantee, and Day 1 flights running October 23 through November 1. Day 2 is on November 2, and the final table is on November 3. Mizrachi is scheduled to host the Grand Event from the opening flights through the final table, which gives the event star power and a promotional anchor. As a reminder of his credentials, Mizrachi won the 2025 WSOP Main Event, so his presence draws attention well beyond Malta.
A €1,000,000 guarantee at €600 means the event needs about 1,667 entries before taking fees into account. That is simple division of the guarantee by the buy-in, and the actual number needed is somewhat higher because only €530 of each €600 goes into the prize pool. At €530 per entry, the field required is roughly 1,887 entries. That is a useful sanity check for anyone considering whether the guarantee is at risk of an overlay, though the festival has not published entry numbers in the source we reviewed.
IPS Events
Two events carry the IPS name:
- Mini IPS: October 23 to 31, with a €250 buy-in (€210 plus €40) and a €500,000 guarantee.
- IPS: October 29 to November 4, with a €390 buy-in (€340 plus €50) and a €1,500,000 guarantee.
The €1,500,000 IPS guarantee is larger than the Grand Event's, and its buy-in is lower than the Grand Event's at €390. For value-conscious players, that comparison is interesting. If the IPS fills, a lower buy-in produces a larger guaranteed pool, which can mean more overlay value. Compare this to our guide to pot odds for a way of thinking about getting a price: an overlay is the tournament equivalent of getting good pot odds.
Supporting Schedule
The rest of the festival is rich in variety:
| Event | Dates | Buy-in | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Hendon Mob Championship | Oct 27-28 | €200 + €30 | n/a |
| MPF Halloween | Oct 31 | €220 + €30 + €10 | Tanya Masters |
| Ladies First! | Oct 30 | €180 + €20 | Kerryjane Craigie |
| High Roller Mystery Bounty | Nov 2 | €500 + €500 + €150 | Ivonne Montealegre |
| High Roller | Nov 3 | €600 + €100 | n/a |
| MPF Seniors (50+) | Oct 29 | €270 + €30 | Paul "Rinty" Monaghan |
| Sviten Special | Oct 27 | €270 + €30 | Sone Vanelderen |
| H.O.R.S.E. (5 Mix) | Oct 28 | €200 + €30 | Jon Kyte |
| MPF Last Chance | Nov 4 | €270 + €30 | n/a |
Additional side events include PLO Knights on October 26, an MPF Knockout on October 28, a Betsson One Bullet and an MPF 8 Games event on October 29, the APAT Maltese Championship from October 30 to November 1, MPF Bounty Hunters and MPF PLO Night on November 2, and the Scandinavian Open Poker Championship on November 3. A Byblos Party is scheduled for November 1. A Midnight KO Hyper Turbo runs nightly at €70 + €100 + €30. Satellites into the Grand Event cost €60 + €10, and IPS satellites cost €78 + €22.
Why the Festival Works for Different Players
Recreational players. The €600 Grand Event, the €250 Mini IPS, the Ladies First event and the Seniors event are priced and designed to feel welcoming. Hosted events such as the Halloween tournament add a social layer.
Mixed-game fans. The H.O.R.S.E. five-mix event at €200 + €30 is a rare option for players who enjoy games beyond hold'em. If you want to learn the format, our Omaha guide and hold'em vs Omaha comparison explain the differences between popular variants.
High rollers. A €500 + €500 + €150 mystery bounty and a €600 + €100 high roller let bigger players find action in a single trip. Mystery bounties are a popular modern format because they deliver the swinginess of a lottery within a skill-based structure.
Satellite grinders. With €60 + €10 satellites for the Grand Event and €78 + €22 satellites for IPS, players can attempt to turn a small buy-in into a main event seat.
How to Plan Your Trip
Choose which events you actually want to play. The Grand Event and IPS overlap from October 29 to November 1, which means you can only play so many flights. A sensible approach is to pick one primary event and treat the rest as optional. Think about bankroll as well. Our bankroll management guide explains why you should set a total budget for a festival before you start, including satellites, rebuys and fees.
Fees deserve attention. The Grand Event's €600 is split into €530 and €70, meaning about 11.7 percent goes to fees. The IPS at €390 splits into €340 and €50, around 12.8 percent. Smaller buy-ins often carry proportionally larger fees, and that is relevant when you compare value. If you want a framework for thinking about expected return, see our poker strategy hub.
What This Means for Players
Book early. Festival hotels and flights fill up as final tables approach.
Mind the schedule. Final day for the Grand Event is November 3 and for the IPS November 4, so late-stage players need to plan travel carefully.
Use online qualifiers. Many players reach live festivals through online satellites. Our online poker vs live poker page outlines how the two worlds connect.
Watch the coverage. With Mizrachi hosting, expect coverage from poker media throughout the festival.
Outlook
The Malta Poker Festival is a healthy sign for European live poker. A €1,000,000 guarantee at a €600 buy-in, a €1,500,000 IPS guarantee, a broad range of side events and a host with a recent WSOP Main Event title make this one of the more compelling autumn festivals. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a first-time festival visitor, there is likely a tournament that fits your budget and style. Watch the final tables on November 3 and 4 for the winners.