The History of a Record-Breaking Event
The Goliath tournament first debuted in 2011 as part of the GUKPT, attracting 1,765 entries with a £100 buy-in. Since then, the event has grown steadily — reaching 3,394 entries in 2014, with winner Ryan Foster taking home a record £62,320. The growth continued: 5,232 entries in 2016 and 6,385 entries in 2017.
The peak came in 2022 with 10,584 entries, the most ever for a poker tournament outside Las Vegas. The record was smashed again in 2023 with 11,493 entries. Last year's edition saw Canadian Will Watkins triumph over a field of 11,749 entries, taking home £278,390 after a deal.
What to Expect This Year?
Goliath has grown into a phenomenon, attracting thousands of amateurs and professionals alike annually. It consistently makes history, and there's no reason to believe this year will be any different. The new partnership with PokerStars could play a crucial role, potentially drawing more contenders for the coveted trophy.
The buy-in remains friendly at £200, with an anticipated prizepool of £2,000,000. With the support of PokerStars and Grosvenor Casino, another massive turnout is expected. Organizers aim to surpass the 12,000 entries mark for this edition.
While Goliath officially launches today, organizers have announced that the first three flights are already full (each flight accommodating 800 players). Thanks to pre-registrations available through a mobile app, the entries board already displays 2,925! Players can compete in eight initial flights until Friday, August 1, followed by day 2 and day 3, where the champion will be crowned.
Date | Start | Event |
July 26 | 12:00 | Goliath Flight A |
July 27 | 12:00 | Goliath Flight B |
July 28 | 12:00 | Goliath Flight C |
July 29 | 12:00 | Goliath Flight D |
July 30 | 12:00 | Goliath Flight E |
July 31 | 11:00 | Goliath Flight F |
August 1 | 11:00 | Goliath Flight G |
August 1 | 18:00 | Goliath Flight H Turbo |
August 2 | 11:00 | Goliath Day 2 |
August 3 | 11:00 | Goliath Day 3 |
Goliath 2025 promises not just an astronomical number of entries and a game for hundreds of thousands, but also captivating stories — the triumphs of underdogs, an international field, and drama at the final table. We'll be closely following the tournament and updating you with its progress!
Sources – GrosvenorPoker, FB, CardsChat, PokerPRO