Coventry’s Goliath Poker Festival Breaks Records with 6,500 Visitors and £2.5m Boost to Coventry Economy

Grosvenor Casino Coventry at Coventry Building Society Arena became the centre of the Poker world once again this August.

Its record-breaking 11-day Poker festival, Goliath, attracted over 6,500 players to the city and generated an estimated £2.5 million for the local economy.

The 2026 result ensures that Grosvenor Casinos holds onto its accolade of running the largest live Poker tournament outside of Las Vegas.

Players travelled from across the UK and Europe, while people from Coventry had the opportunity to compete in one of the world’s largest Poker tournaments in their home city. Unlike other Poker festivals, Goliath is aimed at recreational players, who often play Poker in casinos and pubs around the UK.

Grosvenor Casino’s Goliath attracted 6,500 visitors to Coventry, with thousands of players choosing to stay in the city during the festival. Hotels saw a boost as a result of Goliath and other major events in the city, with hotel occupancy hitting 86.1 per cent, which is up from a regional average of 69 per cent.

Paul Michael, Managing Director at Coventry Building Society Arena, said: “Goliath is a catalyst for Coventry’s visitor economy, giving thousands of people a reason to visit the city every summer and many for the first time.

“For 11 days, Coventry becomes the home of UK Poker and that is something the city should be proud of, and it is an event we should all be shouting about.

“Goliath introduces new audiences from across the UK and Europe and as it continues to grow, so does the opportunity to showcase the city further.”

More than 25 tournaments were held during the event, and the £200 buy-in Goliath Main Event broke its entry record once again, attracting 14,663 entries, an increase of more than 1,700 on 2025. It also generated a prize pool of £2,228,780, with winner Damon Burch-Hyson taking home £365,520.

The 2026 event marks 15 years since the inaugural event in 2011, which attracted 1,765 entries and generated a prize pool of £176,500. The main event entry record has been broken every year since.

This year, Grosvenor Casinos partnered with the world’s biggest online Poker website, GGPoker, to deliver Goliath. While many people may not yet be familiar with Goliath, they may have heard of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, which is also delivered in partnership with GGPoker.

Matt Rudd, General Manager at Grosvenor Casino Coventry, added: “Goliath has enjoyed another record-breaking year and we’re absolutely thrilled.

“Coventry is the ideal home for the festival. Our casino connects directly to the Arena’s event halls, we have a hotel on site and the venue is well connected for players travelling from across the UK and Europe

“Grosvenor Casinos partnership with GGPoker has helped us take the festival to another level this year, but Goliath remains an accessible event at its heart. Goliath predominantly attracts recreational players, whilst giving Coventry locals the opportunity to compete for life-changing prizes.”

This year also produced an incredible result for Coventry lawyer and amateur player Reema Bodalia, 53, who won £71,500 after finishing fifth.

Bodalia, from Westwood Heath, began playing Poker a couple of years ago. This was the second year she had entered Goliath and regularly plays in games at Cue Club Coventry.

She said: “It was an absolute surprise. I’m an amateur player and only started playing a couple of years ago at my local club.

“The people supporting me at Goliath were the same people I play with each week and I was so shocked that they all came out to support me.

“It’s amazing to have an event of this scale in Coventry. It promotes Coventry and attracts so many people to the city. I couldn’t believe how far some people had travelled.”

Planning is already underway for Goliath 2027 with the dates announced as 22nd July - 1st August.