WPT Prime Cyprus Postponed Amid Middle East Security Concerns

The World Poker Tour (WPT) officially announced the postponement of the WPT Prime Cyprus Championship on Tuesday, citing an "escalating military conflict" in the Middle East as the primary catalyst for the decision. 

Originally slated to begin on March 5, the $1 million guaranteed event has been removed from the immediate schedule to ensure the safety of players and international staff.

The decision comes in the wake of significant regional instability. Following coordinated military airstrikes on February 28 and the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the security landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean has shifted rapidly. Cyprus, while geographically distinct, sits less than 800 miles from the Iranian border.

The WPT’s decision was heavily influenced by the logistical challenge of transporting its U.S.-based staff to the region. With flight paths increasingly disrupted and travel advisories being updated daily, the tour opted for a "safety-first" approach. The WPT stated in a social media release:

As this situation continues to develop, our priority remains the well-being of our team and the poker community. 

While many local events in Cyprus frequently proceed during regional tensions, the high-profile nature of a branded WPT Championship presented a unique set of security considerations that the organization was unwilling to overlook.