Ivor Parker, aged 100, joins GGPoker ahead of Grosvenor Casinos Goliath 2026
At 100 years old, Ivor Parker joined GGPoker’s roster ahead of the Grosvenor Casinos Goliath 2026 live poker tournament in Coventry, making him one of the oldest professional athletes on the planet, reports BritPanorama.
Parker, who first picked up cards at the age of 14, has devoted the better part of a century to the game. His signing demonstrates that competing at the highest level has no age limit.
GGPoker chose to bring Parker on board not for celebrity appeal or prize money hauls, but to honour a player whose dedication to poker has endured across an entire lifetime. The deal was announced as thousands of competitors from the UK and Europe converge on Coventry for 12 days of elite-level poker, entertainment and celebration.
Goliath has established itself as the biggest live poker tournament anywhere outside Las Vegas, drawing more than 6,000 players to Grosvenor Casino Coventry this year alone. The event spans far beyond a standard card competition, incorporating fancy dress, live entertainment, Poker Darts, and a range of community activities designed to create a festival-like atmosphere.
It is against this backdrop that GGPoker announced Parker’s signing, part of a broader effort to champion every corner of the poker community. The platform also continues to invest in live poker globally, including hosting exclusive World Series of Poker tournaments and qualifiers.
On the eve of Goliath 2026, GGPoker staged a special VIP gathering that brought journalists, content creators and sporting figures together to celebrate the community spirit underpinning the game. Newly appointed GGPoker UK & Ireland Brand Ambassador Leah Hauer led an exclusive masterclass in tournament poker fundamentals before guests sat down for a winner-takes-all contest alongside Team GGPoker UK ambassadors Mark Labbett and Rory Jennings.
The evening highlighted a striking generational contrast with Hauer representing poker’s emerging professional talent, and Parker embodying a century of devotion to the game. Parker himself reflected on his remarkable journey: “I started playing poker when I was 14. I loved the game straight away and I’ve never really looked back. I’ve played poker all over the world.” He added: “If I think about it, I’ve played poker with hundreds of people, some of them my really good friends, who sadly have all gone now. I think poker has kept me sharp and I’m thankful for that.”
Hauer paid tribute to her fellow professional, saying: “Sharing the table with Ivor has been incredibly inspiring, and it shows exactly why poker is such a unique game, there’s always something to learn from the people sitting around you.”
Parker’s presence serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring appeal of the game, illustrating how passion transcends age. While the cards may shuffle, the stories and memories remain timeless.
