- EPT 2026 Schedule
- EPT 2026 Buy-Ins, Event Types and Tournament Formats
- How To Qualify for the EPT
- First-Time EPT Guide for New Live Poker Players
- European Poker Tour History
- European Poker Tour 2026 FAQs
The European Poker Tour (EPT) is one of the biggest and most respected live poker tours in the world, bringing flagship Main Events, side tournaments, and qualifiers to major stops across Europe.
It attracts everyone from seasoned pros and online satellite winners to recreational players chasing the full live poker buzz and shots at up to seven-figure paydays.
EPT 2026 Key Information
- Confirmed EPT stops 2026: 4
- Next upcoming EPT stop: EPT Barcelona (16-29 August)
- Buy-in range: €370 - €250,000
- EPT Main Event buy-in: €5,300
- How to best qualify to EPT: Through PokerStars satellites, Power Path
- Last EPT Main Event winner and payout: EPT Monte Carlo, Roman Stoica €825,000
EPT 2026 Schedule
PokerStars has so far confirmed four EPT stops for 2026: Paris, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, and Prague. Malta is a plausible addition after returning to the tour in 2025, while Cyprus remains another location to watch, but neither stop appears as officially confirmed on PokerStars’ current EPT 2026 schedule.
Last updated July 2026.
| Stop | Venue | City / Country | Dates | Main Event Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPT Paris | Le Palais des Congrès | Paris, France | 18 Feb - 1 Mar | € 5,300 |
| EPT Monte Carlo | Sporting Monte-Carlo | Monaco | 30 Apr - 10 May | € 5,300 |
| EPT Barcelona | Casino Barcelona | Barcelona, Spain | 16 - 29 Aug | € 5,300 |
| EPT Prague | Hilton Prague | Prague, Czech Republic | Dec (TBA) | € 5,300 |
EPT Paris 2026
A premium city stop in the heart of the French capital.
- Venue: Le Palais des Congrès, Paris
- Dates: 18 February - 1 March
- Vibe: Premium, high-energy, city-driven
Highlights
| Tournament | Entries | Prize pool | Winner | Top prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €5,300 EPT Main Event | 1,474 | €7,075,200 | Jorge Abreu | €1,148,600 |
| €1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event | 2,992 | €4,308,480 | Patrik Demus | €551,090 |
| €100,000 EPT Super High Roller | 24 | €2,257,920 | Ottomar Ladva | €970,920 |
| €10,300 EPT High Roller | 352 | €3,379,200 | Brandon Wilson | €668,700 |
| €25,000 EPT PLO High Roller | 38 | €912,380 | Kayhan Mokri | €314,780 |
| €10,200 PLO 6-Max | 61 | €597,800 | Geoffrey Mooney | €179,400 |
EPT Monte Carlo 2026
A prestige-heavy stop with luxury surroundings and flagship events.
- Venue: Sporting Monte-Carlo
- Dates: 30 April - 10 May
- Vibe: Upscale, glamorous, prestige-led
Highlights
| Event | Buy-in | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event | €1,650 | 1,634 | €2,352,960 | Joris Ruijs | €317,398 |
| €2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller | €2,700 | 821 | €1,990,925 | Tibor Nagygyorgy | €352,000 |
| €3,250 EPT Mystery Bounty | €3,250 | 584 | €1,115,440 | Viacheslav Goryachev | €180,350 + €57,000 bounties |
| €5,200 PLO 6-Max | €5,200 | 68 | €329,800 | Eelis Parssinen | €98,950 |
| €5,300 Main Event | €5,300 | 1,011 | €4,903,350 | Roman Stoica | €825,000 |
| €10,200 Mystery Bounty | €10,200 | 34 | €159,800 | Leon Sturm | €60,700 + €32,500 bounties |
| €10,200 PLO 6-Max | €10,200 | 58 | €562,600 | Andras Nemeth | €168,900 |
| €25,000 EPT High Roller | €25,000 | 200 | €4,802,000 | Aleksejs Ponakovs | €839,430 |
| €30,000 EPT PLO High Roller | €30,000 | 28 | €817,740 | Dennis Weiss | €351,640 |
| €50,000 SHR Second Chance | €50,000 | 41 | €1,988,910 | Orpen Kisacikoglu | €686,210 |
| €100,000 Invitational Freezeout (SNG) | €100,000 | 10 | €1,000,000* | Jason Koon | €1,000,000 |
| €100,000 High Roller for One Drop | €100,000 | 76 | €7,296,000 | Albert Daher | €2,055,000 |
| €825 PokerStars Cup | €825 | 1,196 | €861,120 | Illuminato Torrisi | €146,250 |
| €250,000 EPT Super High Roller | €250,000 | 38 | €9,310,000 | Alex Kulev | €2,786,332* |
EPT Barcelona 2026
The biggest and busiest stop on the EPT schedule, known for massive fields and nonstop action.
- Venue: Casino Barcelona
- Dates: 16 - 29 August
- Vibe: Energetic, destination-driven, high-volume
Check EPT Barcelona 2026 schedule.
EPT Prague 2026
A dependable late-season stop with a proven winter festival feel.
- Venue: Hilton Prague
- Dates: December (TBA)
- Vibe: volume-friendly, very good beer, "the magic of Prague"
Latest EPT Main Event Results
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €1,011 | $4,903,350 | Roman Stoica | $825,000 |
| EPT Paris 2026 | €1,474 | $7,075,200 | Jorge Abreu | $1,148,600 |
| EPT Barcelona 2025 | €1,490 | $9,918,250 | Thomas Eychenne | $1,217,175 |
| EPT Prague 2025 | €872 | $5,936,400 | Matan Krakow | $778,255 |
Noteable Latest Side Event Winners
Big stories at EPT stops do not come only from the Main Event. Side events such as PokerStars Open tournaments, high rollers, and mystery bounties also create huge fields, major prizes, and standout winners.
| Festival | Tournament | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €250,000 EPT Super High Roller | 38 | €9,310,000 | Alex Kulev |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €100,000 High Roller for One Drop | 76 | €7,296,000 | Albert Daher |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €50,000 SHR Second Chance | 41 | €1,988,910 | Orpen Kisacikoglu |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €25,000 EPT High Roller | 200 | €4,802,000 | Aleksejs Ponakovs |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €3,250 EPT Mystery Bounty | 584 | —* | Viacheslav Goryachev |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2026 | €1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event | 1,634 | €2,352,960 | Joris Ruijs |
| EPT Paris 2026 | €1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event | 2,992 | €4,308,480 | Patrik Demus |
| EPT Paris 2026 | €2,700 PokerStars Open High Roller | 1,162 | €2,788,800 | Theo Rebour |
| EPT Paris 2026 | €100,000 EPT Super High Roller | 24 | €2,257,920 | Ottomar Ladva |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2025 | €1,100 PokerStars Open Main Event | 2,387 | €2,291,520 | Jon Kyte |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2025 | €2,200 PokerStars Open High Roller | 1,300 | €2,496,000 | Mathew Frankland |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2025 | €100,000 EPT Super High Roller | 74 | €7,179,480 | Christopher Nguyen |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2025 | €25,000 EPT High Roller | 226 | €5,426,260 | Pedro Chaves |
| EPT Monte Carlo 2025 | €3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty | 739 | €1,268,124 | Stoyan Madanzhiev |
| EPT Prague 2025 | €1,650 PokerStars Open Main Event | 3,024 | €4,354,560 | Yulian Bogdanov |
| EPT Prague 2025 | €3,250 NLH Mystery Bounty | 636 | €1,850,760 | Dominik Panka |
EPT 2026 Buy-Ins, Event Types and Tournament Formats
EPT festivals offer a wide range of formats, with buy-ins running from a few hundred euros to €100,000 or more. Paris 2026 alone ranged from €200 qualifiers and €1,100 side events to high-stakes tournaments costing €100,000 and €250,000.
- EPT Main Events: The flagship tournaments at each stop, usually priced at €5,300. These are deep, multi-day events aimed at qualifiers, regulars, and top pros.
- PokerStars Open Events: Lower buy-in headline events, usually around €1,100 to €1,650. They often attract huge fields thanks to their lower cost and big-event feel.
- Mystery Bounty Events: Tournaments that combine standard prize pools with hidden bounty rewards collected after the money stage. They add more volatility and excitement than a standard freezeout.
- Mixed Games: A smaller but specialist part of the schedule, often built around TORSE: 2-7 Triple Draw, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better. These events are generally better suited to experienced mixed-game players.
- High Rollers and Super High Rollers: Premium buy-in events starting around €10,200 and rising to €25,000, €50,000, €100,000 and even €250,000 like in EPT Monte Carlo 2026. This tier can also include top-end PLO events.
- Mid-Stakes Side Events: Usually in the €1,100 to €5,000 range. This part of the schedule offers the widest mix of formats, including hold’em, PLO, turbo, freezeout, and bounty events.
- Low-Stakes Side Events: Events from around €200 to €1,000, including qualifiers and smaller side tournaments. These are the most accessible options for casual players and smaller bankrolls, and a good place to start for first-time visitors to a major poker festival
How To Qualify for the EPT
There are plenty of ways to get your seat for an EPT stop, but the most cost‑effective route for most players is PokerStars’ Power Path system, which lets you spin up a live package from micro‑stakes or even from a daily free ticket. Traditional online satellites and straightforward direct buy‑ins are still available as well, so you can pick the path that best fits your bankroll and risk tolerance.
PokerStars Power Path to EPT
Power Path is PokerStars’ step-based qualification system for major live events like the EPT. Players can often start with a free Step 1 ticket through PokerStars Rewards or buy in from around $0.50, then move through the ladder to win Bronze, Silver, or Gold Power Passes.
Those passes work as package prizes:
- Bronze: Usually entry to a $109 online event
- Silver: A mid-tier package worth about $2,500
- Gold: A $10,300 live or online package for EPT Main Events and other major tournaments
Because the final stage is ticket-only, players can reach a full EPT package for far less than the normal €5,300 Main Event buy-in.
Other Online Satellites & Qualifiers
Outside Power Path, PokerStars also runs direct satellites into EPT events, usually from around $10. These feed into Main Events, PokerStars Open tournaments, and selected high rollers, while regional platforms such as PokerStars Ontario may also offer local qualification routes.
Direct Buy-in
Players who skip qualifiers can usually buy into EPT events online before the stop or on site at the venue. Registration rules vary by stop, but most require a PSLive account, valid ID, and approved payment method.
Some stops, including Paris and Barcelona, may also offer casino-run online pre-registration. Others, such as Monte Carlo, usually require players to buy chips at the cage before registering at the tournament desk.
First-Time EPT Guide for New Live Poker Players
Playing your first EPT can feel like a big jump from local games, but the experience is usually more organized and beginner-friendly than many players expect.
Think long, deep-structured days, a professional setup, and a few logistics that become much easier once you know how the festivals work.
What to Expect at an EPT Festival
An EPT stop feels bigger, busier, and more structured than most local live events.
- Large tournament space, usually in a casino ballroom or conference venue.
- Multiple tournament areas running at once.
- Feature table stage with livestream production and TV-style setup.
- Side events often run from late morning until after midnight.
- Main Events and major side events usually use deep stacks and long levels.
- Tournament days can easily last 8 to 10 hours including breaks.
- Strong floor control, clear procedures, and tighter enforcement than smaller live events.
- TV tables may include microphones, cameras, and stricter table rules.
- Phone and device use can be more restricted than players expect.
- The field is usually mixed, from first-time qualifiers to top pros and seasoned regulars.
The main adjustment for newer players is not just the competition level, but the length of the days and the overall scale of the festival.
How EPT Registration Works
There are usually a few different ways to get registered, depending on the stop.
- Pre-register online through PokerStars when available.
- Register through an approved partner or casino platform at selected stops.
- Buy in directly at the venue during the festival.
A few practical things to know:
- Online registration for major events often opens a few weeks before the stop.
- You can usually register until late registration closes.
- If you register in advance, you normally collect your ticket on site.
- Most stops require a PokerStars Live / PSLive account.
- On-site registration is usually handled at the cage or registration desk.
- Payment methods can include cash, casino chips, bank wire, or approved payment providers.
- The exact process varies by venue, so always check the stop-specific rules before you travel.
Some stops are straightforward, while others have extra steps, so it’s worth sorting this out before arrival instead of trying to do it all minutes before play starts.
What to Bring to an EPT Stop
The essentials are simple, but forgetting one small thing can slow your whole day down.
Bring these first:
- Valid government-issued photo ID.
- A passport if you are travelling internationally.
- Registration confirmation email, receipt, or QR code if you signed up online.
- Payment method or proof of transfer if needed for buy-in collection.
Also worth bringing:
- Comfortable clothes for long sessions.
- A hoodie or light jacket for cold tournament rooms.
- Wired headphones if allowed and useful for your setup.
- A phone charger or power bank.
- Water, snacks, and anything else permitted that helps with long days.
Before you arrive, double-check that your name matches across your ID, registration, and player account details. Also plan for limited phone use at the table, since live event rules can be stricter than many first-time players expect.
Pro EPT Tip For First Timers: Make Use of Exclusive Promotions
Before you travel, it’s worth checking whether the EPT stop has any payment or partner promos attached to it.
These offers can include:
- Cashback on deposits or buy-ins.
- Better foreign exchange rates.
- Reduced payment or transfer fees.
- Seat giveaways for Main Events or side events.
- Partner-sponsored bounties or festival promotions.
- Faster or more convenient buy-in options on site.
LuxonPay is one example of a payment partner that has been used around major poker festivals, with promos sometimes tied to tournament buy-ins, special giveaways, or limited-time cashback offers.
A few practical tips:
- Check PokerStars Live announcements before the stop.
- Check the host casino website and festival info page.
- Look for named payment partners in the event branding.
- Set up and verify your account before travelling if a promo depends on it.
- Read the terms carefully so you know any deadlines, limits, or country restrictions.
Why it matters:
- You may save money on fees or exchange rates.
- Registration can be quicker if your payment setup is ready in advance.
- Some promos give you added value without increasing your poker spend.
- Over several stops, those small savings can add up in a meaningful way.
The main idea is simple: do not treat travel payments and buy-in logistics as an afterthought. Sometimes the easiest value at an EPT stop comes from the partner offers around the festival, not just from the tournament schedule itself.
European Poker Tour History
If you’ve made it this far through PokerWired’s EPT guide, you’re ready to take your shot at the European Poker Tour. Dream big and hit the tables. Looking back at EPT history, one thing stands out: making the “impossible” happen is not as far-fetched as it seems. Poker is still a game with plenty of variance, but time and again, consistent top finishes have shown that skill gives players a real chance to turn big ambitions into reality.
Here are some of the key facts about the European Poker Tour, along with some of the standout moments from its rich history.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2004, during the height of the online poker boom.
- Tour creator: John Duthie, a professional player and TV producer who had the idea for a European TV tour built around no‑limit hold’em.
- First EPT: Barcelona, with a €1,000 Main Event that drew 229 entries and was won by Sweden’s Alexander Stevic for €80,000.
Milestone Winners
- First Main Event winner: Alexander Stevic (EPT Barcelona 2004).
- First female EPT Main Event champion: Victoria Coren‑Mitchell (EPT London, Season 3).
- First two‑time EPT Main Event champion: Victoria Coren‑Mitchell (London 2006 and San Remo 2014).
- Second two‑time EPT Main Event champion: Mikalai Pobal (Barcelona 2012 and Prague 2019).
- Third two‑time EPT Main Event champion: Michael Watson (PCA 2016 and EPT Monte Carlo 2023).
Launch and Early Growth
The European Poker Tour launched in 2004, as online poker and televised events helped push Texas hold’em further into the mainstream across Europe.
The first EPT Main Event was held in Barcelona, where 229 players entered and Alexander Stevic became the tour’s first champion. Season 1 featured seven stops, ending with a Monte Carlo Grand Final won by Rob Hollink for €635,000.
Establishing a European Flagship
In its early years, the EPT quickly grew into Europe’s leading live poker tour. Bigger fields, larger prize pools, and new stops in cities such as Prague, Sanremo, Dortmund, Warsaw, and Baden helped give it a broad pan-European reach.
The tour also became more international. European regulars shared the spotlight with visiting stars, helping the EPT grow from a regional series into a major global brand.
Triple Crown Connections
As the EPT matured, it became one of the three key tours in poker’s live Triple Crown, alongside the WSOP and WPT.
Gavin Griffin became the first player to complete the Triple Crown after winning EPT Monte Carlo in 2007, while Roland de Wolfe and Jake Cody later followed the same path. That gave EPT titles real weight in all-time poker résumés.
Victoria Coren-Mitchell’s Place in EPT History
One of the tour’s landmark moments came when Victoria Coren-Mitchell won EPT London in Season 3, becoming the first woman to win an EPT Main Event.
She made more history in 2014 by winning EPT San Remo, becoming the first player ever to win two EPT Main Event titles.
Other Notable Champions
The EPT also helped launch a new wave of stars. Mike McDonald became the youngest EPT champion at 18 when he won Dortmund in 2008.
Wins by Jason Mercier and Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier also helped cement the tour’s reputation as a proving ground for elite talent.
Expansion and Modern Era
As poker grew, the EPT expanded across more of Europe, reaching destinations such as Malta, Ireland, the Czech Republic, and Russia.
Prague became one of the tour’s signature winter stops, while Malta’s return in 2025 showed how the EPT continues to balance heritage stops with fresh momentum.
The Rise of a New Generation
The modern era brought a younger wave of champions, many of them shaped online before breaking through live.
Adrián Mateos became one of the clearest examples of that shift when he won the Season 11 Grand Final in Monte Carlo at age 20, after already winning the WSOP Europe Main Event as a teenager.
EPT Barcelona Still Draws the Largest Crowds
If one stop defines the scale of the modern EPT, it is Barcelona. It continues to attract some of the biggest fields on the tour and remains the benchmark for a flagship European poker stop.
Recent Main Event fields show that consistency:
- 2022: 2,294 entries
- 2023: 2,120 entries
- 2024: 1,975 entries
- 2025: 2,045 entries
That year-after-year strength is why Barcelona still stands as the EPT’s biggest recurring draw.
EPT: The Flagship Festival of Europe
Today, the European Poker Tour remains one of the most prestigious live series in the world and the central pillar of the European tournament calendar. Its mix of historic venues, record‑setting fields, and a steady stream of new champions keeps it relevant to both established professionals and ambitious qualifiers.
For many players, the dream of “binking an EPT Main Event” is still one of the purest goals in tournament poker: a single title that combines life‑changing money, a career‑defining trophy, and a permanent place in a 20‑plus‑year history of iconic winners.
So, are you ready to play at the next EPT?
European Poker Tour 2026 FAQs
What is the European Poker Tour (EPT) and how does the 2026 season work?
The European Poker Tour (EPT) is PokerStars’ flagship live tournament series, made up of multiple festival stops across Europe each year, with a full schedule of Main Events, high rollers, and side events at every stop.
The 2026 season follows this format, with each stop running as a multi‑day poker festival featuring a €5,300 EPT Main Event alongside a full slate of qualifiers, mid‑stakes events, and high‑stakes tournaments.
Which EPT stops are on the 2026 schedule and when do they run?
For 2026, confirmed EPT festival stops include EPT Paris and EPT Monte Carlo, with Paris running in February and March and Monte Carlo scheduled in late April and early May.
Additional EPT stops such as Barcelona, Prague, or Malta are typically announced via PokerStars LIVE and major poker media as the season calendar is finalized, so players should always check the latest official schedule before booking travel.
How do you enter an EPT event?
You can enter EPT events by winning a seat through online satellites, by securing a package via promotions like PokerStars Power Path, or by paying the buy‑in directly either online in the PokerStars client or on site at the venue.
Most players register for live events by logging into the PokerStars client on eligible domains, choosing the EPT stop and tournament they want, and then confirming registration before collecting their tournament ticket at the event registration desk.
What is the buy-in for an EPT Main Event?
The standard buy‑in for most EPT Main Events is €5,300, making it the flagship tournament at each festival stop and the primary target for many qualifiers and package winners.
Around that headline event, EPT festival schedules also include lower‑buy‑in side events, PokerStars Open tournaments, and high rollers that can range from about €1,100 up to €25,000, €50,000, or higher depending on the stop.
Can first-time live players play an EPT stop?
Yes, first‑time live players are welcome at EPT festivals, and many choose to start with lower‑buy‑in side events, qualifiers, or PokerStars Open tournaments rather than jumping straight into the Main Event.
EPT stops are typically run in a structured, player‑friendly way, with clear registration desks, staff support, and a wide mix of buy‑ins, which makes them accessible to recreational players as well as seasoned professionals.