The European Poker Tour (EPT) is likely one of the greatest, best-known, and longest-standing dwell poker excursions in existence. Initially established in 2004, EPT has been going sturdy for over 20 years, altering and rising alongside the best way.
The tour was initially envisioned and established by John Duthie, a UK TV director and an avid poker participant. His thought got here on the proper time, proper at the beginning of the poker growth ignited by Moneymaker’s shocking victory within the 2003 WSOP Fundamental Occasion.
The European Poker Tour kicked off in September 2004 with a competition in Barcelona, Spain. In 2011, PokerStars grew to become the only real sponsor and the proprietor of the EPT, and it might change into their fundamental model for dwell festivals.
On this web page, we carry you all the main points for EPT 2026, methods you may qualify for dwell EPT tournaments through on-line satellites, and a few historic details about the biggest poker tour on European soil.
EPT 2026 Stay Schedule
To date, PokerStars has revealed two stops for its 2026 European Poker Tour. The competition will kick off in Paris, going down in February — March, adopted by a cease in Monte Carlo throughout Could.
It’s protected to imagine we’ll see at the least a few extra occasions for the 2026 European Poker Tour season, with Barcelona and Prague being staple stops for the tour. The primary one normally takes place throughout summer season (August), whereas the 2026 EPT Prague is more likely to play out in December, closing out the season.
Dates
Occasion
ME Variety of Gamers
Prize Pool
Winner
Feb 18 – Mar 1
EPT Paris
TBA
TBA
TBA
Apr 30 – Could 10
EPT Monte Carlo
TBA
TBA
TBA
EPT Paris 2026
Dates: Feb 18 — Mar 1, 2026
Venue: Le Palais des Congrès
Spotlight occasions: €5,300 Fundamental Occasion, Spin & Go Championship LIVE
The primary cease on the 2026 EPT schedule is the French capital, coming again after the 2025 sudden cancelation. With a complete of 52 occasions going down throughout the second half of February, there can be loads of motion, with a number of tournaments actually standing out.
The €5,300 Fundamental Occasion is at all times the one to look out for, as that is the one that pulls all the largest names, chasing the distinguished EPT trophy. Alongside the Fundamental, there can be a number of excessive curler and tremendous excessive curler occasions for these with deeper pockets.
Spin & Go Championship LIVE at EPT Paris
There can be one other occasion stealing consideration throughout the 2026 EPT Paris proceedings — the 2026 Spin & Go Championship LIVE. Happening February 23 — 24, the match will see 81 on-line qualifiers come collectively to battle it out on this contemporary format.
There isn’t a direct buy-in. Gamers should win their spot within the remaining showdown by way of on-line play. Those that made it will likely be battling out for a prize pool of €300,000. The qualifying interval ran from October 20 to December 1, 2025.
EPT Monte Carlo 2025
Dates: Apr 30 — Could 10, 2026
Venue: Sporting Monte-Carlo
Spotlight occasions: €5,300 Fundamental Occasion, €100,000 Tremendous Excessive Curler
The European Poker Tour is coming again to Monte Carlo to proceed a cooperation that has lasted for over 20 years. In reality, the 2026 competition will mark the twenty first anniversary of EPT Monte Carlo.
At this second in time, the total schedule is just not out, however we count on to see at the least 50 occasions on the docket (not counting numerous satellites), with the €5,300 Fundamental Occasion because the spotlight of the competition. Nevertheless, the spot does entice rich excessive rollers as nicely, so this one may see a good bit of motion in these increased buy-in occasions.
EPT 2026 On-line Qualifiers
With the European Poker Tour being the biggest dwell competition hosted by PokerStars, the operator presents a myriad of how for gamers to win match entries and full-scale journey packages on-line.
To see what satellites are operating at any given time, merely open your PokerStars shopper, navigate to the ‘Occasions’ tab, and take a look at the listing. Right here, you’ll discover all of the totally different qualifiers supplying you with entry to 2026 EPT occasions, with many satellite tv for pc paths beginning as little as $1.
One other option to qualify for various PokerStars Stay occasions is through Energy Path. It is a four-step qualifying path that begins with simply $0.50 and might result in Gold Energy Passes, which you need to use to enter numerous 2026 EPT occasions.
The place to Watch EPT 2026
PokerStars supplies full protection of each EPT Fundamental Occasion on its official YouTube channel, which normally begins on day two or three. There may be additionally protection of different large occasions, equivalent to tremendous excessive rollers, and the entire content material is accessible fully free.
These streams characteristic commentary from well-known voices, equivalent to Joe Stapleton, James Hartigan, and Nick Walsh, with many high execs stopping by the sales space to offer skilled commentary for a number of hours at a time.
European Poker Tour Fast Historical past
The European Poker Tour was created by John Duthie in 2004. Duthie noticed a chance with on-line poker booming after the occasions of 2003 and determined to go along with his thought. The primary-ever EPT occurred in Barcelona, attracting a modest variety of 229 entries (by at the moment’s requirements), however it was an indication of issues to come back.
Gamers liked the concept proper from the beginning, and the competition began to develop quickly, increasing to London, Dublin, Vienna, Monte Carlo, Warsaw, and plenty of different locations across the continent over the primary few seasons.
The expansion of EPT was largely helped by PokerStars, the tour’s official sponsor, which hosted on-line satellites, boosting participant numbers and growing participant swimming pools. With the tour rising, it began to draw many big-name gamers as nicely.
In 2011, PokerStars grew to become the unique sponsor of the EPT and made it its staple dwell competition. This helped additional set up the model and make the European Poker Tour what it’s at the moment — one of many largest and most influential dwell poker excursions round.
FAQ
What’s the European Poker Tour?
The European Poker Tour is the principle dwell tour by PokerStars, going down a number of occasions a yr in quite a few European cities, like Barcelona, Prague, Monte Carlo, Paris, London, and extra.
What stops are there on the 2026 EPT schedule?
To date, PokerStars has confirmed occasions in Pairs and Monte Carlo for the 2026 EPT season, however there can be extra stops added quickly.
How can I qualify on-line for EPT 2026 occasions?
You may qualify for the 2026 European Poker Tour on PokerStars. There are common qualifiers for particular person stops, in addition to Energy Path, a multi-step system that may get you entries into EPT tournaments.
Can I play within the PokerStars Spin & Go Championship LIVE at EPT Paris?
Solely gamers who certified for the occasion on-line can play on this match, as there is no such thing as a method to purchase into the Championship immediately. The qualification interval ended on December 1, 2025.
Is EPT coming again to Barcelona in 2026?
Though it hasn’t been confirmed formally simply but, it’s a protected guess that Barcelona can be one of many stops on the 2026 European Poker Tour schedule.
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