For nearly two weeks, Casino Velden once again became the hub of European poker. From July 14 to 26, approximately 1,400 players from nearly 40 countries gathered by Lake Wörthersee for the 35th Poker EM, creating over 4,000 entries.
The program featured 27 tournaments, distributing over €2.8 million. Ten of these events held the status of official European championships. Notable names at the tables included Matthias Eibinger, Armin Rezaei, Tobias Schwecht, and three-time European champion and WSOP bracelet holder Jessica Teusl.
251 Entries and €627,500 in the Main Event Prize Pool
The highlight was the €2,500 + €250 NLH Main Event. The tournament attracted 211 unique players along with 40 re-entries. The total of 251 entries created a prize pool of €627,500, shared among the top 34 finishers.
Jessica Teusl entered the decisive nine-player final table as the clear chipleader, presenting a great opportunity to add a fourth Poker EM title to her collection. She maintained her position for a significant portion of the event. Nicola Bordignon, 19-year-old Norwegian champion Joakim Brox, Paul Höfer, Lennart Beumelburg, and Lucjan Jankowski were eliminated as the tournament progressed.
When only four players remained, Teusl controlled more than half of the chips in play, seemingly on a clear path to victory. However, post-dinner dynamics shifted. Luca Stevanato doubled up with queens against the nines of a player nicknamed Die Tüte, then eliminated the Swiss representative in fourth place and subsequently dealt with Mantas Liachauskas.
Thanks to these eliminations, the Italian took the lead into the heads-up against Teusl. Before the final duel, they agreed to split the remaining prize pool, with Teusl securing €103,560 and Stevanato guaranteed €109,440. Another €10,000, a trophy, and the European champion title were still at stake.
Stevanato gradually increased his lead in heads-up play, ultimately clinching victory. He walked away with €119,440 and the Poker European Champion 2026 title. Teusl narrowly missed her fourth European crown but secured her largest negotiated tournament payday of €103,560.
Main Event Final Table Results:
| Position | Player | Country | Winnings |
| 1. | Luca Stevanato | Italy | €119,440* |
| 2. | Jessica Teusl | Austria | €103,560* |
| 3. | Mantas Liachauskas | Lithuania | €63,800 |
| 4. | Die Tüte | Switzerland | €46,000 |
| 5. | Lucjan Jankowski | Poland | €33,950 |
| 6. | Lennart Beumelburg | Germany | €26,500 |
| 7. | Paul Höfer | Germany | €20,500 |
| 8. | Joakim Brox | Norway | €16,900 |
| 9. | Nicola Bordignon | Italy | €14,100 |
Ten New European Champions Crowned
While the Main Event was the program's main attraction, a total of ten European champions emerged during the festival. The opening Showdown am Wörthersee, with a buy-in of €500 + €50, recorded an impressive 824 entries. Home favorite Werner Egger took the victory, earning €55,620.
The inaugural NLH Senior European Championship for players aged 50 and above drew significant interest, with 165 entries. Hungarian Istvan Törö became the first champion, winning €18,650.
The new €5,000 + €400 PLO High Roller European Championship also debuted. With 37 entries, the prize pool reached €185,000, and German Tobias Schwecht claimed the title and €68,400.
The classic €5,000 + €400 NLH High Roller featured strong competition, with Austrian Gerald Glabonjat triumphing over 58 entries to claim €90,000 from a €290,000 prize pool.
List of Poker EM 2026 Champions:
| Tournament | Winner | Country | Winnings |
| NLH Main Event | Luca Stevanato | Italy | €119,440 |
| Showdown am Wörthersee | Werner Egger | Austria | €55,620 |
| NLH Senior Championship 50+ | Istvan Törö | Hungary | €18,650 |
| PLO High Roller Championship | Tobias Schwecht | Germany | €68,400 |
| NLH High Roller Championship | Gerald Glabonjat | Austria | €90,000 |
| Pot Limit Omaha 8-handed | Nino Ullmann | Germany | €56,660 |
| NLH Ladies Championship | Roswitha Vaclavek | Austria | €5,220 |
| Seven Card Stud | Rod Tidwell | Croatia | €11,260 |
| NLH Mystery Bounty Championship | Sascha Thiesies | Germany | €17,100 |
| NLH 6-handed Championship | Henry Gondorff | Germany | €31,000 |
Velden Remains a Summer Poker Hub
Poker EM is no longer just a series of tournaments. The combination of poker, Lake Wörthersee, and accompanying programs has made it one of the most prominent community festivals of the European summer. During the two-week event, Casino Velden expanded its team to more than 270 employees, with experienced dealers coming from across Central Europe.
The next edition is already scheduled. The 36th Poker EM will take place from July 20 to August 1, 2027, as Casino Velden once again aims to transform Lake Wörthersee into the summer capital of European poker. Casinos Austria released the festival's information and statistics in their official press release.