Barcelona and the European Poker Tour have been inseparable for over two decades. It was in the Catalonian capital in 2004 that the history of the entire series began, and this stop has since evolved into one of the largest and most beloved events in the global poker calendar.
The next chapter begins tomorrow. From August 16 to 29, the halls of Casino Barcelona will fill with thousands of players from around the world. The schedule features nearly 80 tournaments, including the Main Event with a €5,300 buy-in, a Super High Roller for €100,000, and an entirely new format that could change how players approach the tournament bubble.
The Birthplace of EPT History
When the first European Poker Tour event took place in September 2004, no one could have predicted the impact this new series would have on European poker. The inaugural Main Event in Barcelona attracted 229 players, and Swedish player Alexander Stevic became the first-ever EPT champion, winning €80,000.
Over two decades later, these numbers seem almost unbelievable. Yet, Barcelona remains a staple in the calendar, hosting EPT in every season. The once intimate tournament has grown into a festival whose Main Event often generates a prize pool nearing or exceeding €10 million.
A symbolic moment in modern history was the return of EPT in 2022 after the pandemic break. The Main Event recorded a record-breaking 2,294 entries from players across 78 countries, creating a prize pool of approximately €11.1 million. Giuliano Bendinelli made an incredible comeback from his last big blind, ultimately taking home €1,491,133.
Barcelona’s unique status isn’t just due to tournament size. The casino is located right by the beach, the weather is perfect in August, and the city offers a combination of sea, cuisine, and nightlife that few stops can rival. For professionals, Barcelona is one of the most important tournaments of the year, while for recreational players, it’s a chance to combine poker with a summer holiday.
Last Year Belonged to Thomas Eychenne
The festival’s popularity is best reflected in the latest numbers. The EPT Barcelona 2025 Main Event saw 2,045 entries from 1,490 unique players across 82 countries. The prize pool reached €9,918,250, marking it as the third-largest Main Event in EPT history.
Thomas Eychenne took the title. The French professional finally secured his first live tournament victory in Barcelona. After a heads-up deal with Sebastian Ionita, he claimed €1,217,175, while the Romanian runner-up took home €1,117,175. Eychenne navigated through a field of 2,045 entries, proving once again that Barcelona can create a new great poker story every year.
The Festival Opens with PokerStars Open
The first half of the schedule will be dominated by the more affordable PokerStars Open. The Main Event, with a €1,650 buy-in, kicks off on Sunday, August 16, featuring several starting flights with different level lengths. Players can choose between classic structures and faster evening flights. The final day is set for August 22, coinciding with the start of the main EPT tournament. The opening part of the festival will also include the PokerStars Open Cup for €825 and a three-day PokerStars Open High Roller with a €2,700 buy-in.
Key Tournaments at EPT Barcelona 2026:
|
Tournament |
Date | Buy-in |
| PokerStars Open Main Event | August 16 – 22 | €1,650 |
| In the Money at 180,000 – First Edition | August 17 – 18 | €550 |
| PokerStars Open Cup | August 20 – 21 | €825 |
| PokerStars Open High Roller | August 21 – 23 | €2,700 |
| EPT Super High Roller | August 21 – 23 | €100,000 |
| EPT Main Event | August 22 – 29 | €5,300 |
| EPT Mystery Bounty | August 25 – 27 | €3,250 |
| In the Money at 180,000 – Main Edition | August 26 – 27 | €2,200 |
| EPT High Roller | August 27 – 29 | €10,300 |
Main Event Remains the Crown Jewel
The spotlight will naturally be on the EPT Main Event with a €5,300 buy-in. The tournament kicks off on Saturday, August 22, and by the following week, a new champion will be crowned. Players receive a starting stack of 30,000 chips with two initial days. One re-entry is allowed, and registration will remain open at the start of the second day.
Before the Main Event begins, the biggest names in global poker will meet at the tables. The Super High Roller for €100,000 will take place from August 21 to 23, and an array of high roller events with €10,200, €20,000, €25,000, and €30,000 buy-ins will accompany it. The festival will conclude with a three-day EPT High Roller for €10,300, the last grand opportunity to walk away from Barcelona with a six- or even seven-figure win.
Revolutionary Event: In the Money at 180,000
The most talked-about addition to the schedule is the In the Money at 180,000 tournament. Players start with 30,000 chips, and their goal is not merely to survive to the end of the first day. Those who increase their stack to 180,000 will immediately conclude their play, bag their chips for the second day, and simultaneously secure a financial reward. The traditional wait for the bubble burst is absent in this format, as each player has a personal finish line and must decide the risk they're willing to take to reach six times the starting stack.
This innovation may yield fascinating strategic dynamics. Players nearing the 180,000 threshold will have to consider whether to continue risking to progress with an even larger stack. Meanwhile, their opponents might attempt to exploit this pressure. The format will be tested twice. The first version, with a €550 buy-in and a capacity of 300 players, occurs on August 17 and 18. The main edition for €2,200 follows on August 26 and 27.
EPT Barcelona is More Than Just Poker
PokerStars has prepared an extensive accompanying program. Players and their guests can look forward to welcome parties, karaoke, quizzes, game nights, wine tasting, and the Guess the Hand competition. Additionally, morning yoga and pilates sessions will be available from August 18 to 27. The full activities schedule confirms that organizers aim to create an experience beyond the tables.
Fans will also be able to follow the action through live broadcasts. From August 23, seven days of streaming are planned in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Brazilian Portuguese. There will be a separate Portuguese broadcast for the first time.
Starting Sunday, Casino Barcelona will once again become the center of European poker. After last year's Main Event with over 2,000 entries, the big question is whether the historic record can be challenged. Equally intriguing will be whether the new format, In the Money at 180,000, finds its way into more EPT stops.
Sources - PSlive, Flickr/PSlive