PokerStars Confirms EPT Paris Return After 2025 Cancellation
The European Poker Tour will return to Paris in 2026, with PokerStars confirming the festival will take place from February 18 to March 1 at Le Palais des Congrès. The comeback follows the cancellation of the 2025 edition, which was called off due to changes in French licensing requirements that created uncertainty for the event. PokerStars has confirmed those challenges have been resolved.
2026 EPT Paris Schedule and Events
The 2026 schedule includes the €5,300 no-limit hold’em Main Event from February 23 to March 1, along with the PokerStars Open Main Event, a women’s event, and multiple high roller tournaments. Le Palais des Congrès has been chosen again for its accessibility and capacity to host the large fields EPT Paris has seen in past years.
EPT Paris History and Past Champions
EPT Paris was first held in 2023 and drew 1,606 entries in its Main Event, creating a €7,708,800 prize pool. Romanian player Razvan Belea, who qualified online through a $530 PokerStars satellite and competed under the screen name “RazvyQQ,” won the title and €1,170,000. At the time of his victory, he had approximately $1.25 million in online multi-table tournament winnings, and he became the first Romanian to win an EPT Main Event.
In 2024, the festival moved to a new venue and saw 1,747 players enter the Main Event, building an €8,385,600 prize pool. British professional Barny Boatman, a founding member of the Hendon Mob with two WSOP bracelets, won the event and earned €1,287,800, which was his career-best live score. His win was followed by a sponsorship deal with PokerStars that lasted about one year. On July 22, 2025, he announced his departure from the PokerStars Team Pro roster. Across the 2024 festival, more than 16,000 total entries were recorded.
Why 2025 EPT Paris Was Canceled
The 2025 EPT Paris had been scheduled for February 12 to 23, but was canceled weeks before its start due to the updated licensing requirements. Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events at PokerStars, stated that Paris is valued for its atmosphere, central location, and appeal away from the poker tables. Clément Martin Saint Léon, Executive Vice President of Gaming at the Barrière Group, described EPT Paris as the largest tournament in France and the second largest in Europe after Barcelona.
PokerStars LIVE 2026 Tour Stops
The 2026 PokerStars LIVE season begins with the PokerStars Open Campione in Italy from January 23 to February 1. The 2025 PSO Campione Main Event had 2,423 entries, including re-entries, which more than doubled the €1 million guarantee. Romania’s Adrian State won and received €363,000 from the €2,326,080 prize pool.
After EPT Paris, the next confirmed stop will be the Irish Open from March 26 to April 6. The 2025 Irish Open attracted 4,562 entries, producing a €4,447,950 prize pool against a €2.5 million guarantee. Simon Wilson won the Main Event and earned €600,000.
EPT Monte Carlo follows from April 30 to May 10, 2026. In 2025, it had 1,194 entries in its Main Event and a €5,795,750 prize pool, with Aleksandr Shevliakov winning €1,000,000.
The early-year schedule will then close with the PokerStars Open Namur in Belgium from May 27 to June 7. The 2025 Main Event featured 1,572 players and a €1,493,400 prize pool. Jean-Vincent Lehut won the title and €238,000.
Confirmed 2026 PokerStars LIVE Schedule
The confirmed 2026 PokerStars LIVE stops so far are:
- PokerStars Open Campione: January 23 – February 1
- EPT Paris: February 18 – March 1
- Irish Open: March 26 – April 6
- EPT Monte Carlo: April 30 – May 10
- PokerStars Open Namur: May 27 – June 7
PokerStars has stated that more events will be announced later.