PokerStars Confirms European Poker Tour Paris Returns in 2026
PokerStars has confirmed that European Poker Tour (EPT) will return to Paris as part of the online poker giant's live poker schedule in 2026. Following huge attendances in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 edition of EPT Paris was cancelled amid regulatory challenges. However, PokerStars has overcome those hurdles and the 2026 EPT Paris is scheduled to run from February 18 through March 1 at the Le Palais des Congres.
"We're delighted to have Paris back on the EPT schedule in 2026 and to be able to collaborate once again with Club Barriere," said Cedric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events. "It's a player favorite for many reasons: the unique atmosphere, it's a great location accessible from all over Europe, and when it comes to enjoying your time away from the poker tables, well, Paris is a city that takes some beating. We can't wait to be back in the French capital and welcome players to the Palais de Congres in February."
PokerStars took its EPT to Paris for the first time in 2023, and it was deemed a success despite some teething problems. The €5,300 EPT Paris Main Event drew 1,606 entrants, creating a €7,708,800 prize pool. Romanian Razvan Belea came out on top and returned home with €1,170,000.
A change of venue for the 2024 EPT Paris festival was welcomed by all, and players voted with their feet, turning out in droves. A field of 1,747 fought it out for a slice of the €8,385,600 prize pool. British legend Barny Boatman emerged victoriously and with a career-best €1,287,800 prize in tow.
The 2025 EPT Paris was set to build on that success between February 12 and 23. However, a shift in licensing requirements in the French capital created too much uncertainty, and PokerStars was left with little option but to pull the plug. That uncertainty must have waned because the EPT is most definitely returning to La Ville Lumiere (City of Lights) in February.
Four More 2026 Stops Announced, Starting With PSO Campione
PokerStars Open Campione kicks off the 2026 PokerStars LIVE season, and will do so in style. In March 2025, the PokerStars Open Campione Main Event saw a bumper crowd of 2,423 entrants, including re-entries, more than double the €1 million guarantee. Romania's Adrian State came out on top and scooped €363,000 of the €2,326,080 prize pool.
Mark January 23 to February 1 on your calendars if you plan to fly to picturesque Campione for the opening event on the 2026 schedule.
After Campione comes EPT Paris, which is followed by Europe's longest-running live poker tournament, the PokerStars-sponsored Irish Open. The 2026 Irish Open will be held from March 26 to April 6. Expect another gargantuan field on par with the 4,562 who turned out in 2025 and created a €4,447,950 prize pool when the guarantee was "only" €2,500,000. Simon Wilson took home €600,000 of that princely sum.
The iconic EPT Monte Carlo follows hot on the heels of the Irish Open in April 2026. It runs from April 30 to May 10. This prestigious event on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea never fails to shine. Russia's Aleksandr Shevliakov triumphed in 2025, taking home €1,000,000 of the €5,795,750 prize pool after leaving 1,194 opponents in his wake.
A couple of weeks after EPT Monte Carlo wraps up, PokerStars Open Namur springs into action. This festival will be Belgium's biggest of the year by some distance. It runs May 27 to June 7, with the €1,100 buy-in Main Event being the crown jewel. The 2025 edition attracted 1,572 players, who Jean Lehut outlasted to bank €238,000 of the €1,493,400 prize pool.
These five stops are only the start of 2026's offerings. PokerStars will announce more legs to its 2026 live events calendar in due course; we can hardly contain our excitement.
