After a one-year absence, the European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris is officially back on the PokerStars Live calendar for 2026. The stop will run February 18 to March 1, 2026, at Le Palais des Congrès, in partnership with Club Barrière.
The French capital has quickly become one of the flagship destinations on the EPT circuit, with booming attendance figures in 2023 and 2024 before a regulatory hiccup forced PokerStars to cancel the 2025 edition. Now, with licensing issues resolved, Paris is set for a triumphant return, and expectations are higher than ever.
“We’re delighted to have Paris back on the EPT schedule in 2026 and to collaborate once again with Club Barrière,” said Cédric Billot, Associate Director of PokerStars Live Events. “It’s a player favourite for many reasons. The unique atmosphere, the accessibility, and of course, Paris itself makes for one of the most complete poker experiences.”
- Qualifier Razvan Belea Takes Down 2023 EPT Paris Main Event for €1,170,000
- Slovenian Poker Prodigy Blaž Žerjav Shines at EPT Paris 2024
- PokerStars Cancels 2025 EPT Paris Due To Regulatory Reasons
EPT Paris: Schedule Highlights
The 12-day Paris festival promises a deep schedule of events, with headline tournaments spanning both the PokerStars Open and EPT tracks:
- PokerStars Open Main Event: €1,650 (Feb 18–23)
- PokerStars Open Cup: €825 (Feb 21–22)
- PokerStars Open High Roller: €2,700 (Feb 22–23)
- EPT Super High Roller: €50,000 (Feb 22–24)
- EPT Main Event: €5,300 (Feb 23–Mar 1)
- EPT Mystery Bounty: €3,250 (Feb 25–27)
- EPT High Roller: €10,300 (Feb 27–Mar 1)
Thousands of players are expected, and PokerStars Travel has already begun promoting discounted packages for visitors looking to stay close to the action in the heart of Paris.
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First Wave of 2026 PokerStars Live Events
EPT Paris is part of the first wave of PokerStars Live announcements for 2026, which also features some of the tour’s most beloved stops. The year will open with a PokerStars Open stop on the Italian-Swiss border and carry through to Monte Carlo and Namur:
| Event | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| PokerStars Open Campione | Jan 23 – Feb 1, 2026 | Casinò di Campione |
| EPT Paris | Feb 18 – Mar 1, 2026 | Le Palais des Congrès |
| Irish Open | Mar 26 – Apr 6, 2026 | Royal Dublin Society |
| EPT Monte Carlo | Apr 30 – May 10, 2026 | Sporting Monte Carlo |
| PokerStars Open Namur | May 27 – Jun 7, 2026 | Circus Casino Resort Namur |
Each of these stops boasts a rich history of record fields and multimillion-euro prize pools. From the electric atmosphere of the Irish Open to the glamour of Monte Carlo, PokerStars Live is setting up a blockbuster season.
Why EPT Paris Matters
EPT Paris has become one of the most important modern additions to the European schedule. Its debut in 2023 drew 1,606 players for the €5,300 Main Event. In 2024, British poker legend Barny Boatman emerged victorious from a record-breaking 1,747-entry field, taking home €1.2 million. The buzz around his win solidified Paris as one of the most celebrated stops on the circuit.
EPT Paris Main Event Winners
| Year | Buy-in | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | €5,300 | 1,747 | €8,385,600 |  Barny Boatman | United Kingdom | €1,287,800 |
| 2023 | €5,300 | 1,606 | €7,708,800 |  Razvan Belea | Romania | €1,170,000 |
With a year off in 2025, anticipation for the festival’s return has only grown. For players looking to combine elite poker with one of the world’s most iconic destinations, February in Paris is now an unmissable date on the calendar.
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