The European Poker Tour is officially heading back to France. After regulatory challenges forced the cancellation of the 2025 edition, PokerStars has confirmed that EPT Paris will serve as the season opener for 2026.
The festival takes place from February 18 to March 1 at Le Palais des Congrès. PokerStars is renewing its partnership with Club Barrière Paris, utilizing the venue's extensive floor space to accommodate the large fields traditionally seen in the French capital.
A Two-Tiered Festival Structure
The 12-day schedule follows a familiar rhythm, starting with the PokerStars Open before transitioning into the major championship events.
Action begins on February 18 with the PokerStars Open Main Event. This €1,650 buy-in tournament features multiple starting flights and serves as an early-stage highlight of the series. It runs alongside the €825 PokerStars Open Cup and a range of satellite qualifiers.
High-stakes action begins on February 22 with the €100,000 EPT Super High Roller. This three-day event precedes the €5,300 EPT Main Event, which starts on February 23 and concludes with a champion crowned on March 1.
Players can also target the €3,250 EPT Mystery Bounty, a popular mystery bounty format that adds an extra layer of excitement with big bounty prizes on the line.
Key Tournament Dates
| Event | Buy-In | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PokerStars Open Main Event | €1,650 | Feb 18 | Feb 23 |
| EPT Super High Roller | €100,000 | Feb 22 | Feb 24 |
| EPT Main Event | €5,300 | Feb 23 | Mar 1 |
| EPT Mystery Bounty | €3,250 | Feb 25 | Feb 27 |
| EPT High Roller | €10,300 | Feb 27 | Mar 1 |
Spin & Go Championship Goes Live
EPT Paris will also feature the Spin & Go Championship Live, bringing PokerStars’ popular online format to a live tournament setting.
Online qualification takes place throughout January, with the top 1,000 players on the leaderboard advancing to a freeroll on January 26. Nine Spin-Off packages will be awarded, each including accommodation in Paris and €500 in expenses.
The Spin-Off is held in Paris on February 22, with the nine qualifiers advancing to the Spin & Go Championship Live, which begins on February 23. The championship carries a €315,000 guaranteed prize pool, including €150,000 reserved for the final table.
