European Poker Tour (EPT) – Schedule, Venues & History

The European Poker Tour (or EPT) is widely recognized as the “Champions League” of live poker, offering the richest and most prestigious tournaments outside of Las Vegas . Established during the global poker boom, the series attracts a unique mix of elite professional grinders and wealthy recreational players, making it the dominant poker tour in Europe. Whether you are hunting for life-changing prize pools or the glamour of iconic venues like Monte Carlo or Barcelona, the EPT sets the gold standard for competitors in Europe.

At a Glance

This section provides a quick overview of the key facts about the EPT. The list below helps you get up to speed with the essential characteristics of the series before diving into the detailed history and tournament schedule.

• Founded: 2004
• Region: Europe
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Key Venues:
  • Casino Barcelona (Spain)
  • Sporting Monte-Carlo (Monaco)
  • King’s Casino Prague (Czech Republic)
• Owner/Organizer: PokerStars

History & Prestige

The history of the EPT spans over two decades and represents one of the most defining success stories in modern poker. Over the years, the series has continuously adapted to player needs while maintaining its prestige as the leading tour on the continent.

Origin Story

The EPT was founded in 2004 by John Duthie, a television director and poker player who recognized the need for a unified European poker series to rival the World Poker Tour (WPT) . The inaugural season kicked off in Barcelona, which remains the only stop to have appeared in every single season of the tour’s history. In its early years, the series gained massive popularity through high-quality television broadcasts that brought the drama of high-stakes poker to a global audience.

Evolution

Fuelled by the online poker boom and the backing of PokerStars, the popularity of the EPT skyrocketed in the late 2000s. It evolved from smaller buy-in events in local casinos to massive festivals held in Europe‘s most luxurious destinations. The series briefly rebranded as the “PokerStars Championship” in 2017 but returned to the beloved EPT brand in 2018 due to overwhelming player demand .

Records & Fame

The EPT is famous for creating superstars and generating the largest prize pools on the European continent. It is a key component of poker’s unofficial “Triple Crown”, which requires winning a WSOP bracelet, a WPT title, and an EPT Main Event trophy.

• Victoria Coren Mitchell made history as the first player to win two EPT Main Event titles (London 2006 and Sanremo 2014) .
• EPT Barcelona frequently breaks attendance records; the 2022 Main Event drew 2,294 entries, creating a massive prize pool of over €11 million .

Events & Structure

EPT festivals are not just single tournaments but comprehensive poker festivals lasting up to two weeks. The structures are designed to accommodate players of all bankrolls, featuring a wide range of events from affordable qualifiers to super high roller contests.

Flagship Events

The schedule of a typical EPT stop is built around several “must-play” tournaments that guarantee high prestige and significant payouts:

• Main Event: The centerpiece of the festival, typically featuring a €5,300 buy-in. It is renowned for its deep structure and long levels, favoring skillful play over luck.
• High Rollers: The schedule usually includes a €10,300 High Roller and often a €50,000 or €100,000 Super High Roller, attracting the world’s elite professionals.
• EPT Cup & National: Lower buy-in events (often €1,100 or less) that draw massive fields, offering huge returns on investment for recreational players.

Online Qualification

The most cost-effective way to participate in these prestigious events is through online satellites. Since the tour is owned and organized by PokerStars, official qualifiers are exclusive to their platform.

Players can win full packages—including the tournament buy-in, accommodation, and travel expenses—starting from just a few euros via direct satellites or the “Power Path” system. This accessibility ensures that every EPT Main Event features a healthy mix of top pros and online qualifiers chasing a dream payday.