PHOTO: PSO Campione 2026 - A Prestigious Start to the Season, Ferrari Takes High Roller Title

Following a remarkably successful debut in 2025, PSO Campione returned to the iconic Casino di Campione, perched on the shores of Lake Lugano, enjoying the unique ambiance of the Italian-Swiss border. Running from January 23 to February 1, PSO Campione affirmed its ambition to become a fixture in the European live calendar for the second year in a row.

Last year set a high bar, as the Main Event significantly exceeded its guarantee, drawing thousands of entries. It's expected that Campione will once again attract a massive international field, from recreational grinders to seasoned regulars from across Europe.

The Festival's Highlight Events

The centerpiece of PSO Campione 2026 is the €1,100 Main Event, taking place from January 28 to February 1, with a guaranteed prize pool of €1,000,000. Last year, the event more than doubled its guarantee, becoming one of the largest €1K events in Europe.

With multiple flights, extended levels, and attractive prizes, the Main Event offers the perfect mix for a wide range of players, from amateurs to professionals chasing big scores early in the season.

For players with a more substantial bankroll, PSO Campione offers a clear high-stakes lineup, naturally drawing Europe's elite:

• €2,200 PokerStars Open High Roller (January 27-28)

• €5,000 PokerStars Open Super High Roller (January 31)

The rich schedule is complemented by intriguing side events:

• €550 PokerStars Open Second Chance (January 30 - February 1)

• €400 Mystery Bounty Cup (January 30 - February 1)

Home Victory for Ferrari in High Roller

One of the early highlights of the PSO Campione 2026 festival was the €2,200 PSO High Roller, which attracted a strong turnout of 214 entries, boosting the prize pool to €410,880. The final table featured Italian dominance, with Manuel Ferrari triumphing, leveraging the home advantage to secure the trophy and the top prize of €86,800.

Second place went to Thierry Van Den Berg from the Netherlands, while another Italian, Filippo Candio, completed the podium. This marks Ferrari's second-biggest career win, surpassed only by his victory in the PSO Malaga 2025 Main Event. His impressive performances at the end of last year at PSO Cannes demonstrate that PS-branded events perfectly suit him.

Capturing the Atmosphere of PokerStars Open Campione

During PSO Campione 2026, Casino di Campione became a bustling hub of European live poker, a blend of competition, emotions, tension, and joy of the game. From the initial flights through packed tournament halls, dramatic all-ins to the smiles of the winners in the final photos—the festival offered many moments worth capturing. The following gallery contains a selection of highlights that capture the atmosphere of the start of the PS live poker season in 2026.

Sources: PS Live, Flickr