A Taste of NAPT Las Vegas 2025
Before diving into the freshly announced PS event schedule for the first half of 2026, there's exciting news for this year. The team at PS has confirmed the return of the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) to Las Vegas, a clear indication that poker enthusiasm has gained global momentum. The festival will take place from November 3-12, 2025, at the iconic Resorts World Las Vegas, where the poker community has already experienced a thrilling festival with a wide range of events and buy-ins, from $330 to $50,000. The highlight of this American stop is the NAPT Main Event with a $5,300 buy-in and a $3 million guarantee.
2026 Season Kickoff in Campione
The 2026 season will kick off with the PSO Campione festival on the shores of Lake Lugano in Campione d’Italia. This initial stop of the new series replaces former regional tours (like Eureka, UKIPT, and France Poker Series) and offers a more accessible format for a wider range of players. The Main Event typically features a €1,100 buy-in and a €1 million guarantee. March's tournament confirmed this as a winning formula, with Campione's Main Event drawing 2,423 entries and Romanian Adrian State taking home €363,000. Poker enthusiasts can plan their journey to picturesque Campione from January 23 to February 1, 2026.
A Stellar Return to the City of Lights
The biggest event early in the year will undoubtedly be the return of the EPT to Paris. EPT first arrived in the French capital in 2023 and was a success from the start – the Main Event drew 1,606 entries, with a prizepool of €7,708,800, and Romanian champion Razvan Belea won €1.17 million. The following year in Paris saw 1,747 players battling for a share of €8,385,600, with British legend Barny Boatman claiming nearly €1.3 million.
EPT Paris 2025 was set to build on these successes, but unexpected changes in French regulations led to its cancellation. The anticipation for EPT's return to Paris in 2026 is all the greater – the festival is scheduled for February 18 to March 1, 2026, at the Le Palais des Congrès convention center. The festival promises twelve days of poker, featuring not only the Main Event but also High Roller events, a special Women's Event, and even the PSO Main Event, offering a chance for a broader player base to compete. EPT Paris 2026 aims to be one of the largest poker events in France, with organizers claiming it will be the "biggest tournament in France and the second largest in Europe after Barcelona," drawing poker elites from around the world for an unforgettable experience in the heart of Paris.
The Traditional Irish Open Dublin with Record Fields
Following the Paris EPT, the poker world's attention will shift to Dublin where the Irish Poker Open – Europe's longest-running uninterrupted tournament festival – will come alive at the end of March and early April. This iconic Irish festival will take place from March 26 to April 6, 2026, at the Royal Dublin Society. The Irish Open boasts a rich tradition and has experienced a boom in recent years thanks to its partnership with PS. This year, a massive 4,562 entries completely shattered the €2.5 million guarantee, distributing €4,447,950 among players!
Organizers expect a similarly massive turnout in 2026. Besides the Main Event, the Irish Open includes a rich accompanying program featuring side tournaments and lively entertainment – the Irish "craic" (reputation for great fun) is an integral part of this festival. Players can look forward to a unique atmosphere – aside from top-notch poker, there will be live music, bustling bars, and plenty of entertainment outside the tables. It's no wonder that the Irish Open has, over nearly half a century, built a reputation as a must-not-miss event.
Luxury on the Azure Coast
A few weeks after the Irish adventure, the poker caravan heads to the French Riviera. EPT Monte Carlo, one of the world's most prestigious festivals, will be held from April 30 to May 10, 2026, in the legendary Sporting Monte-Carlo complex in Monaco. This EPT stop is synonymous with luxury and large winnings, annually attracting the poker elite. In 2025, the main tournament recorded 1,195 entries, creating a €5,795,750 prizepool – champion Aleksandr Shevliakov from Russia left Monaco with €1 million.
These five stops organized under PS Live clearly show that the poker season will be exceptionally packed. If these months indicate a trend, we can also look forward to more major poker adventures in the second half of 2026. Tournament poker enthusiasts can now mark the dates in their calendars and prepare for six months of top-notch action, featuring dramatic moments and life-changing wins.
Sources – PSlive, Flickr, PokerNews, PokerFuse, CardPlayer
