The European Poker Tour (EPT) has expanded its 2025 schedule with the addition of exciting new destinations. Originally announcing just three stops for 2025 (Paris, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona), PokerStars has now confirmed that Malta and Prague will join the lineup.
The two new EPT stops bring the total to four confirmed events for 2025, with Malta making a long-awaited return and Prague continuing as a fan-favorite destination.
Poker enthusiasts can look forward to bigger guarantees and more action-packed schedules at these prestigious tournaments. The expanded tour will feature accessible buy-ins alongside the high-stakes events that have made the EPT a premier destination for poker players worldwide.
This strategic expansion signals PokerStars’ commitment to growing live poker throughout Europe.
Additionally, PokerStars is launching a brand new European tour in 2025 called PokerStars Open, which will complement the EPT schedule. This new series promises big guarantees at more accessible price points, along with entertainment options away from the tables. The poker landscape in Europe is clearly heating up for 2025 with more opportunities for players at various bankroll levels.
Overview of European Poker Tour 2025
The European Poker Tour (EPT) returns in 2025 with exciting new locations and changes to its format. The tour continues to be one of the most prestigious poker series in Europe, drawing players from around the world.
The Prestige of EPT
The European Poker Tour stands as one of the premier live poker series globally. Run by PokerStars, the EPT has built its reputation on high-quality tournaments and professional organization across beautiful European destinations.
For 2025, the tour maintains its focus on creating memorable poker experiences in luxurious venues. EPT events typically feature main tournaments with substantial prize pools, alongside numerous side events with varying buy-in levels.
Players can expect the customary mix of cash games, satellites, and special tournaments that have made the EPT a favorite among both professionals and recreational players. The tour has historically attracted poker’s biggest names, creating tough but rewarding competition.
Key Changes in 2025
The 2025 EPT schedule brings notable additions with Malta making a long-awaited comeback and the popular Prague stop returning to the calendar. These join the previously announced stops in Paris, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona.
EPT Malta will run October 1-12, 2025, at the InterContinental Malta with 12 days of non-stop poker action. The full schedule now includes at least four confirmed EPT events, with more stops potentially being announced.
In addition to the EPT, PokerStars is launching a new European tour in 2025 called PokerStars Open. This complementary series will feature more accessible buy-ins while maintaining substantial guarantees.
The new tour promises action-packed schedules and entertainment options beyond the tables, catering to a broader range of players.
New Stops on the Tour
The European Poker Tour (EPT) has expanded its 2025 schedule with exciting new destinations. Players will have more opportunities to compete in prestigious poker events across Europe and beyond.
Destinations Overview
PokerStars has announced two additional stops for the 2025 European Poker Tour, bringing the total to four confirmed events. Malta and Prague have been added to the previously announced locations of Paris, Monte-Carlo, and Barcelona.
The Malta stop represents a welcome return to this Mediterranean poker destination. This island has previously hosted successful EPT events and provides players with a combination of high-level poker and vacation atmosphere.
Prague will host its EPT stop during the final months of 2025. The Czech capital has long been a favorite among poker players for its beautiful architecture, affordable accommodations, and vibrant poker scene.
Spotlight on Prague
Prague’s EPT event will take place at one of the city’s premier casino venues. The Czech Republic’s capital offers players excellent hotel options within walking distance of the tournament venue, making it convenient for international participants.
The Prague stop typically features a comprehensive schedule with tournaments at various buy-in levels. This makes it accessible to both professional players and enthusiasts with more modest bankrolls.
Winter in Prague creates a magical backdrop for poker competition with its famous Christmas markets and historic Old Town square. Many players combine the tournament with holiday sightseeing, making it one of the most popular stops on the tour.
Las Vegas Integration
The 2025 EPT appears to be exploring potential integration with Las Vegas poker events, though specific details haven’t been confirmed in the search results. This would represent a significant expansion of the traditionally European tour.
Las Vegas represents the global center of poker, with world-class hotel-casinos and tournament facilities. Any EPT event held there would likely attract a strong field of American players who might not travel to European stops.
If implemented, a Las Vegas stop would represent PokerStars’ strategic move to compete with other major poker tours on American soil. It would provide European players an opportunity to experience the unique poker culture of Las Vegas while playing in a familiar EPT format.
Increased Guarantees
The 2025 European Poker Tour is setting new standards with significantly boosted prize pools across multiple stops. Tournament organizers have responded to growing player demand by increasing financial commitments.
Guaranteed Prize Pools
The PokerStars Open is making a strong statement with a €1 million guarantee at the Circus Casino Resort stop scheduled for May 28 – June 9, 2025. This represents a substantial commitment to ensuring attractive payouts for participants.
The PSPC Barcelona Main Event features a €1,100 buy-in paired with a €1 million guarantee, making it accessible to a broader range of players while still offering significant winning potential. These guarantees provide security for players, knowing minimum prize pools are established regardless of turnout.
Several stops have seen increases from previous years, reflecting the tour’s growth and PokerStars’ confidence in the European poker market.
Impact on Player Turnout
Increased guarantees directly influence registration numbers. Higher prize pools attract both professional players seeking valuable opportunities and recreational players drawn to the possibility of life-changing payouts.
The €1 million guarantee events are expected to drive particularly strong attendance. Historical data shows that tournaments with seven-figure guarantees typically see 20-30% higher participation than comparable events with smaller guarantees.
The Malta stop (October 1-12 at InterContinental Malta) will likely benefit from its guarantee structure, especially as it makes its long-awaited return to the tour schedule. Prague’s return is similarly positioned to capitalize on guarantee-driven excitement.
These financial commitments create a positive feedback loop: higher guarantees attract more players, which creates larger actual prize pools beyond the guarantees.
Key Events
The 2025 European Poker Tour (EPT) is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet with standout tournaments across all stops. Players can expect increased guarantees and prestigious competition at every venue.
Main Event Highlights
The EPT Main Events continue to be the centerpiece of each tour stop, with €5,000 buy-ins expected at most locations. The newly announced Malta stop will feature a €5,000 Main Event with a €2 million guarantee, attracting top pros from across Europe and beyond.
EPT Barcelona is projected to have the largest Main Event of the season with an estimated €5 million prize pool. This represents a significant increase from previous years.
EPT Monte Carlo will maintain its reputation as the most prestigious stop, featuring a €5,300 buy-in Main Event. The 2025 schedule will also include a PokerStars Open Main Event as part of the Monte Carlo festival.
Prague’s return to the schedule adds a beloved winter poker destination, with its Main Event scheduled for December 3-14, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel.
Notable Side Events
High Roller tournaments will feature prominently at all stops, with €25,000 and €50,000 buy-in events expected at major locations like Barcelona and Monte Carlo. These events typically draw elite players and create some of the toughest fields in poker.
The new PokerStars Open tour will integrate with the EPT at select stops, providing more affordable buy-in options. These events are designed to attract a wider range of players.
Each stop will feature a robust schedule of side events, including:
- €1,100 PokerStars Cup
- €2,200 Mystery Bounty
- €550 Pot-Limit Omaha
- Ladies Events at all stops
Malta’s return to the EPT circuit will introduce several Mediterranean-themed special tournaments, giving the stop a unique character in the 2025 lineup.
Final Table Showdowns
Final tables at EPT events will continue to be livestreamed with commentary, allowing poker fans worldwide to follow the action. The production quality is expected to improve further in 2025 with enhanced graphics and player statistics.
EPT final tables typically feature a mix of established pros and qualified online players. The 2025 season is likely to continue this tradition, creating compelling storylines as unknowns face off against poker elite.
The winner of each Main Event receives not only the prize money but also the coveted EPT trophy. Past champions often return to defend their titles, creating rivalries that span multiple seasons.
Prague’s final table, scheduled just before Christmas 2025, traditionally creates a festive atmosphere that makes for one of the most watched poker broadcasts of the year.
Partnerships and Sponsorships
The European Poker Tour’s expansion in 2025 is supported by strategic partnerships with major gambling entities that bring additional resources and exposure to the tournament series.
Caesars Entertainment Collaboration
Caesars Entertainment has formed a new alliance with the European Poker Tour for the 2025 season. This partnership allows EPT events to use Caesars-owned venues in select European locations, offering players access to world-class facilities.
The collaboration includes cross-promotional opportunities with the World Series of Poker (WSOP), which Caesars owns. EPT players can now earn qualifying points toward WSOP events, creating a pathway between the two prestigious poker series.
Caesars is providing hospitality packages for high-stakes players at the Malta and Prague stops. These include luxury accommodations and exclusive player lounges.
The company’s marketing reach will help expand EPT’s audience in North America, potentially drawing more international players to European events.
GGPoker’s Role
GGPoker has become the official online partner for the 2025 European Poker Tour. The platform will host qualifying satellites for all four EPT stops, making the tournaments accessible to players of various bankroll sizes.
Online qualifiers are expected to generate at least 30% of the player pool for main events. GGPoker is guaranteeing at least 100 seats to each EPT main event through its qualification paths.
The partnership includes live streaming arrangements where GGPoker’s technology will power broadcasts of final tables. Commentary teams will feature both GGPoker ambassadors and EPT professionals.
Special online tournament series will run parallel to live EPT events, creating what organizers call the “complete poker ecosystem” for players who can’t attend in person.
Comparisons with Other Tours
The European Poker Tour stands apart from other major poker tours through its unique structure, prize pools, and European focus. While all major tours attract top talent, they differ significantly in location strategy, buy-in ranges, and tournament formats.
EPT vs WPT
The World Poker Tour (WPT) and European Poker Tour both represent prestigious poker competitions, but with key differences. WPT typically features more North American stops, while EPT concentrates on European destinations.
Buy-in levels also differ significantly. EPT main events generally start at €5,000+, while WPT main events typically range from $3,500-$5,000. This creates a different player pool and prize structure.
Tournament formats vary too. EPT events run longer (typically 8-12 days) with more side events than typical WPT stops. For 2025, EPT’s guaranteed prize pools at stops like Malta and Prague generally exceed those of comparable WPT events.
The WPT typically offers more stops annually (15-20) compared to EPT’s more limited schedule (4-6 stops), making EPT events feel more exclusive.
EPT vs WSOP
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) differs dramatically from the EPT in scale and structure. WSOP centers around its annual summer series in Las Vegas, while EPT operates as a tour across multiple European cities.
WSOP offers significantly more bracelet events (over 90) during its main series, while EPT focuses on fewer, high-profile tournaments at each stop. The WSOP’s flagship Main Event costs $10,000 compared to EPT Main Events at around €5,000.
The player demographics also differ. WSOP attracts more American players, while EPT fields tend to have stronger European representation.
Prize guarantees follow different patterns too. WSOP typically doesn’t offer guaranteed prize pools except for select events, while EPT has been increasing guarantees across stops like Malta and Prague for 2025.
WSOP emphasizes its bracelet as poker’s premier trophy, whereas EPT focuses on prestige and the overall experience at luxury venues.
Strategic Insights
The EPT 2025 schedule presents unique opportunities for both poker professionals and fans. Understanding the strategic elements of each stop can help maximize experience and potential success.
For Poker Players
Malta’s return to the EPT circuit creates a valuable mid-range buy-in opportunity between the high-stakes events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. Players should consider building bankroll management strategies that account for the varying buy-in levels across the 2025 tour.
Prague’s December timing makes it an excellent year-end championship target. Players planning their 2025 tournament schedule might use earlier stops to qualify through satellites or build bankrolls for the Prague Main Event.
The four confirmed stops (Paris, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and now Malta and Prague) create a balanced geographic distribution. This allows players to minimize travel fatigue by strategically choosing which events to attend based on location and timing.
For Spectators
The expanded 2025 EPT schedule offers diverse viewing experiences across Europe.
Malta provides a Mediterranean setting with unique cultural attractions alongside poker action, making it ideal for spectators planning vacation-style poker trips.
Prague’s December slot makes it perfect for combining tournament viewing with holiday travel.
The city’s famous Christmas markets and winter atmosphere create a festive poker viewing experience unlike other stops.
Online viewers should mark calendars for livestreamed final tables, which typically feature the biggest guarantees and star players.
The addition of Malta and Prague increases the number of high-profile streaming opportunities throughout 2025.
For spectators planning to attend multiple events, consider the seasonal differences:
Monte Carlo in spring, Barcelona in summer, and Prague in winter each offer completely different experiences beyond the poker tables.
Conclusion
The European Poker Tour is expanding its presence in 2025 with several exciting stops. Malta returns to the tour after a nine-year absence, while Prague will serve as the final destination of the 2025 schedule.
With four confirmed stops so far—Paris, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and the newly announced Malta and Prague—the EPT continues to strengthen its position as a premier live poker series in Europe.
PokerStars is also launching a new European tour in 2025, promising accessible buy-ins and substantial guarantees. This expansion reflects the growing demand for high-quality live poker tournaments across the continent.
Players can expect not only competitive poker action but also numerous off-table activities to enhance their experience. The emphasis on mixed games at future EPT stops demonstrates PokerStars’ commitment to diverse poker formats.
