Sunday, December 22, 2024

PokerStars announces first three EPT stops of 2025

Must read

PokerStars has announced the first three stops of 2025 for the European Poker Tour, with visits to Paris, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona on the EPT slate between February and August. The three western-Europe festivals begin with the EPT’s third trip to the Paris Convention Center (Le Palais des Congrès) from February 12-23, 2025.

Return visits to popular EPT locales Monte Carlo and Barcelona have also been announced. The 2025 EPT Monte-Carlo festival will be held from April 30 to May 10 at the elegant Monte-Carlo Casino, while EPT Barcelona will run from August 18-31, 2025, at the famed Casino Barcelona. More EPT stops will be announced in the coming months.

Third year in Paris

PokerStars Live Events Senior Business Development Manager Julien Liarte heralded the return of the popular stops. “We’re excited to announce the first part of the calendar with the return of EPT Paris, Monte Carlo, and Barcelona for 2025,” he said. “These iconic stops have become cornerstones of the European Poker Tour, each offering unique experiences and unparalleled competition. We can’t wait to welcome players back for another incredible year of live poker.”

EPT legend Barny Boatman won the Paris Main Event in 2024.

EPT Paris grew significantly in 2024 following the tour’s 2023 return to France following a multiple-year hiatus. The roomy Le Palais des Congrès can hold 135 poker tables, making it an ideal venue for a large-scale festival. Famed British pro Barny Boatman returned to prominence with his victory in the EPT Paris Main Event, which also led to his signing as a member of the prestigious Team PokerStars.

“Barrière is pleased to once again host the European Poker Tour in Paris, a global capital of entertainment,” said Barrière CEO Gregory Rabuel, with Barrière being the sponsor of the France Poker Series events that are included in the larger EPT festival. “Together with PokerStars, we are ready to offer an unforgettable experience to all players and poker enthusiasts.”

EPT Paris qualifiers starting soon

As always, PokerStars will offer a complete lineup of online paths to qualify for its EPT stops. For EPT Paris, that buildup begins on Sunday, November 17, with the first satellite packages to the EPT Paris championship to be offered. The seat packages are valued at €8,000 and will include a €5,300 EPT Main Event buy-in, eight nights’ accommodation for two at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, and €484 in expense money. 

PokerStars will also be offering satellites into the France Poker Series (FPS) Main Event held as part of the EPT festival. The FPS packages are valued at €3,300 and include the €1,100 buy-in, a seven-night stay for two, plus €261 in expense money. 

PokerStars will also offer its deluxe PowerPath channel to Paris. The PowerPath satellites will offer Gold, Silver, and Bronze Passes which can be used at EPT Paris as follows, with two options for Gold Pass winners:

  • Gold Pass 1: EPT Paris Main Event entry and eight nights’ hotel for player and their guest, plus expenses (worth €9,300/$10,300)
  • Gold Pass 2: EPT Paris Main Event entry, FPS Paris Main Event entry, FPS Paris Cup entry, plus expenses (worth €9,300/$10,300)
  • Silver Pass: FPS Main Event entry, FPS Paris Cup entry, plus expenses (worth €2,300/$2,500)
  • Bronze Pass: €100/$109, for online tickets.

Players using a Gold Pass will also receive at least €1,784 to fulfill the promised value of their Gold Pass.

Full details will be released at a future date for both the Monte-Carlo and Barcelona EPT stops. Additional details on all upcoming EPT stops can be found online at the PokerStars Live website and at the PokerStars blog.

Latest article