EPT Prague 2026: Games Nights, a Christmas Market and Open Bars Off the Felt
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December in Prague means snow on the rooftops, mulled wine in the squares, and one of poker’s most loved stops on the calendar. The PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague returns from December 2 to 13, 2026, and once again it closes the EPT season.
This year’s festival has 66 tournaments, buy-ins from €330 to €25,000, and satellites from €250. As usual, PokerStars LIVE has also planned a full week of entertainment away from the tables: games nights, a quiz, bingo, a live band, a hotel-lobby Christmas market and plenty of open bars.
Here’s everything you need to know, from the tournaments that matter to the evening events worth planning your trip around.
EPT Prague 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
| Dates | December 2–13, 2026 |
| Venue | Hilton Prague, Czech Republic |
| Total events | 66 |
| Buy-in range | €330 – €25,000 |
| Satellites | From €250 |
| EPT Main Event | €5,300, December 7–13 |
| PokerStars Open Main Event | €1,100 (down from €1,650) |
| Official website | pokerstarslive.com |
The Main Tournaments
€5,300 EPT Main Event (December 7–13)
The headline event runs over the festival’s second week, with the winner crowned on December 13. It’s the last EPT Main Event of 2026, so it’s also the last chance for players chasing PokerStars Live League points. According to PokerTube, EPT Prague is set to decide the League title.
PokerStars Open Main Event: Now €550 Cheaper
The biggest change for 2026 is a lower price on the opening tournament. PokerStars has cut the PokerStars Open Main Event from €1,650 to €1,100, and the PokerStars Open High Roller from €2,700 to €2,200.
This matters because the PS Open is one of the largest events of the week. Last December it drew a massive 3,024 entries for a €4,354,560 prize pool at the €1,650 price. With a cheaper buy-in, a field of a similar size, or even bigger, looks very possible. It’s a great option for recreational players who want a big-field tournament without paying EPT Main Event prices.
Other Highlights on the Schedule
The festival schedule also includes:
- EPT High Roller and High Roller Warm-Up
- €1,000 EPT Mystery Bounty
- EPT PLO High Roller (6-Max)
- EPT 10-Game mixed event
- Daily “Win Your Seat” satellites into the Main Event, Mystery Bounty and High Roller
Off the Felt: The Full Entertainment Schedule
This is what makes Prague different from most poker stops. PokerStars LIVE runs a social programme almost every evening, and many of the events include an open bar.
| Date | Event | Time | Location | Includes |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Games Night | 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Hop House | Open bar & snacks |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Quiz Night | 7:00 – 9:00 pm | Hilton Prague | — |
| Sun, Dec 6 | Bingo Night | 7:30 – 9:30 pm | Hilton Prague | Open bar |
| Mon, Dec 7 | Christmas Market & Live Band | Evening | Hilton lobby | Buffet, open bar, welcome drinks |
| Wed, Dec 9 | Games Night | 7:30 – 9:30 pm | Hilton Prague | Open bar & snacks |
| Fri, Dec 11 | “Guess the Hand” | 6:00 – 8:00 pm | Hilton Prague | Open bar & snacks; PokerStars prizes |
| Dec 4 – 11 | Daily Yoga | 10:00 am | Living Well Gym | Free (register at the Info Desk) |
Monday, December 7: The Highlight of the Week
The biggest social night lands on the same day the EPT Main Event begins. The Hilton lobby becomes a Christmas market, with a live band, a buffet and an open bar. Welcome drinks give players a relaxed chance to meet each other and chat with PokerStars ambassadors.
If you’re playing a Main Event Day 1 flight, this is a good way to unwind afterwards. If you’re arriving that day, it’s a great first evening in Prague.
Friday, December 11: “Guess the Hand”
This one is built for poker fans. You’ll watch famous poker hands and try to work out how the action played out. Anyone with a PokerStars Live (PS Live) Card can take part and win PokerStars merchandise, with an open bar and snacks running throughout.
EPT Wellness Community
The EPT Wellness Community returns with daily yoga sessions at 10 am from December 4 to 11 at the Living Well Gym. It’s a nice way to clear your head before a long tournament day. Spaces are limited, so register at the PokerStars Information Desk.
How EPT Prague Has Grown
EPT Prague has been part of the December calendar since 2007. The Main Event has drawn very large fields in recent years:
| Year | Main Event Entries | Prize Pool | Notes |
| 2024 | 1,458 | — | Record field; Pedro Marques won €963,450 after a heads-up deal |
| 2025 | 1,224 | €5,936,400 | €1,019,300 advertised top prize |
| 2026 | TBD | TBD | December 7–13 |
The 2025 Main Event finished about 16% below the 2024 record, but its prize pool was still close to €6 million. With the Live League finale and a cheaper PS Open bringing more players to the festival early, 2026 has a good chance to bounce back.
Practical Tips for Players Heading to Prague
1. Get a PS Live Card. You’ll need it for the “Guess the Hand” prizes, and it makes registering for tournaments quicker.
2. Plan around the Main Event start. The EPT Main Event begins on December 7, the same night as the Christmas market party. If you’re playing Day 1, you can still enjoy the evening once play ends.
3. Satellite into the Main Event. Satellites start from €250 and run throughout the festival. They’re the most affordable way into the €5,300 Main Event.
4. Take advantage of the cheaper PS Open. At €1,100, the PokerStars Open Main Event is now much better value for recreational players, and it usually attracts a huge field.
5. Dress for winter. Prague in December is cold, often around freezing. Pack warm layers if you plan to visit the city’s famous outdoor Christmas markets between sessions.
6. Book early. Hotels near the venue fill up quickly during EPT week, especially with the Christmas season.
Our Take
EPT Prague has always been about more than poker, and 2026 continues that tradition. The tournament side looks stronger than ever, with a cheaper PokerStars Open, the season-deciding Live League finale and a near-€6 million Main Event to beat. The social schedule, from bingo night to the Christmas market party, gives players good reasons to stay in Prague even after they bust.
If you’re choosing one EPT stop to combine poker with a winter break, Prague in December is hard to beat.
FAQs
When is EPT Prague 2026?
EPT Prague 2026 runs from December 2 to 13, 2026, with the €5,300 EPT Main Event taking place from December 7 to 13.
How many events are on the EPT Prague 2026 schedule?
There are 66 events, with buy-ins ranging from €330 to €25,000. Satellites start at €250.
How much is the PokerStars Open Main Event at EPT Prague 2026?
The buy-in has been reduced from €1,650 to €1,100 for 2026. The PokerStars Open High Roller has also dropped from €2,700 to €2,200.
What entertainment is available at EPT Prague 2026?
Players can enjoy games nights, quiz night, bingo, a Christmas market with a live band and open bar on December 7, a “Guess the Hand” event with prizes, and daily yoga sessions from December 4 to 11.
How big was the EPT Prague Main Event in 2025?
The 2025 Main Event drew 1,224 entries and created a prize pool of €5,936,400.
How do I join the yoga sessions at EPT Prague?
Yoga runs daily at 10 am at the Living Well Gym from December 4 to 11. Register at the PokerStars Information Desk.
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