The Casino Barcelona played host to the opening leg of the 2026 Campeonato de España de Poker (CEP) this past week, culminating in a significant win for Tullio Bertoli in the Main Event. Bertoli secured a prize of €65,500, marking a strong start to the 20th anniversary season of the Spanish poker championship.
The 2026 CEP season is particularly noteworthy as it celebrates two decades of the premier Spanish poker circuit. Having closed 2025 with record-breaking attendance figures, the championship is building momentum as a key event for both national and international players. The Barcelona stage, held from March 4th to 15th, featured a comprehensive program of 10 events alongside various satellite tournaments, including the Main Event (€500 buy-in) and the Mini CEP (€250).
This year’s Barcelona event saw a diverse range of competitions, including the Opening (€330) from March 5th to 8th, the High Roller (€1,000) from March 9th to 11th, and the Mini CEP from March 14th to 15th. The Mystery Bounty (€160) and 6-Max (€250) events too drew considerable interest from participants. Online registration for the events was available through the casino’s website.
The Campeonato de España de Poker has grown significantly since its inception, having hosted 143 stages in 20 different cities and accumulating nearly 50,000 Main Event entries. This growth solidifies its position as the leading poker circuit in Spain. The 2025 season itself saw a total of 5,439 entries in the Main Events and over 2,000 entries in the Mini CEP, surpassing previous records and demonstrating the circuit’s increasing popularity. The previous Barcelona CEP in August 2025 was particularly successful, attracting 2,182 entries and becoming the largest CEP event in history, with Matías Arroyo taking the title.
Bertoli’s Triumph in the Main Event
Tullio Bertoli’s victory in the Main Event represents a significant achievement within the context of the CEP’s 20th-anniversary celebrations. The €65,500 prize underscores the competitive nature of the tournament and the growing stakes within the Spanish poker scene. Details regarding the final table and Bertoli’s path to victory are currently limited, but his win marks a highlight of the Barcelona stage.
Looking Ahead: CEP and EPT Barcelona
Casino Barcelona will once again serve as the gateway to the European Poker Tour (EPT) later this year. The second Barcelona stage of the CEP, running from August 3rd to 16th, will act as a prelude to the EPT, scheduled for August 16th to 29th, 2026. The EPT Barcelona is expected to attract thousands of players from around the globe, offering a substantial prize pool and a high level of competition.
The EPT Barcelona, which surpassed 20,000 entries from 85 nationalities in 2025, is poised to build on that success in 2026. Key tournaments within the EPT festival include the Women’s Event (€550), the EPT Super High Roller (€100,000), the PS Open Main Event (€1,650), and the EPT Main Event (€5,300), which generated a prize pool exceeding €9 million in 2025. The CEP is also offering additional incentives, including 4 Gold Passes and 6 Silver Passes for the 2027 PokerStars European Poker Tour.
As the 20th anniversary season unfolds, the Campeonato de España de Poker is set to continue its growth and influence within the European poker landscape. The upcoming stages promise further excitement and opportunities for players, culminating in the prestigious EPT Barcelona event. The success of the Barcelona opening leg sets a positive tone for the rest of the season, and poker enthusiasts can anticipate a year filled with thrilling competition and significant milestones.
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