The Campeonato de España de Poker (CEP) by PokerStars ends its 20th anniversary season in Girona, with the final stop of 2026 taking place at Casino Perelada from November 25 to 29. PokerNews published the details on November 6, 2026. The Main Event is a €500 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em tournament, and the venue is a casino set inside a 14th-century castle, which gives the finale a setting few poker festivals can match.
For Spanish and visiting players, the festival is both a standalone tournament series and the closing chapter of a title race. The Spanish Poker Champion crown is still open, and a strong run in Girona could decide it.
Main Event Format and Flights
The €500 Main Event has four starting flights, which is a player-friendly structure because it lets entrants choose a day that suits their schedule and, in effect, gives a second chance to those who want to re-enter.
| Flight | Date | Start (CET) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1a | Wed Nov 25 | 3:30 p.m. | At Casino Barcelona |
| Day 1b | Thu Nov 26 | 3:00 p.m. | Casino Perelada |
| Day 1c | Fri Nov 27 | 3:00 p.m. | Casino Perelada |
| Day 1d (Turbo) | Sat Nov 28 | 10:30 a.m. | Casino Perelada |
| Day 2 | Sat Nov 28 | 4:00 p.m. | Casino Perelada |
| Day 3 | Sun Nov 29 | 3:30 p.m. | Casino Perelada |
Players who survive Day 1a at Casino Barcelona must travel to Girona for Day 2 on November 28. The turbo flight on Day 1d is a notable twist, giving late arrivals a faster path into Day 2.
Side Events
The supporting schedule includes a €220 Turbo Bounty on Friday November 27 at 6:00 p.m., a €250 Mini CEP starting Saturday November 28 at 5:00 p.m. with Day 2 on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., and a €115 Turbo Closer on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. Several €115 satellites also run at Casino Perelada on November 25 and 26.
The Mini CEP has drawn more than 2,100 entrants in 2026, which shows how popular lower-priced formats have become. A lower buy-in main alongside a mid-priced main is a smart way for organisers to cater to both recreational and more experienced players.
How to Qualify
There are plenty of routes into the Main Event:
- Live satellites: €115 at Casino Perelada on Monday November 23 at 6:00 p.m. CET and €115 at Casino Barcelona the same night at 9:00 p.m., plus a €60 satellite at Casino Barcelona on Tuesday November 24 at 9:00 p.m.
- Online satellites: These start at €5 on PokerStars Spain, with shuffle-up times through November 21 at 7:05, 8:05, 8:45 and 9:15 p.m. CET. They feed a €50 satellite at 10:05 p.m. CET that guarantees two €500 Main Event seats Monday to Saturday and five seats on Sundays.
Satellites are one of poker's best value propositions. A €5 satellite that feeds a €50 qualifier that awards a €500 seat is a ladder, and every rung gives you an extra chance to win a seat at a fraction of the price. If you want to practise the format, the tournaments page explains how satellite structures typically work, and our beginner poker sites guide suggests rooms where you can build experience cheaply.
The Season and the Title Race
Five 2026 CEP stops have been completed, with almost 6,000 Main Event entries processed. PokerNews calls it one of the most successful CEP seasons on record.
Main standings: Julen Palacios leads with 3,430 points after passing Mehdi Rebai (3,035). Jesus Hervas is third with 2,815 points after winning CEP Barcelona.
Mini CEP standings: Jose Maria Mesas leads with 2,240 points, ahead of Herber Castaneda (1,883) and Nicolas Perin (1,735).
With a 595-point gap between Palacios and Rebai and 620 between Palacios and Hervas, the picture is competitive but not impossible to change. The report does not state how many points the Girona Main Event awards, so we cannot say precisely who needs what, but a deep run for either Rebai or Hervas could bring them back into contention, and a big finish for Palacios would effectively end the debate.
Why the CEP Matters
The CEP is one of Spain's longest-running poker brands. Reaching its 20th season shows that a well-run regional tour can last through regulatory shifts, the rise of online poker and the pandemic. It also illustrates how online and live poker support each other: online satellites on PokerStars Spain feed live events, and live events create stories that keep online players engaged. Our online poker vs live poker article looks at why many players are now blending both.
For visiting players, Girona offers a different experience from the usual casino-in-a-city festival. A castle venue, a Mediterranean winter and a €500 main event make it a worthwhile trip for players who like to combine poker with travel.
What This Means for Players
Plan your flight. If you can choose, a later flight lets you watch the early results and see how the field is playing. A turbo flight may suit aggressive players who like a shorter structure; just remember that faster levels reduce skill edges.
Use the satellites. The cheapest route is almost always the best one. A €5 online satellite costs a tiny fraction of the €500 buy-in, and even if you do not win a seat the experience is useful for building tournament skills.
Manage your bankroll. A good rule of thumb is not to risk more than a small percentage of your bankroll on a single tournament entry. Our bankroll management guide gives practical numbers.
Prepare for deep-stack play. Live tournaments with deeper starting stacks reward patience and postflop skill. Brush up on pot odds and ICM before you travel, and use the poker strategy section to review fundamentals.
Think about next year. The CEP's 20th season has been strong. Following the standings and seeing which players are consistently performing can help you decide whether to include the CEP in your 2027 plans.
If you prefer to practise online before a live trip, offshore sites like Americas Cardroom and BetOnline offer large tournament lineups, while our Safe poker sites list covers licensed options. Always check that a site is licensed for your own jurisdiction before you deposit.
The final stop of 2026 promises a lively week in Girona, with a title still to be decided and a €500 Main Event waiting for those who qualify.