The 888poker Live tour returns to Spain’s Catalan capital today as Casino Barcelona opens its doors for the first starting flight of the €888 Main Event at 3 p.m. local time. Set against the Mediterranean coastline, the venue will host four starting flights across as many days, with players beginning their campaigns on 50,000-chip stacks and unlimited re-entry until Day 2.
Day 1a marks the beginning of a tournament structure designed for deep-stack play, with 14 levels of 40-minute duration scheduled for each of the first three flights. Players who survive will carry their chips forward to Day 2, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, following a turbo Day 1d flight earlier that same morning.
The tournament’s format mirrors last year’s successful event, which drew 459 entries and crowned local architect Pau Veciana as champion. Veciana outlasted a final table featuring five different nationalities, ultimately defeating British professional David McConachie heads-up to claim the €70,000 top prize. McConachie took home €43,500 for second place, while Italy’s Mauro Panto rounded out the podium with €30,000.
International Field Expected
Barcelona’s status as a poker destination has made the 888poker Live stop a fixture on the European tournament calendar. The combination of a relatively modest €888 buy-in and the city’s appeal as a travel destination typically attracts a mix of recreational players, local grinders, and touring professionals.
This year’s field will include several members of the 888poker ambassador team, with Ian Simpson, Vivian Saliba, Lucia Navarro, Jesus Ramos, and Inaki Angulo all confirmed for the event. Their presence adds star power to what is already shaping up as a well-attended series.
Late registration remains open through the start of Day 2, giving players multiple opportunities to bag a stack across the four starting flights. Day 1b and Day 1c both begin at 3 p.m. on May 21 and 22 respectively, while the turbo Day 1d — featuring 20-minute levels instead of the standard 40 — offers a faster route for those arriving later in the week or looking for a final bullet.
Barcelona’s Poker Pedigree
Casino Barcelona has established itself as one of Europe’s premier poker venues, regularly hosting major tour stops and drawing international fields. The venue’s location in the heart of one of Europe’s most visited cities makes it a natural choice for operators looking to combine competitive poker with destination appeal.
Last year’s final table showcased the international nature of the event, with Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, Estonia, and Serbia all represented among the top nine finishers. Local players claimed four of the nine spots, including Veciana’s victory and three other cashes inside the top seven.
The tournament concludes with Day 3 on May 24, when remaining players will battle down to a champion under 60-minute level structures. With unlimited re-entry and four entry windows, the final field size could well exceed last year’s 459-entry benchmark, potentially pushing the prize pool past the six-figure mark and making the winner’s share a significant payday for the relatively accessible buy-in.
What’s Next
Day 1a begins at 3 p.m. Central European Time today, with PokerNews providing live updates throughout the tournament. Players have until the start of Day 2 on Saturday to find their entry point, whether through the standard-length flights or the turbo offering on Friday morning.
For those tracking the tour, Barcelona represents one of several 888poker Live stops scheduled across Europe in 2026, with the brand continuing to expand its live footprint in key markets. The combination of modest buy-ins, player-friendly structures, and marquee locations has become the series’ calling card as it competes for entries in an increasingly crowded live tournament landscape.