WSOP Europe 2026

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INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ANDY TILLMAN TALKS WSOP EUROPE 2026

In anticipation of WSOP Europe 2026, the WSOP Content Team sat down with WSOP International Tournament Director Andy Tillman to discuss WSOP Europe’s new home, the schedule of WSOP bracelet events, what players can look forward to in Prague, and more.
Feb 13 2026 04:00 PM EST
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ANDY TILLMAN TALKS WSOP EUROPE 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada (February 13, 2026) - As March creeps closer and closer in 2026, anticipation continues to build for one of the biggest European poker tournament series of the year.

From March 31st through April 12th, 2026, WSOP Europe 2026 will be taking place at its new home: the Hilton Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic.

Continuing its partnership with King’s, the WSOP starts a new chapter for its annual European event, looking to bring WSOP Europe to the next level with an exciting tournament schedule and eye-catching prize pool guarantees.

In anticipation of WSOP Europe 2026, the WSOP Content Team sat down with WSOP International Tournament Director Andy Tillman to discuss WSOP Europe’s new home, the schedule of WSOP bracelet events, what players can look forward to in Prague, and more.

Making the move to Prague for WSOP Europe 2026

Coupled with an exciting tournament schedule of 15 WSOP bracelet events, the new location for WSOP Europe already has both local players and those across the globe who are thrilled to attend one of the most anticipated series in the event’s history.

Having served in various roles at series around the world (especially in Europe), WSOP International Tournament Director Andy Tillman shared how Prague has much to offer when players are away from the poker table.

“Prague is an amazing city,” Tillman said. “I’ve been to the Prague Hilton many times; the venue is amazing. The Hilton's a nice hotel right there in the city, with a giant atrium in the middle. It's got all the aesthetics.”

“It’s not located in the city center, but you’re only a 10-minute taxi ride from the city center. You're surrounded by restaurants, bars, hotels, and nightlife because it’s a busy tourist city.”

While the WSOP has a deep resonance with the city of Las Vegas, the tournament team at WSOP Europe looks to bring themes from Sin City and blend them with the best parts of Prague.

“We're going to try to bring a little bit of Vegas, but keep that European mindset,” Tillman said. “You get the city, you get the experience, the European side has a more relaxed feel to it because everyone travels from everywhere, but then they spread out into the city, versus Vegas, where during summer it's grind time for everybody.” 

“It's basically like our European camp for everybody to go to. It should be a massive event; that's all I'm hearing is everyone talking about going. Everyone's excited about having bracelets and having them in Prague.”

Andy Tillman L Wsop 2025 Tournament Floor
Andy Tillman commanding the tournament floor during the 2026 WSOP.

Andy Tillman shares his thoughts on the 2026 WSOP Europe schedule

Prague certainly has all of the trappings fit for a major poker tournament series, but the WSOP recognizes the #1 thing players are focused on heading into the series: playing poker.

Amongst the 15 WSOP bracelet events on the WSOP Europe 2026 tournament schedule, not only does the schedule offer immense value, but fun tournament formats geared towards making the series more fun for players.

The most unique tournament format set to take place at WSOP Europe, the €2,500 No-Limit Hold’em Rounder Cup, places European players in one flight, players from all other continents in another, with them converging on Day 2 of the tournament to see who emerges victorious.

Being the creator of the Rounder Cup, the WSOP’s International Tournament Director shared the inspiration behind the event.

“It’s the E.U. versus the world, kind of a spin-off of the Ryder Cup and our Battle of the Ages from last summer,” Tillman said. “We were picking ideas that were fun and different. Someone brought up the Ryder Cup, and I was just like, ‘Well, we had a similar concept in Vegas, but instead of ages, why don't we do it by where everyone's from, because everyone's coming to Europe? We're going to be in Europe, so why don't we treat them almost like the home team?’ In the end, it's still a poker tournament, but it adds a little wrinkle to it.”

Along with the Rounder Cup, the €1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot bracelet event at WSOP Europe adds another fresh tournament format to the series schedule.

When asked about the push for new, creative tournament formats being added to major tournament series over the past few years, Tillman touched on providing a product that remains compelling to recreational players.

“With poker, we tend to get so focused on the game itself and everyone playing to grind, and it tends to become, you know, too serious,” Tillman said. “We tend to lose the more recreational guys who don't get the enjoyment out of it. It's just a different twist on the same game that adds more fun to it because it's not really something anyone really plays all the time for a tournament. It's giving everyone something different, something more fun and exciting.”

How to plan a €10M guaranteed WSOP Europe Main Event

Like every major WSOP bracelet series, the series Main Event always attracts the most attention amongst poker players. WSOP Europe 2026 is no different, with the €10 million prize pool guarantee set to break the record for the largest in the history of European poker.

Properly executing any WSOP event requires experience and know-how in order to provide the smoothest, best experience for players. When asked about what it takes to coordinate the Main Event of a WSOP bracelet series, Tillman touched on how he and his team approach it like any other poker tournament.

“In our day-to-day operations, realistically, it doesn't change a lot,” Tillman explained. “You know, when you’re having a €10 million guarantee, obviously we're going to have more volume, more players, more re-entry, it's going to be busier.”

“The main focus of preparation specifically for the Main Event is that it's the Main Event. Players want everything done well, and that's where I want everything as well run as possible.”

While Tillman coordinates the events, his dealers are the ones who execute his “game plan” for each tournament. When it’s time for cards to go in the air for the series Main Event, Tillman shared how preparation helps lead to success.

“By the Main Event, there is more prep, there are more meetings, there's more understanding among everyone. You shift people around to where they're stronger. It's just like any sport in planning: you're finding strengths, weaknesses, and correcting them. Basically, instead of having practice time, we're just doing it live.”

Wsop Plus Wsop 2025
Players are encouraged to download WSOP+ before arriving at WSOP Europe 2026.

WSOP+ continues to improve player and staff experience

Just like WSOP and WSOP Paradise 2025, WSOP+ will play a critical role as it makes its WSOP Europe debut.

Whether it be at a WSOP bracelet series or on the WSOP Circuit, WSOP+ continues to improve players’ experience when participating in WSOP events.

Limiting time in lines, streamlining tournament registration, and providing players with seating assignments directly to their phones, WSOP+ is set to give players at WSOP Europe 2026 a modern WSOP experience.

Just like how WSOP+ makes the lives of poker players easier at WSOP events, WSOP+ also plays a major role in helping tournament staff put on a successful series.

When asked about the role WSOP+ has played in supporting himself and his staff, Tillman praised the app and how it has brought innovation to WSOP events.

“Having WSOP+ is a game changer,” Tillman said. “Once everyone is verified and loads their account, you can buy-in through tickets, through card, through GGPoker, whatever payment option is there for you. It just takes the pressure off the staff, and it takes the pressure off the players. You don't have to physically be standing at that cashier's window, and you don't have to wait in those lines. It just streamlines everything.”

“The confusion of ‘Oh, is this my seat?’ or ‘Where do I go?’. It's to the app, and not only do they have it, but the dealers have it at the table too. There's not all that need to carry all that cash all the time or chips. It takes away all the old steps that slowed everything down.”

Andy Tillman’s message for players considering playing at WSOP Europe 2026

At the conclusion of his interview with the WSOP.com team, Tillman had a special message for players who may have yet to decide whether they will be competing at WSOP Europe 2026.

“If you want to take your shot at the crown jewel of Central Europe and win a bracelet with the WSOP, I think everybody should be in Prague. It is definitely the crown jewel of Central Europe, and WSOP bracelets are there. Take a shot at a bracelet and go to Prague.”

A special thank you to WSOP International Tournament Director Andy Tillman, not only for taking the time to chat about WSOP Europe 2026, but for all he and his team do for the WSOP and poker players around the world.

Andy and everyone on the WSOP team look forward to seeing all of the poker players who plan on attending WSOP Europe 2026.