The Island of Malta and the Portomaso Casino will play host to its first ever European Poker Tour festival from March 18-28, 2015, PokerStars announced today.

Combining with the Italian Poker Tour (IPT) the 11-day EPT Malta poker festival will feature 40-45 events including a €5,300 EPT Main Event and a €1,100 IPT Main Event.

Already the host of stops on the World Poker Tour, the PokerListings Battle of Malta and the home office of PokerStars.eu, Malta was a natural pick to become the 22nd different stop in the history of the EPT.

“After discussions with players and fellow colleagues,” EPT president Edgar Stuchly said, “we decided it was time to add a fresh and exciting stop to the EPT schedule. Malta is a great destination for an EPT and we expect strong participation numbers.

Portomaso Casino expected to be buzzing.

“With excellent connections to all major European cities, a warm Mediterranean climate, delicious local cuisine and lots of great tourist activities, Malta is the perfect place for players to come with their friends and family next spring.”

Malta becomes the seventh stop on Season 11, joining already announced destinations Barcelona, London, Prague, the Bahamas, Deauville and Monte Carlo. The full Season 11 schedule:

• 21 to 27/08/14: Barcelona (completed)
• 12 to 18/10/14: London
• 11 to 17/12/14: Prague
• 08 to 14/01/15: PCA
• 01 to 07/02/15: Deauville
• 18 to 28/03/15: Malta
• 02 to 08/05/15: Monte Carlo Grand Final

EPT Malta satellites run daily on PokerStars starting at €1.10 or 50 FPP (Frequent Player Points). Sign up for a new account via our PokerStars review to access our exclusive freerolls.

Host for 14th Edition GPI European Poker Awards

European Poker Awards also part of the festivities

Already home to hundreds of poker players who have relocated to the island in recent years attendance at the festival is expected to be high. Malta’s sub-tropical Mediterranean climate should also draw a crowd.

Attendance at last year’s Battle of Malta was close to 900 players and over 1,400 are expected for this year’s edition Nov. 6-9.

The 14th edition of the GPI European Poker Awards will also take place during EPT Malta, on March 25.

“Malta has been the hub for online gaming and poker for the last ten years,” Alex Dreyfus, CEO of the Global Poker Index said.

“EPT Malta is a great platform to organise the GPI European Poker Awards and to make it really successful by connecting players and industry stakeholders in such a great place.”

Some Stats for 100 Stops On the European Poker Tour

Only two destinations have been on the schedule for all seasons: Barcelona and London. Monte Carlo could have been but Madrid hosted the Grand Final in season 7.

Austria is the most visited in terms of destinations with 3 (Vienna, Baden, and Hinterglemm with Snowfest).

Four countries have already enjoyed 2 stops: Spain (Barcelona and Madrid), France (Deauville and Monaco), Germany (Dortmund and Berlin) and Italy (San Remo and Campione).

Other countries visited: England (London), Ireland (Dublin), Denmark (Copenhagen), Poland (Warsaw), Czech Republic (Prague), Bahamas (PCA), Hungary (Budapest), Ukraine (Kiev), Portugal (Vilamoura) , Estonia (Tallinn), Greece (Loutraki).

Ranking of cities with most stops:

• 1. Barcelona, ​​London (11)
• 3. Deauville, Monte Carlo (10)
• 5. Copenhagen, Prague, PCA (8)
• 8. San Remo (7)
• 9. Dublin, Warsaw, Berlin (4)
• 12. Vienna, Baden, Dortmund (3)
• 15. Vilamoura, Snowfest, Tallinn, Madrid (2)
• 19. Budapest, Kiev, Loutraki, Campione, Malta (1)