Over 1,900 entries at €5,300 and counting: the EPT Barcelona 2026 Main Event, the European circuit's flagship tournament, plays Day 2 today with late registration still open at the start — and a strong Latin American contingent in the hunt. Of the roughly 645 survivors, 28 are Brazilian.
The facts: a monster field and a green-and-yellow tower
The numbers: Day 1a drew 635 entries and sent 193 players through, with Ireland's Michael Dwyer on top. Day 1b was far bigger, clearing 1,000 entries and pushing the total past 1,900 — within reach of last year's 2,045, with the final late entries still to be counted today. Every player started with 300 big blinds (a 30,000 stack) and 60-minute levels: a deep structure that rewards patience over gambling.
Among the 28 Brazilians in Day 2, Kaio Camargo stands out with a bagged stack of 214,500 — about 178 big blinds at the current level — in his first appearance at the festival. And there's extra spice on the schedule: Thomas Eychenne, the defending champion and fresh winner of the PokerStars Open High Roller, confirmed he is late-registering today to defend his crown.
Why it matters: Day 2 is a different sport
For a developing player, this is the exact moment a multi-table tournament changes its nature. Day 1 is about surviving with a workable stack; Day 2, with the money bubble looming, is about reading opponents' stacks as much as your own cards. Short stacks freeze near the min-cash, and big stacks — like Camargo's — convert that pressure into chips without ever showing a hand. Stealing from players who can't fight back: that's Day 2 rent.
The bigger-picture lesson: 28 Brazilians on the decisive day of Europe's most important tournament is no accident — it confirms that the Latin American scene has gone from guest to protagonist. Many arrived through online satellites, the low-cost route that remains the most realistic path for a bankroll-conscious player. You don't need €5,300; you need method, discipline and a qualification plan.
The tournament runs through August 29, and the bubble should burst between today and tomorrow. Four days of maximum-pressure decisions lie ahead — the best free study material there is.
Following along and want to break down the day's spots with players who actually study? Join the KryptoKings community and follow the final stretch with perspective.