Manuel Ferrari leads after three-way deal in the Main Event of the EPT Barcelona
Manuel Ferrari is crowned champion of the EPT Barcelona 2026, taking home the largest prize following a deal among the three finalists in the main event.
Key Takeaways
- Manuel Ferrari was crowned champion of the Main Event EPT Barcelona 2026 after a deal among the three finalists.
- The prize of €1,002,488 is the largest of Ferrari's professional career.
- Jose Criado finished third, just missing out on being the first Spanish title winner in a Main Event EPT.
- The next and final stop of the EPT 2026 will be in Prague, from December 2 to 13.
Manuel Ferrari clinched the title of the Main Event of the EPT Barcelona 2026, becoming champion after reaching a three-way agreement at the final table broadcast live. Ferrari entered the final day as the chip leader, surpassing Spain's Jose Criado and Xiaosheng Zheng from China at a final table consisting of six players.
The development of the Main Event EPT Barcelona
The day concluded with Ferrari maintaining his lead over local player Jose Criado, who was aiming to become the first Spaniard to win a Main Event of the European Poker Tour. Completing the final table were Lukas van Eeden from the Netherlands, Michael Dwyer from Ireland, and Nicolas Chouity from Lebanon.
Nicolas Chouity was the first to exit the final table, followed by Michael Dwyer and Xiaosheng Zheng. This left Van Eeden, with a short stack, fighting to catch up against the two favorites. The Dutchman managed to double his stack with a pair of sevens against Criado, thus staying in contention.
Agreement and conclusion of the tournament with Manuel Ferrari as champion
The equality in stacks among the three finalists prompted discussions about a payout. After a brief negotiation, Ferrari, Criado, and Van Eeden reached an agreement that defined the main prizes.
Shortly after the agreement, Criado was eliminated in third place after losing his last chips to Ferrari. The advantage gained enabled Ferrari to quickly overcome Van Eeden to secure victory.
Prizes of the Main Event EPT Barcelona 2026
The prizes determined after the agreement and the final outcome were as follows:
- Manuel Ferrari: €1,002,488*
- Lukas van Eeden: €927,420*
- Jose Criado: €910,642*
- Xiaosheng Zheng: €471,250
- Michael Dwyer: €362,500
- Nicolas Chouity: €278,950
*Indicates prizes adjusted by the three-way deal.
Manuel Ferrari's trajectory and moment in the circuit
The one million euros won represents the largest prize of Ferrari's career, who has accumulated only $579,000 in earnings since his professional debut in 2018. Ferrari has been on a good run in the PokerStars circuit, with victories also in January of this year and in June of last year, his only previous six-figure payouts.
Next destination: EPT Prague to close the season
After the conclusion of EPT Barcelona, the European Poker Tour has set its last stop of the 2026 season in Prague. The tournament will take its traditional slot in the winter calendar from December 2 to 13.
"Manuel Ferrari's performance stands out in a highly competitive edition, marked by equality and negotiation in the final stages," noted the team of the European Poker Tour.
Impact for Spanish poker and relevance in the international circuit
Jose Criado was the local favorite, with the chance to achieve the first Spanish victory in a Main Event of the EPT. Although Criado finished in third position, his result reinforces the presence of Spanish poker on the international tour, while EPT continues to uphold its Barcelona stop as a reference in the global circuit calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Main Event of the EPT Barcelona 2026?
Manuel Ferrari was crowned the winner of the Main Event of the EPT Barcelona 2026, securing the trophy and the largest prize after a three-way deal at the final table.
How much did Manuel Ferrari win after the final deal at the EPT Barcelona?
Ferrari took home a prize of €1,002,488, the largest of his career, greatly surpassing his previous earnings on the professional circuit.
Who were the other notable finalists alongside Ferrari?
Lukas van Eeden from the Netherlands finished as runner-up with €927,420, while Jose Criado, the local favorite, placed third with €910,642.
How did the agreement among the three finalists affect the prize distribution?
The agreement was made with similar stacks among Ferrari, Van Eeden, and Criado, ensuring very close main prizes for the three before the winner was determined.
What is the next stop for the European Poker Tour after Barcelona?
The EPT moves to Prague for the final stage of the 2026 season, which will take place from December 2 to 13.
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About the author
Sofía Carrasco
Poker Correspondent
Sofía Carrasco covers live and online poker — tournament series from the WSOP and EPT to the daily room grind, promotions, and the industry moves behind them. The reports keep every score, pot, and player name exactly as the record shows, and follow the story past the final hand: who qualified, what the structure rewarded, and how the field is shifting. For player moves, software, and regulation across the poker economy, Sofía Carrasco is the first read.
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