PokerStars’ popular Winter Series has once again delivered record-breaking results across Southern Europe, awarding more than €11.5 million in total prize pools to players in Spain, France, and Portugal.
Originally guaranteed at €10 million, the three-week online poker festival surpassed expectations by generating €11,592,062, exceeding the advertised guarantee by more than €1.5 million.
Running across 297 events, the Winter Series attracted an impressive 428,734 total entries, highlighting the continued strength of online poker in regulated European markets. Buy-ins ranged from €10 to €250, ensuring accessibility for recreational players while still offering substantial value for experienced grinders.
Main Event and Sunday Million Steal the Spotlight
One of the major highlights of the series was the €400,000 guaranteed PKO Main Event, which drew 1,896 entries and built a final prize pool of €440,820. The tournament was won by “LUCKYMEZ”, who delivered a composed final-table performance to secure €51,991, including €24,903 in bounty rewards, along with the coveted Main Event trophy.
Another marquee moment came in the $1 million guaranteed Sunday Million, where French player “jokeezy06” emerged victorious from a field of 4,002 entries. The win earned €73,982.36, making it the largest individual payout of the Winter Series.
Added Value Through Power Path Blizzard Boost
Beyond the tournament schedule, PokerStars enhanced player value through its Power Path Blizzard Boost, distributing €250,000 in additional rewards. Players who completed daily challenges gained access to Power Path tickets, Sunday Million entries, and sought-after Silver Passes, further increasing engagement throughout the series.
PokerStars Reinforces Its Southern European Presence
Commenting on the success of the Winter Series, Sandro Forleo, Head of Poker Operations for Southern Europe and Italy at PokerStars, highlighted the ongoing momentum in the region’s online poker ecosystem.
He noted that the Winter Series once again brought together players of all skill levels for weeks of competitive and festive online poker, underlining the strong enthusiasm for the game across Southern Europe. PokerStars confirmed that while the Winter Series has concluded, players can expect more innovative tournament formats and major events in the months ahead.
Further details about the Winter Series are available via PokerStars’ official platforms.
