As EPT President Edgar Stuchly put it, it's been a record breaking 12th Season at the European Poker Tour, with the largest schedule ever and a record breaking collection of players. Now, because the last festival of the season approaches its conclusion, it is time to sit up for what is going to come next.

Stuchly make the announcement a couple of minutes ago, releasing the dates of the following three EPT events with a purpose to be played before Christmas. The destinations look familiar, however the schedules themselves promise much more for players, whether Super High Rollers, mortal professionals or amateurs on the lookout for a large win.

Season 13 starts within the traditional way, with a summer jaunt to Barcelona. We then head to Malta, before spending 13 days in Prague prior to Christmas. 

Here are one of the highlights you'll expect at each festival. 

Barcelona kicks off the brand new season yet again with a 13 day festival on the iconic Casino Barcelona. 

Last season's Barcelona festival was probably the most successful stop within the tour's history with a complete of 5,738 unique players participating in 71 tournaments and generating on the subject of €40 million in prize money. Seasoned poker pro John Juanda took down the largest EPT Main Event ever held for €1,022,593 after beating a 1,694-strong field.

Here's what to appear forward to:

August 17, 2016 (3-day) NL - Hold'em €10,000 + €300August 17, 2016 (6-day) Estrellas Main Event €1,000 + €100August 17, 2016 (6-day) PokerStars Cup €400 + €40August 20, 2016 (3-day) Super High Roller €48,500 + €1,500August 21, 2016 (3-day) Estrellas High Roller €2,000 + €200August 22, 2016 (7-day) EPT Main Event €5,000 + €300August 23, 2016 NL - Holdem - Single Day €25,000 + €500August 26, 2016 (3-day) EPT High Roller €10,000 + €300August 26, 2016 (3-day) PokerStars Open €200 + €20

The EPT will make its return to Malta on the Portomaso Casino from October 18-29. Scottish poker professional Niall Farrell took down last season's Main Event, beating 651 players for a €534,330 payday, the most important live cash of his career.

The popular Mediterranean tourist destination made its debut in Season 11 and was an instant hit with players, offering a packed poker schedule coupled with fantastic amenities a stone-throw from the Casino. 

Highlights include:

October 18, 2016 (3-day) NL - Hold'em €10,000 + €300October 19, 2016 (5-day) IPT Main Event €1,000 + €100October 19, 2016 (5-day) PokerStars Cup €300 + €30October 21, 2016 (3-day) €25K High Roller €25,000 + €750October 22, 2016 (2-day) IPT High Roller €2,000 + €200October 23, 2016 (7-day) EPT Main Event €5,000 + €300October 24, 2016 NL - Holdem - Single Day €10,000 + €200October 27, 2016(3-day) EPT High Roller €10,000 + €300October 27, 2016 (3-day) PokerStars Open €200 + €20

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As always, the overall stop before Christmas would be the massive EPT Prague Poker Festival. Last season's event within the Czech Republic featured what was - on the time - the most important EPT schedule ever with 97 events.

Over 3,400 players competed within the Season 12 festival with nearly 16,000 separate tournament entries and greater than €24.5 million awarded in prize money. 

Here's what to seem forward to:

December 7, 2016 (3-day) NL - Hold'em €10,000 + €300December 8, 2016 (5-day) Eureka Main Event €1,000 + €100December 7, 2016 (5-day) PokerStars Cup €300 + €30December 10, 2016 (3-day) Super High Roller €48,500 + €1,500December 11, 2016 (2-day) Eureka High Roller €2,000 + €200December 12, 2016 (7-day) EPT Main Event €5,000 + €300December 13, 2016 NL - Holdem - Single Day €25,000 + €500December 16, 2016 (3-day) EPT High Roller €10,000 + €300December 16, 2016 (3-day) PokerStars Open €200 + €20

As you will see there are High Roller Events, Super High Roller Events, in addition to the kind of side events which will match any sized bank roll. In fact the similar online satellites may be in place to win your way into each Main Event, in addition to live satellites at each festival for the discount entry into probably the most most prestigious tournaments within the world.

That's what we need to sit up for. For all of the details of the brand new EPT season take a look at the . Now though it is time to find our next EPT Grand Final champion. 

Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: European Poker Tour]