EPT Sochi cancelled due to Ukraine war

EPT Sochi cancelled due to Ukraine war
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Arved Klöhn Content Writer
Fact Checked: PokerListings
  • Updated: July 2, 2025
  • Read time: 1 min
Casino Sochi
Casino Sochi

The scheduled stop of the European Poker Tour in Sochi was cancelled by PokerStars due to Russia’s war actions in Ukraine. Originally, the tournament was to take place from 18 to 27 March on Russia’s Black Sea coast, but this date was cancelled by PokerStars.

In the past years Sochi grew to be one of the bigger stops in PokerStars live event calender. In addition to the $2,000 Main Event, several Highroller tournaments and the Sochi Cup were also scheduled. The tournament is now planned to run from 1 to 10 October. However, these dates are subject to the proviso that there are no further problems in Russia or the surrounding countries.

What can players do who have won a package for EPT Sochi?

PokerStars will replace all tickets purchased and won for EPT Sochi. Players who have won packages for the tour stop or have already bought in may contact support via [email protected].

Consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine

Russia’s war against Ukraine has made it unsafe to hold an event at Casino Sochi and the war threatens to destabilise other parts of Europe if the conflict escalates further.

Numerous international cultural and sporting events have been cancelled or rapidly changed location as a result of the attack on Ukraine. Among other things, Formula 1 has withdrawn from Russia, UEFA has withdrawn the Champions League final from St. Petersburg and Russia has been excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the poker business, tournaments outside Russia and Ukraine are still going on as usual. But the war will have an impact on the upcoming events. PokerStars’ EPT Prague is scheduled to begin on 5 March. Even though the Czech Republic is very far from Ukraine, air travel will be affected and players may refrain from travelling due to security concerns.