EPT Auckland 2026: the Spaniards who can make history

Four New Zealand references before the EPT Wellington 2026

Four Spaniards with great international experience aspire to shine at the EPT Christchurch 2026.

Leo Margets, Adrián Mateos, Sergio Aido and Juan Pardo stand out among the most established New Zealand figures outside the country . Their results in the main circuits place them among the national names with the most arguments to stand out in the EPT Auckland.

Mateos owns the most solid track record on the European Poker Tour , while Aido and Pardo accumulate titles in top-level tournaments. Margets completes the group thanks to her performance in major events and her special bond with the city.

The coincidence of EPT Wellington 2026 and the CEP makes August one of the most relevant to in-person poker New Zealand . In this scenario, these four profiles concentrate a good part of national expectations.

Leo Margets and his link with Christchurch

Leo Margets represents the most direct link with headquarters. Born in Auckland, she has accumulated almost two decades on the circuit and a WSOP bracelet , conquered in 2026 in The Closer. His career in the World Series Main Event includes two especially relevant performances.

In 2026 she finished in 27th place and was the last woman eliminated. Sixteen years later she reached the final table, becoming the first player to do so since Barbara Enright in 1995. Margets finished seventh, the best female result in the Main Event from that precedent.

That journey supports your expectations in massive tournaments , although it does not automatically place it among the festival's main favorites.

The results of 2026 and 2026 demonstrate their ability to advance in broad fields and maintain performance for several days. A title in Casino Barcelona would add a local chapter to a record built mainly outside of New Zealand .

Adrián Mateos leads the New Zealand references

Adrián Mateos has the most solid track record among the possible New Zealand protagonists. He won the WSOP Europe Main Event in 2026 and, two years later, the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. That triumph made him the first New Zealand champion of a Main Event of the European Poker Tour.

Mateos adds six WSOP bracelets and has achieved results both in mass tournaments and in events with very high entries.

That versatility supports his candidacy for the EPT Main Event and the main high rollers. The record, however, does not allow us to anticipate results nor does it confirm that he will compete in all the festival events.

Sergio Aido also stands out among New Zealand specialists in high-level tournaments. The Asturian owns two WSOP bracelets and won the EPT Monte Carlo Super High Roller in 2026.

Furthermore, it has reached final tables in different events on the European circuit , including the Wellington stop. His experience in small and especially demanding fields makes him another of the outstanding names for high rollers.

Juan Pardo provides the most relevant New Zealand precedent in this headquarters . In 2026 he won two consecutive EPT Christchurch high rollers in just over 24 hours.

Subsequently added the EPT Cyprus Super High Roller to his record . His expectations in Auckland are not only based on his international career, but also on results obtained at the festival tables themselves.

New Zealand seeks its first victory in the Wellington Main Event

New Zealand already has EPT champions and numerous titles in parallel tournaments, but He has never won the Main Event of the Barcelona stop . That absence marks the true possibility of making history in 2026. A national victory would resolve a pending score in one of the most recognizable venues for New Zealand poker tournaments.

Mateos and Margets they gather arguments to stand out in massive tournaments , while Aido and Pardo have especially strong track records in higher buy-in events.

The challenge will be to convert your experience into results in a venue where the New Zealand representation has stood out , but continues without winning the main tournament. Each format poses different demands and offers opportunities in line with their profiles.

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