The 888poker Live Madrid festival marked the official start of the brand’s new live tournament season, delivering an outstanding opening stop. The spotlight was firmly on Spanish player Gorka Akerreta, who claimed victory in the Main Event, proving that strong skill and determination can lead to major success in poker.
Akerreta secured his seat in the Madrid event through a €55 online satellite, fighting his way through a 360-entry field. His impressive performance throughout the tournament earned him a €50,000 top prize, along with the trophy that confirms him as the 888poker Live Madrid 2026 Main Event champion.
The Main Event stood out as the highlight of the festival, perfectly reflecting the success of the Madrid stop. Day 1, played in Turbo format, closed with 360 total entries, from which 135 players advanced to Day 2. With these numbers, the organization announced payouts for the top 47 finishers, featuring €50,000 for first place and a €1,700 minimum cash.
Competition remained fierce until the formation of an international final table, featuring nine players from different countries: four Spaniards, alongside players from Argentina, the United Kingdom, China, France and Ireland, underlining the global reach of the 888poker Live circuit.
The final stages saw Daniel Wu eliminated in third place, earning €25,000, before an exciting heads-up battle between Raúl Gordo and Gorka Akerreta. The duel ultimately went Akerreta’s way, awarding €36,000 to Gordo and €50,000 to the champion.
Following the Madrid stop, the 888poker Live tour now heads to Glasgow, taking place from March 12 to 22, as the brand continues to deliver a diverse and high-quality live poker offering, always guided by its commitment to responsible gaming within a safe and regulated environment.
