button in SafariLive Poker Returns to World's Oldest Casino with €1m GTD Main Event
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In a major milestone for European live poker, the iconic La Notte Degli Assi festival is making a grand return to Italy, hosted at the breathtaking Casino di Venezia from October 11–19, 2026.
Headlined by a massive €1,000,000 Guaranteed Main Event, the festival brings high-stakes action back to one of the most magnificent cardroom settings in the world.
The World’s Oldest Casino
Originally founded in 1638, the Casino di Venezia holds the undisputed title of the world's oldest casino. It relocated in the 1950s to its current residence, a 15th-century Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal, which served as a home to Venetian Doges and was the final residence of composer Richard Wagner.
In addition to its deep roots in classical gaming like Chemin de Fer and French Roulette, the venue has occasionally opened its grand halls to top-tier high-stakes poker.
From 2009 to 2013, WPT Venice took place in the historic Italian city, with Rocco Palumbo the most recent WPT Venice champion. More recently, the palace played host to the PokerGO Tour, drawing prominent international high rollers to compete in high-stakes No-Limit Hold'em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and Short Deck events.
The €1,000,000 GTD Main Event
The focal point of the series is the Main Event, which features a multi-flight structure designed for both regular buy-in starters and late-stage contenders. The early flights (Days 1A–1D) run from Sunday, October 11 to Tuesday, October 13 with a discounted €400 buy-in (€300 re-entry).
The action then transitions to the €600 prime flights (Days 1E–1I & Last Chance) from Thursday, October 15 to Saturday, October 17 (€400 re-entry). Every Day 1 entry grants players a deep starting stack of 200,000 chips with 30-minute levels, except for the Saturday night Last Chance flight, which runs on a 20-minute clock.
Players surviving to Day 2 on Sunday, October 18 and the Final Day on Monday, October 19 will see the levels extend to 45 minutes.
Additionally, Sunday kicks off at 2:00 pm with the Sorteggio Caccia Al Tesoro draw before cards go in the air for Day 2 at 3:00 pm.
The schedule also features a €1,500 High Roller event. Day 1 kicks off on Wednesday, October 14 at 8:00 pm, offering a 250,000 starting stack and 40-minute levels with late registration open for 10 levels. Players who make the cut will return to compete for the title on the High Roller Final Day, scheduled for Thursday, October 15 at 4:00 pm.
Satellites and Side Events
Players looking to qualify for a fraction of the cost have multiple routes into the key events.On Tuesday, October 13 at 8:00 pm, a €180 Satellite (€180 re-entry) gives players a direct path into the €1,500 High Roller.
The satellite action continues on Wednesday, October 14 at 3:00 pm with a Freeroll Satellite offering 12 guaranteed tickets with optional €20 rebuys. On Thursday, October 15 at 3:00 pm, the Mega Satellite awards 25 guaranteed tickets for a €60 buy-in with €40 rebuys.
Alongside the satellite path, players can jump into non-Main Event action with L'Aperitivo degli Assi, a €150 NLH event (€150 re-entry) featuring a 100,000 stack and 20-minute levels, taking place on Monday, October 12 at 8:00 pm
2026 La Notte Degli Assi Venice Full Schedule
