PokerStars LIVE 2023

PokerStars LIVE returned in full force for 2023 with stops in Europe, Asia, plus Latin and North America. The 2023 live circuit has now concluded.

Classics like the UK and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT), France Poker Series (FPS), Spain’s Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT), and the EUREKA Poker Tour in Central & Eastern Europe all made a comeback in 2023.

They sat alongside PokerStars-sponsored tours like the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), the Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT), the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), as well as the flagship European Poker Tour (EPT).

The triumphant PSPC and the iconic PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) all featured on the 2023 roster. And, for the first time in six years, PokerStars returned to US soil with its Summer Series US in 2023.

PokerStars also announced that the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) is back after a 12-year hiatus! The first event (picking up where the series left off with Season 3) took place at the Resorts World in Las Vegas this November, just ahead of Las Vegas Formula 1 stop.

PokerStars Live Events: At A Glance

Most Popular PokerStars Live Tours

1. UK and Ireland Poker Tour
2. France Poker Series
3. European Poker Tour
4. Latin American Poker Tour
5. Brazilian Series of Poker
6. PokerStars Caribbean Adventure
7. North American Poker Tour

One key area the operator has really focused on this year is allowing players to qualify for nearly all of these tours online from the comforts of their homes. These online qualifiers run in multiple jurisdictions on the PokerStars app, covering almost all scheduled tours. Sign up for PokerStars to access these qualifiers and more.

This guide covers everything you need to know about 2023 PokerStars LIVE events, including the dates, online qualifications, history, and more.

Check back as we regularly update the page with the latest news and information on the PokerStars LIVE schedule and new stops.

Online Qualifiers to 2023 Live Events

Online qualifiers have now come to a close. However, online qualifiers ran on the PokerStars client, offering players a chance to win their way to live events for a fraction of the cost. Below is a table to see what markets ran qualifiers and into what events.

For more information on PokerStars’ new Power Path qualifier route, click here.

PokerStars LIVE: Online Qualifiers to 2023 Events

What is PokerStars Live?

PokerStars Live is the catchall term for PokerStars live events that take place across the globe. PokerStars runs events in the UK, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean, and now is back running events in North America.

PokerStars Live Stops in Europe

European Poker Tour (EPT)

The European Poker Tour (EPT) is PokerStars’ oldest surviving live tour brand, hosting the operator’s most prestigious live events since its inception in 2004. Its popular stops include:

1. Barcelona
2. Prague
3. Monte Carlo
4. Malta
5. London
6. Paris ** NEW FOR 2023
7. Cyprus ** NEW FOR 2023

Online qualifiers were available in the run-up to each stop on the dot-com platform and on French and Spanish platforms. For EPT Cyprus a Mini EPT Cyprus ran online for players in the dot-com market. The online series ran October 18 to 22, and featured 15 events.

The Mini EPT Cyprus, open to .com players, ran concurrently with the live event from Wednesday, October 18, to Sunday, October 22. This online series offered three daily tournaments, adding up to 15 thrilling events with $60,000 in added value. Buy-ins started from $1.10.

Goulash, poker, architecture, Christmas markets, and time with friends… EPT Prague is a must-play stop!

PokerStars Ambassador Ben Spragg, aka “Spraggy,” said of December’s EPT stop in Prague: “Prague in December is a jewel in the poker tour crown. A city that softens the blow of busting out of your favorite EPT event is better than almost anywhere else. In particular, in December, with the winter weather and festive mood adding even more charm to one of Europe’s most historic locations, Goulash, poker, architecture, Christmas markets, and time with friends… EPT Prague is a must-play stop.”

EPT Stops in 2023

Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT)

The Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) is a poker tour that hosts multiple live events across Spain. It is one of PokerStars’' popular regional tours dedicated to low and mid-stakes players.

The Spanish tour returned after a six-year hiatus, with five stops taking place in 2023 across five cities in the country. These included:

1. Madrid
2. Castellon
3. Barcelona
4. Malaga
5. Seville

Each stop had two signature events — a Main Event costing €1100 and a High Roller sporting a buy-in of €2200 Online qualifiers for each stop were available to dot-com players and French and Spanish players in the Southern European segregated network.

ESPT Stops in 2023

France Poker Series (FPS)

The France Poker Series (FPS) has proven perennially to be a popular live series in France and Monaco, making its debut in 2010. Since its inception, the tour has had six seasons running from 2010 to 2016.

Like other regional tours, PokerStars resurrected FPS, with five stops scheduled for 2023, including a new location in Belgium. These stops included:

1. Paris
2. Monte Carlo
3. Namur in Belgium ** NEW for 2023
4. Aix-les-Bains
5. Aix-en-Provence

Each stop on the FPS had an €1100 buy-in Main Event and a €2200 buy-in High Roller. PokerStars ran online satellites for all FPS stops, with qualifiers scheduled on the PokerStars dot-com, French, and Spanish platforms.

New for 2023 was the Aix-les-Bains stop which will be held at Casino Grand Cercle. Aix-les-Bains is a popular spa town in southeast France.

International players were able to win their way to the events through the PokerStars Power Path, with Silver Passes available stops to Aix-les-Bains and Aix-en-Provence. The Power Path is not available to PokerStars players in France.

1. FPS Aix-les-Bains Silver Pass: Entry to €1,100 FPS Aix-les-Bains Main Event and €330 FPS Aix-les-Bains Cup
2. FPS Aix en Provence Silver Pass: Entry to €1,100 FPS Aix en Provence Main Event and €330 FPS Aix-en-Provence Cup

FPS 2023 stops

EUREKA Poker Tour

The EUREKA Poker Tour is another prominent regional tour of PokerStars that covers the Central and Eastern European markets. The tour was launched in 2011, but the project was hit or miss on the first go-around.

In 2023, the EUREKA tour had three stops — heading back to Rozvadov and Prague, plus a new location in Cyprus. The Rozvadov stop concluded in March. The tour then headed to Cyprus in October and Prague in December. Each stop has three signature events — the Eureka Cup, the Eureka Main Event, and Eureka High Roller.

Stops at a glance:

1. Prague
2. Rozvadov
3. Belgium
4. Cyprus ** NEW for 2023

Hundreds of players from over 70 different countries came together to play in the inaugural EPT Cyprus Main Event and dozens of side events that took place on the outskirts, with buy-ins ranging from just $550 to $50,000.

Dutch online poker player and streamer Gilles Simon took home the Main Event trophy and over a million dollars in cash, marking the biggest moment of his emerging poker career, as he fought his way to his first major live poker victory against a field of 1320 entries.

Records for were also broken during the EUREKA Prague stop in December.

EUREKA 2023 Stops

UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT)

The UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) is one of the most popular PokerStars-sponsored festivals, covering several stops across the UK and Ireland. The tour stopped in Edinburgh for the first time in eight years.

The tour was formed back in 2009 and has featured stops including London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Nottingham. Stops in the UK for 2023 included:

1. Blackpool
2. Brighton
3. London
4. Edinburgh
5. Nottingham

UKIPT 2023 Stops

Campeonato España de Poker (CEP)

The Campeonato España de Poker (CEP) is another PokerStars-sponsored live tour considered a staple of the live tournament circuit in Spain. It is the country’s longest-running live poker tour.

Famous stops include Barcelona, Madrid, Castellon, and Malaga. For 2023, the Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) and the Campeonato España de Poker (CEP) came together, with the CEP tournaments running ahead of the ESPT festivals.

Seven stops ran in 2023, with two in Barcelona and one in Madrid, Castellon, Malaga, Sevilla, and Peralada. Online satellites were available on the PokerStars Spain client.

CEP 2023 stops

Irish Poker Open (IPO): April 2023

The Irish Poker Open (IPO) is the longest-running poker festival in Europe and is one of the world’s most prestigious live tours. Its first tour was held in 1980. Since then, it has become a staple in the European live poker circuit.

Though the PokerStars team did not form the IPO, it is sponsoring the 2023 stop for the first time, along with its sister brand, Paddy Power. The IPO will take place in April 2023 at the RDS Ballsbridge in Dublin, featuring 39 numbered events and culminating in a €1 million guaranteed Main Event.

PokerStars and Paddy Power ran online qualifiers on their respective platforms. PokerStars gave away 23 seats every week to the Main, sending a record number of qualifiers to play the IPO 2023.

Summer Festival Malta: June 2023

The Summer Festival returned to the sunny island of Malta for the second year in a row. Highlight events include the €1100 Main Event, of course, a €5300 buy-in Super High Roller, a €330 Malta Cup, and a €550 buy-in Live on PokerStars.

Online qualifiers and satellites were available in multiple jurisdictions, including players in the dot-com network, Southern European segregated networks for French and Spanish players, and the Italian network.

Last year, the Estrellas Poker Tour (ESPT) and the UK & Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) joined forces to create a new festival for Malta players. The 2022 edition featured 28 tournaments with buy-ins ranging from €220 to €5200. The Main Event featured an €1100 buy-in, attracting 815 entries to create a prize pool of €782,400.

Latin and North American Live Poker Stops

North American Poker Tour (NAPT)

The North American Poker Tour (NAPT) returned to the US this year after a 12-year break.The iconic tour returned to Las Vegas from November 4 to 12.

The NAPT featured a $1600 Main Event, a $5300 High Roller event, and a $550 PokerStars Cup at the Resorts World Las Vegas. The series resumed in its third season after the second season in 2011 was cut short after only completing two stops, thanks to Black Friday.

We are delighted to announce the return of this iconic series and once again hold the NAPT for poker players in North America. “We are delighted to announce the return of this iconic series and once again hold the NAPT for poker players in North America,” said Steve Preiss, VP for PokerStars North America.

“We are working hard to ensure this is a spectacular series and can’t wait to head to Las Vegas to get the show on the road.”

Learn all about the triumphant return of PokerStars’ iconic tour in our complete guide to NAPT 2023-24, covering schedules, stops, online qualifiers, and much more!

The full schedule of the NAPT for the Las Vegas stop can be found here.

Promotions giving away Main Event seats to the NAPT ran via Power Path.

From October 2 to 26 players who can access the PokerStars dot-com client, had the chance to win 50 Gold Passes, with values of $10,300 each. 10 players will also get the ultimate Vegas Experience with the upgraded Vegas Bundle worth $20,300. On top of the Gold Pass value, the Vegas Bundle included:

• $5300 NAPT Las Vegas High Roller entry (November 10-12)
• 3-day pass for two for the Oracle Red Bull Racing Fan Experience in Las Vegas (November 16-18)
• 9 nights of hotel accommodation for two (November 10-19) at Resorts World Las Vegas, including taxes and resort fees
• $4,000 towards flights and expenses

Players could also look out for new US ambassadors during the NAPT such as best selling New York Times author, Maria Konnikova.

PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) & PokerStars No Limit Hold 'em Players Championship (PSPC)

The triumphant PokerStars No Limit Hold 'em Players Championship (PSPC) returned for its second edition as part of the iconic PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) The live tour was held in January this year at the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas.

The 2023 PCA ran between January 22 and February 3, while the PSPC started a bit later, on January 30, and concluded on February 3.

The PCA Main Event drew 889 entries to create a massive prize pool of $8.6 million — making it the largest prize pool since 2014. Meanwhile, the triumphant PSPC event attracted 1014 entrants, resulting in a staggering $24.8 million prize money.

The operator has not yet announced another edition of PCA nor revealed any plans for the third installment of the PSPC. However, given their success, it would not be surprising to see both tournament events return in 2024.

Summer Series in US: July 2023

PokerStars live tournaments returned to US soil with its inaugural Summer Series at Live! Casino in Philadelphia. The operator is adding a few extra online qualifiers through its Sunset Series to increase the numbers and get as many players as possible.

The brand new Sunset Series ran on PokerStars US — on PokerStars PA and the combined NJ / MI platform — from July 21 to July 31, spanning 36 events in total. In addition to regular tournaments where players can compete for cash prizes, three unique Summer Series qualifier events will be held.

Latin American Poker Tour (LAPT)

The Latin America Poker Tour (LAPT) is another PokerStars-owned and sponsored major poker tour covering the Latin America region. Its first event was held in 2008 and continued to run through 2016.

The tour covered multiple Latin American regions, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Bahamas, and Panama. The operator paused the LAPT, along with other popular tours, back in 2017.

After a seven-year hiatus, the LAPT returned with a bang in 2023, with its first stop in Rio de Janeiro in the first week of March. Another visit is planned in late April in Montevideo, Uruguay, featuring nearly a dozen events.

Online satellites ran for the Montevideo stop on the PokerStars dot-com client, with buy-ins starting as low as $11.

LAPT 2023 stops

Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP)

The Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP), which emerged back in 2006, is the country’s biggest poker festival. Many seasons have occurred since the tour’s inception in various cities across Brazil. The series has also held events in Argentina and Uruguay.

For 2023, six stops ran. The São Paulo edition ran from March 29 to April 4. From there, the tour moved to Brasilia in June and back to São Paulo for the BSOP Winter Millions_* in July. Then in October the stop went to Foz do Iguaçu, and concluded in São Paulo in November.

It was also announced by PokerStars that the November BSOP Millions stop will feature the largest guarantee in the history of poker in Latin America.

PokerStars guaranteed $8.2 million USD or R$40 million across 100 tournaments that will form part of the BSOP Millions São Paulo stop that ran November 15 to November 29. Each event had a low, mid and high stakes buy-in to attract a broad range of players.

“An event of the scale of BSOP Millions shouldn’t be limited to one kind of player,” said Devanir Campos, CEO of the Brazilian Series of Poker. “This will be the largest prize pool of any stage in Latin American history, offering options for all preferences and budgets.” Scheduled events include: Omaha, Stud, HORSE, Triple Draw Lowball and more. Freerolls are running daily to the $162 Qualifiers.

BSOP Stops include:

1. The Bahamas
2. São Paulo
3. Brasilia
4. Foz do Iguaçu

BSOP 2023 stops

PokerStars Live Stops in Asia

Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT)

The Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) is one of PokerStars’' longest-running sponsored tours. Established in 2007, it covers the Asia Pacific regions, including:

1. Manila
2. Seoul
3. Macau
4. Sydney
5. Cambodia

This year, PokerStars scheduled two stops for the APPT. The first stop ran in Cambodia from May 5 to 15, and from there, the tour moved to Manila in the Philippines in late July.

Online satellites ran for APPT Cambodia, with buy-ins starting at $7.50.

APPT 2023 stops

How to Qualify via PokerStars Power Path

PokerStars is always looking for new ways to make their live events more accessible to the average poker player.

The latest push to get more recreational players to live events is PokerStars Power Path, a new qualification system primarily for recreational players.

Although there are different ways for players to win seats for PokerStars-sponsored events worldwide, through promotions and online qualifiers, Power Path offers rewards for the lowest stake players. The Power Path redemption system is geared towards those who want to get a taste of the live poker experience or play in one of the big online tournaments but do not have the bankroll to buy in the usual way.

Power Path is a four-step qualification method that starts with a $0.50 Spin & Go, leading to either a $1 buy-in On Demand Sit & Go or a $1.50 multi-table tournament (MTT), which is Step 2.

This advancement leads to Step 3, where players receive $11 worth of tickets. Successfully clearing Step 3 also grants them access to the final stage, Step 4.

Step 4 features a $109 tournament that distributes the coveted Power Passes across three tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. While players can fast-track their progression by directly entering Step 2 or 3, players must secure their spot in Step 4 by winning in Step 3.

PokerStars Power Path: Key Details

1. Opt-in is required
2. Start with a $0.50 Spin & Go, and finish with a $109 MTT
3. Get one free Step 1 ticket every day you play for real money
4. Four-step qualification system for major live & online events
5. Final step winners receive Bronze, Silver, and Gold Power Passes
6. No direct buy-ins into the last step & no reentries
7. Passes contain tournament entries, travel, and accommodation stipend
8. Power Path Passes cannot be exchanged for money

Check out our comprehensive Power Path Guide here.

PokerStars LIVE Tournament Schedule

PokerStars Live App

For those unversed, PokerStars also has a dedicated mobile app that provides players with up-to-date information on its live event schedule.

The PokerStars Live mobile app offers a wealth of information, such as access to all the PokerStars live festival dates, both for current events and future ones, events full schedule, registration options, venue information, and the results from completed events.

It also provides detailed information on blind structures, ongoing tournament updates such as tournament clock screen, almost real-time player’s chip stack, total chips in play, tournament standings, prize pool, payout structure, total entries, buy-in breakdown, and much more.

More features are expected to be deployed, including push notifications for specific tournaments, the ability to create an account and log in, notifications for those on the waiting list, and much more.

The PokerStars Live app is available for download in both Google Play and Apple stores.

PokerStars Live 2023 FAQ

Is PokerStars running online qualifiers for its live tours?

Yes, PokerStars runs online qualifiers for nearly all its stops in multiple jurisdictions. These are held in the run-up to the targeted events, with buy-ins starting as low as $1/€1.

In which markets are the online qualifiers for PokerStars Live events being run?

PokerStars runs online qualifiers and satellites for its live events in multiple markets. These include the dot-com market for international players, the Southern European segregated market for players in France and Spain, and the ring-fenced Italian market.

Where Can I find the online qualifiers for PokerStars Live events?

Finding online qualifiers for live events is easy. All players must do is click on the ''Event’' tab on the PokerStars main lobby and locate the live event they plan to qualify for. Players can search for the live stop in the tournament search section under the ''Tourney’' tab.

What are the buy-ins of online qualifiers and satellites to PokerStars Live events?

Buy-ins vary depending on which PokerStars Live event players intend to play, but they start at just $1/€1 with direct satellites between $109/€109.

Has PokerStars Scheduled any live events in the US?

Yes, PokerStars returned to the US after a six-year break with its Summer Series. Plus, the North American Poker Tour returns in November after a twelve-year hiatus.

Has PokerStars scheduled any stops in Canada?

No, PokerStars has not yet scheduled any live stops in Canada. However, it does plan to run online qualifiers on the PokerStars Ontario platform.

Does PokerStars intend to bring back the North America Poker Tour (NAPT)?

Yes, The North American Poker Tour will officially take place in November in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Where can I find all the information on PokerStars LIVE stops?

Players can find all the information on ongoing or upcoming PokerStars Live stops on the PokerStars website. The operator also has a dedicated PokerStars LIVE mobile app, which PokerStars touts as “very handy for players.”

Are live PokerStars stops found in the PokerStars app?

The PokerStars app provides extensive information, including access to all live festival dates, full tournament schedule, registration options, venue information, and results from completed events.

It also provides detailed information on blind structures, ongoing tournament updates, and much more.

Are there online qualifiers running for the NAPT?

Yes, online qualifiers are running in dot-com, Italian, Spanish, Ontario and US markets.

Will there be a Formula 1, Red Bull Racing and PokerStars mash up for the NAPT?

PokerStars is giving away exclusive Red Bull Racing experience packages that will take place ahead of the F1 in Las Vegas —as part of the Vegas Gold Pass promotion.