PokerStars NAPT 2026: The Ultimate Player Guide
Last updated: January 13, 2026
The PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) continues to build on its modern revival, following a wildly successful three‑year run since its comeback in 2023. After a record‑breaking 2024 season and another strong outing in 2025, the tour has firmly re‑established itself as one of PokerStars’ premier live poker brands.
Details for the 2026 NAPT season have yet to be formally announced, but several U.S. stops — including Las Vegas at Resorts World — are expected to return. Previous editions have featured dozens of events, headline Main Events with multi‑million‑dollar prize pools, and appearances from Team PokerStars Ambassadors.
Players can again look forward to qualifying online through PokerStars US, where step satellites and Power Path Passes offer affordable ways to win seats and packages to NAPT festivals across North America.
Stay tuned for all official 2026 NAPT dates, venues, and schedules as soon as they are confirmed by PokerStars Live.
| PokerStars North American Poker Tour 2026 Las Vegas | |
|---|---|
| 📅 Dates NAPT Las Vegas 2026 | TBA |
| 🎰 Venue for NAPT Las Vegas | Resorts World Casino |
| 🎪 Expected NAPT Las Vegas Events | Main Event, PokerStars Open, High Roller, Super High Roller, Women’s Event, Women’s High Roller & Mystery Bounty |
| 💻 NAPT Las Vegas Online Qualifiers | PokerStars US & PokerStars Ontario |
| 💰 NAPT Las Vegas Buy-ins | $330 all the way up to $25,000 |
Can I qualify for the NAPT Online?
Satellites are expected to return ahead of the 2026 North American Poker Tour, which is anticipated to take place again in November. Players will likely be able to win their way into NAPT Main Events through PokerStars US step satellites and Power Path Passes, starting once the live festival schedule is announced.
Stay tuned for updates as PokerStars releases details on the upcoming qualification timeline and confirmed NAPT 2026 dates.
The NAPT 2026 Schedule
The full schedule for the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) 2026 has not yet been announced. So far, PokerStars has not released any details regarding dates, venues, or event structures for the upcoming season.
For reference, the 2025 NAPT schedule was published in July 2025, outlining a full slate of tournaments culminating in the November stop at Resorts World Las Vegas. Based on that timeline, players can expect the 2026 NAPT schedule to be revealed around mid‑summer 2026, likely again in July.
Until then, PokerStars Live has confirmed no additional information — but the NAPT is widely expected to return for another major Las Vegas festival toward the end of the year. Players can prepare by watching for updates on PokerStars US, where online satellites and Power Path promotions typically launch once official NAPT dates are confirmed.
Check back for the latest updates on the NAPT 2026 schedule as soon as new information becomes available.
NAPT Las Vegas 2026 Online Satellites
Players will once again have multiple ways to qualify online for the North American Poker Tour (NAPT) Las Vegas 2026, with PokerStars US and PokerStars Ontario expected to offer a full lineup of satellite events later this year.
Following the same successful structure introduced in recent seasons, the Path to NAPT will likely return, giving players of all bankroll levels the chance to qualify for the November 2026 Main Event at Resorts World Las Vegas.
Although PokerStars has not yet released official details for 2026, the Path to NAPT format used in 2025 is expected to remain largely unchanged: a multi‑tier system beginning with micro‑stakes qualifiers and culminating in Gold Pass packages that include a seat in the $5,300 Main Event along with travel and hotel accommodations.
Expected Path to NAPT Steps
| Step | Qualifier Format | Typical Buy‑In | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spin & Go | $0.50 | Chance to win entries into higher steps or a Gold Pass directly |
| 2 | On‑Demand Sit & Go | $1.50 | Awards at least one entry into the $10 MTT Qualifier |
| 3 | Multi‑Table Tournament | $10 | Offers $100 Bronze Pass tickets |
| 4 | Bronze Pass Qualifier | $100 | Entry into bi‑weekly $1,000 NAPT Satellites |
| 5 | Main Satellite | $1,000 | One in ten players wins an NAPT Las Vegas Gold Pass |
As in previous years, players will likely be able to jump in at any step, but with entry points beginning at just $0.50, it remains one of the most affordable paths to a major live poker tournament anywhere.
PokerStars is expected to confirm the official 2026 qualifier schedule and launch dates closer to the summer. Check back with Pokerfuse for updates and direct links to the latest PokerStars US and PokerStars Ontario satellites as soon as they go live.
The Big Game on Tour
The Big Game on Tour continues to grow as one of PokerStars’ most engaging live‑poker productions. The show was filmed again during the 2025 NAPT festival, with new episodes set for release at a later date.
Not all of the episodes filmed in 2024 have been released yet, but those that have aired have reignited excitement for this modern version of PokerStars’ classic televised cash‑game series. The format once again features poker pros, streamers, and qualifiers (Loose Cannons) battling in high‑stakes action surrounded by a live audience.
Details about the 2025 filming lineup were kept under wraps, but early reports suggest some big and surprising names took part — ensuring plenty of moments for fans to look forward to when the new season airs.
No official information has been released yet about filming or broadcast plans for the 2026 season, but given the show’s success and its growing following, The Big Game on Tour is widely expected to continue alongside future NAPT stops.
How it works:
- The popular show pitches one amateur or “loose cannon” against five professional players.
- The loose cannon gets to keep anything over the initial buy-in after playing a predetermined number of hands, but they cannot take home any part of the original buy-in.
Resorts World, Home to the NAPT
The North American Poker Tour (NAPT) takes place at Resorts World Las Vegas, located on the north end of the Strip near the Wynn and Encore properties.
Resorts World Las Vegas officially opened on June 24, 2021, built on the site of the former Stardust Resort and Casino. (The original Stardust sign is now displayed at the Neon Museum Las Vegas.)
At an estimated cost of $4.3 billion, Resorts World Las Vegas remains one of the most expensive resorts ever built on the Strip.
The resort features:
- 117,000 sq. ft casino
- 59-story tower housing three Hilton-branded hotels
- Las Vegas Hilton — 1,774 rooms
- Conrad Las Vegas — 1,496 rooms
- Crockfords Las Vegas — 236 rooms
NAPT 2025 Highlights
The NAPT Main Event wrapped with a dramatic finale and a worthy champion. Gal Yifrach topped a world-class field to win $543,025, while PokerStars ambassador Jennifer Shahade delivered a career-best run in third for $291,800.
The $5,300 Main Event drew 738 entries from 29 countries. The prize pool hit $3,579,300 and 111 spots were paid. The festival showcased marquee names, standout ambassador performances, and packed side events across ten days.
The $50,000 Super High Roller attracted 23 entries and paid the top three finishers from a $1,115,730 prize pool. Stephen Chidwick took the title and $557,930 in prize money along with Thomas Boivin second for $334,700 and Cary Katz third for $223,100.
Maria Konnikova, another PokerStars Ambassador, captured the High Roller Second Chance for $66,350 and her third PokerStars career trophy.
“All In with Jason Koon” Event at NAPT
Silver and Gold Pass holders at the 2025 NAPT Las Vegas were treated to a special player experience, an exclusive morning session titled “All In with Jason Koon.”
Hosted ahead of the Tournament of Stars, the private event featured the high-stakes pro and PokerStars ambassador sharing insights on elite performance, game preparation, and the mindset required to succeed at the top levels of poker.
The interactive talk gave attendees a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Koon approaches major tournaments, from studying opponents and managing variance to staying mentally sharp through long series runs. Guests also had the chance to take part in an open Q&A, offering a direct line to one of the game’s most respected pros.
The session included welcome refreshments and an exclusive gift pack for pass holders, setting a relaxed tone before the competitive action begins later that day. Designed as both an educational and aspirational experience, “All In with Jason Koon” highlighted PokerStars’ growing focus on player engagement beyond the felt, blending high-level poker insight with VIP event access.
NAPT’s Historic Return to Las Vegas in 2023
The NAPT made a triumphant return after a 12-year hiatus back in November 2023.
Action kicked off in Las Vegas in November 2023. PokerStars chose the iconic Resorts World Las Vegas as the perfect setting for the first stop of the 2023 NAPT. There was a High Roller, Super High Roller, and Mystery Bounty events, a PokerStars Cup, and a Main Event for players to choose from.
The Main Event took place from November 6 to 11 and exceeding its $1.5 million guarantee. There were six Day 1 flights, allowing players their chance to get a seat at the table.
“For us, we are putting the focus on providing an incredible on-site experience for all of our players while creating great content,”Steve Preiss, VP at PokerStars North America at the time told pokerfuse ahead of the NAPT November 2023 stop. “PokerStars has always truly been a customer-first brand. We strive to provide our players a safe environment with world-class service. That’s the same goal offline too.”
There was a comprehensive streaming schedule with commentary from PokerStars alumni James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton, as well as Maria Ho, Nick Walsh, and Griffin Benger. In addition to the English stream, a Brazilian-Portuguese broadcast was available on the operator’s Brazilian channels and commentated by Felipe de Paulo and Flavio del Valle.
Ahead of the NAPT Las Vegas stop, PokerStars was also busy signing talent.
A partnership with NextGen Poker, a team of poker enthusiasts running a YouTube channel with over 200,000 subscribers is one such signing. Jack, Rosey, and Frankie, the faces behind NextGen Poker, will become brand ambassadors for the US markets and help provide unique coverage of the operator’s live events to new audiences.
Another addition to the ambassador ranks is a name familiar to PokerStars, New York Times Bestselling author Maria Konnikova. Konnikova returns as a brand ambassador to PokerStars after a 4-year hiatus.
Konnikova will highlight the operator’s ongoing investment in the US and Ontario markets.
“I’m very happy to once again be joining the PokerStars team as an ambassador,” said Maria Konnikova, via press release. “Poker is a game of skill that can teach us so much about our minds and ourselves — and I can’t wait to share my passion for it along with the incredible team at PokerStars. I’m quite excited for the vision that PokerStars has for U.S. expansion and am thrilled to play a small part in helping the world appreciate the true beauty and promise of a game I have come to love.”
PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) FAQ
What is the NAPT, and when does it run?
The North American Poker Tour (NAPT) is a series of live poker tournaments organized by PokerStars, held at major venues across North America. The modern NAPT returned in 2023 and has since become one of PokerStars’ flagship live events, typically running each year in the fall.
Where did the NAPT 2025 take place?
The 2025 NAPT festival took place November 3 – 12, 2025, at Resorts World Las Vegas, featuring 48 events across ten days and more than $3 million in total guarantees.
Will there be a NAPT stop in 2026?
Although PokerStars has not yet confirmed the 2026 NAPT schedule, another stop in Las Vegas is widely expected. Based on past years, details are likely to be announced in July 2026, with the festival once again taking place later in the fall.
Are there online qualifiers for the NAPT?
Yes. NAPT qualifiers are expected to return through PokerStars US and PokerStars Ontario, offering Path to NAPT step satellites and Power Path Passes that allow players to earn seats into the $5,300 Main Event and side tournaments.
What events were part of the NAPT Las Vegas 2025?
The 2025 schedule included a deep roster of events such as the $5,300 NAPT Main Event, $10,300 Super High Roller, $2,200 PokerStars Open High Roller, $1,100 NAPT Mystery Bounty, and $330 Women’s Event, among others. A similar lineup is expected for 2026 once announced.
Was there a Women’s Event at the NAPT?
Yes. The $330 Women’s Event returned in 2025 with a $50,000 guarantee, alongside a $1,100 Women’s High Roller. Both events were well received and are likely to feature again in 2026.
What other live events does PokerStars host in the United States?
In addition to the NAPT, PokerStars hosts other U.S. live series including the PokerStars Open Philadelphia and PokerStars Open Maryland, both run at Live! Casino & Hotel venues. These events offer more accessible buy-ins and serve as qualifying opportunities for players looking to move up to the NAPT stage.