PokerStars Open PhiladelphiaThe Complete Player Guide
PokerStars Open Philly 2025 brings a rich schedule of affordable tournaments, highlighted by the $500,000 guaranteed Main Event.
Last updated: April 9, 2025
PokerStars is coming back to the United States with its first live event of 2025 set to take place in Philadelphia later this month!
The PokerStars Open Philadelphia runs April 21 — 27 at the Live! Casino & Hotel and it is the first festival of the newly-launched PokerStars Open series to take place in North America.
The festival is highlighted by the $500k guaranteed Main Event, but there are quite a few other tournaments on the docket with very affordable buy-ins and attractive prize pools. We are bringing you all the details about the upcoming PokerStars Philly Live, including the full schedule, online satellites, and more.
| PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2025 Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Venue | Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia |
| 📅 Dates | April 21 – 27 |
| 🤑 Main Event Guarantee | $500,000 |
| 💰 Buy-ins | $300 – $2,200 |
| 💪Other Highlight Events | $400 PokerStars Cup ($40k GTD), $300 Women’s Event ($10k GTD), $2,200 High Roller |
| 💳Minimum Age to Play | 21+ |
PokerStars Open Philadelphia Schedule & Highlights
The PokerStars Open festival in Philadelphia comprises 12 events, with buy-ins ranging from $300 to $2,200. The $1,100 Main Event features a guarantee of $500,000 and starts on April 23. The event will have four starting flights.
While the $500k guarantee is nothing to scoff at, if previous experiences are anything to go by, the tournament will likely shatter its original promise by a fair margin.
Beyond the Main, the PokerStars Open 2025 in Philly brings out several more notable events, including:
- $400 PokerStars Open Cup – $40,000 GTD
- $300 Women’s Event – $10,000 GTD
- $2,200 PokerStars Open High Roller
There is also the $300 Ambassador Bounty on the docket. While this tournament doesn’t come with an explicit guarantee, there will be plenty of added value up for grabs, as players will get to claim cash bounties every time they eliminate one of PokerStars’ ambassadors.
Like other PokerStars Open events around the globe, the one in Philadelphia has been designed to fit every bankroll and to allow all players to get involved and experience the thrill of major live events without breaking the bank.
PokerStars Philly Live Full Schedule
| Date | Event | Buy-in | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 21 | #1 Kickoff Bounty NLH | $400 | N/A |
| Apr 21 | #2 Main Event Qualifier | $160 | N/A |
| Apr 22 | #3 Qualifier to High Roller | $300 | N/A |
| Apr 22 – 23 | #4 PokerStars Open High Roller | $2,200 | N/A |
| Apr 23 | #5 Main Event Qualifier | $160 | N/A |
| Apr 23 – 27 | #6 PokerStars Open Main Event | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Apr 23 | #7 Ambassador Bounty ($100 Bounties) | $300 | N/A |
| Apr 23 | #8 Main Event Qualifier | $160 | N/A |
| Apr 24 | #9 Women’s Event | $300 | $10,000 |
| Apr 24 | #10 Main Event Qualifier | $160 | N/A |
| Apr 25 | #11 Pot Limit Omaha | $300 | N/A |
| Apr 27 | #12 PokerStars Cup | $400 | $40,000 |
It is worth mentioning that 4% of the prize pool in every tournament is withheld by PokerStars to cover the operating costs of the festival (staff, dealers, etc.).
PokerStars Open Philadelphia Satellites
If you’re looking to get involved with the PokerStars Open in Philadelphia, there is still plenty of time to qualify for the Main Event.
Online satellites are available across all regulated PokerStars sites in North America (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ontario), with buy-ins starting as low as $10. You can find all available qualifiers inside a special section dubbed “Philadelphia Open”.
You will find different types of satellites leading to the Main Event Qualifiers listed in the PokerStars client lobby. The most common qualifiers are the $100 ones, which guarantee at least one $1,500 package for the Main, covering buy-in and expenses.
There will also be live satellites available at the Live! Casino & Hotel once the festival gets underway. These will start from the very first day (April 21), featuring a buy-in of $160 and unlimited reentries.
There are four $160 satellites listed on the official PokerStars Open Philadelphia schedule, running at 18:15 local time every day from April 21 — 24.
PokerStars Philadelphia Venue
The 2025 PokerStars Philadelphia is taking place at the Live! Casino & Hotel, situated at the center of South Philadelphia’s Stadium District. The venue features a standing poker room with 30 tables, regularly spreading Hold’em, Omaha, and Mixed Games across a range of stakes.
With an experienced team on hand, the casino will play host to the first PokerStars-powered live event in North America, and players can look forward to an experience of the highest order.
PokerStars has made it its mission to bring the excitement of big live tournaments to all players through its Open series, offering affordable buy-ins while maintaining the highest level of organization that the company is known for.
Finding the right partners is a key element in this process, and Philadelphia’s Live! Casino & Hotel certainly fits the bill. The venue is gearing up to welcome poker fans from all over the US and beyond and provide them with an experience they’ll remember for years to come.
PokerStars Open Philly FAQ
Can I qualify online to PokerStars Open Philadelphia?
Yes you can! Online satellites with buy-ins starting from $10 are running on PokerStars US, (Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) and PokerStars Ontario.
When does PokerStars Open Philadelphia run?
The PokerStars Open runs April 21 to 27 in Philadelphia and is the first time a series has run under this branding in the United States.
Where does the PokerStars Open Philadelphia take place?
It will take place at the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia which is situated in Pennsylvania.
What are the expected buy-ins at the event?
Buyins started at $300 and go all the way up to $2,200 for high roller events.
Will there be a ladies event at the PokerStars Open Philly?
Yes! A $300 buy-in ladies event with $10K guarantee will run!