PokerStars Open Philadelphia: The Ultimate Player Guide
Michael Linster won the 2026 Main Event for $126,705. Explore the Philadelphia festival’s results, tournament schedule, venue, and potential return.
Last updated: October 23, 2026
The 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia took place March 16–23 at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, bringing eight days of live poker to Pennsylvania’s largest city. The festival featured a $1,100 Main Event with a $500,000 guarantee, alongside the PokerStars Cup, Women’s Event, High Roller, and several other tournaments.
The headline event attracted 896 entries, generating a prize pool of $860,160 and comfortably surpassing its guarantee. Michael Linster emerged victorious, taking home $126,705 and the coveted PokerStars Spade Trophy.
The festival marked the second consecutive year of PokerStars Open Philadelphia, following a successful debut in 2025 that attracted 1,154 Main Event entries and generated a prize pool exceeding $1.1 million.
On this page, we look back at the PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026 results, including the Main Event, tournament schedule, venue, and the possibility of another Philadelphia stop on the PokerStars Live calendar.
PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026 Results
The $1,100 PokerStars Open Philadelphia Main Event was the centerpiece of the festival, offering a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool and four starting flights.
The tournament attracted 896 entries, generating a total prize pool of $860,160, more than $360,000 above the advertised guarantee.
Michael Linster claimed the Main Event title and $126,705 in first-place prize money, adding another significant result to his live tournament record.
2026 Main Event Results at a Glance
| Detail | Result |
|---|---|
| Champion | Michael Linster |
| First-Place Prize | $126,705 |
| Main Event Buy-In | $1,100 |
| Total Entries | 896 |
| Total Prize Pool | $860,160 |
| Guaranteed Prize Pool | $500,000 |
| Festival Dates | March 16–23, 2026 |
| Venue | Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia |
The Main Event’s final prize pool exceeded its guarantee by approximately 72%, demonstrating continued interest in the PokerStars Open brand in Pennsylvania.
However, attendance was lower than in 2025, when the inaugural Philadelphia Main Event attracted 1,154 entries.
Despite that decline, the second edition again comfortably surpassed its guarantee, reinforcing Philadelphia’s position as an established stop on the PokerStars Live calendar.
PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026 Tournament Schedule
The 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia festival ran from March 16 through March 23, featuring a variety of tournament formats and buy-ins.
The $1,100 Main Event carried the largest guarantee, while the PokerStars Cup and Women’s Event provided additional opportunities to compete for guaranteed prize pools.
The festival also included bounty tournaments, a $2,200 High Roller, and a qualifier for the Live! Poker Classic.
Below is the published 2026 festival schedule, retained for historical reference.
| Dates | Event | Buy-In | GTD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16 | Kickoff Ambassador Bounty | $400 | N/A |
| Mar 16 | Double Green Chip Bounty | $160 | N/A |
| Mar 17 – 18 | High Roller | $2,200 | N/A |
| Mar 18 – 23 | Main Event (Four Starting Flights) | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Mar 19 | Pot-Limit Omaha Black Chip Bounty | $400 | N/A |
| Mar 20 | Women’s Event | $300 | $10,000 |
| Mar 22 | PokerStars Cup | $400 | $40,000 |
| Mar 23 | Qualifier to Live! Poker Classic | $220 | 20 seats added |
The published guarantees across the Main Event, PokerStars Cup, and Women’s Event totaled $550,000.
2026 Festival Highlights
The festival featured several events designed to appeal to different types of poker players.
- PokerStars Open Main Event: The $1,100 tournament was the festival’s headline attraction, with 896 entries and an $860,160 prize pool.
- PokerStars Cup: A $400 tournament carrying a $40,000 guarantee, providing a lower-priced alternative to the Main Event.
- Women’s Event: A $300 tournament featuring a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool.
- High Roller: A $2,200 event for players seeking higher-stakes tournament action.
- Bounty Events: The schedule included both an Ambassador Bounty and a Pot-Limit Omaha bounty tournament.
The mix of events helped make the festival accessible to players with different bankrolls and tournament preferences.
PokerStars Open Philadelphia: 2025 vs 2026
PokerStars Open Philadelphia made its debut in 2025 and immediately established itself as a successful addition to the PokerStars Live calendar.
The inaugural $1,100 Main Event attracted 1,154 entries, generating a prize pool of more than $1.1 million and comfortably exceeding its original guarantee.
PokerStars returned in March 2026 with another eight-day festival and a $500,000 guaranteed Main Event.
Although participation declined in the second edition, the 2026 Main Event still attracted a substantial field and generated more than $860,000 in prizes.
| Main Event Statistic | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Entries | 1,154 | 896 |
| Prize Pool | Over $1.1 million | $860,160 |
| Buy-In | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Venue | Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia | Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia |
The two festivals demonstrated the potential for a recurring PokerStars Open stop in Philadelphia, particularly given Pennsylvania’s established live and online poker markets.
However, future editions depend on announcements from PokerStars and the host venue.
PokerStars Open Philadelphia Venue
Both editions of PokerStars Open Philadelphia were held at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, located in the city’s Stadium District.
The property combines a casino, hotel accommodations, dining, and entertainment facilities, making it a convenient destination for players traveling to a multi-day poker festival.
Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is situated near several of the city’s major sports venues, including Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field.
The casino also features a dedicated poker room and hosts regular live poker tournaments.
For visiting players, the property offers the convenience of staying at the same venue where the tournament is being held, although accommodations and availability depend on the individual festival dates.
The venue’s location and facilities have helped make it a suitable host for PokerStars Open Philadelphia.
PokerStars Open Philadelphia Online Satellites
PokerStars offered online qualification opportunities for the 2026 Philadelphia festival through its US-facing online poker platforms.
Eligible players in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and New Jersey could compete for seats through online satellites, with some qualifiers offering lower-priced routes into the $1,100 Main Event.
The qualifying campaign began in January 2026, ahead of the March festival.
These event-specific satellites have now concluded.
Players interested in qualifying for future PokerStars Live events can check PokerStars US or PokerStars PA for currently available online satellites and promotions.
PokerStars also operates Power Path, a qualification program that provides opportunities to win passes for selected live poker events.
However, the availability of Power Path packages and their eligible destinations varies. Players should not assume that passes can be used for a future Philadelphia festival unless PokerStars specifically confirms that option.
Will PokerStars Open Philadelphia Return in 2027?
Following successful festivals in 2025 and 2026, PokerStars Open Philadelphia has established a track record as a live poker event in Pennsylvania.
The inaugural festival attracted more than 1,100 Main Event entries, while the 2026 edition generated an $860,160 Main Event prize pool.
These results demonstrate demand for the event, but they do not guarantee another edition.
As of October 2026, a PokerStars Open Philadelphia festival for 2027 has not been confirmed.
If PokerStars announces another Philadelphia stop, the details will determine whether the festival retains its March dates, $1,100 Main Event buy-in, and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia venue.
Players interested in future events should follow the official PokerStars Live calendar and check the PokerStars client for eligible online qualification opportunities.
PokerStars Open Philadelphia FAQ
When was the 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia?
The 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia took place March 16–23 at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. The eight-day festival included a $1,100 Main Event and several side tournaments.
Who won the 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia Main Event?
Michael Linster won the 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia Main Event, earning $126,705 in first-place prize money.
How many players entered the 2026 Main Event?
The $1,100 Main Event attracted 896 entries, generating a total prize pool of $860,160.
What was the 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia Main Event guarantee?
The Main Event featured a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool. The tournament exceeded that amount, ultimately generating $860,160 in prizes.
Where was PokerStars Open Philadelphia held?
The festival was held at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, near the city’s major professional sports stadiums.
How did the 2026 Main Event compare to 2025?
The 2025 Main Event attracted 1,154 entries and generated more than $1.1 million in prizes. In 2026, the tournament attracted 896 entries and generated an $860,160 prize pool. Both editions exceeded their guarantees.
Can I still qualify online for PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026?
No. The 2026 festival has concluded, and its event-specific online satellites are no longer available. Players can check PokerStars US for current qualification opportunities to other PokerStars Live events.
Will PokerStars Open Philadelphia return in 2027?
A 2027 edition has not been confirmed as of October 2026. PokerStars may announce additional live events in the future, but players should wait for an official schedule before making travel plans.
What is PokerStars Power Path?
Power Path is a PokerStars qualification program that allows eligible players to progress through different steps and potentially win passes for selected live poker events. Available destinations and eligibility depend on the current promotion.
Where can I find future PokerStars live poker events?
Players can find information about upcoming tournaments through the PokerStars Live calendar, including PokerStars Open festivals and other major live poker events.