PokerStars LIVE: The Ultimate Player Guide

PokerStars Live brings together some of the biggest live poker tours and tournament festivals in the world, including the European Poker Tour (EPT), PokerStars Open, Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT), and Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP).

The 2026 PokerStars Live calendar has featured events across Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, with major festivals in Paris, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Philadelphia, Manila, and other destinations.

With most of the 2026 season complete, attention is now turning to the remaining major events, including PokerStars Open Aix-en-Provence in November and EPT Prague in December.

Players can also compete for live tournament packages through online satellites and Power Path, while the PokerStars Live League rewards consistent performances across eligible European festivals.

On this page, we cover the confirmed 2026 PokerStars Live schedule, the major tours, upcoming festivals, online qualification opportunities, and the PokerStars Live League.

What Is PokerStars Live?

PokerStars Live is the umbrella brand for PokerStars’ international live poker tournaments, festivals, and sponsored events.

The brand encompasses several established tournament circuits, each serving different regions and types of players.

• European Poker Tour (EPT): PokerStars’ flagship European tour, featuring prestigious Main Events, High Rollers, and major international festivals.
• PokerStars Open: A more accessible live tournament series that has brought together several former regional brands under one name.
• Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP): One of Latin America’s leading poker tournament circuits.
• Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT): A regional series featuring major poker festivals in Asia.
• Sponsored events: PokerStars also supports tournaments such as the Irish Poker Open.

PokerStars Live events cater to a wide range of players, with buy-ins ranging from relatively affordable tournaments to prestigious High Rollers costing thousands of dollars or euros.

Many festivals also feature online qualification opportunities, giving eligible players a chance to win tournament entries through PokerStars.

PokerStars Live 2026 Tournament Schedule

The 2026 PokerStars Live calendar features festivals across several continents, including the EPT, PokerStars Open, and APPT.

The following table highlights confirmed events from the main international tours, along with the remaining major festivals scheduled for 2026.

2026 PokerStars Live Festivals

This table covers the principal confirmed festivals and is not an exhaustive listing of every PokerStars-sponsored tournament or regional event.

Some EPT festivals also feature PokerStars Open tournaments within their schedules. These are discussed separately below rather than duplicated as full festival entries.

For the latest event information, visit the official PokerStars Live calendar.

European Poker Tour (EPT) 2026 Stops

The European Poker Tour remains PokerStars’ flagship live poker circuit, attracting professional and recreational players from around the world.

The 2026 EPT season features four major festivals, beginning with Paris in February and concluding with Prague in December.

The return of EPT Paris was particularly significant after the event’s absence from the 2025 calendar. Monte Carlo and Barcelona followed, with Prague scheduled to close the season.

2026 EPT Schedule

EPT Prague is the final scheduled stop of the 2026 season.

The festival runs December 2–13 at the Hilton Prague, with a €5,300 EPT Main Event scheduled for December 7–13.

Other highlights include the €1,100 PokerStars Open Main Event, €3,200 EPT Mystery Bounty, and €10,300 EPT High Roller.

Players can find full details in our European Poker Tour guide.

PokerStars Open 2026 Stops

The PokerStars Open is a live poker series introduced in 2025 to bring several established regional tours under a unified brand.

It incorporates the legacy of series such as the Eureka Poker Tour, France Poker Series, UK & Ireland Poker Tour, and Estrellas Poker Tour.

PokerStars Open tournaments generally feature more accessible buy-ins than EPT Main Events, although the exact prices and guarantees vary by location.

The series expanded in 2026 with festivals in Europe and the United States.

2026 PokerStars Open Schedule

PokerStars Open Main Events also feature within larger EPT festivals, including Paris, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Prague.

These tournaments allow players to compete in PokerStars-branded live events without paying the higher buy-ins associated with EPT Main Events.

PokerStars Open Aix-en-Provence

The next standalone PokerStars Open festival is scheduled for November 1–8, 2026, at Pasino GRAND in Aix-en-Provence, France.

The festival marks another expansion of the PokerStars Open brand in France, offering a full tournament schedule built around its Main Event.

Players interested in participating can consult the official Aix-en-Provence festival page for the tournament schedule and venue information.

PokerStars Open Philadelphia

The 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia took place March 16–23 at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.

The $1,100 Main Event attracted 896 entries, generating an $860,160 prize pool against its $500,000 guarantee.

Michael Linster won the tournament for $126,705.

The festival followed a successful 2025 debut, when the Main Event attracted 1,154 entries and generated more than $1.1 million in prizes.

A Philadelphia festival for 2027 has not yet been confirmed.

Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP)

The Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP) is one of Latin America’s largest and most established live poker tournament circuits.

Backed by PokerStars, the tour features festivals across Brazil, attracting local players alongside international competitors.

The BSOP calendar traditionally includes events in major Brazilian poker destinations, with the BSOP Millions festival serving as one of the circuit’s most prominent annual attractions.

Unlike the European Poker Tour, which typically focuses on a smaller number of major international stops, BSOP operates as a broader national circuit.

Its festivals feature a wide range of tournament formats and buy-ins, including Main Events, High Rollers, and lower-priced side tournaments.

Players interested in the BSOP can consult the official PokerStars Live website for current festival information.

The complete 2026 BSOP schedule should be checked against the official tour calendar before individual dates and venues are added to this guide.

Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) 2026 Stops

The Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) returned in 2026 with a schedule featuring major festivals in the Philippines and South Korea.

The tour remains an important part of PokerStars’ international live poker offering, providing players across Asia with access to large tournament festivals.

The PokerStars Live Manila poker room at Okada Manila continues to serve as a major hub for the brand’s regional events.

2026 APPT Schedule

All three headline APPT festivals have concluded for 2026.

However, the PokerStars Live Manila calendar also includes additional regional tournaments, such as Manila Megastack and Manila Super Series events.

Players can consult the official APPT schedule for further details about upcoming tournaments in the region.

PokerStars Live Poker Events in the United States

PokerStars has maintained a presence in the US live poker market through PokerStars Open festivals and sponsorship arrangements.

The most prominent confirmed PokerStars Open event in the United States during 2026 was the Philadelphia festival, held March 16–23.

The event attracted 896 Main Event entries and generated a prize pool of $860,160.

PokerStars also sponsored the Maryland State Poker Championship in 2026, continuing its association with live poker events in the state.

However, sponsorship of a tournament does not necessarily mean it forms part of the PokerStars Open series.

What Happened to the North American Poker Tour?

The North American Poker Tour (NAPT) returned to Las Vegas in 2023 and held additional editions in subsequent years.

However, there is no confirmed NAPT festival on the 2026 calendar.

Players should not assume that the NAPT will return to Las Vegas or another US destination until PokerStars announces an official event.

Qualifying Online for US Live Events

PokerStars has previously offered online satellites to US live tournaments through its state-regulated poker platforms.

In 2026, the PokerStars US online poker operation transitioned to the FanDuel Poker brand, changing the platform through which players in participating states access online poker.

As a result, information about US live event satellites should be checked against the current FanDuel Poker offering rather than assuming that older PokerStars-branded qualification routes remain available.

Eligibility, satellite schedules, and qualifying destinations depend on the individual promotion and jurisdiction.

Online Satellites to PokerStars Live Events

Online satellites remain an important part of the PokerStars Live ecosystem, allowing eligible players to qualify for live tournaments without paying the full event buy-in directly.

Satellite availability depends on the player’s country or state, the relevant PokerStars platform, and the live event being promoted.

Qualifiers may award tournament seats, packages, or passes that can be used for selected live festivals.

Some satellites offer direct entry into a Main Event, while others operate through multiple stages in which players progress from lower-priced tournaments to higher-value qualification opportunities.

PokerStars also offers Power Path, a structured qualification system designed to help players reach major online and live poker events.

Players should check their local PokerStars client for currently available satellites, as not every event is offered in every market.

How to Qualify Through PokerStars Power Path

PokerStars Power Path is a multi-step qualification system that allows eligible players to work toward tournament passes through lower-priced online events.

The program provides a route into selected major live poker festivals and online tournaments.

Rather than requiring players to pay a full Main Event buy-in, Power Path uses a progression system with multiple stages.

The traditional structure consists of four steps, beginning with low-cost tournaments and progressing toward a final qualification stage.

Successful players can earn Power Passes, which may be used toward eligible tournament entries and packages.

PokerStars Power Path: Key Details

• Power Path uses a multi-stage qualification system.
• Players can progress through lower-priced tournaments toward higher-value passes.
• Bronze, Silver, and Gold Passes provide different levels of tournament benefits.
• Eligible passes can be used for selected online or live poker events.
• Some packages may include tournament entry, travel, or accommodation allowances.
• Power Passes are subject to redemption rules and generally cannot be exchanged directly for cash.
• Available steps, entry costs, and qualifying destinations depend on the current promotion and market.

For a detailed explanation of the program, including its structure and rewards, see our Power Path Guide.

PokerStars Live App

PokerStars offers a dedicated mobile app that provides players with tournament schedules, results, and information about its live festivals.

The PokerStars Live app is available for compatible iOS and Android devices.

It allows players to explore upcoming festivals, view individual tournament schedules, and follow events taking place around the world.

The app also provides useful information for players already attending a PokerStars Live festival.

Features include:

• Full tournament schedules and event details
• Tournament structures and starting stacks
• Registration and venue information
• Live tournament clocks and updates
• Player chip counts and standings
• Prize pools and payout structures
• Tournament entry numbers
• Results from completed events
• PokerStars Live League standings

The Live League integration is particularly useful for players competing across multiple European festivals, allowing them to track their leaderboard positions as results are updated.

PokerStars Live League 2026

The PokerStars Live League returned for a second season in 2026, rewarding players for consistent performances across eligible European live tournaments.

Following its introduction in 2025, the competition expanded its rewards structure for 2026, with more than €250,000 in total prizes available.

The Live League covers qualifying European Poker Tour and PokerStars Open events, including the PokerStars-sponsored Irish Poker Open.

Players accumulate points through tournament participation and results, with the points calculation taking account of buy-ins, field sizes, and finishing positions.

There are three leaderboard categories based on tournament buy-ins.

2026 PokerStars Live League Prizes

These prizes are awarded as PokerStars Live credit that can be used for eligible tournament entries.

The three leaderboards distribute a combined €157,500 in PokerStars Live credit.

In addition, the top 30 finishers in each category qualify for a special live freeroll featuring a €100,000 prize pool at the first EPT festival of 2027.

How the Leaderboards Work

The three categories are divided according to tournament buy-in:

• High: Events with buy-ins of €4,900 or more.
• Medium: Events with buy-ins from €1,000 to €5,500.
• Low: Events with buy-ins of €1,200 or less.

Equivalent buy-in thresholds apply to qualifying events denominated in pounds or dollars.

Some tournaments fall into overlapping categories and can therefore contribute points toward more than one leaderboard.

For example, a €1,100 PokerStars Open Main Event can contribute toward both the Low and Medium leaderboards.

Players can earn participation points even without finishing in the money, while deeper tournament runs provide additional points based on the applicable formula.

The system rewards consistent participation while also recognizing strong finishes and tournament victories.

2025 PokerStars Live League Champions

The inaugural 2025 PokerStars Live League featured three leaderboard champions.

The 2026 competition builds on that first season with a revised points system, additional rewards, and the new €100,000 freeroll.

Players can follow the current standings through the PokerStars Live app.

PokerStars Live 2026 FAQ

What is PokerStars Live?

PokerStars Live is the umbrella brand for PokerStars’ international live poker tours and tournaments. It includes the European Poker Tour, PokerStars Open, Asia Pacific Poker Tour, Brazilian Series of Poker, and selected sponsored events.

What PokerStars Live events are still scheduled for 2026?

As of October 23, the major remaining confirmed festivals include PokerStars Open Aix-en-Provence from November 1–8 and EPT Prague from December 2–13.

Where is EPT Prague 2026 being held?

EPT Prague takes place at the Hilton Prague from December 2–13, 2026. The €5,300 EPT Main Event is scheduled for December 7–13.

What is the PokerStars Open?

PokerStars Open is a live poker tournament series that brings together several former regional PokerStars tours under a unified brand. It features Main Events, side tournaments, and other events across Europe and selected international destinations.

Is the Asia Pacific Poker Tour running in 2026?

Yes. The 2026 APPT schedule includes Manila from July 28–August 10, Korea from September 3–14, and the Manila Championship from October 8–19.

Is PokerStars running online qualifiers for its live tours?

Yes. PokerStars offers online satellites for selected live events in eligible markets. Availability, buy-ins, and prizes depend on the specific festival and local platform.

What is PokerStars Power Path?

Power Path is a multi-step online qualification program that allows eligible players to compete for passes to selected live and online poker events.

Can US players qualify online for PokerStars Live events?

Qualification opportunities may be available through eligible US online poker platforms. Following the 2026 transition of PokerStars US to FanDuel Poker, players should check the current FanDuel Poker client for available satellites and promotions.

Is there a North American Poker Tour event in 2026?

No NAPT festival has been confirmed for 2026. The tour previously held events in Las Vegas, but a future return has not been officially announced.

Is the PokerStars Live League running in 2026?

Yes. The 2026 PokerStars Live League features High, Medium, and Low leaderboards, with €157,500 in PokerStars Live credits and a €100,000 live freeroll for eligible leaderboard finishers.

Where can I find the latest PokerStars Live schedule?

The official PokerStars Live website provides current festival dates, venues, and tournament schedules. The PokerStars Live app also offers tournament information, results, and leaderboard standings.