- APT 2026 Schedule
- APT Main Event
- APT 2026 Buy-Ins, Event Types and Formats
- How to Qualify for the APT
- First-Time APT Guide
- Asian Poker Tour FAQs
The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is Asia-Pacific's fastest-growing live poker series, hosting record-breaking multi-day festivals across Taiwan and South Korea. Since entering its New Era in 2023, the tour has shattered prize pool and attendance records at nearly every stop, drawing players from across the globe to compete for the iconic APT Lion Trophy.
Latest Asian Poker Tour News
APT 2026 at a Glance
- Confirmed APT stops 2026: 5
- Next upcoming stop: APT Taipei 2026 (Apr 22 – May 3)
- Standard Main Event buy-in: ~USD 1,500 to 2,500
- APT Championship buy-in: USD 10,000
- Online qualifier partner: Natural8 (GGPoker Network)
- Flagship trophy: The Gold Lion Trophy
- Total prize money awarded all-time: USD 213M+
- 2025 season record: USD 83.4M awarded across the full year
APT 2026 Schedule
The 2026 season is focused exclusively on East Asia, with five major stops across South Korea and Taiwan culminating in the flagship APT Championship in Taipei in November.
Last updated April 2026.
| Stop | Country | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| APT Jeju Classic | South Korea | Jan 30 – Feb 8 | Jeju Shinhwa World |
| APT Taipei | Taiwan | Apr 22 – May 3 | Red Space, Taipei |
| APT Incheon | South Korea | Aug 7 – 16 | Paradise City, Incheon |
| APT Jeju | South Korea | Sep 25 – Oct 4 | Jeju Shinhwa World |
| APT Championship | Taiwan | Nov 13 – 29 | Red Space, Taipei |
APT Jeju Classic 2026
South Korea's season opener, set within the Jeju Shinhwa World integrated resort on Jeju Island.
- Venue: Jeju Shinhwa World
- Dates: Jan 30 – Feb 8
- Main Event: KRW 1,100,000 (~USD 800)
- Vibe: Winter resort poker, KRW-denominated events, strong Korean field
APT Jeju Classic 2026 opened the season in style from January 30 to February 8 at LES A Casino, Jeju Shinhwa World, generating over KRW 4.9 billion across 99 events. It set the tone for what became the APT's biggest year yet heading into its 20th anniversary season.
Latest ATP Jeju Classic Highlights
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Country | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event | $1,718.00 | ~$2.37M | William Li | Canada | ~$402,535 |
| Super High Roller | $115 | ~$1.10M | Ren Lin | China | ~$275,220 |
| Superstars Challenge | $259 | ~$763K | Ren Lin | China | ~$159,400 |
| High Roller | $79 | ~$413K | Renji Mao | China | ~$121,420 |
| Ultra Stack | 313 | ~$95K | Maxim Sorokin | Russia | ~$36,200 |
APT Taipei 2026
The Spring flagship and one of the tour's most anticipated stops, historically drawing the largest prize pools on the calendar.
- Venue: Red Space, Songshan District, Taipei
- Dates: Apr 22 – May 3
- Main Event: TWD 50,000 (~$1,700), TWD 70,000,000 (~$2.2M) GTD
- Vibe: High-volume, record-breaking fields, Asia's poker capital
APT Taipei 2025 set a tour record with 2,547 entries in the Main Event, generating a prize pool of approximately USD 3.7 million.
Latest ATP Taipei Highlights
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Country | Top Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event | TBA | ~$2.2M GTD | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| National Cup | $2,940 | ~$927K | Daeyoung Park | South Korea | ~$113,715 |
| APT Super High Roller | TBA | ~$480K GTD | Mike Takayama | Philippines | ~$312,825 |
| Mystery Bounty by Natural8 | TBA | ~$640K GTD | TBA | TBA | TBA |
| Single Day Super High Roller | TBA | TBA | Kannapong Thanarattrakul | Thailand | ~$235,495 |
APT Incheon 2026
The major summer festival, hosted at Paradise City Casino, which is one of Asia's most prestigious integrated resort venues.
- Venue: Paradise City Casino, Incheon
- Dates: Aug 7 – 16
- Main Event: TBA
- Vibe: Premium resort, summer international field, national record territory
APT Incheon has grown every year since its 2023 venue record of 930 Main Event entries, resulting in a 91% jump in a single year. Paradise City is 15 minutes from Incheon International Airport, making it one of the most accessible poker destinations in Asia, with luxury hotels, fine dining and a world-class casino all on site.
APT Jeju 2026
The autumn edition in Jeju, consistently one of the strongest international fields on the Korea circuit.
- Venue: Jeju Shinhwa World
- Dates: Sep 25 – Oct 4
- Main Event: TBA
- Vibe: Autumn international crowd, record-setting Korean fields
APT Jeju 2026 runs September 25 to October 4 at LES A Casino, Jeju Shinhwa World. Jeju Island is one of Asia's favourite poker destinations, offering visa-free access for many nationalities, deep guaranteed prize pools, and a proven track record of record-breaking fields heading into the season finale.
APT Championship 2026
The season finale and the tour's most prestigious stop, featuring a USD 10,000 freezeout Main Event with a USD 5,000,000 guarantee.
- Venue: Red Space, Taipei
- Dates: Nov 13 – 29
- Main Event: $10,000, $5M GTD
- Vibe: Season closer, elite competition, largest guaranteed pool on the tour
The 2025 Championship set the record for the richest USD 10K buy-in tournament held outside Las Vegas in the past decade, generating USD 6.2 million from 671 entries.
APT Main Event
APT Main Events are the centrepiece of every festival stop, running as multi-day NLHE deep stack tournaments with Day 1 flights to accommodate large international fields.
Buy-ins range from approximately USD 800 to USD 1,700 at standard stops, rising to USD 10,000 at the flagship APT Championship in Taipei, where the guarantee sits at USD 5,000,000.
Latest APT Main Event Results
| Event | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APT Championship 2025 | 671 | ~$6.2M | Nishant Sharma | ~$1.2M |
| APT Taipei 2025 | 2,547 | ~$3.7M | Akira Takasugi | ~$580K |
| APT Jeju Classic 2026 | 1,718 | ~$2,3M | William Li | ~$400K |
APT 2026 Buy-Ins, Event Types and Formats
APT festivals run 100 to 200 events per stop over 10 to 17 days, covering every buy-in tier and multiple format types.
- Main Event: The festival centrepiece. Multi-day NLHE deep stack with Day 1 flights. Buy-ins range from USD ~1,500 to 2,500 at standard stops, rising to USD 10,000 at the Championship. Crowned with the Gold Lion Trophy.
- Mini Main Event: Same deep structure and festival prestige at a more accessible buy-in. The ideal entry point for first-time live tournament players.
- High Roller / Superstar Challenge: Premium events from USD 5,000 to USD 25,000+. The Superstar Challenge awards the Black Stealth Lion Trophy, one of the tour's most coveted prizes.
- Mystery Bounty: Players reveal sealed envelopes after eliminations, with bounties ranging from small amounts to five-figure surprises. One of the tour's most popular crowd formats.
- PLO and Mixed Games: Pot Limit Omaha is a regular fixture. Recent festivals have featured over a dozen distinct variants including Atomic Pineapple, making APT a destination for mixed-game enthusiasts.
- Shot Clock and Turbo Events: Shot Clock formats add a time bank to late-stage decisions. Turbo events compress the action into a single day for players with limited time at the festival.
- APT Online Series: Three times per year via Natural8, typically 20-plus trophy events and USD 10M+ in guarantees per series.
How to Qualify for the APT
The most accessible qualification route runs through Natural8, APT's exclusive online partner and Asia's leading poker platform on the GGPoker Network. Campaigns open weeks before each stop and offer multiple entry points.
The Natural8 Qualification Path
| Stage | Format | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Feeder Satellites | Single-stage qualifiers | From a few dollars |
| Step Satellites | Tiered ladder system | Win Step 1 to enter Step 2 and beyond |
| Mega Satellites | Direct package shots | Single-stage, multiple packages awarded |
| OnLive Day 1 | Skip to a live Main Event flight | Win online, play live |
| Freerolls | Zero-cost qualification | Watch Natural8 and APT social channels |
Full package typically includes:
- Main Event buy-in
- USD 2,000 in travel credits
Special bonus: Any player who wins the APT Championship Main Event after qualifying through Natural8 receives an additional USD 50,000 champion's bonus on top of their prize.
Natural8 Mega Satellite Level-Up System
Natural8's Mega Satellites feature a dynamic format: every time a Mega Satellite meets its guarantee, the event levels up and ten additional USD 12,000 packages are added for the following week. By Level 5, a single Sunday event can award 50 packages worth USD 600,000 in a single session.
Direct Buy-In
Players who skip qualifiers can buy into APT events directly:
- In the Natural8 tournament lobby before the stop
- On site at the venue during the festival
- Age requirement: players must be 21 or older with valid photo ID
The GGPoker Qualification Path
GGPoker runs the official APT Online Series directly on its platform, bringing the Asian Poker Tour brand to a global player pool with a dedicated tournament lobby, daily events and flagship guaranteed prize pools. The series runs multiple times per year and serves as both a standalone online festival and the primary qualification route to APT live stops.
APT Online Leaderboard
Running alongside the series, the $100,000 APT Online Leaderboard rewards consistent volume across the full series window. Top finishers earn cash prizes plus APT Championship packages worth $12,000 each, covering the USD 10,000 Main Event buy-in and travel credits. Points accumulate across all eligible APT Online events, meaning players who go deep regularly throughout the series are rewarded even without a single outright win.
All GGPoker Paths to the APT Events
GGPoker's satellite structure gives players at every bankroll level a clear, step-by-step route to a seat at any major APT stop.
Every time a Mega Satellite meets its guarantee, the event levels up and ten additional $12,000 packages are added for the following week = a single Sunday session can award dozens of full live packages at higher levels.
| Stage | Buy-in | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Feeder Satellites | From $1 | Tickets to step satellites |
| Step Satellites | Varies | Progress toward Mega Satellite entry |
| Mega Satellites | From $30 | Multiple $12,000 APT live packages GTD |
| APT Online Main Event | $800 | $3,000,000 GTD + Championship seats |
| APT Online Leaderboard | Automatic | $100,000 in cash and live packages |
First-Time APT Guide
Playing your first APT can feel like a big step up from local games, but the experience is more organized and accessible than many players expect.
What to Expect at an APT Festival
- Large tournament floor, usually in an integrated resort ballroom
- 100 to 200 events running across 10 to 17 days
- Feature table stage with streaming setup for major events
- Side events running from late morning through midnight
- Deep stack structures and long levels in Main Events and High Rollers
- Tournament days can easily run 8 to 10 hours including breaks
- Mixed player base from first-time qualifiers to international pros
- Shot clock enforced at late stages of select events
- Phone and device use may be restricted at the table
How APT Registration Works
- Pre-register through Natural8 online when available
- Buy in directly at the venue during the festival
- Most stops require valid photo ID and proof of age (21+)
- Online registration for major events opens weeks before the stop
- Late registration is available up to a set point in the tournament
- On-site registration is handled at the tournament desk or cage
What to Bring to an APT Stop
Bring these first:
- Valid government-issued photo ID (passport for international travel)
- Registration confirmation or QR code if registered online
- Payment method if a direct buy-in is needed on site
Also worth bringing:
- Comfortable clothes for long tournament days
- A hoodie or light jacket for air-conditioned tournament rooms
- A phone charger or power bank
- Wired headphones if permitted
- Before you travel: Confirm your name matches across ID, Natural8 account, and registration details. Set up and verify your Natural8 account in advance if a promotion depends on it.
APT History
The Asian Poker Tour was officially founded in 2006 with the inaugural Betfair APT Singapore. In 2008, the tour held its first major Philippines event in Manila at the Dusit Thani Hotel — the start of a deep partnership with Asian casino venues.
In 2022, APT Events Private Limited acquired the tour and launched a comprehensive overhaul that culminated in the New Era beginning April 2023, defined by exponential growth, landmark Taiwan partnerships, and record-breaking fields at every stop.
Key Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Inaugural Betfair APT Singapore |
| 2008 | First major Philippines event in Manila |
| 2012 | APT Player of the Year program introduced. Sam Razavi wins the inaugural title |
| 2013 | APT and Resorts World Manila break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Continuous Poker Tournament: 48 hours, 55 minutes, 58.5 seconds |
| 2018 | Shot Clock tournament format introduced |
| 2022 | APT Events Private Limited acquires the tour |
| 2023 | New Era begins with APT Taipei 2023. Natural8 and CTP partnerships established |
| 2025 | Richest season in APT history. USD 83.4M awarded. APT Championship generates USD 6.2M prize pool |
Notable ATP Champions
| Champion | Event | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Akira Takasugi | APT Taipei 2025 Main Event | Defeated record 2,547-entry field for ~USD 3.7M pool |
| Nishant Sharma | APT Championship 2025 | Won richest USD 10K event outside Las Vegas in a decade |
| Daisuke Ogita | APT Taipei 2024 Main Event | TWD 12.9M payout, landmark Japanese poker win |
| Isaac Haxton | APT Taipei 2024 Super High Roller | First APT title for one of poker's most decorated pros |
| Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier | APT Taipei 2024 Superstar Challenge | Claimed the coveted Black Stealth Lion Trophy |
| Sam Razavi | APT Player of the Year | Sole four-time APT POY winner (2012–2015) |
| Punnat Punsri | APT Taipei 2023 Main Event | Won the first New Era flagship event |
APT The Lion Trophy
The Lion Trophy is APT's signature award and one of Asia's most coveted prizes in live poker. Three tiers:
| Trophy | Awarded For |
|---|---|
| 24K Gold Lion | Main Event champions exclusively. 2023 GPI Best Trophy Award winner |
| Rose Gold Lion | Super High Roller, High Roller and Superstar Challenge marquee events |
| Pewter Lion | Remaining Championship Events including the National Cup and Zodiac Classic |
APT vs Other Major Tours
| Category | APT | WPT | EPT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2002 | 2004 |
| Primary Region | Asia-Pacific | Global (US-heavy) | Europe |
| Main Event Buy-In | USD ~1,500 to 2,500 | USD 3,500 to 10,400 | EUR 5,300 |
| Festival Format | 10–17 days, 100–200 events | Event-by-event | 10–12 days per stop |
| Flagship Trophy | The Lion Trophy | Mike Sexton Champions Cup | EPT Trophy |
| Online Qualifier | Natural8 (GGPoker Network) | WPT Global / ClubWPT | PokerStars Power Path |
What is the Asian Poker Tour?
The APT is Asia-Pacific's leading live poker tournament series, launched in 2006. It has hosted over 124 major festivals and awarded more than USD 213 million in total prize money. Since the New Era began in 2023, it is the fastest-growing tour anywhere in the world.
Where and when are APT 2026 events held?
The 2026 season runs five stops in East Asia: Jeju Classic (Jan 30 – Feb 8), Taipei (Apr 22 – May 3), Incheon (Aug 7 – 16), Jeju (Sep 25 – Oct 4), and the APT Championship in Taipei (Nov 13 – 29).
What is the buy-in for an APT Main Event?
Standard stops carry Main Event buy-ins of approximately USD 1,500 to 2,500. The APT Championship carries a USD 10,000 buy-in with a USD 5,000,000 guarantee. Mini Main Events offer much lower entry points at every festival.
How do I qualify for the APT online?
Through Natural8, APT's official partner on the GGPoker Network. Satellite campaigns open before each stop with feeders starting from a few dollars, step ladders, weekly Mega Satellites awarding full packages including travel credits, and periodic freerolls open to any eligible player.
Can recreational players compete at APT stops?
Yes. APT festivals are designed to welcome all skill levels. Each stop features a wide range of buy-ins and formats, and Main Events attract a healthy mix of recreational players, regional regulars, and international professionals.
Is APT only open to Asian players?
No. While APT events are held in Asia and cater to Asian poker culture, the tour is open to international players. Champions including Isaac Haxton and Bertrand ElkY Grospellier highlight the tour's global appeal.
What is the Lion Trophy?
APT's signature award, recognized by the GPI which named the Gold Lion the Best Trophy in 2023. Three tiers: the 24K Gold Lion for Main Event champions, the Rose Gold Lion for marquee high-stakes events, and the Pewter Lion for Championship Events.