PokerStars has revealed the full schedule for PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026, an eight-day live poker festival taking place March 16–23 at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. The series will be highlighted by the $1,100 Main Event, featuring a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool, alongside seven trophy events, online satellites, and special appearances by PokerStars ambassadors Joe Stapleton, Arlie Shaban, and Jen Shahade.
$500K Main Event Returns
The centerpiece of the festival, the $1,100 Main Event, will run March 18–22 with four starting flights, giving players multiple chances to build a stack. Last year, the event attracted 1,154 entries, generating over $1.1 million in prize money, with Edward Leonard taking the top prize of $147,806 after a three-way deal.
2025 Main Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edward Leonard | United States | $147,806* |
| 2 | Guan Huang | United States | $126,507* |
| 3 | Frank Funaro | United States | $125,708* |
| 4 | William Beer | United States | $62,760 |
| 5 | Adam Agaev | United States | $47,415 |
| 6 | Norman Rogers | United States | $38,330 |
| 7 | Dan McGinnis | United States | $31,660 |
| 8 | Michael Bohmerwald | United States | $25,095 |
| 9 | Norman Rodriguez | Dominican Republic | $18,625 |
Satellites and Special Qualifiers
Players can begin qualifying online from January 20, with buy-ins starting at just $10, for entry into the Main Event and other headline tournaments. Eligible online satellites are available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario.
In addition to the core events, PokerStars and Live! Poker will host a special $220 satellite on March 23, awarding 20 seats ($22,000 value) to the $1,100 Live! Poker Classic Main Event in Maryland, offering a unique cross-state qualification opportunity.
Featured Events and Highlights
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$1,100 Main Event – March 18–22, $500,000 GTD, 4 starting flights
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$300 Women’s Event – March 20, $10,000 GTD
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$400 PokerStars Cup – March 22, $40,000 GTD
The festival also includes multiple qualifiers and bounty events, giving players plenty of chances to win cash and trophies, as well as exclusive PokerStars merchandise.
A Philadelphia Poker Tradition
“PokerStars Open Philadelphia has quickly become one of the most exciting stops on our North American calendar,” said RJ Peterson, PokerStars’ Senior Director of Marketing. “After seeing last year’s Main Event more than double its guarantee, we’re thrilled to return with even more ways for players to qualify and compete.”
Anne Tran, Director of Poker Operations at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, added: “The cards are ready, the tables are set, and the excitement is palpable. Welcome back to where the real magic happens!”
With a packed schedule, major guarantees, and a growing reputation as a must-visit stop, PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026 promises to be one of the standout live poker festivals of the spring.
Full 2026 PokerStars Open Philadelphia Schedule
| Date | Event | Time | Buy-In | GTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 16 | Kickoff Ambassador Bounty | 11:15 A.M. | $400 | – |
| Mar 16 | Double Green Chip Bounty | 3:15 P.M. | $160 | – |
| Mar 16 | Qualifier to Main Event | 6:15 P.M. | $160 | – |
| Mar 17 | Qualifier to High Roller | 11:15 A.M. | $300 | – |
| Mar 17 | High Roller Day 1 | 2:15 P.M. | $2,200 | – |
| Mar 17 | Qualifier to Main Event | 6:15 P.M. | $160 | – |
| Mar 18 | Main Event Day 1/A | 11:15 A.M. | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Mar 18 | High Roller Final | 1:15 P.M. | $2,200 | – |
| Mar 18 | Qualifier to Main Event | 6:15 P.M. | $160 | – |
| Mar 19 | Main Event Day 1/B | 11:15 A.M. | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Mar 19 | Pot Limit Omaha BlackChip Bounty | 3:15 P.M. | $400 | – |
| Mar 19 | Qualifier to Main Event | 6:15 P.M. | $160 | – |
| Mar 20 | Main Event Day 1/C | 11:15 A.M. | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Mar 20 | Women’s Event | 3:15 P.M. | $300 | $10,000 |
| Mar 21 | Main Event Day 1/D | 10:15 A.M. | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Mar 22 | Main Event Final | 11:15 A.M. | $1,100 | $500,000 |
| Mar 22 | PokerStars Cup | 3:15 P.M. | $400 | $40,000 |
| Mar 23 | Qualifier to Live! Poker Classic | 11:15 A.M. | $220 |
