ALL THE ACTION, ALL THE DATES, POKERSTARS OPEN PHILADELPHIA SCHEDULE RELEASED
PokerStars has announced the full schedule for PokerStars Open Philadelphia, with an eight-day long live poker festival taking place at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, headlined by a $500,000 guaranteed Main Event running March 16 – 23, 2026.
Players will be able to qualify online via PokerStars, from just $10 starting January 20, with satellites offering pathways into the $1,100 Main Event and other headline tournaments. Online satellites are available to eligible players in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and Ontario.
Following the huge success of last year’s event, which more than doubled its guarantee, PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026 will feature seven trophy events, exclusive merchandise giveaways, and appearances from PokerStars ambassadors Joe Stapleton, Arlie Shaban and Jen Shahade.
The 2025 Main Event attracted 1,154 entries, generating a massive $1,107,840 prize pool, firmly establishing Philadelphia as a must-stop destination on the PokerStars Open calendar.
The headline $1,100 buy-in Main Event will feature four starting flights, giving players multiple opportunities to build a stack and compete for a share of one of the largest prize pools in the region this spring.
“PokerStars Open Philadelphia has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting live stops on our North American calendar,” said RJ Peterson, Senior Director of Marketing, PokerStars. “After seeing the Main Event more than double its guarantee last year, we’re proud to return to Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia with bigger momentum and multiple ways for players to qualify and compete. Philly has proven it’s a fantastic poker city, and we’re excited to bring the Open back in March.”
POKERSTARS OPEN PHILADELPHIA – KEY EVENTS
- $1,100 Main Event – March 18 – 22 – $500,000 guarantee (four starting flights)
- Women’s Event – March 20 – $10,000 guarantee
- PokerStars Cup – March 22 – $40,000 guarantee
- Seven trophy events in total across the full schedule
In addition to the core festival, PokerStars and Live! Poker sister brands in Philadelphia and Maryland are teaming up to deliver a special edition satellite event on Monday, March 23rd at Live! Philadelphia, sending players to the Live! Poker Classic Main Event in Maryland (March 26-30). PokerStars is adding twenty seats to the $220 buy-in satellite tournament, valued at $22,000, creating a tremendous opportunity for players to qualify for the $1,100 Live! Poker Classic Main Event in Maryland from Philadelphia while strengthening the growing partnership between PokerStars and Live! Poker brands.
Anne Tran, Director of Poker Operations at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, said “Live! Casino and Hotel is excited to reconnect with PokerStars and create unforgettable memories with our players as this unique tournament returns to the vibrant atmosphere of the Live! Poker Room,” said Anne Tran, Director of Poker Operations at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. “The cards are ready, the tables are set, and the excitement is palpable. Welcome back to where the real magic happens!”
With major guarantees, a proven track record of smashing expectations, and a packed schedule both on and off the felt, PokerStars Open Philadelphia 2026 promises to be one of the standout live poker events of the spring.
