![Knockout [PHP 1K Bounty] - Hyper Turbo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fik.pokerevents.live%2FEvents%2F01000000-6c43-4932-2db8-08debbe4d268%2FKO_04Y7hm-mD.jpg%3Ftr%3Dw-800&w=640&q=75)
5,000 PHP![Survivor Knockout [PHP 20K Bounty]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fik.pokerevents.live%2FEvents%2F01000000-6c43-4932-c220-08debbe4d238%2Fsurvivor_SebBOpjcAN.jpg%3Ftr%3Dw-800&w=640&q=75)
10,000 PHP
7,500 PHP
5,000 PHP
10,000 PHP
3,000 PHP![PLO Knockout - [PHP 2K Bounty] - Turbo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fik.pokerevents.live%2FEvents%2F01000000-6c43-4932-12de-08debbe4d1bd%2F22_2WS13lxyF.jpg%3Ftr%3Dw-800&w=640&q=75)
5,000 PHP![Super Knockout [PHP 2K Bounty] - Turbo](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fik.pokerevents.live%2FEvents%2F01000000-6c43-4932-5488-08debbe4d193%2F19_pJXjjrP7p.jpg%3Ftr%3Dw-800&w=640&q=75)
4,000 PHP
5,000 PHP
4,500 PHP
4,000 PHP8,000 PHP
6,000 PHP
3,500 PHPPokerStars Live Manila Special 2026 | June 15-21, 2026 | PokerStars Live Manila
The prestigious micro-stakes festival made a spectacular stop from June 15 to June 21, 2026, at the world-class Okada Manila in the vibrant city of Manila, Philippines. Below, we look back at the record-breaking attendance, massive prize pools, and prominent winners who claimed titles during this milestone stop.
Recap of PokerStars LIVE Manila Special 2026
The thrilling live poker festival delivered intense competitive action from June 15 to June 21, 2026, drawing an enthusiastic international crowd to the premium tournament floor of Okada Manila in Manila, Philippines. The action-packed series established heavy engagement throughout its multi-day run, recording a massive total attendance of 2,879 entries across all events to generate an impressive cumulative festival prize pool of PHP 14,595,281 (approx. $241,990) against its initial PHP 7,750,000 series guarantee. The absolute showcase of the entire schedule was t he premier Manila Special Main Event, which carried a PHP 3,000,000 guarantee with an accessible PHP 7,500 buy-in . Outlasting the fierce field in a memorable final table performance, local talent Jeorge Lagatuz captured the coveted championship title . For his historic victory, he walked away with the magnificent marquee trophy and a monumental top prize payout of PHP 1,000,000 (approx. $16,580) after defeating his final opponents. Another major highlight of the stop belonged to the highly competitive Warm-Up, which carried a PHP 2,000,000 guarantee with a PHP 4,500 buy-in . The event drew an enormous field of 853 entries to build a final prize pool of PHP 3,276,544, ending with another spectacular victory for the home crowd as the Philippines’ own Marco Espela took down the top spot to secure a first-place payout of PHP 254,000.
For the complete payout structures and full player standings of all events, visit the official PokerStars LIVE Manila Special 2026 full results page .
| Event | Buy-In | Winner | Country | 1st Prize | Entries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 PHP (3,080 + 420) | ![China [CHN]](/assets/images/flags/4x3/cn.svg "China [CHN]"){kind=small} CHN | $2,320 140,000 PHP | 263 ITM: 39 | Finished | ||
| 4,500 PHP (3,960 + 540) | ![Philippines [PHL]](/assets/images/flags/4x3/ph.svg "Philippines [PHL]"){kind=small} PHL | $4,210 254,000 PHP | 853 ITM: 128 | Finished | ||
| 7,500 PHP (6,600 + 900) | PHL | $16,580 1,000,000 PHP | 975 ITM: 145 | Finished | ||
Champions
Here are the prominent champions from the recently concluded festival who conquered the competition and claimed the prestigious trophies at Okada Manila:
China
Philippines
PhilippinesPoker and Travel Guide
The Philippines is one of Asia’s most dynamically growing poker hubs, where the game is fully legal and widely available in designated casinos. To learn more about local regulations and the most popular rooms, read our detailed Philippines poker guide .
For players arriving in Manila, it is important to note that a valid photo ID or passport is required for registration at all times. PokerStars Live events are conducted according to the official TDA (Poker Tournament Directors Association) rules. Sportsmanship and proper personal hygiene are strictly enforced, as tournament staff reserves the right to sanction players whose behavior or health becomes disruptive to others.
The Venue: Okada Manila
Okada Manila is a stunning 5-star integrated resort located in the heart of Entertainment City. The poker room features 14 permanent tables, but for major festivals like the Manila Special 2026, capacity is significantly expanded. For further information, visit our official venue guide .
![Philippines [PHL]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/ph.svg "Philippines [PHL]"){kind=small}
Okada Manila stands as the “Grand Dame” of Entertainment City, a massive, gold-faceted integrated resort that has redefined luxury gaming in the Philippines . While the property is famous for its opulent Pearl and Coral wings, for poker players, the true heart of the resort is the dedicated PokerStars LIVE Manila room. This partnership has turned Okada into a primary gateway for international poker, recently winning “Best Poker Room in Asia” for the second consecutive year.
Why Okada Manila?
- Elite Environment: Luxurious surroundings with professional dealers and 24/7 high-end services catering to all levels of players.
- Major Series Hub: Frequent host to the region’s largest events, including the PokerStars LIVE festivals and the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT).
- Massive Gaming Floor: Features the Philippines’ largest gaming space with over 500 table games and 3,000 electronic machines.
GAMES
NLHE & PLO
STAKES
PHP 25/50 to 500+
PARKING
Valet & On-Site
The PokerStars LIVE Experience
The poker action at Okada is centered in a high-energy, 15-table room that balances the prestige of the PokerStars brand with the localized “Manila style” of play. It is a reliable 24/7 destination for cash games, spreading No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha from PHP 25/50 up to high-stakes PHP 200/400 and above.
During major 2026 festivals like the Manila Megastack 24 or the APPT Manila, the room expands into larger event spaces such as Cove Manila to accommodate hundreds of international players. Even outside of major series, the vibe remains premium with table-side food service, auto-shufflers, and a dedicated staff trained to global EPT standards.
Venue Logistics
📍 Location: Situated in Entertainment City, Parañaque, approximately 8km from NAIA airport.
🏨 Accommodations: Offers 993 well-appointed luxury rooms with dedicated poker player rates during major festivals.
📝 Entry Requirements: Strictly for guests aged 21 and older. A valid government ID or passport is mandatory for registration and membership.
♠️ Official Okada Manila Updates
Connect with the venue for the latest events, promotions, and resort news.
Jessy is SoMuchPoker's Technical Editor and Data Specialist, managing the live poker event database and publishing festival schedules for the site. A background in programming and data architecture shapes how he builds and maintains this database, with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is located approximately 4-7 kilometers from the venue. Depending on traffic, the trip by car or taxi usually takes 15-30 minutes.
It is strictly prohibited to use any GTO (Game Theory Optimal) solver software, AI tools, or algorithmic charts while at the table. This prohibition also includes receiving assistance from spectators using such tools within the tournament area.
Players may use phones or tablets at the table, but not while involved in a hand. Voice calls at the table are prohibited, and broadcasting the tournament (e.g., via Twitch or TikTok) while in play is not allowed.
Yes, deals (chopping) are permitted unless they conflict with local gaming regulations. At least 10% of the remaining prize pool must be left to play for to determine a winner.
Buy-ins and cash games are conducted exclusively in Philippine Pesos (PHP). The Okada Manila cage offers currency exchange for major world currencies (e.g., USD) at the prevailing daily rate.
Participants must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID or passport. The official dress code is smart casual; while relaxed attire is generally allowed, flip-flops and sleeveless shirts may be restricted within the casino premises.
Local Players Dominate Massive Fields at PokerStars LIVE Manila Special 2026
A complete look back at PokerStars LIVE Manila Special 2026, including champions, total entries, `standout performances, and festival highlights.
PokerStars LIVE Returns to Okada Manila in June with PHP 7M GTD Manila Special
PokerStars LIVE Manila Special runs June 15–21 at Okada Manila with PHP 7M+ GTD, including a PHP 3M Main Event.
