Shards, Spadies, ₱155 Million GTD – APPT Manila Championship Is One Week Away

The countdown is on for iconic PokerStars shards and spadies! From October 16 to 27, 2025, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) returns, taking over the newly renovated Coral Lounge at world-class Okada Manila for the second edition of the APPT Manila Championship. With a bold ₱155 Million festival guarantee (~US$ 2.6 Million), this year’s series stands as the richest poker festival in the Philippines.

With just days to go, anticipation is buzzing across the region. Packages are sold out and the roster of attendees grows by day. Leading the charge is defending champion Trong Hieu Ngo who took the crown at last year’s inaugural APPT Championship Main Event. Representing Vietnam, Trong outlasted a 416-entry field last year, claiming his first ever PokerStars shard and a career-high live tournament payout of ₱11,610,000 (~US$ 200K). He now returns to Manila with eyes set on back-to-back titles.

One player that does not need to fly in but will surely be pushing chips is local hero Justin Ong, one of the hottest running players on the local circuit today. Ong secured not one but two APPT Championship Main Event packages earlier this year after major victories at the 2025 APPT Manila Main Event and the PokerStars Red Dragon.

Other players expected to attend are Youngtaek Lim, Tran Hai Ha, Ronald Haverkamp, Gi Boum Kim, and a lineup of locals that include Czardy Rivera, Benhur Ybarsabal, and Jason Kyle Magbanua.

APPT Manila Championship Festival Highlights

Looking back at last year’s numbers, the APPT Manila Championship drew players from 50 countries and awarded a massive ₱247 Million (~US$ 4.27M) across 43 events. This year, the stakes climb even higher with 81 tournaments on the schedule, including 63 trophy events – ensuring more titles, more champions, and even bigger prize pools.

Make sure to browse the schedule as it is absolutely stacked with buy-ins from ₱2,500 (~US$ 43) to ₱1,000,000 (~US$ 17.3K). Here are the highlights:

• Early Bird Special: October 16 (Value-Added APPT Open seat ₱60,000) – ₱2,500
• Okada Kick-off: Oct 16 -18 (₱8 Million GTD) – ₱20,000
• APPT Open: Oct 17 – 20 (₱20 Million GTD) – ₱60,000
• PokerStars Red Dragon: Oct 19 – 21 (₱20 million GTD) – ₱70,000
• APPT National: Oct 21- 24 (₱10 million GTD) – ₱35,000
• APPT Super High Roller: Oct 22 -23 (₱10 Million GTD) – ₱500,000
• Mystery Bounty: Oct 23 – 26  (₱10 Million GTD) – ₱25,000
• APPT CHAMPIONSHIP (Main Event): October 23-27 (₱60 Million GTD) – ₱165,000
• APPT One Million Challenge: Oct 23 -24 – ₱1,000,000
• APPT Mini Championship: Oct 26 (₱3 Million GTD) – ₱35,000
• APPT Championship High Roller: Oct 26 -27 (₱10 Million GTD) – ₱300,000

A Charity Event [R+A] – ₱1M GTD (Admin Fee + Add on Goes to Charity) will also be held on October 23. The Top 5 winners will receive a ₱24,000  entry to the APPT Championship Main Event Qualifier. The winner of this event will also receive a value-added Mystery Bounty event entry worth ₱25,000.

Full Schedule: APPT MANILA CHAMPIONSHIP 2025

APPT Championship

The crown jewel of the festival is the APPT Championship (Main Event), now boasting a massive ₱60 Million guaranteed prize pool – equivalent to over US$ 1 million. This alone sets a new record, surpassing last year’s payout.

• Dates: October 23-27, 2025
• Buy-in: ₱165,000 (~US$ 2,900)
• Guarantee: ₱60,000,000 (~US$ 1,080,000)
• Day 1A: October 23, 2025
• Day 1B: October 24, 2025
• Day 2: October 25, 2025
• Day 3: October 26, 2026
• Final Table: October 27, 2025

Daily Structure

• Day 1 plays 11 levels (60 mins per level)
• Late registration open for one final level at the start of Day 2
• Day 2 plays 10 levels (60 mins per level)
• Day 3 plays to the Final Table or TD discretion
• Final 9 – transition to a specified number of hands per level structure where a pre-determined number of hands will be played rather than a fixed time duration per level

Why Attend APPT In The Philippines

For players that have yet to experience poker in the Philippines, the APPT Manila Championship is the perfect entry point. The country has been at the forefront of poker in Southeast Asia since the late 2000s, offering a thriving scene where both recreational players and high rollers can find tournaments and cash games all year-round.

Just last month, PokerStars LIVE Manila in Okada Manila was recognized by Inside Asia Gaming (IAG) as the Best Poker Room in an Integrated Resort for the second consecutive year, a reflection of its first-class facilities and consistently premier events.

Beyond the felt, players are placed in the heart of Manila’s vibrant gaming hub, with five-star luxury, world-class dining, and nightlife just steps away from the tables. This seamless blend of elite competition and off-the-felt experiences has firmly established the Philippines as a must-stop destination for traveling pros and casual players alike.

Travel is also made easy. Many nationalities enjoy visa-free entry, with lengths of stay varying by country, so be sure to confirm with your local embassy. Most recently, players from Taiwan and India were added to the list. Taiwanese nationals enjoy 14 days visa-free, while Indian nationals with valid visas from the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore, or the U.K. can extend up to 30 days.

For those flying in, Okada Manila is just 15-25 minutes from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). You must present an eTravel form which is best accomplished electronically online, or even through the eGOVPH App prior to arrival. To get to the venue, rideshare apps such as Grab, InDrive, or JoyRide offer more reliable service and better rates compared to airport taxis.

PokerStars App

Make sure to get the PokerStars APP. When the festival is underway, players can keep informed on all of the events via the PokerStars APP. Players can also use the app to register to events.

• Download the app (scan qr code below)
• Create a profile (for first time users, tap upper right corner)
• Verify your identity
• Once approved, tap upper right corner to view your PokerStars Membership Card Number and QR Code
• Use the QR Code to register
• Visit the Okada Rewards Counter to sign-up for a casino membership card

Coral Lounge In Okada Manila

The newly designed Coral Lounge in Okada Manila is the place to be for the APPT Manila Championship. To kick off the festivities, a Players Welcome Food & Drinks will be held at the Coral Lounge on October 18 at 21:10.

On the other hand, the much-awaited APPT Players Party will be hosted on October 24 starting at 6:00 PM, set against the stunning backdrop of the Okada Manila Fountain. A full Players Party schedule is attached below.

A dedicated Stars Lounge (Players Lounge) will be open throughout the tournament. High Roller players are invited to unwind and relax at the Okada Manila Chairman’s Lounge daily, where they can enjoy a food spread curated by the Okada Manila culinary team. Player activities include access to a game zone and optional massage services.

For more tournament information, please visit APPT.com