APT Jeju Classic 2026 Preview: KRW 2.2B GTD Main Event & Anniversary Season Kickoff

The reputable Asian Poker Tour (APT) is set to make its grand comeback to the palace-like venue, LES A Casino , in Jeju, South Korea, marking its first stop of the twentieth anniversary season with the APT Jeju Classic 2026 festival, featuring a highlighted KRW 2.2B (~USD 1.5M) GTD Main Event.

The prominent venue, located in the fantastic Jeju Shinhwa World resort, witnessed multiple remarkable moments for APT in 2025, including several record-breaking performances in Jeju. Highlights included a massive KRW 3,803,155,200 (~USD 2,716,540) prize pool, rewriting the tour’s record books, with an unrivaled first-place prize of KRW 649,835,200 (~USD 464,170), the largest ever awarded at an APT Main Event in Korea. The APT National Cup also generated the country’s largest prize pool for the event at KRW 536,190,336 (~USD 382,990), drawing an impressive 760 entries and easily smashing the KRW 200 million (~USD 139,000) guarantee.

Other standout moments include a huge turnout of 1,111 entries in the Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8, pushing the prize pool to KRW 1,055,921,111 (~USD 748,880) to set another national record. The APT Super High Roller also delivered a record-breaking KRW 1,340,782,500 (~USD 950,910) prize pool, while the Zodiac Classic recorded 449 entries and a history-making KRW 1,280,189,250 (~USD 914,420) prize pool. Last but not least, the 2025 APT High Roller attracted a competitive 305-entry field, boosting the prize pool to KRW 1,317,600,000 (~USD 941,140) for yet another in-country record.

With these benchmarks set last year, those prime events return to LES A Casino, aiming to challenge and exceed their 2025 performance in 2026, living up to the saying going around, “only APT can surpass APT,” and making yet more legends that will be remembered by players and fans alike.

2026 Epic-Comeback Events

• APT National Cup KRW 200M GTD (January 30-31)
• Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8 KRW 400M GTD (January 31- February 1)
• APT Super High Roller KRW 500M GTD (January 31- February 1)
• APT Main Event KRW 2.2B GTD (February 1-7)
• Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8 KRW 500M GTD (February 5-6)
• Mini Main Event KRW 300M GTD (February 6-7)
• Ultra Stack KRW 100M GTD (February 7-8)
• APT High Roller KRW 700M GTD (February 7-8)

*For full schedules of the APT Jeju Classic 2026, click HERE

Join the History-Making Moments

Ignite your series experience at the APT Jeju Classic 2026 with the APT National Cup, featuring a substantial KRW 200,000,000 guarantee for a modest KRW 850,000 buy-in. With three starting flights, Flight A, B & C, on January 30, hopefuls have multiple opportunities to build a stack and battle for the prestigious trophy on the final day. Last year, China’s Zhiyi Wang outlasted a field of 760 entries to take home the enormous first-place cash of KRW 92,004,336 (~USD 65,720), brushing past his personal best cash record in line with APT’s legendary trend.

Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8 comes along from January 31 to February 1, guaranteeing the thrill of the hunt in the APT Jeju Classic 2026, boasting a KRW 400,000,000 guarantee and a KRW 1,100,000 buy-in. This fan-favorite event features three flights on January 31, where every elimination could lead to a massive, game-changing bounty prize on the final day. At APT Jeju 2025, China’s Changliang Sun conquered a 1,111-entry field, earning KRW 90,000,000 (~USD 63,830) in addition to collected bounties, marking the biggest first-place payout in Korean Mystery Bounty history.

APT Super High Roller also kicks off on January 31. To test your ability and determination against the elites in a high-stakes arena with a KRW 15,000,000 buy-in and a KRW 500,000,000 guarantee. Beyond the massive prize pool, the champion will also secure a coveted seat to the APTC Taipei 2026, solidifying their status among poker’s finest. The one waiting for a new challenger at this event is China’s Mingcong Chen. Chen was the last player standing in a 97-entry field and captured the top prize of KRW 348,252,500 (~USD 246,990).

The crown jewel of the series, the APT Main Event, features a staggering KRW 2,200,000,000 guarantee, the largest of the festival. With a KRW 2,300,000 buy-in and four starting flights from A to D, players will navigate throughout a deep-structured field in the seven-day marathon event for a chance at life-changing money and one of three seats to the APTC Taipei 2026. Representing Singapore in the APT Jeju 2025 legendary lineup was Abraham Ceesvin, who outmaneuvered an elite-packed field of 1,693 entries to claim the iconic 24K Gold Lion APT Main Event trophy, a seat to the APTC 2026 Main Event, and the lion’s share of KRW 649,835,200 (~USD 464,170).

Advancing to the 2026 APT Jeju Classic Day 7 calendar, players step into the spotlight with the Zodiac Classic, offering a KRW 500,000,000 guarantee for a KRW 3,600,000 buy-in. This prestigious two-day event, beginning February 5, provides another high-value opportunity to claim a title and an additional seat to the APTC Taipei 2026. The one who put his name in the APT legend books is no stranger to APT history, Joseph Cheong of the United States. Cheong outlasted a 449-entry field to claim the top prize of KRW 244,598,800 (~USD 174,710) as well as a seat to the APTC 2026 Main Event.

For those seeking Main Event-style action at a more accessible price point, the Mini Main Event delivers a KRW 300,000,000 guarantee with a KRW 1,200,000 buy-in. Featuring three flights on February 6, it’s the perfect tournament to sharpen your skills and chase a significant payout as the series nears its climax. China’s Wei Hang Chen topped a 618-entry field to secure the first-place prize of KRW 99,410,000 (~USD 71,000) at APT Jeju 2025.

Ultra Stack promises to maximize your play, where a KRW 1,000,000 buy-in grants you a massive starting stack and a shot at the KRW 100,000,000 guarantee. With three flights on February 7, this event is designed for players who love deep-stacked poker and high-intensity final table action. At the end of last year, it was Singapore’s Zhonghuan Dai who secured the spot at this event. Dai stood tall after triumphing over a 254-entry field and pocketed KRW 35,850,454 (~USD 25,753) top prize.

Anchoring the festival, the APT High Roller is set to make the series reach its high-stakes crescendo, featuring a KRW 700,000,000 guarantee and a KRW 5,000,000 buy-in. Battle through the final days of the festival for a massive score and the last available seat to the APTC Taipei 2026 in this elite-tier competition. The last player to leave his mark at APT Jeju 2025 was Vietnam’s Khoa Anh Ngo, who capped off the festival in spectacular fashion by winning a 305-entry field, taking home the prestigious Rose Gold Lion Trophy, the KRW 261,400,000 (~USD 186,715) first-place prize, along with the last available seat to the ATPC 2026 Main Event.

With the APT Jeju Classic 2026 kicking off the tour’s historic twentieth-anniversary season, players have a unique chance to be part of an era-defining festival. The massive guarantees like the KRW 2.2B GTD Main Event and the opportunity to secure exclusive seats to the APTC Taipei 2026, the stakes have never been higher at the world-class LES A Casino.

Whether you are a high-roller specialist or a rising contender, this 10-day poker marathon is designed to challenge limits and create the next generation of legends in South Korea. Don’t miss your opportunity to join the action at Jeju Shinhwa World and see firsthand why only the APT can surpass the high benchmarks set by its own storied history.