Asian Poker Tour Kicks Off 2025 Season with PHP 143 Million (~US$ 2.4M) Guaranteed Manila Stop This February

Back on the felt in a few weeks time is the region’s live tournament powerhouse, Asian Poker Tour – Sponsored by Natural8, with an opening stop right in the bustling capital of the Philippines, Manila. APT Manila Classic 2025, run in partnership with Metro Card Club, is ringing in the new year with a smashing PHP 143 Million (~USD 2.4M) in guarantees this coming February 7-16, due to take place at the heart of the metro, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria. 

Fresh off its record breaking season, APT under its New Era, is ready to blow through another show-stopping year with its initial offering being the first of five festivals penned on the Tour’s 2025 lineup. Last November saw the leading brand make a grand return to the country, which sought out a new tour record as the largest and richest APT series on Philippine soil. Nearly USD 6 million in prizes was awarded throughout the festival, making it a good baseline of what to expect in the upcoming games.

A total of 95 trophy events grace the ten-day schedule, hosting its share of high roller tournaments as well as mixed game events. The most striking highlight however, remains to be the PHP 60 million (~USD 1M) guaranteed Main Event geared to run ablaze five weeks from now. Aside from its crown jewel, nine key events list million (PHP) prize pools, sure to keep everyone busy day in and out.

APT Manila Classic 2025 – Schedule

APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event

The highly coveted award-winning Gold Lion APT Main Event Trophy will once again be seeking a new owner across this season’s festivities, along with another mouth-watering PHP 60 million (~USD 1M) prize pool at stake. Just two months ago, APT Manila 2024 more than tripled the Tour’s field size country record, having drawn over a thousand entries vying for the largest APT Philippine guarantee of all-time at PHP 100 million (~USD 1.7 million). While this season showcases a lighter pot, its PHP 60,000 (~USD 1,020) price tag likewise makes it more accessible for both amateurs and pros alike.

• Date/s: February 9-15, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 60,000 (~USD 1,020)
• Guarantee: PHP 60,000,000 (~USD 1,000,000)
• Flight A (60 minute blinds) – February 9, Sunday
• Flight B (45/60 minute blinds) – February 10, Monday
• Flight C (30/45 minute blinds) – February 11, Tuesday
• Flight D (30/45 minute blinds) – February 11, Tuesday
• Day 2 (Reg open until start) – February 12, Wednesday
• Day 3 – February 13, Thursday
• Day 4 – February 14, Friday
• Final Day – February 15, Saturday

The more the merrier, tournament runners gunning for a cheaper entry can try their luck via the online pathway available on Asia’s largest online platform, Natural8. At least 79 Main Event seats are up for the contest, twelve of which are bundled up in packages worth USD 1,535. If that isn’t enough, live qualifiers will likewise be available onsite throughout the series for as low as PHP 13,000 (~USD 220), further opening the competition across a bigger stage. 

APT Manila Classic 2025 Key Events

APT’s flagship events once more headline the series schedule, putting up another PHP 83 million (~USD 1.4M) in guarantees on the line. Opening day sees the Philippines National Cup jumpstart the action, followed right after by two more key events – Mystery Bounty – Sponsored by Natural8, and APT Super High Roller. The most prestigious on the list, SuperStar Challenge runs alongside the Main Event games, commanding a buy-in of PHP 1,500,000 (~USD 25,000) yet again. A Mini and Micro version of the Main Event are slated on the tail end of the lineup, offering players who missed the Main Event cut, another run for the trophy. The series’ concluding day is similarly packed with thrills as the final two highlights – APT High Roller, and Double Stack, wrap up its games.

Philippines National Cup 

• Date/s: Feb 7-8, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 12,000 (~USD 200)
• Guarantee: PHP 7,000,000 (~USD 119,000)

Mystery Bounty – Sponsored by Natural8 

• Date/s: Feb 8-9, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 20,000 (~USD 340)
• Guarantee: PHP 8,000,000 (~USD 136,000)

APT Super High Roller 

• Date/s: Feb 8-9, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 600,000 (~USD 10,200)
• Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 340,000)

Sunday Super Stack 

• Date/s: Feb 9, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 30,000 (~USD 500)
• Guarantee: PHP 6,000,000 (~USD 102,000)

Superstar Challenge

• Date/s: Feb 10-11, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 1,500,000 (~USD 25,000)

Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8 

• Date/s: Feb 13-14, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 90,000 (~USD 1,500)
• Guarantee: PHP 15,000,000 (~USD 255,000)

Baby Superstar

• Date/s: Feb 14, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 300,000 (~USD 5,000)

Mini Main Event 

• Date/s: Feb 14-15, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 25,000 (~USD 425)
• Guarantee: PHP 5,000,000 (~USD 85,000)

APT High Roller

• Date/s: Feb 15-16, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 200,000 (~USD 3,400)
• Guarantee: PHP 15,000,000 (~USD 255,000)

Double Stack

• Date/s: Feb 15-16, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 20,000 (~USD 340)
• Guarantee: PHP 6,000,000 (~USD 102,000)

Micro Main Event

• Date/s: Feb 16, 2025
• Buy in: PHP 12,000 (~USD 200)
• Guarantee: PHP 1,000,000 (~USD 17,000)

High Roller Schedule

Just a few more days before APT’s High Roller Early Bird Special closes for registration! Don’t miss the chance to claim exclusive Early Bird packages available until the 5th, offering a maximum of seven complimentary hotel nights right at the venue. In order to be eligible, pre-registration for events APT Super High Roller, Baby Superstar Challenge, Superstar Challenge, and APT High Roller, is required, backed by funds amounting to PHP 2.6M (~USD 44K) received no later than this Friday.

Along the listed high tier games, daily high roller events will likewise be rolled out, featuring buy-ins ranging from PHP 25,000 (~USD 425) to its highest offering – SuperStar Challenge, at PHP 1,500,000 (~USD 25,500). 

About Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria

An IHG Hotel, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria is at the centre of Ortigas, a bustling business and commercial district that includes multinational firms, government agencies and major financial institutions. With top notch amenities and direct connection to one of Ortigas’ biggest shopping malls, Robinsons Galleria; Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria is the ideal work play destination for connected travelers.

Experience productivity and relaxation in its well-appointed renovated guest rooms, with luxurious beddings, soft furnishings, technology and the finest amenities to refresh you upon arrival. Gastronomic journeys await at the all-day dining restaurant, Seven Corners, where you can enjoy an elevated dining experience inspired by the world’s top cuisines, or rediscover Chinese cuisine at the award-winning Xin Tian Di and savour the best culinary creations from the orient.

Crown Plaza Manila Galleria proudly hosts the largest and the best-equipped venue in the area, with its Grand Ballroom boasting 1,272 square metres of pillarless space equipped with state-of-the-art-facilities. Its largest room capacity has the ability to accommodate over 1,500 guests, making its unparalleled size an ideal venue for major business conferences, social functions and most recently, poker events.