Derick Elomina discovered poker at 14, playing home games with his high school friends. What began as a pastime quickly grew into a passion that shaped his career. By 21, he entered the poker industry as a field reporter — just old enough to step foot inside the casino. Starting as a hand reporter, he steadily honed his craft, blending sharp observation with growing writing skills. Known for his dedication, he constantly roams the floor to capture the action, conduct interviews, and deliver live updates. With a strong commitment to the game and a passion for telling poker’s stories, Derick continues to build his path in the industry.

Updated: 2026.04.15

The China Poker Games (CPG) Championship Finals returns to Sanya this August, marking another year of growth for one of the region’s most established live circuit. Now entering its 14th year, the ten-day series will be back again at the Howard Johnson Resort Sanya Bay from August 19 to 28, 2026.

What started as a local event has grown into a major stop that now attracts players from across the globe. More and more players are making the trip to test their skills against fields of thousands, all looking to battle through the freezeout action for a shot at a title in China’s biggest poker festival.

Looking Back at CPG Championship Finals Field Sizes

The 13th Annual CPG Championship Finals in 2025 proved once again that the tour operates on a different scale, pulling in 4,211 entries. But the most interesting change wasn’t just the size of the crowd, it was who was sitting in the chairs.

While CPG will always be the home of Chinese poker, the floors in Sanya are starting to look a lot more global. The growing number of foreign players flying in from all over the world has really changed the dynamic at the tables. CPG Championship Finals is now a regular stop on the live circuit, with the 14th Annual set to welcome an even larger international field.

CPG Championship Finals: Historical Participation

Edition	Year	Main Event Entries
13th Annual	2025	4,211
12th Annual	2024	3,787
11th Annual	2023	4,080
10th Anniversary	2021	4,406

Secure Your Spot Early: The Road to CPG Sanya Begins in Hengqin

If you are looking to lock in your spot for the finals, the hunt for seats starts this spring at the CPG Satellite Hengqin, running from May 23 to 28, 2026.

Located right at the doorstep of Macau , Hengqin is the perfect place to secure your Sanya seat early. You can use the CPG App and check CPG Website to see the full schedule and try your hand at qualifying for the CPG Championship Finals 2026 for a fraction of the cost.

Get the game ready and pack the bags.

Destination: Sanya