All Eyes On WPT Cambodia 2025 With Games About To Begin

Cambodia has become a very popular destination for live poker, thanks to the World Poker Tour, which has set several country records within the last few years. In less than a week, the global brand returns to host its largest one yet on Asian soil, the WPT Cambodia 2025, with more than $3 Million in guaranteed prize pools.

The festival will no doubt be special as both of the brand’s marquee tournaments – WPT Prime Championship and WPT Cambodia Championship – are featured in the lineup for the first time. Cards officially go in the air on February 6 and runs until February 24 at the world-class NagaWorld Integrated Resort.

In partnership with Connaissance Management Group, the anticipation for a thrilling three weeks of tournament and cash game action is very high. According to sources at WPT, hotel bookings via special deals have been through the roof. More than 50 players have taken advantage of the High Roller hotel deal and more than 300 individual bookings were made prior to the end of January, exceeding all figures of the previous year.

WPT Cambodia 2025 – Schedule

Players Expected At WPT Cambodia 2025

A whole slate of international pros are expected to head to the capital in the days to come and that includes the WPT Cambodia Championship defending champion, Germany’s Konstantin Held. Runner-up Josh McCully will be heading back as well, after all, the Aussie is a regular on the Asia-Pacific poker circuit for many years with plenty of trophies to his name. Vietnam’s Kyle Bao Diep was also on the final table and will aim to finish a few spots higher this time.

The WPT also confirmed that reigning World Poker Tour (WPT) Season 22 Player of the Year Yunkyu Song will enter the fray and kick off the new season where he previously left off. In 2024, Song won the WPT Prime Playground Championship and finished as the runner-up WPT bestbet Scramble Championship in Jacksonville in November.

Many other poker pros from Vietnam, India, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and China are expected to join the action. With Chinese New Year having just concluded and Cambodia being a very popular destination for poker enthusiasts from China, one can expect that many will make the short trip to Phnom Penh.

Guide To WPT Cambodia 2025 Off The Felt

But before the first cards are dealt, there are some important aspects that visiting poker players should know. While most countries in Southeast Asia can be easy to get in and out of, Cambodia requires a tourist visa for many countries including most of Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

General Tourist Information

Visa on arrival is possible and takes a while but it can also be obtained online prior to the trip at an expense of $36. Make sure to print two copies, one for arrival and one for departure, to avoid any surprises at the airport. Furthermore, foreign visitors also need to submit the Cambodia e-Arrival card within seven days before getting off the plane: https://www.arrival.gov.kh

Money wise, you don’t really need to exchange your own local currency for Cambodian Riel because the US Dollar is commonly accepted. Small change is usually given back in Riel, but everything else beyond that in US Dollars. Many of the stores also accept international credit cards.

The best way to get to the venue from the Phnom Penh International Airport is via Grab, however, as of last year, the pick up point has been moved outside of the airport grounds, which is about a minute walk. Getting around the city, the best way is via Tuk Tuk or Grab. In case you want to be online while exploring the country, local SIM cards with data are very affordable and reliable. Make sure to purchase it at the airport as they are difficult to find in the city.

Exploring Cambodia

Now that most of the travel formalities are taken care of, a visit to Cambodia should perhaps not only be about poker but also an opportunity to learn more about the rich culture of the country. Only a short walk from NagaWorld is the Royal Palace with an absolutely stunning silver pagoda right next to a small sample of the vast Angkor Wat main temple.

By night, the Statue of King Father Norodom Sihanouk also provides an impressive view in case you bust out of the tournaments earlier than expected. Day trips by bus or boat on the Mekong Delta are an option as well and won’t drain your pocket by any means. Perhaps, you even like to stroll around the city and grab some fresh fruits from the markets or indulge in a relaxing massage.

The variety of food throughout the country is quite impressive and even at NagaWorld itself, several top notch restaurants will deliver straight to your poker table. Not only Cambodian food, which can be very spicy, is on the menu but also from other nearby countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.

For players looking to explore outside of the capital, taking a trip to Angkor Wat is well worth the time. You can also take a sleeper bus from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam which only takes a couple of hours.