Plus the APT Manila Classic 2025 Champions Give Their Thoughts on Winning an APTC Main Event Seat

APT Taipei 2025, running April 25 to May 4 at the brand-new Red Space, is shaping up to be one of the most exciting stops on the APT calendar.

Organised in collaboration with Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP) and sponsored by Natural8, the series will feature an expanded schedule and if the tour’s previous Taipei festivals are the benchmark then there should also be some record-breaking prize pools.

The 10-day festival features a massive 126-event schedule and a jaw-dropping TWD 126 million (~USD 5.4 million) in total guarantees. Headlining the series is the prestigious APT Main Event, offering a TWD 70 million (~USD 2.1 million) guarantee for a TWD 55,000 (~USD 1,680) buy-in.

In addition to the prize money on offer, APT Taipei 2025 will also be awarding 12 coveted seats to the APT Championship (APTC) Main Event, which will be held November 14–30, 2025. Seven of these seats will go to the winners of the following events:

• APT National Cup
• APT Super High Roller
• Superstar Challenge
• Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8
• Mini Main Event
• APT High Roller
• Double Stack

There is also an APTC Main Event seat up for grabs in the Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8 which will be included in the bounty pool. The fortunate seat winner will get to draw again for a second bounty prize.

The APT Main Event will offer four additional seats in total. The top three finishers will each earn direct entry into the APTC Main Event.

To cap it off, at the start of Day 3, all remaining players will be eligible for a "lucky seat" draw. One APTC seat will be awarded at random, with the lucky seat and table drawn live for added excitement.

There are also two-step APTC satellites running at the festival; the TWD 12,000 Step 1 to APT Championship Main Event Satellite - (Event #82) - (Win Your Seat @ 90,000) - 30 Seat GTD awards players a place in the TWD 58,000 Satellite to APT Championship Main Event (Win Your Seat @ 105,000) - 5 Seat GTD.

Want to know how it feels like to secure an invite to the APTC Main Event? Read on to find out what the three champions from the recent APT Manila 2025 thought about their APTC invites:

Ivan Govorov – APT Manila Classic 2025 Main Event Champion

Russia’s Ivan Govorov is ready for the APT Championship

For Ivan Govorov, winning a seat to the APTC Main Event is a powerful step forward in a journey he believes is only just beginning.

“Everything I have won so far is big—and the greatest,” he said, before adding with quiet confidence, “my biggest victories are still ahead.”

Gratitude runs deep in The 32-year-old from Ryazan native, who was thankful for his recent Manila victory.

“I want to thank everyone who supported me,” he said. “A lot of people supported me.” Among them, he singled out his own parents, brother, and his girlfriend Angelina.

Describing himself as a “citizen of the world,” Govorov has travelled widely in pursuit of poker glory, and now sets his sights on one of the most prestigious poker stages in Asia. With an APTC seat in hand, Ivan is ready to bring that same determination and spirit to the next stage of his journey.

Tobias Schwecht - APT Manila Classic 2025 Super High Roller Champion

Can German pro Tobias Schwecht replicate his run at the APT Championship?

For Germany’s Tobias Schwecht, winning the Super High Roller at the APT Manila Classic 2025 and securing a seat to the APTC Main Event was nothing short of “phenomenal.”
A regular on the international circuit, Schwecht was drawn to APT by glowing recommendations from friends.

“Everyone said it’s a great experience,” he said.

Reflecting on the upcoming APT Championship, Schwecht is excited for what’s next.

“Last time I was in Taipei, I really loved it there,” stated the seasoned German high roller. “I’m excited to go back. The series sounds like a lot of fun and the huge tournaments—I’m looking forward to it.”

Yohei Kitazato – APT Manila Classic 2025 High Roller Champion

Japan’s Yohei Kitazato will be bringing some great energy to the APT Championship

For Yohei Kitazato, winning the APT Manila Classic 2025 High Roller was more than a trophy—it was a moment of destiny. The Japanese entrepreneur, who splits his time between Japan and Malaysia, only began playing poker a few years ago following a chance encounter on a plane with Japanese rockstar Gackt.

“That night, we went to his house and played poker… he taught me how to play,” Kitazato recalled. Since then, he has travelled the circuit with Gackt, learning the game and chasing high-stakes success.

“Even though I know my skill level is low… I had the luck—and the cat,” he joked, referring to his lucky charm card protector. Securing a seat to the APTC Main Event was an added bonus to an already special run.

“When I saw the Lion Trophy, I said, ‘Wow, I want that,” Kitazato said. “And now… it’s mine.”

As he looks ahead to November, Kitazato is eager for the next challenge: “I’ve only been to Taipei once in my life, so I’m excited to travel there and try my best to win the Main Event.”