APT’s 20th Anniversary Year Begins in Jeju; Ten Days, 99 Events, KRW 4.9 Billion (~USD 3.4 Million) in Guarantees
The Asian Poker Tour returns to the beautiful island of Jeju at the beginning of a landmark year, as the brand enters its twentieth anniversary in 2026.
Kicking off the new poker year in style, the Asian Poker Tour — sponsored by Natural8 — heads to the picturesque volcanic shores of Jeju for the APT Jeju Classic 2026, running from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 8. The event will be held in partnership with LES A Casino at the luxurious Jeju Shinhwa World resort.
This special anniversary season opener brings a heightened festival experience to Jeju. Across 99 events, players can expect a schedule designed to set the pace for a historic year ahead.
This special anniversary season opener brings a heightened festival experience to Jeju. Across 99 events, players can expect a schedule designed to set the pace for a historic year ahead.
In total, the ten-day festival features KRW 4.9 billion (~USD 3.4 million) in guaranteed prize pools, headlined by the KRW 2.3 million (~USD 1,600) buy-in Main Event, which carries an impressive KRW 2.2 billion (~USD 1.5 million) guarantee.
Running from 1–7 February, the Main Event stands as one of the earliest opportunities of the year for players to capture the iconic Gold Lion Trophy during APT’s milestone season.
In addition, the APT Super High Roller (KRW 15M/~USD 10,200 buy-in) and the APT High Roller (KRW 5M/~USD 3,400 buy-in) both offer substantial guarantees, KRW 500M (~USD 340K) and KRW 700M (~USD 476K) respectively.
High-stakes players can also look forward to the Superstar Challenge (KRW 35M/~USD 24,000 buy-in), alongside a diverse mix of marquee tournaments featuring the APT National Cup, the Mystery Bounty – Sponsored by Natural8, the Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8, the Mini Main, and the Ultra Stack.
Several key events throughout the festival will also award seats to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event, giving players a coveted pathway into the tour’s most prestigious tournament later in the year.
With an energised schedule, landmark prize pools, and a milestone year ahead, APT Jeju Classic 2026 promises to be an unmissable opening chapter to the season.
Guarantee: KRW 2.2 billion (~USD 1.5M)
Date: Sunday, 1 February to Saturday, 7 February
Buy-in: KRW 2.3M (~USD 1,600)
APT Jeju 2025 Main Event champion Abraham Ceesvin
The centrepiece of the APT Jeju Classic 2026, the Main Event returns offering players the chance to compete for the iconic 24K Gold Lion APT Main Event Trophy and one of the earliest major titles of the APT’s twentieth anniversary season. The top three finishers will also earn a coveted seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event.
The previous edition in Jeju rewrote the tour’s record books in South Korea. Abraham Ceesvin of Singapore topped a massive field to capture KRW 649,835,200 (~USD 464,170) — the largest first-place prize ever awarded in an APT Main Event on Korean soil. The tournament also set the current in-country record for both field size and prize pool, generating a remarkable KRW 3,803,155,200 (~USD 2,716,540).
On a tour-wide scale, the all-time APT Main Event benchmark was set earlier in 2025 at APT Taipei 2025, where an international record-breaking 2,547 entries built a monumental TWD 121 million (~USD 3.7 million) prize pool.
Japan’s Akira Takasugi etched his name into APT history by securing the trophy and the largest Main Event first-place prize ever awarded on the tour outside of the APT Championship.
Players will begin with 40,000 in chips and may choose from four starting flights running from February 1 to 3.
Flight A will feature ten 60-minute levels, while Flight B consists of six 45-minute levels followed by four 60-minute levels.
Flights C and D have quicker levels, comprising six 30-minute levels followed by four 45-minute levels, and will standardise to 60-minute levels from Day 2 onward.
Late registration remains open until one level into Day 2 on 4 February, giving players a final window to secure their seat in the first Main Event of the season.
Guarantee: KRW 200 million (~USD 139K)
Date: Friday, 30 January to Saturday, 31 January
Buy-in: KRW 850K (~USD 580)
APT Jeju 2025 APT National Cup champion Zhiyi Wang
Kicking off the action at APT Jeju Classic 2026 is the APT National Cup, returning with a KRW 200 million (~USD 139,000) guarantee as the festival’s opening event.
The previous edition in Jeju marked a breakthrough moment for the tournament, establishing new South Korean records for both field size and prize pool.
A total of 760 entries generated an impressive KRW 536,190,336 (~USD 382,990) prize pool — the largest ever recorded for an APT National Cup in the country.
China’s Zhiyi Wang claimed the title in commanding fashion, securing KRW 649,835,200 (~USD 464,170), the biggest first-place payout in this event’s history on Korean soil.
At the tour level, the APT National Cup record was set earlier in 2025 at APT Taipei 2025, where an extraordinary 2,161 entries built a TWD 21.26 million (~USD 656,304) prize pool.
Taiwan’s Shi Rong Wang emerged victorious there, earning TWD 3.45 million (~USD 106,612), the richest top prize ever awarded for an opening event in the New Era.
Players will begin with 30,000 in chips and can choose from three starting flights on Friday, 30 January. Flight A features 25-minute levels, Flight B offers 20-minute levels, and Flight C runs with 15-minute levels, giving players multiple pathways into Day 2.
The top 14 percent of each flight will advance to the Final Day on 31 January — already in the money — where they will battle for the first major trophy of APT’s twentieth-anniversary season.
Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8
Guarantee: KRW 400 million (~USD 278K)
Date: Saturday, 31 January to Sunday, 1 February
Buy-in: KRW 1.1M (~USD 750)
APT Jeju 2025 Mystery Bounty Hunter champion Changliang Sun
A staple of every APT festival and a favourite among both recreational and seasoned players, the Mystery Bounty Hunter – Sponsored by Natural8 returns to Jeju in 2026 with a boosted KRW 400 million (~USD 278,000) guarantee.
The ever-growing popularity of bounty formats across the tour continues to make this one of the most anticipated events of any APT schedule.
Last year’s edition delivered a landmark performance, setting new national records for Mystery Bounty events in South Korea. A massive 1,111 entries generated an astonishing KRW 1,055,921,111 (~USD 748,880) prize pool, the largest ever recorded for this event in the country.
China’s Changliang Sun captured the title, earning KRW 90,000,000 (~USD 63,830) in addition to collected bounties, marking the biggest first-place payout in Korean Mystery Bounty history.
Across the tour, the all-time benchmark remains APT Taipei 2025, where a towering 1,724 entries built a TWD 24.3 million (~USD 750,795) prize pool. South Korea’s Jung Sangjun made history there, taking home TWD 2.74 million (~USD 84,654), the largest first-place prize ever awarded in this event.
Players will start with 30,000 in chips and will have three opportunities to qualify for Day 2, with all starting flights running on Saturday, 31 January.
- Flight A begins at 11:00am with 25-minute levels
- Flight B starts at 4:00pm with 20-minute levels
- Flight C kicks off at 8:00pm with 15-minute levels
The top 14 percent of each flight will advance to the Final Day on 1 February, where the envelopes are opened, the bounties are revealed, and the race for the festival’s most unpredictable prizes begins.
Guarantee: KRW 500 million (~USD 347K)
Date: Saturday, 31 January to Sunday, 1 February
Buy-in: KRW 15M (~USD 10,200)
APT Jeju 2025 APT Super High Roller champion Mingcong Chen
The APT Super High Roller returns to Jeju with a KRW 500 million (~USD 340,000) guarantee and the iconic Pewter Lion Trophy awaiting its next champion.
As one of the tour’s premier high-stakes tournaments, the event consistently attracts a world-class field of elite professionals and deep-pocketed contenders. The champion will also earn a coveted seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event.
Last year’s edition in Jeju delivered a record-breaking performance for the APT in South Korea. A total of 97 entries created a staggering KRW 1,340,782,500 (~USD 950,910) prize pool, the largest Super High Roller prize pool ever recorded in the country.
China’s Mingcong Chen emerged victorious, capturing KRW 348,252,500 (~USD 246,990), the biggest first-place payout in Korean Super High Roller history.
Across the tour, the all-time record still belongs to high-stakes legend Isaac Haxton, who conquered a 137-entry field at APT Taipei 2024 to win TWD 9 million (~USD 287,885).
Players begin with 250,000 in chips, with a shot clock active from the start. Each player receives three 30-second time banks at the beginning of play, with an additional time bank awarded at every scheduled break.
Day 1 on Saturday, 31 January features 16 levels of 40 minutes, with surviving players returning on Sunday, 1 February to play down to the next APT Super High Roller champion.
Date: Sunday, 1 February
Buy-in: KRW 500K (~USD 340)
APT Jeju 2025 Sunday Super Stack champion Fang Kai Yang
A crowd favourite at any APT series, the Sunday Super Stack returns to Jeju with its signature single-day format, offering deep stacks, a smooth structure, and excellent value at an accessible buy-in. This event has become a mainstay for players looking to maximise their weekend with strategically rich play.
The 2025 edition in Jeju set a new benchmark for the event in South Korea. A record 359 entries took to the felt, establishing the country’s largest-ever field for a Sunday Super Stack. Taiwan’s Fang Kai Yang captured the title, earning KRW 28,715,744 (~USD 20,365).
Across the tour, the all-time record was set at APT Taipei 2025, where 386 entries pushed the prize pool to TWD 10 million (~USD 308,800). Japan’s Taiga Tanida prevailed there, claiming TWD 1.94 million (~USD 59,973), the richest top prize awarded in this format.
Players begin with 100,000 in chips, with 25-minute levels in play until registration closes. Once registration ends, levels shorten to 20 minutes for the remainder of the tournament, ensuring a dynamic yet well-paced battle to the finish.
Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8
Guarantee: KRW 500 million (~USD 347K)
Date: Thursday, 5 February to Friday, 6 February
Buy-in: KRW 3.6M (~USD 2,450)
APT Jeju 2025 Zodiac Classic champion Joseph Cheong
The Zodiac Classic – Sponsored by Natural8 returns to Jeju with a substantial KRW 500 million (~USD 347,000) guarantee, continuing its reputation as one of the most sought-after mid-to-high stakes events on the APT calendar. In addition to the prestigious trophy, the champion will also earn a seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event.
This event consistently delivers some of the biggest prize pools outside of the high roller categories, and last year’s edition in Jeju elevated its status even further. A record-breaking 449 entries generated an impressive KRW 1,280,189,250 (~USD 914,420) prize pool, the largest Zodiac Classic ever staged in South Korea.
The USA’s Joseph Cheong captured the title, earning KRW 244,598,800 (~USD 174,710), the biggest first-place prize for this event in the country’s APT history.
Across the tour, the all-time record was set at APT Taipei 2025, where an extraordinary 626 entries amassed a TWD 43.27 million (~USD 1.32 million) prize pool.
Hong Kong’s Kwan Chun Kit claimed victory there, earning TWD 8.22 million (~USD 253,785), the richest top prize ever awarded in the Zodiac Classic in the APT New Era. Players begin with 40,000 in chips, with each participant receiving two 30-second time banks at the start of play and an additional time bank awarded at every scheduled break.
Day 1 on Thursday, 5 February features 13 levels of 40 minutes, with survivors returning on Friday, 6 February to determine the next Zodiac Classic champion.
Guarantee: KRW 300 million (~USD 208K)
Date: Friday, 6 February to Saturday, 7 February
Buy-in: KRW 1.2M (~USD 820)
APT Jeju 2025 Mini Main Event champion Wei Hang Chen
Modelled after the flagship Main Event but designed to conclude within two days, the Mini Main Event offers players a well-structured, high-value tournament experience at a more accessible buy-in. For APT Jeju Classic 2026, the event returns with a KRW 300 million (~USD 208,000) guarantee.
The previous edition in Jeju saw China’s Wei Hang Chen topping a competitive field to earn KRW 99,410,000 (~USD 71,000).
Across the tour, the all-time record belongs to APT Taipei 2025, where an extraordinary 1,760 entries built a TWD 38.02 million (~USD 1.32 million) prize pool. Taiwan’s Hung Te Lee claimed the title and a record-setting TWD 6.52 million (~USD 201,080), the richest payout ever awarded in this format.
Players will begin with 30,000 in chips and can choose from three starting flights on Friday, 6 February.
- Flight A features 25-minute levels
- Flight B plays with 20-minute levels
- Flight C runs with 15-minute levels
The top 14 percent of each flight will advance to Saturday’s Final Day, already in the money, where the next Mini Main Event champion will be crowned.
Guarantee: KRW 700 million (~USD 476K)
Date: Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 8 February
Buy-in: KRW 5M (~USD 3,400)
APT Jeju 2025 APT High Roller champion Ngo Khoa Anh
The final signature event of APT Jeju Classic 2026, the APT High Roller returns with a higher guarantee, KRW 700 million (~USD 486,000), and the prestigious Rose Gold Lion Trophy, along with a seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event for the eventual champion. This two-day tournament consistently draws a highly competitive field, making it one of the standout highlights of the festival.
Last year’s edition in Jeju delivered more in-country records for field size and total prize pool, continuing the event’s upward trajectory in South Korea.
Vietnam’s Ngo Khoa Anh outlasted a strong field to capture KRW 261,400,000 (~USD 186,715), reinforcing the High Roller’s status as one of the most lucrative marquee tournaments of the series.
Across the tour, the all-time benchmark belongs to APT Taipei 2025, where 415 entries created a staggering TWD 39.44 million (~USD 1.27 million) prize pool. Vietnam’s Nguyen Trung Quan triumphed there, earning TWD 7.59 million (~USD 253,785), the largest top prize ever awarded in this signature event.
Players begin with 100,000 in chips, and a shot clock will be active from the start. Each player receives three 30-second time banks, with an additional time bank issued at every scheduled break.
Day 1 on Saturday, 7 February features 16 levels of 40 minutes, with surviving contenders returning on Sunday, 8 February to battle for the title, the Rose Gold Lion Trophy, and one of the festival’s most coveted payouts.
Guarantee: KRW 100 million (~USD 69K)
Date: Saturday, 7 February to Sunday, 8 February
Buy-in: KRW 1M (~USD 680)
APT Jeju 2025 Ultra Stack champion Zhonghuan Dai
A staple of every APT festival, the Ultra Stack returns to Jeju with a KRW 100 million (~USD 69,000) guarantee. Known for its deep structure and multi-flight format, this popular event offers exceptional value and consistently attracts one of the strongest and most diverse fields of the festival.
The 2025 edition in Jeju delivered another standout draw, drawing a robust field and culminating in Singapore’s Zhonghuan Dai claiming the title. Dai secured KRW 35,850,454 (~USD 25,753), continuing the event’s reputation as a reliable source of competitive fields and healthy prize pools.
Across the tour, the all-time APT record for this format belongs to** Chang Hwan Lee** of South Korea, who triumphed over 354 entries in Taipei to win TWD 4,465,700 (~USD 137,830).
That event generated a remarkable TWD 22,939,200 (~USD 708,000) prize pool, marking the current APT record for field size, prize pool, and first-place payout in an Ultra Stack tournament.
Players will start with 60,000 in chips and can enter one of three starting flights on Saturday, 7 February.
- Flight A plays with 25-minute levels
- Flight B plays with 20-minute levels
- Flight C shortens the pace to 15-minute levels
The top 14 percent from each flight will advance to the Final Day on Sunday, 8 February, already in the money, where they will battle for the trophy and the lion’s share of the prize pool.
Date: Sunday, 8 February
Buy-in: KRW 450K (~USD 310)
APT Jeju 2025 Micro Main Event champion Jeevan Lobo
Capping off the APT Jeju Classic 2026 festival is the Micro Main Event, offering players one final chance to lift a trophy. With an affordable KRW 450,000 (~USD 310) buy-in and a streamlined single-day structure, it serves as the perfect finale to ten days of poker action.
The previous edition in Jeju was won by India’s Jeevan Lobo, who navigated the field to claim KRW 9,941,792 (~USD 7,140) and close the festival on a high note.
Players will begin with 40,000 in chips, with 20-minute levels running throughout the day to ensure a well-structured final event of the series.