A Look at the Biggest Names Set to Battle for Glory at the APT Championship 2026

The Asian Poker Tour's 2026 season reaches its grand finale this November as the highly anticipated APT Championship 2026 (APTC) returns to Taipei, Taiwan, following the record-breaking success of its inaugural edition last year.

Running from 13 to 29 November at Red Space 多元商務空間 in Taipei, the 17-day festival will once again be held in partnership with the Chinese Texas Hold’em Poker Club (CTP) and sponsored by Natural8. Following a historic debut that attracted more than 28,000 tournament entries and awarded over USD 34 million in prize money, the APT Championship is set to deliver another spectacular conclusion to the APT calendar.

The 2026 edition promises to be bigger than ever, featuring an expanded schedule of 209 events, comprising 184 trophy events and 26 satellite tournaments. Among them are 23 Championship Events boasting over TWD 256 million (~USD 8.1 million) in combined guaranteed prize pools, offering players the opportunity to compete for some of the most prestigious titles in Asian poker.

At the heart of this prestigious festival is the APT Championship Main Event, the crown jewel of the APT calendar and the ultimate stage for poker's elite to test their skills against the best in the game. With 17 Main Event seats also up for grabs across selected tournaments during the festival, the stage is set for another thrilling showdown as some of poker's biggest names look to etch their place into APT history. Make sure to find out how you can still qualify for the Main Event at the APT Championship below.

A Year of Champions

Throughout the 2026 season, the APT has already awarded 50 Main Event seats across its major stops, with champions from some of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit earning their place at the APT Championship 2026 Main Event. Having battled through some of the toughest fields in Asian poker, these players have proven their skill, determination, and consistency, securing the opportunity to compete for the ultimate prize at the APT's grand finale.

Among them are some of the most accomplished and recognisable names in poker, alongside rising stars looking to make their mark on the biggest stage in Asian poker. In this feature, we spotlight these formidable contenders as they prepare to battle for glory at the APT Championship 2026, where another chapter of APT history awaits.

Tony Ren Lin — The Back-to-Back Champion

One of China's most accomplished poker professionals, Tony Ren Lin has firmly established himself among the elite on the international circuit, with over USD 20 million in live tournament earnings to his name. Known for his fearless approach and ability to thrive under pressure, Lin has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season on the Asian Poker Tour, capturing two APT titles and recording several deep runs across the circuit. However, it was his extraordinary performance at the APT Jeju Classic 2026 that truly stole the headlines.

In what was undoubtedly one of the biggest stories on the Tour earlier this year, Lin achieved the remarkable feat of winning back-to-back titles in two of the festival's most prestigious tournaments. His incredible run began in the APT Super High Roller, where he staged a stunning comeback from just two big blinds with three players remaining to capture his maiden APT title and KRW 396,317,500 (~USD 275,220) in prize money. Just two days later, Lin followed up with another dominant performance in the Superstar Challenge, securing his second APT title and a further KRW 465,270,000 (~USD 323,100). The two victories earned him nearly USD 600,000 in prize money and cemented his place among the standout performers of the APT's 20-year anniversary season.

Lin has continued to impress throughout the year, most notably reaching the final table of the APT Taipei 2026 Main Event, where he finished eighth in a massive 2,354-entry field. His consistency on the Tour this season has been nothing short of remarkable, having reached nine final tables from just 14 cashes in 2026. Even more impressively, his overall APT record now stands at 11 final-table appearances from 16 cashes, underlining his ability to regularly make deep runs.

Having already secured his seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event through his Super High Roller triumph, the Chinese high-stakes star now heads to Taipei with his sights set on adding the biggest title on the APT calendar to his growing collection. With his remarkable ability to deliver on the biggest stages, Lin will undoubtedly be one of the players to watch when the cards get in the air this November.

Mike Takayama — The Filipino Trailblazer

A true pioneer of Filipino poker, Mike Takayama has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning well over a decade, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished players to emerge from the Philippines. With over USD 4.8 million in live tournament earnings and an impressive 17 career APT titles to his name, Takayama has long been a formidable presence on the Asian poker circuit. A two-time APT Main Event champion, having claimed titles in 2014 and 2017, he also made history in 2018 by becoming the first Filipino player to win a coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet.

At APT Taipei 2026, Takayama demonstrated that he remains a force to be reckoned with, capturing the APT Super High Roller title in what was the richest edition of the tournament in Tour history. Facing a formidable 136-entry field, the Filipino veteran staged an incredible comeback from just three big blinds with 24 players remaining, eventually defeating fellow Filipino John Costiniano heads-up to claim the title and TWD 9,760,160 (~USD 312,825) in prize money.

The victory marked another historic milestone in Takayama's decorated career, as he became the first Filipino player to lift an APT Mega Lion trophy, adding yet another prestigious accolade to his collection. It was also his 17th career APT title, further cementing his legacy as one of the Tour's most successful veterans, while securing him a coveted seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event.

Now returning to Taipei for the APT Championship 2026, Takayama will be looking to add another defining chapter to his remarkable career. With two APT Main Event titles already under his belt and more than a decade of experience competing against some of the toughest fields in Asian poker, the Filipino trailblazer has both the pedigree and experience to make another deep run. A victory in the Championship Main Event would not only mark his third APT Main Event crown but also further solidify his standing among the legends of Asian poker.

Rudy Edenata — The Meteoric Rise

Few players have made as rapid an impact on the Asian poker scene as Indonesia's Rudy Edenata, whose remarkable rise has seen him emerge as one of the region's most exciting talents. Having only begun playing tournament poker in August 2025, Edenata has already amassed over USD 1.2 million in live tournament earnings, climbing to third on Indonesia's All Time Money List in just over a year. His rapid ascent has been highlighted by a string of impressive results throughout 2026, including a historic breakthrough on the Asian Poker Tour.

At APT Jeju Classic 2026, Edenata announced his arrival on the big stage by capturing the APT High Roller title, becoming the first Indonesian player in history to lift an APT Mega Lion trophy. Battling through a formidable 259-entry field, the rising star defeated WSOP bracelet winner Weiran Pu heads-up to claim the coveted Rose Gold Mega Lion and KRW 233,530,000 (~USD 159,400) in prize money. The career-defining victory also secured him a seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event, marking a remarkable achievement for someone who had only been competing in tournament poker for six months.

Edenata's impressive form has continued throughout the year, most notably at APT Jeju 2026, where he came agonisingly close to capturing his second APT title in the record-breaking Superstar Challenge. Facing some of the biggest names in Asian poker, he battled his way to a runner-up finish behind Natural8 ambassador Nevan Chang, collecting a career-best KRW 341,060,000 (~USD 254,520). The result further cemented his reputation as one of the region's fastest-rising talents, proving that his breakthrough victory earlier in the year was no one-off achievement.

With his first APT Mega Lion already under his belt and a rapidly growing list of accomplishments, Edenata now heads to the APT Championship 2026 looking to take the next major step in his burgeoning poker career. Having achieved so much in such a short space of time, the Indonesian rising star will be eager to test himself against the best in the game, with the prestigious Championship Main Event title offering the perfect opportunity to continue his extraordinary ascent.

Nevan Chang — The Lion Hunter

One of the most recognisable faces on the Asian Poker Tour, Taiwan's Nevan Chang has established himself as one of the most successful and consistent players in the APT New Era. A Natural8 Team Hot ambassador with ten career APT titles to his name, Chang has built an impressive reputation through his remarkable performances across the circuit. Currently sitting atop the APT New Era Total Winnings Leaderboard with over USD 1.66 million in earnings, the Taiwanese star has become a formidable presence at the felt, with 44 final-table appearances from 73 cashes.

At APT Jeju 2026, Chang added another prestigious title to his growing collection by capturing the Superstar Challenge, defeating a formidable 51-entry field to claim the coveted Black Stealth Lion Trophy. Facing Indonesia's rising star Rudy Edenata heads-up, Chang made quick work of his opponent, sealing victory in just three hands to secure a career-best KRW 451,800,000 (~USD 337,150) payday. The triumph marked his tenth APT title and earned him a coveted seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event.

Chang is certainly no stranger to success at the APT Championship, having enjoyed a spectacular run at its inaugural edition in 2025. Competing in the Mini Main Event Championship, he outlasted a massive 1,603-entry field to capture the title and TWD 7,085,620 (~USD 227,100) in prize money. The victory was another major highlight in his illustrious APT career, further demonstrating his ability to navigate large fields and deliver when it matters most.

Now returning to Taipei for the APT Championship 2026, Chang will be looking to add another prestigious Lion Trophy to his collection. Having already tasted Championship glory last year and coming off his biggest career victory at APT Jeju, the Natural8 ambassador enters the festival with plenty of momentum. With his remarkable consistency and proven ability to perform on the biggest stages, Chang will undoubtedly be among the players to watch as he sets his sights on the ultimate prize at the APT Championship Main Event.

Punnat Punsri — The Thai Superstar

Few players in Asian poker have enjoyed a rise to international prominence quite like Thailand's Punnat Punsri, who has firmly established himself among the world's elite tournament professionals. With over USD 39 million in live tournament earnings, Punsri sits atop Thailand's All Time Money List and has become one of the most recognisable names on the global high-stakes circuit. His remarkable achievements culminated in being named the 2025 Global Poker Index (GPI) Player of the Year, becoming the first Asian player in history to receive the prestigious honour.

Punsri's relationship with the Asian Poker Tour runs deep, having made history by capturing the inaugural APT New Era Main Event title at APT Taipei 2023, earning USD 369,980 in the process. Since then, the Thai superstar has continued to enjoy tremendous success on the Tour, amassing seven career APT titles and establishing himself among the leading names on the APT New Era Total Winnings Leaderboard. His remarkable achievements both on and off the Tour have cemented his reputation as one of Asia's most accomplished poker professionals.

At APT Incheon 2026, Punsri added another prestigious accolade to his collection by capturing the Superstar Challenge title, defeating Vietnam's Khoa Anh Ngo heads-up to claim the coveted Black Stealth Lion Trophy and KRW 360,000,000 (~USD 257,140) in prize money. The victory marked his first Superstar Challenge triumph and seventh career APT title, while also securing him a coveted seat to the APT Championship 2026 Main Event.

No stranger to the APT Championship stage, Punsri also enjoyed a deep run at the inaugural edition in 2025, finishing fifth in the High Roller Championship for USD 166,000. Now returning to Taipei, the very city where he made history as the first Main Event champion of the APT New Era, the Thai superstar will be looking to add another defining achievement to his illustrious career. With his wealth of experience competing against the world's best and a proven track record of success on the Tour, Punsri will undoubtedly be one of the most formidable contenders for the APT Championship Main Event crown.

Pathways to Poker’s Grandest Stage at APTC

Players will have more opportunities to secure their place in the APT Championship 2026 Main Event, with a total of 17 coveted Main Event seats up for grabs across 11 selected tournaments during the festival. These events offer players the chance to earn their way into the most prestigious tournament on the APT calendar, with seats awarded to the following finishers:

• High Roller - Ultra Stack (Event #76) – Winner
• High Roller - Single Day (Event #86) – Winner
• National Cup Championship – Winner
• Mystery Bounty Championship – Winner
• Ultra Stack Championship – Top two finishers
• 7-Max Championship – Winner
• Natural8 Cup Championship – Top two finishers
• Micro Main Event Championship – Winner
• Single Day High Roller Championship – Winner
• Super High Roller Championship – Top three finishers
• Superstar Championship – Top three finishers

Building on the record-breaking satellites at APT Championship 2025, which saw the Step 2 Mega Satellite attract 399 entries and award 58 Main Event seats, this year's festival will offer another 37 guaranteed seats through five dedicated satellite tournaments, including one offering an impressive 25 seats.

The stakes extend beyond this year's festival, with the APT Championship 2026 Main Event champion, runner-up, and third-place finisher also earning seats to the APT Championship 2027 Main Event.