PokerStars 25th Anniversary Series: $50M Guaranteed, Three Main Events This Weekend
PokerStars Turns 25 with a $50 Million Celebration
PokerStars launched in 2001 and grew from a scrappy upstart into the world’s largest online poker platform. To mark its 25th birthday, the platform is running a $50 million guaranteed Anniversary Series — one of the biggest online poker festivals of 2026.
The series spans May 10 through June 5, offering nearly a month of action across buy-ins ranging from $11 micro-stakes all the way up to $5,200 high rollers.
I remember grinding $3.30 SNGs on PokerStars back when I first started playing online. Seeing the platform still running massive festivals 25 years later hits different when you’ve been part of the journey.
Key Series Numbers
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Series Name | PokerStars 25th Anniversary Series |
| Dates | May 10 – June 5, 2026 |
| Total Guarantee | $50M+ |
| Main Events | 3 (Low / Medium / High) |
| Combined Main Event GTD | $6 million |
| Buy-in Range | $11 – $5,200 |
| Featured Formats | Mystery Bounty, PKO, Omaha variants |
Three Main Events: All Kicked Off May 24
The centerpiece of the Anniversary Series is a trio of Main Events at different buy-in tiers, all launching their first Day 1 flights on May 24:
Low Main Event — $109 Buy-In
- Guarantee: $2,000,000
- Format: Progressive Knockout (PKO)
- Starting stack: 100,000 chips
- Multiple flights: Several Day 1 options across time zones
This is the people’s event. A $109 entry into a $2M guaranteed field offers exceptional value, and the PKO format means you’re earning bounties every time you eliminate an opponent — instant gratification built into the structure.
Medium Main Event — $1,050 Buy-In
- Guarantee: $2,000,000
- Format: Progressive Knockout (PKO)
- Field: Strong regulars mixed with recreational players taking a shot
High Main Event — $5,200 Buy-In
- Guarantee: $2,000,000
- Format: Progressive Knockout (PKO)
- Field: Predominantly pros and semi-pros. Expect familiar screen names
Early Results Worth Noting
Two weeks into the series, several marquee events have already crowned winners:
Leon Sturm Takes Down $1,050 Super Tuesday
German online pro Leon “RUMUKULUS” Sturm won the Anniversary Edition of the $1,050 Super Tuesday on May 13 for $40,321. Sturm has been a consistent presence in high-stakes online MTTs throughout 2026.
Belgian Player Wins Anniversary Sunday Million
A player using the screen name “metalidsnake” from Belgium took down the Anniversary Series Sunday Million for $107,801. This special edition bumped the buy-in from the standard $109 to $215, switched to a PKO format, and maintained the signature $1 million guarantee.
Dimitrov Denies Astedt
Aleks Dimitrov defeated Sweden’s Niklas Astedt heads-up in the $5,200 Thursday Thrill. Astedt is widely considered one of the greatest online tournament players ever, making any heads-up victory against him a career highlight.
$2.7M+ in Omaha Guarantees
Omaha specialists have more reason than usual to get involved. PokerStars has committed over $2.7 million in guarantees specifically for Omaha variants, including PLO, PLO-5, and Big O formats.
This level of commitment to non-Hold’em formats is notable — Omaha events have historically been treated as side attractions at major series. This time they’re getting proper spotlight.
Why This Series Matters
- $109 into $2M guaranteed: Exceptional value for recreational and aspiring players
- PKO format throughout: Bounties reduce variance and reward aggressive play
- Nearly a month of action: No need to cram everything into a single weekend
- Dense satellite schedule: $11 satellites feeding directly into Main Event seats
If you’re still building your tournament fundamentals, our guide on tournament vs. cash game differences explains the core strategic shifts. For improving your in-game decisions during knockout events, pot odds mental math techniques will sharpen your calculations.
What’s Left on the Schedule?
As of May 22, roughly two weeks of events remain. The three Main Events launched their Day 1 flights on May 24, with some flights extending to May 25. Day 2 and final tables will play out over the following days.
If you want in but the buy-in is steep, the most economical route is through satellites. PokerStars is currently running frequent $11 and $22 feeders directly into the $109 Main Event.