PokerStars Open event in Italy makes record debut

The inaugural PokerStars Open event in Campione, Italy, has kicked off the PokerStars 2025 live event schedule with a bang, with the €1,100 Main Event becoming the largest-ever at a standalone PokerStars festival in Italy, attracting a whopping 2,423 entries from 50 countries.

Marking PokerStars' triumphant return to Italy after six years, PokerStars Open Campione attracted players from across Europe and further afield, with big names in attendance including EPT Champions Simon Brandstrom, Giuliano Bendinelli and Arsenii Karmatckii, Sunday Million Anniversary winner Vanessa Kade, and PokerStars Ambassadors Sam Grafton, Barny Boatman, and Alex Romero, all taking to the felt at PokerStars’ brand-new Casinò di Campione poker room for seven days of world-class poker action from 10-16 March.

ADRIAN-SOREL STATE CROWNED MAIN EVENT CHAMPION

The record-breaking Main Event attracted 2,423 entries, where the signs of a bumper turnout were seen from Day 1a with 644 entrants ensuring almost 64% of the guarantee had already been reached. Adrian-Sorel State from Romania bested the field to secure the PokerStars Open trophy and the huge €363,000 first-place prize.

"It was an amazing experience with such huge field, said State after his victory. I'm really happy. Of course, you need to run extremely well to win a tournament, with coolers going your way—like the full-over-full hand at the final table. I'm really grateful for this win."

Meanwhile, the €2,200 High Roller attracted 354 entries with a €679,680 prize pool, with Iceland player Arni Gunnarsson taking down the tournament for €134,560.

"We are thrilled that so many players joined us in Italy to create this fantastic first PokerStars Open tournament," said Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars. "This event not only marks our exciting return to Italy but also sets a strong precedent for our live tournaments in 2025. The enthusiasm, talent, and fun displayed throughout the event have made the Open tournaments unmissable for poker players. We look forward to welcoming everyone at the next stop for the iconic Irish Open next month, and see how the League competition kicks in.”

POKERSTARS LIVE LEAGUE

Campione also marked the launch of the new PokerStars Live League, an exciting new leaderboard component to the 2025 European schedule, which allows players to accumulate points across three different leaderboard tiers according to event buy-in at European events throughout the year. As well as awarding more than €150,000 in buy-ins, the top 30 finishers in the League will get the chance to audition to become a PokerStars Team Pro and travel across the globe wearing the iconic PokerStars patch.

POKERSTARS NEXT EUROPEAN STOP: DUBLIN

PokerStars next major European live stop will be in Dublin for the legendary Irish Open, sponsored by PokerStars. The iconic event, which is Europe’s longest running live series and Ireland’s richest poker, will take place from 10-21 April 2025 at the Royal Dublin Society.

Meanwhile, the PokerStars Open tour will continue to more vibrant European destinations over 2025, bringing huge €1/£1 million guarantees, accessible buy-ins, packed schedules, and a whole lot of mischief at the tables.

- PokerStars Open Monte Carlo: 30 April - 4 May 2025 at Sporting Monte-Carlo.
- PokerStars Open Namur: 28 May – 9 June 2025 at Circus Casino Resort.
- PokerStars Open Malaga: 16-22 June, 2025 at Gran Madrid Casino Torrequebrada.
- PokerStars Open Barcelona: 18-21 August 2025 at Casino Barcelona.
- PokerStars Open Malta: 1-6 October 2025 at InterContinental Malta.
- PokerStars Open Manchester: 20-26 October 2025 at Casino Manchester235.
- PokerStars Open Prague: 3-8 December 2025 at Hilton Hotel Prague.
- PokerStars Open Cannes: 15-21 December 2025 at Casino Barriere Le Croisette.