- Why APT Jeju Classic Is the Perfect Start to 2026
- ~$1.5M GTD APT Jeju Classic Main Event
- Mega Satellites to the $1,567 APT Main Event (Live Day 1)
- $1,567 APT Main Event OnLive Day 1 (Skip Straight to Live Day 3)
- Qualify to the $580 APT National Cup 2026 Online
- $50,000 Bonus to APT Jeju Classic 2026 Main Event Winner
- Target Stack Satellites (Fastest Way In)
- Final Thoughts: Why You Shouldn’t Miss APT Jeju Classic 2026
The Asian Poker Tour is officially kicking off its 2026 season in Jeju, South Korea, and if you love live poker, sunshine, and value-packed tournaments, this is one stop you really don’t want to miss.
From 30th Jan - 8th Feb 2026, APT Jeju Classic is set to bring together players from all over the world, huge guarantees, and some of the best live events out there. Whether you’re a seasoned live grinder or someone dreaming of their first international poker trip, Jeju is one of the best places to start the year.
Even better? You can qualify from home on Natural8, potentially for just a few dollars, and still have a shot at the ~$1.5M GTD Main Event plus an exclusive $50,000 bonus for Natural8 qualifiers.
Why APT Jeju Classic Is the Perfect Start to 2026
Jeju isn’t just another poker stop. It’s visa-friendly for many nationalities, flights from Asia are affordable, and the cost of living is far lower than Macau or Europe. Add that to APT’s strong structure and deep fields, and you’ve got one of the best EV live poker trips of the year.
APT Jeju Classic 2026 offers:
Massive guarantees with affordable buy-ins
Multiple ways to qualify online
A scenic destination that doesn’t break the bankroll
Extra value via Natural8-exclusive satellites and bonuses
If you’ve ever told yourself, “I’ll play a live APT one day”—this is that day.
~$1.5M GTD APT Jeju Classic Main Event
The crown jewel of the series is back and bigger than ever.
Buy-in: $1,567
Guaranteed Prize Pool: ~$1.5 million
Live Day 1 starts: 1 February 2026
This is the first APT Main Event of 2026, and historically, opening stops attract massive fields and soft early-level action. The structure is player-friendly, the payouts are meaningful, and the atmosphere is exactly what you want for a flagship tournament.
The best part? You don’t have to be in Jeju yet to secure your seat.
Mega Satellites to the $1,567 APT Main Event (Live Day 1)
If you’re looking for the best balance of affordability and speed, Mega Satellites are your go-to option.
$35 / $200 Mega Satellites Schedule
| Date | Time (HKT) | Buy-In | Guaranteed Seats/Packages |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Dec 2025 | 8:00 p.m. | $35 / $200 | 1 Seat / 5 Seats |
| 28 Dec 2025 | 8:00 p.m. | $35 / $200 | 2 Seats / 8 Seats |
| 4 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $35 / $200 | 2 Seats/ 10 Seats |
| 11 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $35 / $200 | 2 Packages / 10 Packages |
| 18 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $35 / $200 | 3 Seats / 12 Seats |
| 25 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $35 / $200 | 3 Seats/ 15 Seats |
| 26 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $200 | 2 Seats |
| 27 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $200 | 2 Seats |
| 28 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $200 | 2 Seats |
| 29 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $200 | 2 Seats |
| 30 Jan 2026 | 8:00 p.m. | $200 | 2 Seats |
*Packages include 1 x Main Event Day 1 seat + $500 Natural8 credits.
**The event schedule and guarantees are subject to change. Please check the tournament lobby for the latest update, and just in case Natural8 adds extra seats. .
Step Satellites to Live Day 1
Want to start even cheaper?
Buy-ins: $3.50 / $20
Format: Step satellites feeding into Mega Satellites
Availability: Every day, with expanded weekend hours
This is ideal if you like building momentum instead of firing bigger bullets.
$1,567 APT Main Event OnLive Day 1 (Skip Straight to Live Day 3)
This is hands-down one of the most popular qualification formats.
How it works:
Play Day 1 online
Bag chips by surviving to the end
Skip Live Day 2
Fly to Jeju and resume directly on Live Day 3
OnLive Day 1 Schedule
| Date | Time (HKT) | Buy-In |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Jan 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | $1,567 |
| 11 Jan 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | $1,567 |
| 18 Jan 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | $1,567 |
| 25 Jan 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | $1,567 |
This format is perfect if:
You want fewer live day
You’re traveling on a budget
You value chip preservation and convenience
Satellites to OnLive Day 1
$200 Mega Satellites
Saturday: 3 seats GTD
Sunday: 5 seats GTD
$20 Step Satellites
Run daily with multiple time slots
Feed directly into $200 Megas
Qualify to the $580 APT National Cup 2026 Online
The APT National Cup is back—and it’s one of the most accessible live events in the series.
Buy-in: $580
Online qualification from: $8
$80 Mega Satellites Schedule
| Date | Time (HKT) | Buy-In | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Jan 2026 | 9:00 p.m. | $80 | 5 |
| 11 Jan 2026 | 9:00 p.m. | $80 | 5 |
| 18 Jan 2026 | 9:00 p.m. | $80 | |
| 25 Jan 2026 | 9:00 p.m. | $80 | 5 |
$8 Step Satellites
Start from 29 December 2025
Hourly schedules all week
One of the softest entry points into live APT poker
$50,000 Bonus to APT Jeju Classic 2026 Main Event Winner
Here’s where things get really spicy.
If you:
Qualify for the Main Event via Natural8 Mega Satellites
Or buy in directly online via Natural8
And go on to win the APT Jeju Classic 2026 Main Event…
You’ll receive an additional $50,000 in Natural8 credits.
This bonus is exclusive. No onsite buy-ins. No live qualifiers. Just Natural8 players.
For pros and amateurs alike, this turns Jeju into a massive EV opportunity.
Target Stack Satellites (Fastest Way In)
Target Stack Satellites are perfect if you hate long bubble play.
Hit the target chip stack
Instantly win a seat
No need to play to the end
Fast. Clean. Efficient.
Final Thoughts: Why You Shouldn’t Miss APT Jeju Classic 2026
APT Jeju Classic isn’t just another poker stop—it’s one of the best value live series in Asia.
If you’ve ever wanted to turn a small online buy-in into a real-life poker adventure—this is it.
