The inaugural PokerStars Open event in Campione, Italy, has made a thunderous debut, kicking off the PokerStars 2025 live event schedule in unprecedented style. The €1,100 Main Event shattered records, drawing an astounding 2,423 entries from 50 countries—the largest turnout ever for a standalone PokerStars festival in Italy.
After a six-year hiatus, PokerStars’ triumphant return to Italy was met with immense enthusiasm. Players from across Europe and beyond gathered at the newly minted Casinò di Campione poker room for seven thrilling days of poker action, held from March 10-16. Among the notable attendees were European Poker Tour (EPT) champions Simon Brandstrom, Giuliano Bendinelli, and Arsenii Karmatckii, alongside celebrated stars such as Sunday Million Anniversary winner Vanessa Kade and PokerStars Ambassadors Sam Grafton, Barny Boatman, and Alex Romero.
Adrian-Sorel State Clinches Historic Main Event Title
The record-breaking Main Event delivered spectacular action, with 644 entries on Day 1a alone covering nearly 64% of the guarantee. Emerging victorious after besting the massive field was Romania’s Adrian-Sorel State, who captured the coveted PokerStars Open trophy and claimed an impressive €363,000 first-place prize.
Reflecting on his win, State said: “It was an amazing experience to compete in such a massive field. I’m incredibly happy and grateful for this victory. Of course, you need some luck to win, and moments like the full-over-full hand at the final table were pivotal.”
High Stakes and Bigger Wins
The €2,200 High Roller event added to the tournament’s prestige, attracting 354 entries to create a prize pool of €679,680. Iceland’s Arni Gunnarsson emerged victorious, earning €134,560 and cementing his reputation as a high-stakes competitor.
PokerStars Celebrates Campione’s Success
Cédric Billot, Associate Director of Live Events Operations at PokerStars, shared his excitement: “We are thrilled to see such overwhelming support for the first-ever PokerStars Open event in Campione. This tournament has set the tone for an exciting year of live events, combining top-notch competition with an unbeatable atmosphere. We’re looking forward to the next stop in our calendar, the legendary Irish Open, and seeing how the Live League unfolds.”
Introducing the PokerStars Live League
The Campione event also marked the debut of the PokerStars Live League, a thrilling new addition to the 2025 European schedule. This leaderboard system allows players to accumulate points across three tiers based on event buy-ins, with over €150,000 in prizes at stake. The top 30 finishers will earn the chance to audition for a coveted spot as a PokerStars Team Pro, donning the iconic patch on a global stage.
Next Up: Dublin for the Irish Open
The PokerStars live tour continues next month with the iconic Irish Open, Europe’s longest-running live poker series and Ireland’s richest poker event. Running from April 10-21 at the Royal Dublin Society, it promises another unforgettable chapter in PokerStars’ stellar 2025 schedule.
Further stops for the PokerStars Open include vibrant destinations like Monte Carlo, Namur, Malaga, Barcelona, Malta, Manchester, Prague, and Cannes, each boasting €1/£1 million guarantees, accessible buy-ins, and packed schedules.
