Batang Metro Poker Challenge 2026: Your Complete Guide

The countdown is on for the 2026 Batang Metro Poker Challenge! Now in its sixth year, the Metro Card Club homegrown festival gets underway on August 7 and runs through August 17.

A fixture on the annual Metro poker calendar, BMPC has grown into one of Metro’s most attractive festivals, and this year’s edition will be juicier with ₱7.95 million in guaranteed prize pools highlighted by a ₱6,000,000 guaranteed Main Event.

Photo: Benhur Ybarsabal – 2025 BMPC champion

First introduced in 2019, BMPC has crowned five Main Event champions through the years: American pro John Francis King (2019), Filipino pro Lester Edoc (2022), Marvin Cerbito (2023), Mark Jerick Almusajin (2024), then Benhur Ybarsabal won it in 2025 for a “dream come true” first title.

The festival has also produced some of Metro’s biggest prizes. During the 2024 edition, BMPC Main Event generated a record ₱8.83 million prize pool, with Almusajin turning his ₱15,000 buy-in into a stunning ₱1,530,000 payday. Last year, Ybarsabal joined in the list of seven-figure winners, banking ₱1,043,300 after conquering a 648-entry field.

The search for the next BMPC champion is about to begin. Who will rise to the throne and become the latest player to add their name into BMPC history?

To take your shot at the title, check out the complete festival schedule and tournament details below.

BMPC Main Event

The BMPC Main Event headlines the schedule featuring a ₱6,000,000 guarantee and five starting flights running from August 12-15, followed by Day 2 on August 16, and the Final Day on August 17. Buy-in is ₱11,000.

For players looking to get in for cheaper, there are three BMPC Main Event Satellites with buy in of just ₱2,400 running on August 11, 13, and 14.

Main Event Structure

All BMPC Events With GTD Prize Pools

In addition to the Main Event, BMPC offers a packed lineup of guaranteed tournaments throughout the festival.

Pre-Event 500K GTD Structure

Looking to build your bankroll before the Main Event? The ₱500,000 Guaranteed Pre-Event is the perfect place to start. With an affordable ₱2,200 buy-in and four starting flights, players have multiple opportunities to turn a small investment into a healthy bankroll for the rest of the series.

NLH 200K GTD Structure

Get your week going with tbe NLH 200K which runs on Monday, August 10. For a ₱3,000 buy-in, players have a chance to get in some practice while hunting down a title.

Survivor Knockout 200K GTD structure

If you enjoy action from the very first hand, the Survivor Knockout delivers. With bounties in play alongside the ₱200,000 guaranteed prize pool, every elimination adds value. Expect aggression from the get-go.

Ladies Showdown Structure

The Ladies Showdown welcomes female players of all levels with a ₱50,000 guaranteed prize pool and free entry. Since its inception at Metro festivals, the turnout has consistently increased resulting in the prize pool to always exceed the guarantee.

Mini High Roller 500K GTD

The Mini High Roller is where the festival’s heavy hitters are expected to gather. Featuring a ₱500,000 guarantee and a ₱16,500 buy-in, it’s the premier side event for players seeking high-stakes action.

Deepstack 200K GTD

On the tail end of the series is the DeepStack which rewards patience and post-flop play with a 200 big blind starting stack and a ₱200,000 guaranteed prize pool. This is a crowd favorite.

The Closer

The festival concludes with The Closer, offering one last shot at a BMPC title and a share of the ₱300,000 guaranteed prize pool. With a ₱4,000 buy-in, it’s the perfect finale to eleven days of tournament action.

Other events also on offer are: Mixed Game NLH/PLO, NLH Turbo, Power Button, and NLH After Dark Turbo. See the schedule below.

We’ll see you at the tables!

BMPC Schedule