WPT Prime Gold Coast: A Thrilling Start and an Exciting Road Ahead

Eight days in, and the 2025 WPT Prime Gold Coast festival has already delivered incredible action, unforgettable moments, and awarded some lofty prizes! 

With 12 of the 24 events now in the books, the competition has been fierce, and the trophy display is slowly starting to diminish. Among the standout performances, Johan Lees kicked off the festival in style, winning the Opening Event and securing the first $6,000 WPT Prime Championship package to the Wynn in Las Vegas, alongside his $65,981 payday. Craig Blight also made waves with a commanding victory in the $2,500 NLH Challenge, pocketing nearly $75,000. Meanwhile, Ridge Grimsey’s bounty hunting prowess saw him amass $56,700 in bounties to go with his fourth-place finish, while Bobby Zhang emerged victorious in the same event, claiming more than $61,000 and another WPT Prime Championship package.

The past week has seen a mix of seasoned pros and rising stars etching their names into WPT history. Kelvin Li’s triumph in the Monster Stack event, Ricardo Bono’s dominance in the PLO, and Zachary Reinbold’s impressive PLO High Roller win showcased the deep talent pool here at The Star Gold Coast, with more players arriving each day. Harrison Evans also proved his speed and skill, taking down the Hyper Turbo event and adding a WPT trophy to his collection after a number of final table appearances already. As the Player of the Festival race heats up, Craig Blight currently holds the top spot, but with plenty of action left, the leaderboard remains wide open.

Now, all eyes turn to the marquee event – the WPT Prime Gold Coast Championship. The first of four Day 1 flights begins today, and after last year’s record-breaking turnout of 1,395 entries and a $2.5 million prize pool, expectations are sky-high. With a stacked field expected and a life-changing first-place prize up for grabs, the stage is set for an unforgettable conclusion to what has already been a spectacular festival.