Just a few months ago, Sofia Petrova was grinding micro-stakes MTTs late into the night from her home in Bucharest. She didn’t expect much—just a few small bounties and maybe a final table or two. But when the Winter Festival launched across the Stretch Network earlier this year, something changed. She shipped two Progressive Knockouts (PKOs) in one week, and the thrill of stacking bounties faster than she could count them got her hooked. Like thousands of others, she now waits for the next big series to drop.
That wait is over.
Stretch Network has officially announced the Spring Poker Championship (SPC), a massive online poker series running from April 18 to May 5, 2025. With $2,50,000 in guaranteed prize pools spread across 102 events, SPC promises a high-energy poker festival focused heavily on the most thrilling format of modern MTTs: Progressive Knockouts (PKOs).
The Rise of PKOs: Why This Format Rules SPC
The Spring Poker Championship leans hard into the PKO format—with 71 of its 102 tournaments featuring bounty structures. For the uninitiated, PKO (Progressive Knockout) tournaments reward players not only for surviving deep into the event but also for eliminating opponents. Each time you knock someone out, a bounty is credited to your account—and the remaining bounty on your own head increases, making you a juicier target.
It’s poker with a built-in adrenaline rush, and Stretch Network is riding the wave of its growing popularity. Compared to traditional freezeouts or re-entry events, PKOs create more frequent payoffs, dynamic decision-making, and endless highlight-reel hands.
What Makes the Spring Poker Championship Stand Out?
Stretch Network isn’t trying to compete with the biggest brands like PokerStars or GGPoker just yet—but what it offers is raw value and player-focused design. The Spring Poker Championship is accessible and exciting, with buy-ins ranging from $1.10 to $110, making it open to grinders of all levels.
Some unique features of SPC 2025 include:
- 🔹 Diverse formats: While PKOs dominate, players can still find traditional Hold’em, turbo formats, deepstacks, and even mixed games.
- 🔹 Rapid fire and long structure options: Whether you’re in for a quick grind or a long-haul marathon, SPC has event pacing to match your lifestyle.
- 🔹 Low rake structures: In a world where players are increasingly sensitive to rake, Stretch has kept things reasonable.
For small- and mid-stakes players, this series is shaping up to be one of the most value-packed online poker festivals of the year.
The Bigger Picture: Stretch Network’s Global Ambitions
Stretch Network might not be a household name yet, but it’s rapidly expanding. Powering a cluster of regional poker sites, especially across Eastern Europe, South Asia, and Latin America, the network is known for its white-label infrastructure, giving local poker rooms the tools to thrive.
The Spring Poker Championship is more than just another MTT series—it’s Stretch Network’s declaration of intent. By building out marquee events like SPC, Stretch is staking its claim in the competitive world of online tournament poker. The move follows the success of its Winter Festival, which attracted a strong turnout and enthusiastic player feedback.
This time, SPC has bigger guarantees, more variety, and a schedule tailored for global audiences.
What Players Can Expect
From Sofia in Romania to Anil in India, the Spring Poker Championship is a chance to chase glory from the comfort of home. The accessibility, affordable buy-ins, and player-friendly schedule ensure one thing: you don’t need to be a high roller to score big.
And let’s not forget the community building that’s quietly emerging across the Stretch Network. Smaller sites powered by Stretch are increasingly offering leaderboards, exclusive freerolls, and satellite paths to marquee events—meaning there’s value both on and off the main schedule.
If you’re looking to dive into an action-packed, community-driven tournament series this spring, the SPC should be on your radar.
SPC at a Glance
- 🗓 Dates: April 18 – May 5, 2025
- 💰 Guaranteed Prize Pool: $2,50,000
- 🧠 Events: 102 total, with 71 PKOs
- 🎟 Buy-ins: $1.10 to $110
- 🌐 Available on all Stretch Network poker clients
Whether you’re a recreational player hoping to run deep or a seasoned grinder eyeing those juicy bounty payouts, the Spring Poker Championship delivers a tournament experience that feels fresh, fast, and player-first.
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