Irish poker professional David Lappin has been announced as the newest ambassador for PokerStars, following his impressive performance in the 2025 PokerStars Live League. This appointment underscores PokerStars' commitment to recognizing and promoting talent from within the poker community.
Table of Contents
- The Path to Ambassadorship
- The Impact of the PokerStars Live League
- Lappin's Departure from WPT Global
- The Future with PokerStars
- Conclusion
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Lappin's journey to this prestigious role is a testament to his dedication and skill in the game. His consistent performances throughout the Live League not only earned him a top-ten finish but also caught the attention of PokerStars' selection panel. This move is significant, as it highlights the evolving pathways for players to ascend to ambassadorial roles within major poker platforms.
The Path to Ambassadorship
David Lappin's ascent to becoming a PokerStars ambassador was anything but conventional. His journey began with the 2025 PokerStars Live League, a year-long competition that awarded points based on players' performances across various live events. Lappin's consistent results secured him a spot in the top ten of the Low leaderboard, making him eligible for the ambassador selection process.
The selection process was rigorous. The top ten finishers from each of the three leaderboards—High, Medium, and Low—were invited to submit audition tapes. A panel of PokerStars judges then evaluated these submissions to determine the most suitable candidate for the ambassador role. Lappin's authentic voice and deep connection with the poker community resonated with the panel, leading to his selection.
This approach to selecting an ambassador is noteworthy. It emphasizes PokerStars' dedication to recognizing and promoting talent from within its own ecosystem, providing players with tangible incentives to engage deeply with the platform's live events.
The Impact of the PokerStars Live League
The PokerStars Live League has emerged as a pivotal component of the brand's live event strategy. Launched in 2025, the league was designed to reward consistency and volume across the European live events calendar. With over €250,000 in prizes, the league offers players a structured pathway to achieve recognition and rewards.
The league is divided into three tiers based on buy-in levels:
- High Tier: For tournaments with buy-ins of €4,900 and above.
- Medium Tier: For tournaments with buy-ins between €1,000 and €5,500.
- Low Tier: For tournaments with buy-ins of €1,200 and below.
Each tier has its own leaderboard, with the top performers receiving substantial PokerStars LIVE credits. Additionally, the top 30 finishers from each leaderboard qualify for a €100,000 freeroll tournament, adding another layer of excitement and competition.
This structure not only incentivizes participation across various buy-in levels but also ensures that players of all bankrolls have opportunities to compete for significant rewards.
Lappin's Departure from WPT Global
Prior to joining PokerStars, David Lappin was associated with WPT Global. However, in January 2026, Lappin and his podcast co-host Dara O’Kearney announced their departure from WPT Global. The decision was prompted by WPT Global's signing of Ren Lin as an ambassador—a move that Lappin and O’Kearney found untenable due to Lin's controversial past.
In a joint statement, they expressed that the signing "came as a shock" and that continuing their association with WPT Global was "untenable" given their personal views on the matter. This principled stance was met with respect within the poker community, highlighting Lappin's commitment to integrity.
The Future with PokerStars
As a newly appointed PokerStars ambassador, David Lappin is set to represent the brand at flagship events such as the European Poker Tour (EPT) and PokerStars Open stops throughout 2026. His role will involve engaging with the poker community, promoting the brand's values, and contributing to the growth of the game.
Lappin's appointment is a strategic move by PokerStars to align with ambassadors who genuinely resonate with the player base. His deep roots in the live poker scene and respected voice make him a natural fit for this role.
Conclusion
David Lappin's journey from a dedicated player to a PokerStars ambassador underscores the evolving opportunities within the poker world. The PokerStars Live League has proven to be an effective platform for recognizing and promoting talent, offering players clear pathways to achieve significant milestones.
For aspiring poker professionals, Lappin's story serves as an inspiration. It highlights the importance of consistency, integrity, and active engagement within the poker community. As the 2026 PokerStars Live League unfolds, players have more reasons than ever to participate, compete, and potentially follow in Lappin's footsteps.
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