The poker platform is allegedly unable to schedule the upgrade at another time
PokerStars has announced it will not be hosting its Fall Championship of Online Poker (COOP) in the US this year, ending a nine-year streak. The operator cited ongoing “platform upgrades” as the reason for the cancellation, signaling that technical changes and future integrations are underway.
Since launching in the regulated US market in 2016, PokerStars has consistently run both spring and fall COOP festivals, which have become staples of the online tournament calendar. The series has drawn thousands of players each year, offering prize pools that regularly attract attention across state-regulated poker markets. This fall, however, the popular event will not appear on the schedule.
A PokerStars spokesperson acknowledged the disappointment among players but emphasized the need for updates before the operator could deliver the kind of experience the community has come to expect. “COOP has become one of our most popular annual events, and we love seeing the passion and competition it brings to our community,” the spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, we won’t be able to host COOP this year.”
Industry watchers believe the “upgrades” may be tied to broader changes, including the anticipated merger of PokerStars’ Pennsylvania platform with its New Jersey and Michigan pools. There is also speculation about a possible integration with FanDuel, its sister brand under parent company Flutter Entertainment. If completed, such moves could significantly expand liquidity and reshape the competitive US online poker landscape.
The decision comes as a surprise to many, given COOP’s history and prestige. For nearly a decade, players have counted on the series as a chance to compete for large payouts and test their skills against top-level competition. While PokerStars has promised that COOP will return once upgrades are complete, no timeline has yet been provided.
For now, players in the US will have to wait until at least 2025 to see the flagship event make its return, while Ontario’s COOP series is expected to continue as planned.
