The summer of 2025 has been nothing short of historic for women in poker. From breaking barriers on the game’s most prestigious stages to thriving in women-only festivals, female players are proving they can dominate anywhere the cards are in the air.

It all began with a milestone moment in May, when Xuan Liu captured the $25,000 WPT Global Slam in Montenegro for $860,000. In doing so, Liu etched her name into the history books as the first woman ever to win a Triton Poker title — a feat that resonates across the high-stakes poker world.

Soon after, Jenny Westerlund made headlines of her own. She stormed to victory in the WSOP Circuit Main Event in Tallinn, pocketing €200,200 and becoming the first woman to ever win a WSOP-C Main Event. Westerlund’s heater didn’t stop there: she went on to win the Queens of Tallinn Opener, proving her Tallinn triumph was far from a one-off.

Across the Irish Sea, Kitty Kerwick was adding her name to the winner’s list. She conquered the Irish Poker Tour Portlaoise €30k Gtd Saturday Event, scooping €2,570 and the coveted trophy.

And the momentum just kept rolling. In Glasgow, Zhen Zhen emerged victorious in the £500 Main Event at the 2025 PartyPoker Tour, outlasting the field to claim the £22,500 first prize.

Beyond the open fields, women-only festivals are thriving too. PokerStars hosted its second Women’s Festival this summer, with ambassador Jen Shahade leading the charge by winning the Main Event. These festivals not only spotlight elite talent but also build welcoming spaces for more women to find their place in the game.

From Montenegro to Tallinn, from Portlaoise to Glasgow, women have been crushing it at poker festivals. The results send a clear message: the game is changing, the stage is bigger, and women are making sure their names are on the trophies.