Last Updated on July 10, 2026 by Bala Kumar
The Aussie Millions Poker Championship is the Southern Hemisphere’s richest and most prestigious poker festival, held annually at Crown Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. Known as the “Vegas of the South,” the series has crowned some of the biggest names in world poker since its debut in 1998 and remains a bucket-list destination for both recreational players and high-stakes professionals.
This guide covers everything you need to know about the Aussie Millions, its history, the most recent 2026 series, what to expect for the upcoming 2027 edition, and how to get involved.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Venue | Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia |
| Most Recent Edition | April 24 – May 10, 2026 |
| Next Edition | 2027 (exact dates to be announced) |
| Number of Events (2026) | 18 tournaments over 18 days |
| 2026 Total Prize Pool | Over AU$22.5 million |
| Main Event Buy-In | AU$10,600 |
| Buy-In Range | AU$1,500 – AU$25,000 |
| Presenting Partner (2026) | CrownBet |
| Official Live Reporting Partner | PokerNews |
| Minimum Age | 18 years, valid passport or photo ID required |
A Look Back: The 2026 Comeback
After a six-year hiatus caused by COVID-19 disruptions and regulatory challenges at Crown Melbourne — including a AU$450 million fine tied to anti-money laundering violations — the Aussie Millions Poker Championship made its long-awaited return to Crown Melbourne, running from April 24 to May 10, 2026.
The comeback was a resounding success. Across 18 days and 18 tournaments, the series generated a prize pool exceeding AU$22.5 million, comfortably surpassing the estimated AU$14 million guarantee that organizers had set going in.
The series opened in dramatic fashion: the Opening Event drew a record 2,144 entries, building a AU$2.78 million prize pool and immediately signaling that the appetite for Aussie Millions poker hadn’t faded during its years away.
The headline event lived up to its billing too. Malcolm Trayner won the 2026 Aussie Millions Main Event for AU$1,382,198 after a three-way ICM deal and a dramatic heads-up comeback. According to PokerNews coverage, the 2026 Main Event field size made it the fifth-largest in the tournament’s history, proof that the Aussie Millions returned to the calendar as strong as ever.
Beyond the Main Event, the series produced feel-good storylines throughout, including a university student who turned a modest buy-in into a life-changing score. Gening Dai took a shot at the AU$1,500 Mystery Bounty event and won the whole thing for over $170,000 — a reminder that the Aussie Millions remains accessible to recreational players chasing a dream run.
2026 Aussie Millions Full Event Schedule
The 2026 series ran across 18 events between April 24 and May 10, 2026. Below is the confirmed schedule based on official tournament tracking data, including buy-ins, dates, and guarantees where published:
| # | Event | Dates (2026) | Buy-In (AUD) | Guarantee |
| 1 | Opening Event | Apr 24 – Apr 28 | 1,500 | AU$1,000,000 |
| 2 | H.O.R.S.E. | Apr 25 | 2,500 | — |
| 3 | $5K Six-Max | Apr 27 – Apr 28 | 5,000 | — |
| 4 | Mystery Bounty | Apr 28 – Apr 30 | 1,500 | — |
| 5 | Hyper Turbo NLH | Apr 28 | 1,500 | — |
| 6 | NLH / PLO | Apr 29 | 1,500 | — |
| 8 | $5,000 Challenge | May 1 – May 2 | 5,000 | — |
| 9 | $25,000 Challenge | May 3 – May 4 | 25,000 | — |
| 11 | Aussie Millions Main Event | May 4 – May 10 | 10,600 | — |
Note: this reflects the confirmed events available through official tournament tracking as of publication. The full 18-event lineup also included additional side events (event numbers 7, 10, and 12–18) covering further NLH, PLO, and mixed-game formats; exact buy-ins for those weren’t part of the primary published data set. For the complete, continuously updated schedule, check Crown Melbourne’s official tournament calendar linked at the bottom of this page.
Across the tracked events, the 2026 Aussie Millions drew 3,473 total entries and generated a combined prize pool of AU$3,967,815 across its guaranteed events, contributing to the AU$22.5 million figure reported for the series overall once all 18 events and their satellites are factored in.
Structure Notes
Most 2026 tournaments used a modern shot clock system, giving players 30 seconds to act, tightening to 15 seconds for preflop decisions from Day 3 of the Main Event onward. The majority of events also featured a Big Blind Ante structure rather than traditional antes.
Tournament Formats and Schedule
The 2026 series offered something for every type of player, from recreational grinders to the world’s top high-stakes specialists. The schedule included a total of 18 different events, with buy-ins ranging from AU$1,500 all the way up to the AU$25,000 super high roller level. Alongside classic No-Limit Hold’em events, players could compete in technical variants such as H.O.R.S.E., 8-Game, and the increasingly popular Mystery Bounty format.
The undisputed centerpiece of the series is the Main Event, an AU$10,600 buy-in spectacle that draws the world’s most recognizable professional players alongside amateurs chasing Southern Hemisphere glory.
How to Qualify: Satellites and Pathways
One of the reasons the Aussie Millions has always punched above its weight in terms of accessibility is its extensive satellite structure. The road to the AU$10,600 Main Event begins with Milestone Phase 1 satellites for a buy-in of just AU$85, with players able to progress through Phase 2 (AU$280) and Phase 3 (AU$1,150) steps. For players who want a faster route, nightly “Midnight Mega Satellite” tournaments run for AU$250, alongside classic Rebuy satellites at AU$240 entry plus a AU$100 rebuy.
Historically, satellites have been the backbone of Main Event participation. More than half of the 2019 Main Event field qualified through satellites, underlining just how important these smaller buy-in pathways are for everyday players hoping to compete for a seven-figure top prize.
The Venue: Crown Melbourne
Crown Melbourne isn’t just a casino, it’s a full destination experience built around the tournament. The poker room sits on Level 1 of the casino and operates as a high-production arena with professional dealers, dedicated tournament directors, and a sophisticated waitlist system, all run under strict Crown PlaySafe responsible gambling guidelines.
For players traveling in for the series, on-site accommodation options include Crown Towers for six-star luxury, the modern and chic Crown Metropol, and the contemporary Crown Promenade, with VIP poker packages often bundling in these stays. The casino operates 24/7, closing only briefly between 4 AM and 12 PM on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and ANZAC Day.
Entry Requirements
Players must be at least 18 years old and provide a valid passport or photographic identification to enter the casino and participate in tournaments. Crown Melbourne has also introduced Rewards Card requirements for play, which allow players to set personal time and loss limits as part of its responsible gambling framework.
What’s Happening in the Next 3 Months (July–October 2026)
Since the Aussie Millions itself won’t return until 2027, here’s what’s live on the global poker calendar right now for players who don’t want to wait. This is useful both for players building their travel calendar and for readers tracking the broader tournament landscape the Aussie Millions sits within:
| Tournament | Dates | Location |
| WSOP 2026 (final stretch) | Through Jul 15, 2026 | Horseshoe/Paris Las Vegas, USA |
| Hendon Mob Championship (THMC) | Jul 8 – 12, 2026 | Dusk Till Dawn, Nottingham, UK |
| WSOP Circuit – Horseshoe Las Vegas | Jul 14 – 25, 2026 | Las Vegas, USA |
| Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open | Jul 28 – Aug 11, 2026 | Hollywood, Florida, USA |
| WSOP Circuit – Olympic Park Casino | Jul 24 – Aug 4, 2026 | Tallinn, Estonia |
| Venetian DeepStack Showdown | Aug 3 – 31, 2026 | The Venetian, Las Vegas, USA |
| European Poker Tour (EPT) stop | From Aug 16, 2026 | Location varies |
| Triton Poker Super High Roller Series | From Sep 4, 2026 | Location varies |
| Irish Open | From Sep 6, 2026 | Dublin, Ireland |
| Battle of Malta (Slovakia leg) | Sep 7 – 14, 2026 | Card Casino, Slovakia |
| UK Poker Championship (UKPC) | From Sep 9, 2026 | Dusk Till Dawn, Nottingham, UK |
| Vamos Poker Tour | Aug 28 – Sep 7, 2026 | Various European stops |
| Gleneagle Irish Poker Tour | Sep 1 – 30, 2026 | Killarney, Ireland |
| PLO Masters | Sep 26 – Oct 1, 2026 | Nairobi, Kenya |
| PartyPoker Spain | Oct 5 – 11, 2026 | Castellón, Spain |
| 888poker LIVE Series | From Oct 8, 2026 | Location varies |
| Kings of Tallinn | From Oct 9, 2026 | Tallinn, Estonia |
| Irish Poker Open (IPO) | From Oct 20, 2026 | Ireland |
For Australian and Asia-Pacific-based players specifically, the region’s major festivals in this window include APT and USOP stops across Vietnam, the Philippines, South Korea, and Taiwan, with most major Asian tours such as APT and USOP releasing their full schedules three to six months in advance, so exact October dates for some of these are still pending confirmation.
This calendar reflects the broader live poker scene — it does not replace the Aussie Millions schedule above, since the series itself is not running during this window.
Registration and Getting There
Registration
Players must register in person at the registration desk in the poker room, located on Level 1 of Crown Melbourne. Participation requires a valid Crown Rewards membership card (which players can sign up for on-site) plus photographic identification such as a passport. All entry fees are paid strictly in Australian Dollars on-site.
Getting to Crown Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport sits roughly 25 kilometers from the city center, with SkyBus express services and taxis offering the most convenient routes into the city. Once you’re in town, trams within Melbourne’s central business district are free to ride under the Free Tram Zone, making it easy and cheap to move between the casino and the city’s other attractions.
Beyond the Felt
For players wanting downtime between sessions, Melbourne highlights include Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the historic Queen Victoria Market, all within easy reach of Crown Melbourne’s Southbank location.
What to Expect for the 2027 Aussie Millions
Crown Melbourne has officially confirmed that the Aussie Millions Poker Championship will return in 2027, though exact dates, schedule, and buy-in structure have not yet been released. Based on the 2026 relaunch, here’s what players can reasonably anticipate:
Timing
The 2026 series ran in the April–May window rather than the traditional January slot, a scheduling shift that positioned Aussie Millions uniquely on the international calendar, potentially avoiding conflicts with European and American series while taking advantage of Melbourne’s pleasant autumn weather. Expect the 2027 edition to follow a similar autumn timeframe unless Crown announces otherwise.
Online Qualifying
While the 2026 series did feature some online satellites, expectations are that the 2027 Aussie Millions will expand online qualifying opportunities further, potentially through partnerships with platforms like GGPoker or WPT Global, both of which are accessible across many regions where players view Aussie Millions as a premier destination event.
Format Growth
Given the strong turnout and prize pools in 2026, it’s reasonable to expect a similar or expanded 18-event schedule, with the AU$10,600 Main Event again anchoring the series.
Crown Melbourne has invited interested players to stay updated directly through its official channels: players can join Crown’s Poker Community, which has over 5,000 members, or reach out directly via AussieMillions@crownresorts.com.au for updates as they’re released.
A Brief History of the Aussie Millions
The Aussie Millions has one of the most storied histories in world poker. Poker at Crown was introduced in June 1997, with the first major championship held the following year, a AU$1,000 buy-in Limit Hold’em tournament that attracted 74 entries and a AU$74,000 prize pool.
The series grew rapidly over the following decade. By 2003 it had attracted international players and reached 122 entrants with a AU$1.2 million prize pool, and by 2007 it had set a then-record of 747 players generating AU$7.47 million. The tournament’s peak attendance came in 2019, when the Main Event attracted a record 822 players for a AU$8.22 million prize pool, the year before the series went on its extended hiatus.
The Aussie Millions is also famous for pioneering some of poker’s largest-ever buy-in events. The high-roller trend began in 2006 with the launch of the AU$100,000 No Limit Hold’em Challenge, at the time billed as the highest buy-in event in tournament poker history. By 2011, organizers had gone even further with a AU$250,000 buy-in event, which drew legends of the game including Phil Ivey, Erik Seidel, and Tom Dwan.
Why Players Travel for the Aussie Millions
Beyond the prize pools, the Aussie Millions carries a prestige that’s hard to replicate elsewhere on the poker calendar. Players from countries like Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian nations — where online poker access is often restricted, tend to view the Aussie Millions as a premier destination tournament, combining the appeal of high-level competition with Melbourne’s draw as a travel destination in its own right.
For many players, the tournament has also served as a genuine career launchpad. The series has historically been a springboard for poker careers, with numerous online qualifiers making deep runs and even winning major events outright, a tradition the 2026 comeback carried forward in style.
Final Thoughts
The Aussie Millions Poker Championship has earned its place among the world’s most respected poker festivals, and its 2026 comeback proved that six years away did nothing to dim its appeal. From the AU$85 satellite pathways that give recreational players a shot at glory, to the AU$10,600 Main Event that draws the biggest names in the game, the series offers something for every type of player at Crown Melbourne.
With the 2027 edition already confirmed but still awaiting an official schedule, now is the time to start planning, whether that means budgeting for a buy-in, mapping out satellite qualifiers, or simply booking flights to Melbourne. Because official 2027 dates haven’t been released yet, the best way to stay current is directly through Crown Melbourne’s official poker channels and trusted live-reporting partners like PokerNews, who have covered the festival since 2007. Bookmark this page, we’ll update it the moment new details on the 2027 Aussie Millions Poker Championship are confirmed.
FAQs
When is the next Aussie Millions Poker Championship?
Crown Melbourne has confirmed the Aussie Millions will return in 2027, but exact dates haven’t been announced yet. Based on the 2026 comeback, an April–May timeframe is likely.
How much does it cost to enter the Aussie Millions Main Event?
The Main Event carries a AU$10,600 buy-in. Players who don’t want to pay that directly can work their way in through satellites starting at AU$85.
Where are the Aussie Millions held?
The tournament is held at Crown Melbourne, located at 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia — the same venue that has hosted the series since its debut in 1998.
Who won the 2026 Aussie Millions Main Event?
Malcolm Trayner won the 2026 Main Event for AU$1,382,198 after a three-way ICM deal and a dramatic heads-up comeback.
Do I need to qualify to play in the Aussie Millions, or can I just buy in directly?
Both options are available. Players can pay the full buy-in for any event directly, or qualify through the satellite structure, which has historically accounted for over half the Main Event field in past editions.
