Aussie Millions 2026 All Set For High-Octane Action

By Mrinal Gujare

27 Apr 2026

Mrinal Gujare 27 Apr 2026

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Aussie Millions returns to Crown Melbourne, April-May 2026.
Festival features 18 events, AUD$14M total prize pool.
Main Event AUD$10,600, a historic pinnacle for poker.

Image Credit: Pokernews

The legendary Aussie Millions poker tournament returns to Crown Melbourne from 24 April to 10 May, 2026. After a six-year hiatus, the festival features 18 events and a massive AUD$14,000,000 prize pool, headlined by the iconic AUD$10,600 Main Event.

The international poker community is buzzing with excitement as one of the most prestigious fixtures on the global circuit prepares for a triumphant comeback.

After a long six-year hiatus that left a notable void in the professional calendar, the Aussie Millions is officially scheduled to return to Crown Melbourne from 24 April to 10 May, 2026.

The 2026 series is designed to be a massive affair, featuring a line-up of 18 individual tournaments. Organizers have raised the stakes with an ambitious estimated total prize pool of AUD$14,000,000 (approximately US$9,000,000).

To ensure the festival remains accessible to a diverse range of enthusiasts, buy-ins start at a competitive AUD$1,500 (US$970) and scale up to AUD$25,000 (US$16,000) for the high-stakes contenders.

The Crown Jewel: The Main Event

The undisputed centerpiece of the schedule is the legendary AUD$10,600 (US$6,900) Main Event. This specific tournament carries a storied history of attracting the elite of the poker world, crowning champions who have become household names.

"We are thrilled to be welcoming Aussie Millions back to Crown Melbourne after six years," stated Crown Melbourne CEO Ed Domingo.

He emphasized that the revival is more than just a card game; it is a celebration of the world-class hospitality and guest experiences that define the Crown brand.

A Legacy of Greatness

The Aussie Millions began as a humble "grassroots" story in 1998, with only 74 players competing for a total prize pool of AUD$74,000. By the mid-2000s, it evolved into a "must-attend" global destination.

The lure of the Australian sun combined with the luxury setting of Crown Melbourne created a perfect environment for both casual local players and international pros.

During its peak years, the Main Event consistently saw fields of 700 to 800 entrants, solidifying its status as the most significant poker event in the Southern Hemisphere.

Early Action: Opening Events and Early Results

The 2026 festival is already delivering high-intensity action. In the $1,500 Opening Event, the competition has been fierce.

Notably, WSOP Main Event champion Michael Mizrachi landed in Melbourne on Saturday but faced a tough start.

After an early exit in the H.O.R.S.E. event, Mizrachi was eliminated from the Opening Event by Tom Pearce just before the dinner break.

Meanwhile, the $5,000 Six-Max Event is closing in on 200 entries. As Level 7 concluded, 184 players had entered Day 1, with 110 still standing. Late registration remains open until the second level of Day 2, promising an even larger prize pool.

H.O.R.S.E. Event Demands Extra Day

The festival’s first mixed-game event, the AUD$2,500 H.O.R.S.E., proved so popular that it required an additional day of play. Originally intended as a single-day tournament, the 64-entry field created a $144,000 prize pool, forcing an extension to Sunday.

Only 18 players remain in the hunt for the AUD$43,200 top prize. Leading the charge is Sascha Manns, who holds a commanding stack and strong momentum following his recent H.O.R.S.E. Championship win at the Irish Open.

Closely trailing him are Nathanial Hutton (263,000) and Matthew Ginn (236,000), both looking to secure the first title of the 2026 Aussie Millions.