The highly anticipated return of the Aussie Millions poker tournament is officially on the horizon, with Crown Melbourne confirming the event’s comeback for the first time since 2020. Scheduled to take place from 24 April through 10 May 2026, the iconic series will reenter the global poker calendar after a six-year absence, bringing with it 18 tournaments and a projected AU$14 million (approximately US$9 million) in total prize pools.

Spanning just over two weeks, the 2026 series will offer a range of tournament buy-ins from AU$1,500 (US$970) to AU$25,000 (US$16,000), catering to a wide spectrum of players—from seasoned pros to ambitious amateurs. Leading the lineup is the distinguished AU$10,600 (US$6,900) Main Event, a title that has helped define some of poker’s most illustrious careers.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming Aussie Millions back to Crown Melbourne after six years,” said Crown Melbourne CEO Ed Domingo, according to Poker News. “The return of Aussie Millions is not just a celebration of poker, it’s a celebration of Crown and the world-class experiences we offer our guests.”

A Rich History and Global Appeal

The Aussie Millions has long stood as one of the premier events in international poker. Launched in 1998 with just 74 participants and a modest prize pool of AU$74,000, the event quickly gained traction among the world’s poker elite. By the mid-2000s, it had solidified its reputation as the must-play tournament of the Southern Hemisphere, drawing hundreds of players each year to Melbourne’s Crown Casino.

Its appeal wasn’t just about the stakes or the structure—it was the experience. Offering players a chance to escape to the Australian summer while competing in a professionally run, high-caliber environment, the event became an annual highlight.

The Main Event routinely attracted between 700 and 800 participants during its peak years, and notable champions such as Bryn Kenney, Ari Engel, and Toby Lewis have each left their mark on the tournament’s rich legacy.

In 2007, Gus Hansen’s win became particularly memorable, as he chronicled every hand en route to victory in his book Every Hand Revealed, which remains a touchstone in poker literature. Meanwhile, the high-roller segment of the festival became legendary in its own right, with Phil Ivey famously dominating the AU$250,000 Challenge event, claiming the title three times over five years.

Resurgence After Uncertainty and Institutional Change

After the 2020 series concluded, the Aussie Millions quietly disappeared from the international poker scene. What was initially believed to be a temporary halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic turned into an indefinite suspension amid a series of upheavals at Crown Resorts.

In mid-2022, American private equity firm Blackstone Group finalized an AU$8.9 billion acquisition of Crown Resorts. However, just two months later, Crown Melbourne faced sweeping reforms following the Bergin Inquiry, which uncovered troubling allegations including “money laundering, links to organized crime, and poor governance practices” at Crown’s Sydney operations. These findings ushered in stringent new regulations across Crown’s properties.

The following year brought further disappointment for poker enthusiasts, as Crown Melbourne ceased hosting poker tournaments altogether, casting serious doubt on whether the Aussie Millions would ever return. However, tournament poker quietly made a reappearance in early 2024, sparking fresh speculation that the Aussie Millions might soon follow.

These rumors have now been confirmed, with Crown Melbourne officially committing to the return of its flagship poker series.