After a six-year hiatus, the legendary Aussie Millions poker tournament is making its grand return to Crown Melbourne, and poker enthusiasts worldwide couldn’t be more excited. Set to run from April 24 to May 10, 2026, this iconic event is back on the global poker calendar with an impressive 18 tournaments and a projected AU$14 million (approx. US$9 million) in total prize pools. Players from all over the globe are gearing up to compete for poker glory in one of the most prestigious poker festivals in the Southern Hemisphere.
Crown Melbourne’s CEO Ed Domingo expressed the excitement: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Aussie Millions back to Crown Melbourne after six years. 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,” he said, according to sources.
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Aussie Millions: 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 ” at Crown’s Sydney operations. These findings ushered in stringent new regulations across Crown’s properties.
The following year brought further disappointment for poke“money laundering, links to organized crime, and poor governance practicesr 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. The return of the Aussie Millions to the global poker calendar will undoubtedly be a major event for the poker community and a highlight of the 2026 poker season.
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The Bottom Line
The revival of the Aussie Millions poker tournament is more than just a return to the poker scene—it marks the rebirth of an event that has shaped the poker world for nearly three decades. With a rich history, a legacy of unforgettable moments, and a massive prize pool, the 2026 series is set to captivate poker players and fans alike. Crown Melbourne’s commitment to bringing back this iconic event speaks volumes about the future of poker in Australia, and the 2026 series is bound to be one for the history books. Get ready to witness the comeback of the century!