Aussie Millions Poker Championship Returns to Crown Melbourne

The Aussie Millions Poker Championship is back. After a six-year absence, one of the most recognised poker festivals in the Southern Hemisphere has returned to Crown Melbourne, running from April 24 through May 10, 2026. The tournament brings 18 events across 17 days, a newly designed poker room, and a combined prize pool estimated at AU$14 million.

A Six-Year Wait Comes to an End

The last time the Aussie Millions Poker Championship ran at Crown Melbourne was in 2020. Its absence left a noticeable gap in the international poker calendar, and its return has drawn significant attention from both local players and the global poker community. Organisers have positioned the 2026 edition as a major moment for the sport, not just another annual series.

The tournament takes place in a newly designed poker room at Crown, adding a fresh layer to an already storied venue. Buy-ins across the festival range from AU$1,500 to AU$25,000, making it accessible to a wide range of players while still catering to high-stakes competition at the top end.

The Opening Event Sets the Tone

The series kicked off with the AU$1,500 Opening Event, which carries a guaranteed prize pool of AU$1 million. Players started with 40,000 chips and competed across 15 levels of 40 minutes each on Day 1. Multiple starting flights ran across the opening weekend, including Day 1A, Day 1B, Day 1C, and a turbo-format Day 1D, giving entrants several chances to qualify.

Day 2 moves to longer 60-minute levels as the field narrows toward a winner. The Opening Event is expected to wrap up on April 28, crowning the first champion of the 2026 series.

Star Power Across the Schedule

Beyond the opener, the schedule includes some high-profile events. The $5,000 six-max event, the $1,500 Mystery Bounty, and the $25,000 Challenge all feature on the calendar. The series culminates in the AU$10,600 Main Event, which runs from May 4 through May 10.

The 2026 field also comes with serious name recognition. Michael Mizrachi, the defending World Series of Poker Main Event champion, is among the ambassadors for the festival. So is Joe Hachem, the Australian poker professional who won the WSOP Main Event in 2005 and remains one of the country’s most celebrated players in the game. Van Marcus, a Poker Hall of Fame inductee, rounds out the ambassador lineup.

NBA player Josh Giddey is also expected to participate, bringing additional visibility to the tournament outside the traditional poker audience.

Charity Event Marks the Official Return

Before the competitive action began, the return of the Aussie Millions Poker Championship was marked by a Celebrity Challenge for Charity. The invitation-only event brought together 24 participants, including poker professionals, public figures, and Crown leadership representatives.

Andrew Bassat took the win, defeating Tom Hawkins in the final round. The event raised AU$25,000 for Street Side Medics through the Crown Resorts Foundation. Among those at the tables were Jackson Warne, Martin Pakula, and Campbell Brown. James and Antonia Hachem both reached the final table, with James finishing in fifth place.

Back Where It Belongs

Few poker festivals carry the weight of expectation that comes with a six-year gap. The Aussie Millions Poker Championship returns not just as a tournament series, but as a statement that Crown Melbourne is once again a destination for world-class poker. With a packed schedule, a AU$14 million prize pool, and a field that blends elite professionals with high-profile personalities, the 2026 edition has everything it needs to reclaim its place on the global poker stage.

The Main Event begins May 4. By the time it concludes on May 10, the championship will have its newest name etched into one of poker’s most storied tournament histories.