Aussie Millions

Overview & History

The Aussie Millions began in 1998 at Crown Melbourne as the Crown Australasian Poker Championship. It quickly became the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious poker event. Over the years it has drawn international poker elites, including Gus Hansen, Alexander Kostritsyn, and Phil Ivey.

Due to regulatory changes, the event was paused after 2020. The Aussie Millions returns in April–May 2026, marking its first comeback in six years.

Festival Flow

• Main Event plus multiple side events and High Rollers across two weeks.
• Cash games run alongside tournaments at Crown Melbourne.
• Registration desks and payout offices are inside the Crown Poker Room.

Buy-ins (Typical)

• Opening events: AU$1,000 – AU$2,500.
• Main Event: AU$10,600 (classic buy-in since early 2000s).
• High Roller Events: AU$25,000, AU$50,000, and up to AU$100,000 Challenge.

2026 Schedule Preview

• Dates: 24 April – 10 May 2026.
• Venue: Crown Melbourne, Australia.
• Total Events: 18 tournaments scheduled.
• Total Prize Pools: Estimated AU$14,000,000+ in guarantees.

Notable Winners

• 2007 – Gus Hansen (AU$1.5M).
• 2008 – Alexander Kostritsyn (AU$1.65M).
• 2011 – David Gorr (AU$2M).
• 2014 – Ami Barer (AU$1.6M).
• 2019 – Bryn Kenney won the AU$100K Challenge (AU$1.27M).

Travel & Planning Tips

• Location: Crown Melbourne is in Southbank, walking distance from central Melbourne hotels and restaurants.
• Transport: Melbourne Airport (MEL) is 30 minutes away; taxis, SkyBus, and rideshares are common.
• Weather: April–May is autumn in Melbourne; mild days (15–22°C), cool nights — pack layers.
• Accommodation: Stay at Crown Towers, Crown Metropol, or nearby CBD hotels for convenience.
• Attractions: On breaks, explore Federation Square, the Yarra River, or Melbourne’s famous coffee culture.