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Australia, Southport
2026 APL Million | August 14-31, 2026 | Southport Sharks, Australia
The 2026 APL Million is set to take place from August 14, 2026, to August 31, 2026, at the Southport Sharks located in Southport, Gold Coast, Australia. As the flagship series of the Australian Poker League (APL), this festival features a massive total guarantee of 7,500,000 AUD across 100 events. Players from across the Asia-Pacific region will converge on the Gold Coast to compete in what has become the largest live poker series in the country.
2026 APL Million Key Highlights
The festival’s crown jewel is the APL Million Main Event, boasting a 3,000,000 AUD guarantee for a 1,500 AUD buy-in. The 2026 edition also introduces a staggering 100,000 AUD Player of the Series prize, which is fully funded by the APL without any deductions from prize pools. High rollers are well-catered for with 55 dealer-dealt events, including the 1,000,000 AUD guaranteed Jackstar Super High Roller and the Centurion. Buy-ins for the series remain accessible to all, ranging from 80 AUD to 5,000 AUD.
Featured Events Schedule
| Event # | Event Name | Buy-In (AUD) | Guarantee (AUD) | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | APL Million Main Event | $1,500 | $3,000,000 GTD | 16–28 Aug 2026 |
| 73 | Jackstar Super High Roller | $1,500 | $1,000,000 GTD | 25–27 Aug 2026 |
| 63 | Centurion | $2,500 | $1,000,000 GTD | 23–25 Aug 2026 |
| 92 | $5K HR Shot Clock Challenge | $5,000 | $750,000 GTD | 30 Aug 2026 |
| 47 | High Roller PLO | $2,500 | $150,000 GTD | 21 Aug 2026 |
| 81 | NLH Mini High Roller | $460 | $100,000 GTD | 27 Aug 2026 |
Previous Festival Highlights (2025)
The 2025 APL Million set a historic benchmark for poker in Australia. The Main Event drew a record-breaking 3,375 entries, creating a 4,390,000 AUD prize pool—the largest ever for a live tournament in the country. Higor Seibel from Brazil emerged as the champion, taking home 738,920 AUD. Across 91 events, the 2025 series generated a total prize pool of over 15,700,000 AUD, proving the incredible growth and popularity of the APL brand.
Poker and Travel Guide
The Gold Coast is one of the premier tourist destinations in Australia, offering world-class beaches and entertainment. For international visitors, understanding the local landscape is key; you can find more details in our comprehensive Australia poker guide . The Southport Sharks venue is conveniently located on Olsen Avenue and provides excellent amenities, including the Mantra at Sharks hotel for on-site accommodation.
The Venue: Southport Sharks
Southport Sharks is a premier multi-purpose facility that transforms into a poker mecca during the APL Million. With the capacity to run over 100 tables simultaneously, it provides a seamless experience for both large field events and intimate high rollers. For more information on the amenities and local surroundings, visit our Southport Sharks venue guide .
![Australia [AUS]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/au.svg "Australia [AUS]"){kind=small}
Southport Sharks is the undisputed powerhouse of the Gold Coast poker scene, recognized globally as the home of the APL Million, the largest and most prestigious poker series in Australia. Spanning a massive multi-million dollar entertainment precinct, this venue blends professional championship-level tournament poker with a high-energy coastal lifestyle. Whether hosting thousands of international travelers for record-breaking festivals or providing elite weekly action for local “regs,” Southport Sharks offers a world-class arena where high-stakes ambition meets Gold Coast hospitality.
Why Southport Sharks?
- The Home of the APL Million: Southport Sharks is the permanent base for the APL Million, with the 2026 series confirmed for August 14 – 31. This landmark event features nearly 100 tournaments and prize pools that regularly exceed 15 million TWD.
- Consistent Championship Stops: Beyond the Million, the club is a premier host for the APLPT Queensland, with major 2026 stops scheduled for January and May, featuring professional-grade setups and deep-stacked structures.
- The “Aviary” Experience: Players can unwind at the Aviary Rooftop Bar, which offers authentic Italian wood-fired pizzas and panoramic views of the Surfers Paradise skyline, providing the ultimate post-game atmosphere.
- All-Access Fitness & Recovery: The venue features a state-of-the-art gymnasium with over 160 machines. For tournament grinders, this integrated wellness facility is critical for maintaining peak performance during long multi-day series.
APL MILLION
Aug 14 – 31, 2026
GOLD COAST
Premier Tourism Hub
STATUS
Australia’s Biggest Series
The Southport Sharks Experience
Poker at Southport Sharks is defined by its massive scale and professional atmosphere. The venue’s dedicated event centers, including the Presidents Room and Village Green, regularly transform into sprawling card rooms capable of seating over 1,000 players. During the APL Million, the energy is electric, with a schedule featuring marquee events like the Jackstar Super High Roller, the Centurion, and the famous $1,500 buy-in Main Event which recently drew over 3,300 entries.
Daily action is consistently supported by a highly social gaming room and a diverse range of dining options. Frenzy’s Food Court provides the high-volume buffet experience necessary for quick tournament breaks, while Mackenzie’s Sports Bar features a massive 5.25m² screen for tracking live sports between hands. The venue is an industry leader in responsible gaming, providing a secure and well-managed environment for all skill levels.
For the international traveler, the integration with the Mantra at Sharks hotel offers a seamless “stay-and-play” experience. Situated just minutes from the Gold Coast University Hospital and a short drive from the iconic beaches of Surfers Paradise, Southport Sharks offers a unique blend of competitive “Mind Sports” and vacation-style luxury that makes it the premier destination for the Australian poker calendar.
Venue Logistics
📍 Location: Corner Musgrave & Olsen Avenue, Southport QLD 4215, Australia . (Centrally located with massive complimentary on-site parking and EV charging stations).
🏨 Accommodations: The on-site Mantra at Sharks provides 120 well-appointed rooms with direct access to the club facilities. Early booking is essential during the August “Million” window.
📝 Entry & Requirements: Open daily from 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM. Original Photo ID (Passport or Australian Driver’s License) is strictly mandatory. Casual neat attire is standard; singlets are typically prohibited after 6:00 PM.
💠 Southport Sharks Official Updates
Check the official APL website for live tournament clocks, the full APL Million 2026 schedule (released April), and regional leaderboard standings.
