![Australia [AUS]](/assets/images/flags/4x3/au.svg "Australia [AUS]"){kind=small}
Australia, Melbourne
Victorian Poker Championship 2026 | October 12-27, 2026 | Crown Melbourne
The premier live poker event will take place between 12 and 27 October 2026 in the heart of Melbourne, Australia, hosted at the prestigious Crown Melbourne complex. Featuring 21 official trophy events, the 16-day championship offers an extensive lineup catering to players of all bankrolls, from low-stakes turbo events to High Roller challenges. To explore more about the local poker scene and tournament gaming down under, check out our comprehensive Australia poker guide .
Victorian Poker Championship 2026 Highlights
The festival boasts a rich and varied schedule designed to test every facet of poker strategy, spanning No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Mixed Games, and Bounty formats. The centerpiece of the championship is the flagship Main Event featuring multiple starting flights.
Key featured tournaments include the Opening Event with an entry cost of AUD 1,250, the Joe Hachem Special Feature Event priced at AUD 2,000, and the festival’s highest buy-in test, the AUD 10,600 Super High Roller.
Poker & Travel Guide
Situated in vibrant Southbank, the host venue provides direct access to world-class dining, lodging, and entertainment options. All tournament participants must hold a valid Crown Rewards membership card prior to registering. Players can obtain a complimentary membership on-site by presenting a valid government-issued photo ID at the registration desk.
Strict operational standards are maintained across all events: English is the only language permitted at the tables while a hand is in progress. Action is paced using Shot Clocks (ranging from 15 to 30 seconds) alongside non-transferable Time Bank cards. Remaining players are permitted to discuss prize pool deals subject to unanimous agreement and Tournament Director approval.
The Venue: Crown Melbourne
The Crown Melbourne poker room is the largest and most modern poker room in the Southern Hemisphere, situated on Level 1 at 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006, Melbourne, Australia.
The venue features professional dealing staff, state-of-the-art poker equipment, and dedicated tournament areas throughout the entirety of the Victorian Poker Championship 2026. For further details on floor facilities, cash games, and amenities, visit our official Crown Melbourne venue guide .
![Australia [AUS]](/assets/images/flags/1x1/au.svg "Australia [AUS]"){kind=small}
Crown Melbourne is the undisputed epicenter of Australian poker and the largest integrated resort in the Southern Hemisphere. Situated along the vibrant Southbank of the Yarra River, the venue is a world-class destination that blends high-stakes adrenaline with unrivaled luxury. After a significant hiatus, 2026 marks the historic return of the Aussie Millions , reclaiming Crown’s status as a mandatory stop on the international professional circuit and the spiritual home of “championship-level” poker in Asia-Pacific.
Why Crown Melbourne?
- The Grand Return of Aussie Millions: From April 24 to May 10, 2026, Crown Melbourne hosts the iconic Aussie Millions Poker Championship, featuring 18 events and an estimated $14,000,000 prize pool.
- Southern Hemisphere’s Largest Room: Boasting over 50 permanent poker tables, the room scales up to accommodate thousands of players during major festivals, offering a variety of No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha games.
- 24/7 Professional Action: As a full-service casino, the poker room operates around the clock (excluding specific public holidays), providing consistent cash game traffic ranging from $2/$5 “social” games to high-stakes VIP showdowns.
- Unrivaled Integrated Luxury: Home to three award-winning hotels (Crown Towers, Crown Metropol, and Crown Promenade) and signature dining like Nobu and Bistro Guillaume, allowing for a complete “stay-and-play” experience.
AUSSIE MILLIONS
Apr 24 – May 10, 2026
SOUTHBANK HUB
Melbourne’s Heart
STATUS
Global Major Stop
The Crown Melbourne Poker Experience
Poker at Crown Melbourne is defined by its sheer scale and prestige. The poker room, currently situated on Level 1 of the casino, is a high-production arena featuring professional dealers, dedicated tournament directors, and a sophisticated waitlist system. While the “Las Vegas” style basement era is a memory, the current setup prioritizes technical integrity and professional standards, with every table operating under strict Crown PlaySafe guidelines to ensure a secure and responsible environment.
The 2026 season is headlined by the Aussie Millions Main Event, an AU$10,600 buy-in spectacle that draws the world’s most recognizable pros. Beyond the majors, the daily schedule is packed with satellites and “Daily Tournament Highlights,” offering pathways for recreational players to win their way into the big games for as little as $85. The action is complemented by Crown Rewards, where carded play at the poker tables earns points redeemable for the resort’s elite dining and hotel stays.
Beyond the felt, Crown Melbourne is a sprawling entertainment city. Players can transition from an intense session to a world-class meal at Silks or Conservatory, or unwind with live sports at the many surrounding bars. With its central location in the Southbank district, the venue is just steps away from Melbourne’s iconic arts precinct and central business district, making it the premier destination for the international poker traveler.
Venue Logistics
📍 Location: Crown Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia . (Centrally located with multiple multi-level and basement parking options).
🏨 Accommodations: Crown Towers (6-star luxury), Crown Metropol (Modern/Chic), and Crown Promenade (Contemporary). VIP poker packages often include stays at these on-site properties.
📝 Entry & Requirements: Open 24/7 (closed 4 AM – 12 PM on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and ANZAC Day). Valid Photo ID is mandatory. Carded Play: Crown Melbourne has introduced measures requiring a Rewards Card to play, which allows for setting time and loss limits.
💠 Crown Melbourne Official Updates
Check the Crown Melbourne website or follow @CrownPoker on X (Twitter) for live waitlists, Aussie Millions schedule releases, and daily tournament clocks.
Jessy is SoMuchPoker's Technical Editor and Data Specialist, managing the live poker event database and publishing festival schedules for the site. A background in programming and data architecture shapes how he builds and maintains this database, with an emphasis on speed and accuracy.
The championship will run from 12 to 27 October 2026 at the Crown Melbourne Level 1 Poker Room, located in Melbourne, Australia.
The Main Event features a total registration cost of AUD 2,500 (consisting of an AUD 2,200 prize pool entry and an AUD 300 admin fee). Participants receive a starting stack of 60,000 tournament chips.
Players must be at least 18 years of age, present valid photo identification, and possess an active Crown Rewards membership card to enter any tournament or satellite.
