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Danny McDonagh

Veteran poker executive Danny McDonagh will return to a familiar role in 2026 after being confirmed as tournament director for the relaunch of the Aussie Millions, stepping back into the series he helped build into a global poker powerhouse.

Widely regarded as one of the most experienced tournament directors in the Asia-Pacific region, McDonagh was a key figure in the early rise of the Aussie Millions. And as the festival prepares for its first full edition in more than six years, the Crown Melbourne Casino has leaned on a trusted hand to help guide the festival into its next era.

“It’s both fitting and exciting to welcome Danny McDonagh back to Aussie Millions,” said Harold Charalampos Tsakmaklis, EGM Gaming at Crown Melbourne.

“Danny played a pivotal role in the event’s first six years, introducing it to the world and helping shape it into the iconic tournament it became. Now, in a new chapter and a new role, we’re privileged to have Danny leading the re-introduction of Aussie Millions and taking it to the next level.”

First held in 1998 with just 74 entries, the Aussie Millions steadily grew into a bucket-list stop for poker’s elite. The list of Main Event champions includes some of the game’s most respected names, with Gus Hansen’s famous 2007 victory remaining one of the most talked-about moments in the event’s history after being documented hand-for-hand in Every Hand Revealed.

Gus Hansen
Gus Hansen

The festival also became synonymous with high-stakes poker following the introduction of the AU$250,000 Challenge in 2011. That event helped cement the Aussie Millions’ reputation as a destination for the world’s best, producing iconic wins for players such as Erik Seidel and Phil Ivey.

The most recent Main Event, held in 2020, saw Vincent Wan capture the title for AU$1.318 million, just weeks before the global shutdown of live poker.

For the upcoming edition, which will run from April 24 to May 10, 2026, at Crown Melbourne, the festival will feature 18 tournaments across 18 days, with an estimated AU$14 million (approximately US$9.1 million) in prize pools.

Buy-ins will range from AU$1,500 to AU$25,000, with the prestigious AU$10,600 Main Event once again headlining the schedule.

PokerNews will be on site in Melbourne as the official live reporting partner for the 2026 Aussie Millions, delivering live updates, chip counts, photos, videos, and feature content throughout the festival.

2026 Aussie Millions Full Schedule

Date Time Event Cost
Fri, 24 Apr 10:10 AM Event #1: Opening Event Satellite (1 in 6 win) $300 (250+50)
Fri, 24 Apr 12:10 PM Opening Event Day 1A – $1M GTD $1,500 (1,300+200)
Fri, 24 Apr 2:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite (1 in 5) $280 (230+50)
Fri, 24 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite (1 in 5) $280 (230+50)
Fri, 24 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite (1 in 10) $1,150 (1,060+90)
Fri, 24 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite – 1 Seat GTD $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Sat, 25 Apr 12:10 PM Event #1: Opening Event Day 1B – $1M GTD $1,500 (1,300+200)
Sat, 25 Apr 2:10 PM Event #2: H.O.R.S.E. $2,500 (2,250+250)
Sat, 25 Apr 2:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite (1 in 5) $280 (230+50)
Sat, 25 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite (1 in 5) $280 (230+50)
Sat, 25 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite (1 in 10) $1,150 (1,060+90)
Sat, 25 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite – 1 Seat GTD $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Sun, 26 Apr 10:10 AM Opening Event Satellite (1 in 6) $300 (250+50)
Sun, 26 Apr 12:10 PM Event #1: Opening Event Day 1C – $1M GTD $1,500 (1,300+200)
Sun, 26 Apr 2:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Sun, 26 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Sun, 26 Apr 6:10 PM Event #1: Opening Event Day 1D (Turbo) – $1M GTD $1,500 (1,300+200)
Sun, 26 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Sun, 26 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Mon, 27 Apr 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Mon, 27 Apr 12:10 PM Event #1: Opening Event Day 2 (Q-only) —
Mon, 27 Apr 2:10 PM Event #3: $5K Six-Max Day 1 $5,000 (4,600+400)
Mon, 27 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Mon, 27 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Mon, 27 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Tue, 28 Apr 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Tue, 28 Apr 12:10 PM Event #4: Mystery Bounty Day 1A $1,500 (900+400+200)
Tue, 28 Apr 12:30 PM Event #1: Opening Event Day 3/Final Table —
Tue, 28 Apr 2:10 PM Event #3: $5K Six-Max Day 2 $5,000 (4,600+400)
Tue, 28 Apr 4:10 PM Event #5: Hyper Turbo NLHE $1,500 (1,300+200)
Tue, 28 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Tue, 28 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Tue, 28 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Wed, 29 Apr 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Wed, 29 Apr 12:10 PM Event #4: Mystery Bounty Day 1B $1,500 (900+400+200)
Wed, 29 Apr 4:10 PM Event #6: NLHE / PLO $1,500 (1,300+200)
Wed, 29 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Wed, 29 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Wed, 29 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Wed, 29 Apr 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Thu, 30 Apr 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Thu, 30 Apr 12:10 PM Event #7: No Limit Hold’em $2,500 (2,250+250)
Thu, 30 Apr 12:30 PM Event #4: Mystery Bounty Day 2 —
Thu, 30 Apr 2:10 PM $5K Satellite $550 (500+50)
Thu, 30 Apr 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Thu, 30 Apr 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Thu, 30 Apr 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Thu, 30 Apr 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Fri, 1 May 10:10 AM $5K Satellite $550 (500+50)
Fri, 1 May 12:10 PM Event #8: $5K Challenge Day 1 $5,000 (4,600+400)
Fri, 1 May 2:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Fri, 1 May 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Fri, 1 May 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Fri, 1 May 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Fri, 1 May 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Sat, 2 May 10:10 AM $5K Satellite $550 (500+50)
Sat, 2 May 12:10 PM Event #8: $5K Challenge Day 2 $5,000 (4,600+400)
Sat, 2 May 12:30 PM Main Event Satellite – 10 Seats GTD $550 (480+70) / $200 Add-on
Sat, 2 May 3:10 PM $25K Challenge Satellite (1 in 10) $2,600 (2500+100)
Sat, 2 May 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Sat, 2 May 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Sat, 2 May 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Sat, 2 May 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Sun, 3 May 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Sun, 3 May 12:10 PM Event #9: $25K Challenge Day 1 $25,000 (24,000+1,000)
Sun, 3 May 2:10 PM Event #10: 8-Game $2,500 (2,250+250)
Sun, 3 May 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Sun, 3 May 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Sun, 3 May 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Sun, 3 May 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Mon, 4 May 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Mon, 4 May 12:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Day 1A $10,600 (10,000+600)
Mon, 4 May 2:10 PM Event #9: $25K Challenge Day 2 $25,000 (24,000+1,000)
Mon, 4 May 4:10 PM Event #12: Pot Limit Omaha $1,500 (1,300+200)
Mon, 4 May 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Mon, 4 May 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Mon, 4 May 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Mon, 4 May 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Tue, 5 May 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Tue, 5 May 12:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Day 1B $10,600 (10,000+600)
Tue, 5 May 2:10 PM Event #13: Teams Event (NLHE+PLO) $4,000 (3,700+300)
Tue, 5 May 4:10 PM AM Phase 2 Satellite $280 (230+50)
Tue, 5 May 7:10 PM AM Phase 3 Satellite $1,150 (1,060+90)
Tue, 5 May 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Tue, 5 May 12:00 AM Midnight Mega Satellite $250 (200+50)
Wed, 6 May 10:10 AM AM Phase 1 Satellite $85 (56+29)
Wed, 6 May 12:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Day 1C $10,600 (10,000+600)
Wed, 6 May 2:10 PM Event #14: Shot Clock Terminator (NLHE) $1,500 (800+500+200)
Wed, 6 May 9:10 PM Main Event Rebuy Satellite $240 (200+40) / $100 Rebuys
Thu, 7 May 12:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Day 2 —
Thu, 7 May 2:10 PM Event #15: Super Turbo Bounty $3,000 (1,700+1,000+300)
Fri, 8 May 12:10 PM Event #16: Deep Freeze NLHE Day 1 $2,500 (2,250+250)
Fri, 8 May 12:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Day 3 —
Fri, 8 May 4:10 PM Event #17: $5K PLO Day 1 $5,000 (4,600+400)
Sat, 9 May 12:10 PM Event #16: Deep Freeze Day 2 (Q-only) —
Sat, 9 May 12:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Day 4 —
Sat, 9 May 4:10 PM Event #17: $5K PLO Day 2 $5,000 (4,600+400)
Sun, 10 May 12:10 PM Event #18: Closing Event $1,500 (800+500+200)
Sun, 10 May 2:30 PM Event #11: Aussie Millions Main Event Final Table —

Aussie Millions Main Event Winners (1998-2020)

Year Entries Prize Pool Winner Country First Prize
1998 74 A$74,000 Alex Horowitz Australia A$25,900
1999 109 A$109,000 Milo Nadalin Australia A$38,150
2000 109 A$173,500 Leo Boxell Australia A$65,225
2001 101 A$151,500 Sam Korman Australia A$53,025
2002 66 A$330,000 John Maver Australia A$150,000
2003 122 A$1,220,000 Peter Costa United Kingdom A$394,870
2004 133 A$1,330,000 Tony Bloom United Kingdom A$426,500
2005 263 A$2,630,000 Jamil Dia New Zealand A$1,000,000
2006 418 A$4,180,000 Lee Nelson New Zealand A$1,295,800
2007 747 A$7,470,000 Gus Hansen Denmark A$1,500,000
2008 780 A$7,758,500 Alexander Kostritsyn Russia A$1,650,000
2009 681 A$6,810,000 Stewart Scott Australia A$2,000,000
2010 746 A$7,460,000 Tyron Krost Australia A$2,000,000
2011 721 A$7,210,000 David Gorr Australia A$2,000,000
2012 659 A$6,590,000 Oliver Speidel Australia A$1,600,000
2013 629 A$6,290,000 Mervin Chan Malaysia A$1,600,000
2014 668 A$6,680,000 Ami Barer Canada A$1,600,000
2015 648 A$6,480,000 Manny Stavropoulos Australia A$1,385,500
2016 732 A$7,320,000 Ari Engel Canada A$1,600,000
2017 725 A$7,250,000 Shurane Vijayaram Australia A$1,600,000
2018 800 A$8,000,000 Toby Lewis United Kingdom A$1,458,198
2019 822 A$8,220,000 Bryn Kenney United States A$1,272,598
2020 820 A$8,200,000 Vincent Wan Australia A$1,318,000
Calum Grant

Senior Editor & Live Events Executive

Calum has been a part of the PokerNews team since September 2021 after working in the UK energy sector. He played his first hand of poker in 2017 and immediately fell in love with the game.

Calum has written for various poker outlets but found his home at PokerNews, where he has contributed to various articles and live updates, providing insights and reporting on major poker events, including the World Series of Poker (WSOP).





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