After a six-year hiatus, the favored Aussie Thousands and thousands is ready to make its long-awaited return, and PokerNews can be in attendance because the official stay reporting accomplice when playing cards go within the air at Crown Melbourne from April 24 to Might 10, 2026.
The 2026 Aussie Thousands and thousands will characteristic 18 tournaments performed throughout 18 action-packed days, with an estimated whole prize pool of AU$14 million (roughly $9.1 million USD). Purchase-ins will vary from AU$1,500 to AU$25,000, with the headline act being the distinguished AU$10,600 Major Occasion.
And PokerNews can be on website within the stunning Victorian capital to deliver you all of the chip counts, bustouts, pictures, movies, and extra from our award-winning group of reporters at probably the most anticipated poker occasions of 2026.
“Like everybody else who loves poker, we can’t look ahead to the return of Aussie Thousands and thousands,” stated Shirley Ang, PokerNews’ Senior International Stay Occasions Supervisor. “We’re thrilled that the PokerNews group can be there for its comeback yr, offering on-the-spot reporting from an occasion that has lengthy been cherished by poker followers around the globe.”
A spokesperson from Crown Poker would add, “With the return of Aussie Thousands and thousands in 2026 comes the return of a terrific accomplice in PokerNews. Crown Poker is worked up to reunite with the chief in stay reporting, bringing world-class protection to probably the most iconic poker occasions within the southern hemisphere.”
“This partnership ensures gamers and followers alike can expertise each second of the motion, reinforcing our shared dedication to delivering an unforgettable match expertise.”
A Journey Down (Underneath) Reminiscence Lane
Earlier than the Aussie Thousands and thousands went on break in 2020, PokerNews had been on the bottom at 13 consecutive editions of the competition, capturing a few of poker’s most unforgettable moments from the ground of Crown Melbourne.
From Gus Hansen’s iconic Major Occasion win to Phil Ivey’s Tremendous Excessive Curler triumph and Vincent “Wonky” Wan taking 2020’s showpiece occasion, listed here are a few of our favourite moments from the archives forward of the return in 2026.
2007
Though the Aussie Thousands and thousands has been round since 1998, PokerNews didn’t start stay reporting the occasion till 2007, and what a yr it turned out to be. That was the yr poker icon Gus Hansen captured the Major Occasion title, profitable what was then the richest match within the Southern Hemisphere.
Hansen’s victory would go on to be immortalized in his basic guide Each Hand Revealed, which supplied followers an unprecedented look inside a prime professional’s thought course of as he navigated the 747-player discipline to say the $1.2 million first prize.
2011
2011 marked the debut of the $250,000 Tremendous Excessive Curler on the Aussie Thousands and thousands, attracting an all-star lineup of 20 of poker’s best, together with Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Daniel “Jungleman” Cates, and eventual champion Erik Seidel.
Seidel, then the most recent Poker Corridor of Fame inductee, would name on each ounce of expertise to cease 2011 $100,000 Problem winner Sam Trickett, overturning a considerable chip lead in opposition to the Englishman heads-up to say the $2.5 million first prize and the crown Down Underneath.
2012
A yr after Seidel’s victory, the 2012 Aussie Thousands and thousands $250,000 Tremendous Excessive Curler grabbed headlines as soon as once more as poker G.O.A.T. Phil Ivey made a spectacular return to the match scene, claiming the $2 million first prize in opposition to one other elite discipline.
Ivey, returning after a prolonged break from match poker, proved that his class was everlasting, besting a remaining desk of Patrik Antonius and Gus Hansen, whereas different stars resembling Jason Mercier, John Juanda, and Daniel Negreanu fell wanting the cash at Crown Melbourne.
2016
The 2016 Aussie Thousands and thousands Major Occasion delivered as soon as once more as certainly one of Canada’s best, Ari Engel, overcame Tony Dunst heads-up to say the $1.6 million first prize.
The ultimate desk was a star-studded affair, that includes gamers resembling Sam Abernathy, a latest visitor on Life Exterior Poker with Connor Richards, and Kitty Kuo, alongside Dunst and Engel. In an attritional heads-up battle, Engel emerged victorious, securing what nonetheless stays the largest rating of his profession for the a number of WSOP bracelet winner.
2018
Because the premier poker competition within the Southern Hemisphere, the Aussie Thousands and thousands has all the time attracted among the greatest names, and few names had been larger than Australian legend Shane Warne.
Broadly thought to be the best cricketer of all time, Warne was additionally a passionate poker participant and made deep runs within the 2014 WSOP APAC Major Occasion and the 2015 WSOP Major Occasion earlier than taking his seat within the 2018 Aussie Thousands and thousands Major Occasion in Melbourne, the place he caught up with PokerNews. Tragically, the famous person sportsman handed away in 2022, however his look on the tables in 2018 was a reminder of the star energy the tour may command.
2020
The 2020 Aussie Thousands and thousands Major Occasion produced one other memorable champion as Vincent “Wonky” Wan beat Ngoc Tai Hoang heads as much as declare the $1,318,000 first prize.
Wan, who was identified at Crown On line casino for profitable two six-figure Royal Flush Jackpots, now had his first seven-figure rating, marking the largest money of his profession. In the meantime, second-place Hoang, who began the day because the quick stack, would additionally make historical past by taking the biggest single payout in Vietnamese poker historical past.
Simply months later, the COVID-19 pandemic swept throughout the globe, forcing the cancellation of poker tournaments in every single place, together with in Melbourne. The 2021 Aussie Thousands and thousands was referred to as off, and years of uncertainty adopted, fueled by adjustments to playing legal guidelines and questions concerning the urge for food for match poker, leaving followers to marvel if the occasion would ever return.
2026
Rumors started circulating in late 2024 that the Aussie Thousands and thousands may return in 2025, however these plans wouldn’t materialize this yr. This summer time, nonetheless, the competition’s comeback was formally confirmed for 2026, ending a six-year hiatus and bringing world-class poker again to the Crown On line casino.
Who will be part of the listing of Major Occasion champions under stays to be seen, however PokerNews can be on the bottom in Melbourne to offer stay updates and produce followers all of the motion as one of many sport’s much-loved tournaments makes a triumphant return.
Aussie Thousands and thousands Major Occasion Winners (1998-2020)
Eliot Thomas
Editor, Poker & On line casino
