PokerStars Sunday Million Returns as Live Event in Italy This October

PokerStars will bring its iconic Sunday Million tournament back to the live circuit for the first time since 2017, hosting a €1 million guaranteed event at Casino di Campione d'Italia from 2–12 October 2026. This live edition coincides with the Sunday Million's 20th anniversary and reflects PokerStars' ongoing investment in both online and live tournament offerings.

Key Facts About the Sunday Million Live 2026 Event

The 2026 Sunday Million Live is set at the PokerStars Live Room in the Casino di Campione d'Italia, located on the shores of Lake Lugano. The event opens on 2 October and concludes with the final table on 12 October. The classic €1 million guaranteed prize pool will anchor this edition, with a buy-in set at €250 and a starting stack of 50,000 chips per player.

• Venue: PokerStars Live Room, Casino di Campione d'Italia
• Dates: 2–12 October 2026
• Buy-in: €250
• Starting stack: 50,000 chips
• Guaranteed prize pool: €1 million
• Six starting flights: daily from 2 to 9 October, 14:00 CET

Tournament Structure and Schedule

The tournament unfolds with six starting flights running from Friday, 2 October through Friday, 9 October at 14:00 each day. Players can enter any of these flights, with each running until only 12.5% of the field remains. Those surviving will advance to Day 2, which is divided into Day 2A and Day 2B, scheduled for Saturday, 10 October. Day 3 takes place Sunday, 11 October, followed by the Final Day on Monday, 12 October.

Step-by-step Format:

1. Six opening flights: 2–9 October, one per day, begin at 14:00
2. Top 12.5% of each flight advances to Day 2
3. Day 2A and 2B: Played on 10 October
4. Day 3: 11 October
5. Final Day: 12 October

This format mirrors marquee multi-flight events commonly found in major poker festivals, giving a broad field the opportunity to qualify for the later stages at a relatively low buy-in.

Online Sunday Million 20th Anniversary Continues

While preparations continue for the live iteration, PokerStars is also running the online version of the Sunday Million to mark its 20th anniversary. The online event, held as part of PokerStars' 25th-anniversary celebrations, features a $5 million guaranteed prize pool. Phase 1 tournaments are available daily with a $109 buy-in; players reaching Phase 2, which begins 6 September, will compete for a share of the multimillion-dollar pool.

The list of champions for the Sunday Million is already select in the online era. With the return of a live edition, PokerStars adds a new chapter, reflecting a renewed focus on physical tournament experiences in tandem with its robust digital presence.

PokerStars' Approach to Live and Online Events

The decision to bring the Sunday Million back to a live environment after nine years illustrates PokerStars' strategy of integrating flagship online events into the live casino space. The Campione d'Italia venue, operated under the PokerStars brand, provides logistical support and a high-profile setting for the series, reinforcing PokerStars' visibility in the European market. The €1 million guarantee remains a hallmark, echoing the stable prize pools from historic Sunday Million online editions, while offering a tangible draw for both regional players and international qualifiers.

"The million euro guarantee has always been at the heart of the Sunday Million, even as anniversary editions have often put much higher figures up for grabs," PokerStars management has said publicly in prior releases.

Players interested in attending should monitor PokerStars and the events calendar for further details about registration, local hotel partners, and satellite options.

Looking Ahead: Live Tournament Impacts and Anniversary Synergy

The revival of the live Sunday Million after nearly a decade lines up with significant PokerStars milestones: the 20th anniversary of the Sunday Million and the site's 25 years of operation. The approach underscores the brand's interest in building multi-format engagement and leveraging its historic events for renewed market presence.

Players aiming for a place in either the online anniversary or the revived live Sunday Million have various routes, with affordable buy-ins and international interest expected at both events. The announcement positions Campione d'Italia as a key location in PokerStars' European event calendar for the autumn of 2026.