The PokerStars Sunday Million is heading back to the live felt.
PokerStars has announced the return of Sunday Million Live, with the iconic online tournament making just its second live appearance when it heads to Casino di Campione in Italy from October 2-12.
Featuring a €250 buy-in Main Event with a €1 million guaranteed prize pool, like the original format, the tournament will use a hybrid setup, allowing players to qualify through both online and live Day 1 flights before converging on the shores of the Lago di Lugano for the business end of proceedings.
It marks the first time Sunday Million Live has been held since its inaugural outing in 2017 and forms part of ongoing celebrations at PokerStars, with the operator celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026.
Nine Ways to Reach Day 2
Players will have nine opportunities to qualify for Day 2, choosing between three online Day 1 flights on September 13, 20 and 27 or six live starting flights in Campione between October 2 and 9.
The top 12.5% of each flight will advance to Day 2 with their full chip stack and a guaranteed €500 min-cash. Once a player qualifies, they cannot re-enter another starting flight.
All surviving players will return on October 10 for Day 2 before the tournament plays down to a winner across the following two days, with the live final table scheduled for October 12 in Campione.
An Old Favorite With a Familiar Format
The format closely mirrors the first Sunday Million Live, held at King’s Resort in Rozvadov in 2017, with that event attracting 5,045 entries and coming within touching distance of covering its €1 million guarantee. However, despite the positive reaction, PokerStars had not revisited the concept in nine years… until now.
Its return comes during a year that is shaping up to be a big one for the Sunday Million series, as PokerStars celebrates the tournament’s 20th anniversary with a special $5 million guaranteed edition, featuring a phased structure and a reduced $109 buy-in.
Now, after nine years away, one of online poker’s best-known tournament series is heading back to the bright lights of the live arena, giving players another chance to add a Sunday Million title to their virtual trophy cabinet without ever needing to click “Register.”
Eliot Thomas
Editor, Poker & Casino