Sunday Million: Everything you need to know about PokerStars’ iconic online poker tournament

November 21, 2025

Online Poker

by Jack Stanton

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5 Minute Read

There's a reason all of your friends who play poker are mysteriously absent from social events on Sunday evenings.

Every week, thousands of players are logging on to PokerStars with big dreams and racing hearts, ready for their biggest session of the week. And it's almost always built around one tournament:

The Sunday Million.

The iconic online poker tournament offers amateurs and pros alike a chance at a massive payday for a relatively modest buy-in, and with so many satellites running for it every week, it's never been easier for newcomers to win their way into this thrilling tournament.

Its allure goes well beyond the money on offer. It's also about the prestige. Everyone wants to become a Sunday Million champ at least once, and it was on the Milly training ground that many poker legends cut their teeth.

Now it's your turn. In this article, you'll find a first-timer's guide to playing the Sunday Million, offering tips and satellite strategy to help you first gain entry, then take it down. We'll also break down how you can use Power Path to play, go through the tournament's illustrious history, and answer the question: What's the largest prize ever won in a Sunday Million event?

FIRST TIMER'S GUIDE TO PLAYING THE SUNDAY MILLION

Stop dreaming about the Sunday Million. Start playing it.

Are you one of those poker players who has always wanted to play the Sunday Million, but hasn’t?

Someone who has learned how to play poker and intends one day to step up in their game, but has no real plan for how to go about it?

If you are, this Ultimate Guide to playing the Sunday Million is for you.

It’s for anyone who wants to play the Sunday Million for the first time, but for whatever reason has yet to take that step.

Whether it’s because you don’t think you have the experience… or the timing just isn’t quite right… or your bankroll doesn’t stretch that far.

Those things sound pretty persuasive when they echo in our heads. But while you might not think it right this second, the timing actually IS right. Your experience IS enough.

And your bankroll? We’re about to show you why you don’t really need much of that.

Here's The Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Playing the Sunday Million.

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HOW TO USE POWER PATH TO PLAY THE SUNDAY MILLION

You might think that Power Path – PokerStars’ exciting new qualification route designed to help casual players get into big events – is all about live tournament packages.

That’s understandable. With multiple Gold Passes worth $10,300 or Silver Passes worth $2,500 up for grabs daily, it’s never been easier for recreational players to win their way into prestigious live events – from the European Poker Tour (EPT) to popular regional tours.

But actually, Power Path also has a big focus on online poker. Not only can you turn Silver and Gold Passes into online buy-in packages, but you can also use your $109 Bronze Passes to play the prestigious Sunday Million every weekend.

Learn how to use Power Path to play the Sunday Million here.

SUNDAY MILLION TIMELINE

Since 2006, the Sunday Million tournament has been a permanent fixture on online poker players’ schedules, the frequent focus of the Sunday grind, and for much of the tournament’s existence, PokerStars has also been marking the Sunday Million’s birthday with a special anniversary tournament.

In 2026, it'll be the 20th Anniversary of this iconic event.

But before that, let’s go through the Sunday Million timeline, right from where it first began…

READ: The Sunday Million timeline

WHAT'S THE LARGEST PRIZE EVER WON IN THE SUNDAY MILLION?

Back in 2021, Vanessa Kade–known as “Niffler” on PokerStars–did what most of us dream of.

She not only took down the Sunday Million, but also the biggest version of the flagship event in history: the 15th Anniversary edition.

Outlasting almost 70,000 entries, Kade won an incredible $1.5 million, the largest prize ever awarded in the Milly. Remember, the entire guarantee is a million bucks, and Kade banked down 1.5x that alone!

We spoke with Kade to find out what she remembers about that momentous day, how things have changed for her since the win, and what advice she would give to anyone playing an upcoming Anniversary event.

READ: Vanessa Kade reflects on $1.5M Sunday Million win: “This is the best value tournament all year”