New South Wales has secured a packed calendar of major sporting events for 2026, with the state government confirming 34 events aimed at attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and boosting tourism across Sydney and regional centres.
The schedule includes international tournaments, domestic competitions and high-profile matches that organisers expect will draw large crowds throughout the year. Through Destination NSW, the events are projected to bring more than 280,000 visitors to the state and contribute over $275 million to the visitor economy.
One of the early highlights comes this month when Sydney hosts key matches of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Stadium Australia will stage two quarter-finals, a semi-final, the tournament final and a Matildas group match on Sunday 8 March, marking International Women’s Day. Sydney will host 11 matches in total, more than any other city involved in the tournament.
The sporting calendar reflects a wider trend in global travel where sporting events are increasingly shaping tourism patterns. A report from the World Economic Forum points to sports tourism as the fastest growing segment of the global tourism industry. The sector accounted for around 10 per cent of global travel spending in 2025 and has grown at an annual rate of 28 per cent since 2020, compared with 22 per cent across tourism overall.
Industry data also suggests the benefits extend beyond host venues. Research from Expedia Group indicates many sports travellers explore surrounding areas during their trips. Three out of five visitors whose trips last longer than a day spend time in destinations outside the event location and spend more than $2500 on accommodation, dining and other travel activities.
The NSW government says major events are central to the state’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which aims to encourage year-round tourism and strengthen regional economies. Sporting events, alongside cultural and entertainment programmes, are seen as a way to attract visitors outside peak holiday periods and sustain employment across the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Recent figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show how sport-linked travel has already contributed to visitor numbers. In December 2025, New South Wales recorded 48,790 visitors from the United Kingdom, up from 41,970 in December 2019. Thousands of England cricket supporters known as the Barmy Army were among those travelling to Sydney ahead of the New Year’s Test.
Several major events have already taken place in 2026, including the United Cup, the Sydney New Year’s Test, UFC 325, the Bathurst 12 Hour, SailGP, Street League Skateboarding and the Sydney 500. More events are scheduled across the year, including the FIFA Series, State of Origin, the Sydney Super Cup match between Tottenham and Chelsea, the NRL Grand Final, the Bledisloe Cup, the Bathurst 1000, the Rugby League World Cup and the TCS Sydney Marathon World Major.
Tourism and Jobs Minister Steve Kamper said large sporting events play an important role in attracting travellers who want to experience the atmosphere around live competitions.
“Visitors are seeking genuine connections with destinations and sporting events are the perfect way to soak up the atmosphere that makes a visit to NSW so unforgettable,” he said.
Kamper said travellers are increasingly drawn to shared experiences such as packed stadiums and major fixtures on the sporting calendar.
“Sporting events are sparking the decision to travel, but fans are staying long after the final whistle blows, immersing themselves in experiences across the state,” he said.
Tourism operators and hospitality businesses are expected to benefit from the flow of visitors attending matches and tournaments throughout the year, with hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues and regional attractions all part of the wider tourism network linked to major sporting events.
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