New data from CoStar shows major events delivered record-high monthly average daily rates and strong occupancy for Sydney hotels in December.

According to preliminary data from the property analytics provider average occupancy during December 2025 was 81.3 per cent (up 3.2 per cent year-on-year).

The average daily rate (ADR) was $349.06 (+11.1 per cent) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) was $283.68 (+14.7 per cent). RevPAR was the highest for any December in the market.

On New Year's Eve hotel occupancy reached 95.4 per cent and ADR and RevPAR climbed to $1009.10 and $962.95 respectively. Those were the highest ADR and RevPAR figures on record in the market and the first time ADR surpassed the $1000 mark.

The month’s second highest occupancy (93.3 per cent) was seen on the night of Jimmy Barnes’ performance at the Sydney Opera House on 10 December. The same night pushed the market’s ADR and RevPAR to $326.09 and $306.11 respectively.

Sydney also hosted two Lady Gaga concerts on her The MAYHEM Ball tour on 12-13 December, which saw occupancy rise to 89.4 per cent on the first night. ADR and RevPAR peaked on the night of the second concert, at $379.65 and $333.57 respectively.

Overall, Sydney’s occupancy levels remained above the 70 per cent mark for all but five days during the month.

Summer events to inject $200 million into visitor economy

Destination NSW is supporting a blockbuster line-up of 23 sporting and cultural events over summer, tipped fill hotels and generate more than $200 million in visitor expenditure.

The line up of events is expected to draw more than 250,000 visitors to the state.

Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks were followed by an action-packed week, with the United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena and the New Year’s Ashes Test. The 50th anniversary program for Sydney Festival is also being held 8-25 January, a city-wide celebration of culture and creativity.

Regional NSW is welcoming tens of thousands of attendees during January at the Parkes Elvis Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival.

Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin said: “Every major event means more tourists, more tourism dollars, more hotel rooms filled, more tables in cafes and restaurants booked – and that means more jobs for the people of Sydney – everyone benefits.

“I congratulate the Premier and his Tourism Minister Steve Kamper for their efforts in helping to boost the tourism economy in 2026.”

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