The NSW Government is backing regional investment with a $1.5 million injection for events across regional NSW through the Regional Event Fund for events held in the 2026/27 financial year.
From today, event organisers can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help deliver events that attract visitors, drive overnight stays, and boost local economies.
Managed by Destination NSW, the Regional Event Fund forms part of the NSW Government’s plan to grow the NSW visitor economy by enabling communities to host events that reflect their local culture and create authentic experiences that drive visitation and generate expenditure for local businesses.
The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows regional NSW welcomed more than 15 million domestic and international visitors in the September 2025 quarter alone, injecting over $6 billion into the regional visitor economy.
A key strategy for continuing growth in regional tourism is supporting the array of events delivered in regional towns across the state.
Last year, the NSW Government released the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, outlining its ambition of $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure by 2035. With almost half of this target ($44 billion) expected to come from regional NSW, ongoing investment in events is essential to supporting growth of regional visitor economies and reaching the NSW Government’s stretch goal.
The Regional Event Fund supports regional events through three funding streams:
Incubator Event stream: New events in their first or second years can receive up to $20,000 in seed funding to support activities that help establish an event as a key driver of visitation. Learn more here.
Flagship Event stream: Emerging events that have been running for more than two years can receive $20,000 grants to increase their profile and attract visitors. Events that have already received three annual grants will be eligible for grants of $30,000 over three years. Learn more here.
Event Development stream: Established events that have previously received and completed triennial funding through the Flagship Event stream can receive grants of up to $50,000. Learn more here.
Applications for the Regional Event Fund 2026/27 open today and will close at midnight on Sunday 12 April 2026.
All applications must be for eligible events that will be staged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “Regional events are the heartbeat of local communities. They bring locals together to celebrate what makes their region unique while also driving real economic benefits by attracting visitors, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
“The Regional Event Fund has supported around 600 events with more than $15 million in funding, helping turn events like the Deni Ute Muster and the Parkes Elvis Festival into bucket list regional experiences.
“This grant enables more local events to grow, and help support local operators create the next big regional drawcard.”
For more information and to apply, click here.
