The NSW Government is delivering a strong pipeline of major sporting events for 2026, securing 34 events that will drive visitation, support local businesses and generate significant economic activity across Sydney and regional NSW.

This month, NSW will welcome Asia’s top female footballers and their legion of fans for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with Stadium Australia hosting two Quarterfinals, a Semi-final, the tournament’s Final and an important Matildas group match this Sunday 8 March on International Women’s Day. In total, Sydney will host 11 tournament matches, the most of any host city.

Through Destinations NSW, the tournament leads an action-packed sporting event calendar that throughout 2026 is projected to attract more than 280,000 visitors to the state and inject more than $275 million into the NSW visitor economy.

A new report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) has highlighted sports tourism as the fastest-growing segment of the global tourism industry. In 2025, sports tourism accounted for 10 per cent of global travel expenditure, with revenues growing at a compound annual rate of 28 per cent since 2020, above the 22 per cent growth seen across all tourism.

Research by Expedia Group shows the impact of sports-related travel extends beyond the host city. Three in five travellers with trips longer than a day stay in a destination outside the event location at some point during their trip and spend an average of more than $2500 across various trip elements.

The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 outlines the need for an event calendar that drives year-round visitation to support businesses and jobs. World-class entertainment, sport, culture and business events deliver major economic, social and cultural benefits, and stimulate regional growth.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data confirms the impact of sports tourism on the NSW visitor economy. In December 2025, NSW welcomed 48,790 UK visitors (up from 41,970 in December 2019), including thousands of Barmy Army fans ahead of the New Year Test in Sydney.

In 2026, NSW has already hosted the United Cup, the Sydney New Year’s Test, UFC 325, Bathurst 12 Hour, Sail GP, Street League Skateboarding and Sydney 500. Major sporting events in the coming months include FIFA Series, State of Origin, Tottenham versus Chelsea for Sydney Super Cup, NRL Grand Final, Bledisloe Cup, Bathurst 1000, Rugby League World Cup, and TCS Sydney Marathon World Major, showcasing NSW as the nation’s home of major sporting event experiences.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “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.

“Travellers are prioritising experiences over attractions, and nothing beats the buzz that comes from being in full house for a Wallabies Test at Accor Stadium, or being trackside at Mount Panorama for the Bathurst 1000, or cheering on the Socceroos before they head off for the FIFA World Cup.

“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. Sports tourism doesn’t just fill stadiums; it fills hotels, restaurants, pubs and theatres, supporting thousands of businesses and jobs that rely on year-round tourism.”

Sporting events supported by Destination NSW in 2026

Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies Winter Test

NRL Grand Finals

State of Origin

Rugby League World Cup 2026

Socceroos vs Cameroon International Friendly (World Cup Farewell match)

Sydney SuperCup – 3 Men’s matches including Chelsea FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC, Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC

Sydney SuperCup – Chelsea FC Women's v A League All Stars

Women's AFC Asian Cup

Supercars Bathurst 1000

Supercars Bathurst 12 Hour

Supercars Sydney 500

TCS Sydney Marathon

World Time Attack Challenge

Sail Grand Prix Sydney

Australian Women's Classic

NSW Men's Open Championship

NSW Men's Senior Open Championship

Women's NSW Open Championship

World Sand Greens Championships - Men

World Sand Greens Championships - Women

UFC Pay Per View

United Cup Tennis

WSL Newcastle Surfest Challenger Series

Street League Skateboarding

Sydney New Year's Test Match Cricket

Mudgee Classic

IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie

Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB

The Championships (National Touch League)

Sail Port Stephens

Emerging Socceroos Championships

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ surpasses 250,000 tickets sold

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ has hit a major milestone, surpassing 250,000 tickets sold across the tournament.

The milestone follows the tournament already shattering the all-time total attendance record, with 92,795 fans attending the first 10 matches. This surpasses the previous record of 59,910 set across the entire 2010 edition in China.

The strong ticket sales reflect the extraordinary growth of women’s football in Australia and throughout Asia. 

Records shattered on International Women’s Day

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ has rewritten the record books once again, with 60,279 fans packing Stadium Australia for Sunday night's International Women’s Day clash between Australia and Korea Republic.

The crowd surpassed the Opening Match attendance of 44,379, which had set a new benchmark on the first night of the tournament. It now stands as the highest-attended match in AFC Women’s Asian Cup history.

The attendance also surpassed the 50,276 crowd recorded at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup group stage match between the Socceroos and Oman, making it the highest-attended Asian Cup group stage match ever staged in Australia, across both the men’s and women’s competitions.

Scoreboard at Stadium Australia

The crowd takes total group stage attendance to more than 158,091 with four group stage matches still to be played, underlining the extraordinary demand and the scale of support behind this historic tournament.

Tens of thousands of fans came together to celebrate elite female athletes on one of the most significant days on the global calendar for gender equality, sending a clear message about the strength, momentum and commercial power of women’s football.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Local Organising Committee Chief Operating Officer Sarah Walsh said: “To break more records tonight, and to do it on International Women’s Day, is significant.

"This crowd has pushed total group stage attendance beyond 150,000 with four matches still to play before the knockouts. The momentum behind this tournament is growing and it shows the strength and commercial power of women’s football across Asia and here in Australia.”

Minister for Sport and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “This record-breaking crowd at Stadium Australia is a proud moment for NSW and a demonstration of the growing strength of women’s sport.

“A big part of hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ is about inspiring the next generation of athletes, showcasing Australia on the global stage and bringing communities together.

“To see so many fans celebrating elite football on International Women’s Day sends a strong message about the future of the game and with the knockout rounds still ahead, the excitement around this tournament is just getting started.”

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