A major line-up of sporting, cultural and entertainment events across New South Wales this October is expected to inject more than $100 million into the state’s visitor economy.
The events calendar overlaps with the spring school holidays and October long weekend, with major fixtures scheduled across Sydney and regional NSW throughout the month.
NRL Grand Finals to Open a Busy October
The month’s major sporting events begin on Sunday, 4 October, with the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals at Accor Stadium.
More than 80,000 supporters are expected in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.
Accor Stadium’s program includes the NRLW Grand Final in the afternoon before the NRL Grand Final begins at 7.30pm.
Rugby League World Cup Expected to Bring $19 Million
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup begins in Sydney on 15 October, with NSW hosting 16 matches across Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.
The opening match will feature Australia against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, while Wollongong will host the entire Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup.
Destination NSW estimates the tournament will attract more than 32,000 visitors to NSW and generate more than $19 million for the state’s visitor economy.
The tournament is also expected to generate tourism activity beyond Sydney, with Newcastle and Wollongong hosting international teams and supporters.
Historic Rugby Quadruple-Header at Accor Stadium
On Saturday, 17 October, Accor Stadium will host an international rugby quadruple-header bringing Australia’s four senior national teams together at the same venue for the first time.
The program includes:
- Wallaroos vs Scotland Women
- Australia Men’s Sevens vs Fiji
- Australia Women’s Sevens vs New Zealand
- Wallabies vs All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup
The first match starts at midday, with the Wallabies-All Blacks Test scheduled for 3.45pm.
The event comes ahead of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, for which Accor Stadium will host major matches including the tournament final.
BIGBANG and Anyma Headline Sydney Music Calendar
Sydney will also host two major Australian-exclusive music events during October.
Anyma presents AEden will be staged at The Domain on Saturday, 17 October.
K-pop group BIGBANG will perform at Accor Stadium on Saturday, 31 October as part of the group’s 2026–2027 WORLD TOUR < XX : COSMOS > and 20th anniversary celebrations.
Regional NSW Events Add to Tourism Pipeline
Major events will also be held across regional NSW during October, including:
- IRONMAN Australia and IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie
- Supercars Bathurst 1000
- Deni Ute Muster
- Yours and Owls Festival in Wollongong
- Bowral Classic
- NSW Men’s Senior Open Championship
- New Annual in Newcastle
- Savour the Tweed
- Sculptures in the Garden in Mudgee
- Sea Otter Australia Festival in Mogo
- Steampunk Goulburn
Destination NSW says major events are being used to encourage visitors to extend their stays beyond the event itself, supporting accommodation, hospitality, retail and tourism businesses across the state.
More Major Events to Follow in November and December
The events pipeline will continue into the final two months of the year, with major sporting and entertainment events including the Australian PGA Championship, Robbie Williams, Harry Styles, Iron Maiden and Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB.
Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium is also scheduled to host major events including Foo Fighters, Robbie Williams, Guns N’ Roses and the AUSX Supercross Championship Grand Final.
The October calendar forms part of Destination NSW’s broader strategy to use major sporting, cultural and entertainment events to drive year-round visitation across Sydney and regional NSW.