SXSW Sydney will not return, citing a changing global environment impacting major events, festivals, and cultural programmes worldwide.
The decision comes after three years of SXSW Sydney events, in a scheduled five-year plan. SXSW Sydney worked with the NSW Government and the global SXSW owners, however, current market conditions have led to this conclusion.
Between 2023 and 2025, SXWS Sydney generated an estimated $276 million in total economic impact, attracting more than 63,000 out-of-region attendees. It recorded a 35 per cent year-on-year growth in international visitation between 2024 and 2025.
The 2025 event attracted a total attendance of more than 345,000.
“SXSW Sydney would not have been possible without our partners, Destination NSW and SXSW, as well as those who contributed to the event – our speakers, sponsors, volunteers and attendees. SXSW Sydney was an unforgettable three-year journey, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the people who joined us for it,” Co-Managing Directors Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman say.
“We are especially grateful to the SXSW Sydney team for their dedication and hard work in bringing this event to life and establishing a platform that showcased Australia and the Asia-Pacific as pioneers in global culture.”
“SXSW Sydney represented an ambitious and meaningful extension of the SXSW brand, and we are incredibly proud of what was built in partnership with the Sydney team, Destination NSW, and the broader creative community,” Director In Charge Of SXSW, Jenny Connelly adds.
“Over three years, SXSW Sydney demonstrated the power of convening global innovators, creatives, and leaders, and created a platform that elevated voices from Australia and the Asia-Pacific region onto the world stage. While the event will not proceed in 2026, we are grateful for the collaboration, creativity, and commitment that defined SXSW Sydney.”
