New figures from Sydney have once again highlighted the scale of the economic impact that international congresses and events can create for a destination. International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) hosted 533 events during the 2025-2026 financial year and welcomed a total of 1.4 million attendees. Visitor spending generated by these events reached AUD 784 million for the New South Wales economy, equivalent to approximately USD 551 million at current exchange rates.
One of the most notable findings was that economic impact did not move in the same direction as event and attendance numbers. In the previous period, ICC Sydney hosted 546 events and welcomed 1.5 million attendees. While both figures declined in the latest period, the economic contribution generated by visitor spending increased from AUD 746 million to AUD 784 million.
The accommodation sector also continued to benefit significantly from the venue’s event calendar. Events held at ICC Sydney generated 1.3 million hotel nights across New South Wales, while economic activity linked to visitor spending was estimated to support 4,207 jobs. The annual programme extended well beyond congresses. ICC Sydney hosted international and national conventions alongside trade and consumer exhibitions, corporate meetings, product launches, gala events and live entertainment. This diversity also reflects how major convention centres are evolving beyond simply providing meeting space, increasingly bringing different event segments together within a single destination infrastructure.
International Congresses Continue to Choose Sydney
ICC Sydney secured 17 international conventions and corporate incentive events during the year, while the number of national conventions increased from 88 to 94. The venue’s calendar also included 60 trade and consumer exhibitions. One-day corporate events also accounted for a significant share of activity, with 241 meetings, gala dinners and product launches held throughout the year.
One of the most prominent international events on ICC Sydney’s calendar was the 76th International Astronautical Congress. The global space industry gathering brought together international scientists, companies, government institutions and industry representatives in Sydney. The event illustrates how the value of international congresses for a destination extends well beyond revenue generated inside the convention centre itself. Spending by delegates on accommodation, transportation, dining and other activities across the city carries the economic impact of an event far beyond the venue.
New Venue Added to the Event Portfolio
ICC Sydney also expanded its operational footprint during the year. With The Cutaway at Barangaroo added to its portfolio, the organisation gained a new event space for exhibitions, cultural events, corporate launches and large-scale brand activations. The venue also hosted 121 live events during the year. Following the renaming of ICC Sydney Theatre as TikTok Entertainment Centre, the venue became the world’s first event space to enter into a naming rights agreement with TikTok.
The way event spaces are being used also continued to diversify. Eight professional-standard pickleball courts were installed on the outdoor Event Deck, providing an example of how traditional event spaces can be repurposed for sport and corporate networking formats.
Event Impact Extends to the Local Supply Chain
ICC Sydney’s economic contribution was not limited to hotel nights and visitor spending. During the year, the venue purchased millions of dollars’ worth of goods and services from New South Wales-based businesses, while sourcing the majority of its food and beverage products locally. Some 98 percent of food and 99 percent of wine purchased by the venue came from New South Wales. This meant that a share of congress and event spending reached regional producers and suppliers beyond tourism businesses in Sydney’s city centre.
One of ICC Sydney’s upcoming investments will focus on energy infrastructure. The venue is preparing to host one of the largest solar energy systems located within a central business district in the Southern Hemisphere. The project highlights how energy use and operational sustainability are becoming competitive factors for major event venues alongside economic performance.
