SXSW Sydney will not return in 2026, bringing an end to the Australian edition of the global South by Southwest festival after a three-year run.
In a statement released on Wednesday, organisers said the decision reflected a “changing global environment” impacting major events and cultural programs worldwide.
SXSW Sydney said it worked closely with the NSW Government and SXSW’s global owner, Penske Media Corporation, to explore pathways forward, but prevailing market conditions meant the Sydney edition would not proceed next year.
Launched in 2023 as the Asia-Pacific expansion of the long-running Austin-based festival, SXSW Sydney spanned technology, startups, music, screen and culture across Sydney’s CBD.
It was the first iteration of SXSW to be held outside of the US, before being followed by SXSW London in 2025. It’s understood that Sydney originally secured SXSW rights for an initial five-year term, with the option to extend if revenue targets were met.
At the time of writing the Google result for SXSW Sydney still stated that the festival is returning for 2026. And as late as January 3, the SXSW Sydney website said the festival would return in 2026.
Source: Google
The event positioned itself as a major convening point for startups, investors and tech leaders alongside its film, music and cultural programming, with ambitions to embed Sydney into the global innovation calendar.
Organisers said SXSW Sydney generated an estimated $276 million in total economic impact between 2023 and 2025, attracted more than 63,000 out-of-region attendees, and recorded 35% year-on-year growth in international visitation between 2024 and 2025.
Total attendance in 2025 reportedly reached more than 345,000 people, representing a 15% year-on-year increase.
“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,” said Co-Managing Directors, Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman.
SXSW’s global leadership also praised the Sydney edition, with SXSW director in charge Jenny Connelly calling it an “ambitious and meaningful extension” of the brand that elevated regional voices and convened global innovators, creatives and leaders.
Long-running debate regarding SXSW Sydney
However, SXSW Sydney’s tenure was marked by ongoing debate about its cost, structure and local impact.
The event was backed by significant taxpayer support, with Destination NSW reported to have secured the SXSW rights in a deal worth around $12 million, alongside ongoing government backing and in-kind support, including venue hire fee waivers and annual cash contributions from the City of Sydney.
While organisers promoted strong economic impact figures, questions persisted about value for money, particularly given that overseas visitors accounted for a relatively small share of ticket holders.
Across its three editions, SXSW Sydney also faced criticism from parts of the startup, music and creative communities over high and complex ticket pricing, sprawling venues that made sessions difficult to attend, and operational issues in its early years.
Attendance dipped between 2023 and 2024, and the festival attracted scrutiny over its reliance on unpaid or low-paid talent, with some artists and industry figures arguing that “exposure” did not adequately support local talent in an already fragile music sector.
While organisers adjusted ticketing and expanded free programming over time, debate persisted over whether the global SXSW model fully translated to Sydney’s local startup, creative and small business ecosystems.
SXSW Sydney said it is committed to supporting its staff and will work closely with team members to provide “appropriate support” following the decision to conclude the event.
More to come…
