The Asia-Pacific edition of South by Southwest will not proceed in 2026, citing changing global conditions affecting major events and festivals worldwide.
SXSW Sydney has announced it will not return in 2026, bringing the Australian edition of South by Southwest to a close after three years. The decision follows discussions between SXSW Sydney, the NSW Government, and the event’s global owners, Penske Media Corporation, with organisers citing prevailing market conditions that are impacting major cultural programs worldwide.
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Between 2023 and 2025, SXSW Sydney generated an estimated $276 million in total economic impact across its three-year run. The event attracted more than 63,000 out-of-region attendees and recorded 35% year-on-year growth in international visitation between 2024 and 2025. In 2025 alone, total attendance exceeded 345,000, representing a 15% increase on the previous year.
“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,” said Co-Managing Directors Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman. “SXSW Sydney was an unforgettable three-year journey, and we owe a debt of gratitude to the people who joined us for it.” The pair expressed particular gratitude to the SXSW Sydney team for establishing a platform that showcased Australia and the Asia-Pacific as pioneers in global culture.
Jenny Connelly, Director in Charge of SXSW, acknowledged the ambitious nature of the Sydney expansion. “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,” she said.
“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.”
SXSW Sydney has stated it is committed to supporting its staff through the transition, working closely with team members to provide appropriate support.
The original South by Southwest continues to operate in Austin, Texas, where it has run annually since 1987, bringing together the interactive, film, and music industries for a festival and conference that has become a cultural institution.
Read their final thank you here.
