Major Events Meet Iconic Experiences

From blockbuster sporting spectacles bringing in attendees from across the globe and world-famous country music festivals to regional farmers’ markets and local art exhibitions, New South Wales (NSW) hosts an exciting calendar of events year-round.  
 
These moments present valuable opportunities to engage travellers, inspire itineraries, and showcase the breadth of experiences across the state.
 
In this month’s edition, discover how major events in Sydney & NSW like Vivid Sydney, Sydney Marathon and the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 can be leveraged within your planning and conversations with clients by building high value, immersive event experience itineraries. 

Light Up Itineraries: Vivid Sydney 2026 Unveiled

From 22 May to 13 June, Vivid Sydney returns. The recent program announcement unveiled a reimagined program, including day programming, for the first time, and the return of drone spectaculars. 

Take it beyond the Light Walk with experiences that reveal Vivid Sydney from bookable angles, like climbing above it all on the Vivid BridgeClimb for sweeping harbour views in colour or, booking your clients a Vivid cruise or jetboating experience. For something truly immersive, your clients can join the Sydney Kayak Experience City Lights Night Paddle and glide across the harbour in illuminated kayaks. 

Alternatively, simply have them settle in for a standout meal through the Vivid Food program.

Now's the time to review the program and see how you can weave Vivid Sydney into your clients’ itineraries.

Chasing the Finish Line in Sydney

TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS is returning to Sydney on 30 August 2026 as an Abbott World Marathon Major, joining London, New York and Tokyo on the global marathon calendar. 

For distribution partners, with strong interest and high accommodation demand, it’s an ideal time to review availability and convert any pending NSW enquiries over 2026 marathon dates into memorable itineraries. 

Looking ahead to the 2027 race, Expressions of Interest are now open for distribution partners with an interest in becoming a Travel Partner of the 2027 race. Secure interest by submitting an EOI here, noting to review the criteria before completing the form. EOIs close on 05 April 2026.

Men's Rugby World Cup 2027

Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 will be hosted across Australia from 1 October to 13 November 2027, featuring 24 nations and 52 thrilling matches.

Sydney will take centre stage, hosting the semi finals, bronze final and tournament final, while Newcastle will welcome four blockbuster pool and knockout matches at Newcastle Stadium.

Beyond the matches themselves, the official Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 Experiences platform features a range of curated experiences across NSW. From vineyard tastings in the Hunter Valley to immersive seafood journeys at the new Sydney Fish Market and relaxing Byron Bay excursions, these add ons help travellers experience NSW well beyond the tournament.

With strong international and domestic interest expected, if you are interested in packaging and selling Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 please contact Kelsi Fryer on kelsi.fryer@rwcexperiences.com. 

What else is on in NSW? Review our regional calendar of events for more!

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OTHER WAYS TO THE WEST CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
Central NSW tourism leaders have launched a bold new tourism campaign reassuring travellers that the region is accessible, open and ready to welcome visitors - despite a road detour on the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. Learn more

$50 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN DETOUR ROUTES DURING HIGHWAY CLOSURE
The NSW Government will invest $50 million to strengthen and improve key detour routes in the Blue Mountains and Central West, as part of the government’s response to the ongoing closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass. Learn more

DESTINATION NSW PUTS ITS FOCUS ON HIGH-VALUE INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Destination NSW hosted a Focus On NSW event this month highlighting the state’s visitor experiences to buyers from high-value markets including United Kingdom, France, Germany, United States, Canada and New Zealand. Learn more

HUNTER REGION GAINS GLOBAL GATEWAY
Travellers from Singapore can now seamlessly fly into Newcastle with a 90-minute layover in Bali, opening a single-ticket gateway into the Hunter. Learn more

INAUGURAL TICKETS ON SALE FOR SYDNEY'S NEW 24-HOUR GATEWAY
Tickets are now on sale for flights into Western Sydney International Airport with Singapore Airlines. Learn more

RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM IN NSW 
The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows international visitor expenditure in NSW rose by 25.1 per cent in 2025. Learn more

Our Destination NSW Distribution Development team is here to support your business with any queries or needs you may have. 
Contact the team on distribution@dnsw.com.au