After discussions with the NSW Government and the festival’s international owners, organisers say that SXSW Sydney’s 3 year Australian run is coming to an end and will not return in 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday 14 January 2026, SXSW Sydney said the event would not proceed next year pointing to a changing global environment affecting major festivals and cultural programs worldwide.
Organisers said they had worked with the NSW Government and Penske Media Corporation to consider options but prevailing market conditions meant the Sydney edition would not go ahead.
The decision draws a line under a high profile attempt to build a local version of South by Southwest in Australia combining industry conferences and cultural programming into a large scale calendar fixture.
While the organisers framed the move as a response to global conditions, it also leaves questions for Sydney’s events pipeline and the broader strategy of using major festivals to drive tourism, hospitality spend and international attention.
SXSW Sydney said it generated an estimated $276 million in total economic impact between 2023 and 2025, attracting more than 63,000 out of region attendees across that period. It also reported 35% year on year growth in international visitation between 2024 and 2025.
Attendance also rose in the most recent edition, according to the organisers. SXSW Sydney said total attendance in 2025 was more than 345,000, up 15% on the previous year.
The statement thanked Destination NSW and the wider event community including speakers, sponsors, volunteers and attendees.
Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman, co managing directors of SXSW Sydney said in a press release that “SXSW Sydney would not have been possible without our partners, Destination NSW and SXSW.”
They also pointed to the effort involved in establishing a new marquee event in a crowded calendar and the platform the festival aimed to build for Australian and regional talent.
Cahill and Whyman said in a press release that “We are especially grateful to the SXSW Sydney team for their dedication and hard work.”
From the US parent festival, SXSW said the Sydney edition had been an ambitious and meaningful extension of the brand.
Jenny Connelly, Director in Charge of SXSW said in a press release, “Over three years, SXSW Sydney demonstrated the power of convening global innovators, creatives, and leaders.”
SXSW Sydney said it would work with staff affected by the decision by adding it was committed to its staff and would provide appropriate support.
