SXSW Sydney to conclude its run after three years

After three big years putting Sydney and the Asia-Pacific creative scene on the global stage, the local chapter of South by Southwest bows out amid shifting global conditions.

SXSW Sydney has officially called time on its local chapter, with organisers confirming the Asia-Pacific edition of the iconic South by Southwest festival will not return in 2026.

After a three-year run that firmly planted Sydney on the global creative map, the decision reflects a shifting international landscape that is putting pressure on large-scale festivals and cultural events worldwide. Despite extensive discussions with the NSW Government and SXSW’s global owners, Penske Media Corporation, organisers say current market conditions mean the Sydney edition cannot move forward, at least for now.

Keep connected to your live music scene here.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by sxswsydney (@sxswsydney)

Launched in 2023, SXSW Sydney quickly became a heavyweight on the cultural calendar, blending music, tech, film, gaming and ideas into a sprawling city-wide takeover. Across its three editions, the event delivered an estimated $276 million in economic impact, drew more than 63,000 out-of-region visitors, and saw international attendance jump 35 per cent between 2024 and 2025. The 2025 event alone clocked more than 345,000 attendances, a 15 per cent year-on-year increase.

Co-Managing Directors Simon Cahill and Jono Whyman described the festival as an “unforgettable three-year journey,” crediting partners Destination NSW, SXSW, and the thousands of speakers, artists, volunteers and attendees who helped bring it to life.

“SXSW Sydney would not have been possible without the incredible community that rallied behind it,” they say. “Together, we built a platform that showcased Australia and the Asia-Pacific as leaders in global culture.”

SXSW Director in Charge Jenny Connelly echoed the sentiment, calling the Sydney edition an ambitious and meaningful extension of the SXSW brand.

“Over three years, SXSW Sydney proved the power of bringing global innovators, creatives and leaders together, and elevated voices from Australia and the Asia-Pacific onto the world stage,” she says.

While the curtain may be falling for now, SXSW Sydney’s impact will linger in the ideas sparked, the connections made, and the creative confidence it helped amplify across the region. Organisers have also confirmed they are working closely with staff to provide support following the announcement.

For three electric years, SXSW Sydney gave the city a taste of something truly global, and it went out having well and truly made its mark.

Find out more about the decision here.