Australia Next 2027 Returns to Sydney, Marking a Powerful Comeback for Global Business Events After 16 Years

Published on December 4, 2025

Tourism Australia’s flagship incentive showcase, Australia Next, has been officially confirmed to take place in Sydney or Warrane in 2027. The event will once again welcome international business events planners to Australia, where the nation’s world class business events offerings will be experienced first-hand. The return of Australia Next to Sydney marks a major milestone for the country’s business events sector, as it will be the first time in 16 years that the showcase will be hosted in the Harbour City.

The 2027 edition of Australia Next will be staged in December 2027 and will be delivered by Tourism Australia in partnership with Business Events Sydney. This announcement signals a new phase of growth for Australia’s incentive and corporate meetings industry following a sustained period of post-pandemic recovery.

Return to a Biennial Schedule After an Intensive Recovery Phase

Australia Next is set to return to its traditional biennial format after three consecutive annual showcases that were staged to rebuild momentum across the business events sector. The event was held in Adelaide or Tarntanya in 2023, followed by Cairns or Gimuy in 2024, and Melbourne or Narrm in 2025. This increased frequency was introduced as a strategic response to the global disruption experienced by the tourism and events industries during the pandemic.

Through this three-year recovery phase, a strong pipeline of future international business events was successfully secured for Australia. Hundreds of business leads were generated across these consecutive editions, with the overall value of these opportunities measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The return to a two-year cycle from 2027 reflects confidence that the recovery objectives have been effectively achieved.

The annual showcases provided Tourism Australia with the opportunity to highlight a wide range of new and upgraded products across multiple destinations. With this exposure successfully delivered, a regular and sustainable schedule is now being reinstated to support long-term industry stability.

Impact of Consecutive Showcases on National Industry Growth

Significant progress was made through the decision to host Australia Next back to back to back following the pandemic. A large volume of international planners were re-engaged with the Australian market during a time when global travel demand was still stabilising. These efforts were directed toward restoring confidence, rebuilding commercial pipelines, and reinforcing Australia’s reputation as a premium incentive destination.

The Melbourne edition in 2025 was regarded as a particularly strong showcase of Australia’s modern business events offering. The role of the Melbourne Convention Bureau as host was acknowledged as a key contributor to the event’s success. Extensive familiarisation programs were conducted across Melbourne and other parts of the country, allowing planners to gain direct exposure to a wide variety of experiences, venues, and destinations.

These experiences are now expected to translate into confirmed international events over the coming years, delivering long-term economic returns for both metropolitan and regional destinations across Australia.

Strategic Importance of Sydney as the 2027 Host City

The selection of Sydney or Warrane as the host city for Australia Next 2027 has been regarded as strategically significant. It has been confirmed that this will be the first time in 16 years that international business events planners will attend the Tourism Australia incentive showcase in Sydney. During this period, Sydney’s infrastructure, accommodation capacity, and global connectivity have undergone remarkable transformation.

Sydney continues to serve as Australia’s primary gateway city for international travel, and its positioning within the global incentive market has been further strengthened through sustained investment. The opportunity to present the renewed Sydney to global planners in 2027 is expected to reinforce the city’s competitive advantage within the Asia-Pacific and long-haul international markets.

Aviation Expansion and Global Accessibility

A major factor contributing to the timing of Australia Next 2027 in Sydney is the introduction of the city’s second international airport, which is scheduled to come online at the end of next year. This major infrastructure project is expected to generate a substantial increase in 24-hour air capacity and support the launch of new international routes to Australia’s gateway city.

With these developments in place, stronger global accessibility will be achieved, significantly enhancing Sydney’s attractiveness for large-scale incentive and corporate events. Increased flight capacity will provide greater flexibility for international groups, improved arrival and departure options, and enhanced logistical efficiency for event organisers.

The arrival of Australia Next in Sydney in 2027 will therefore coincide with a period of expanded air connectivity, positioning the city for a new era of international business events growth.

Rapid Growth of Sydney’s Corporate and Incentive Market

Sydney’s corporate and incentive meetings market is currently experiencing rapid and sustained growth. This expansion is being supported by a dynamic wave of new experiences, premium accommodation, and sophisticated event infrastructure. As a result, the city is being positioned as one of the most attractive incentive destinations in the region.

Beloved landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House are being reimagined through new event formats and premium group experiences. At the same time, major new infrastructure projects have been delivered, including the redeveloped Sydney Fish Market and the highly anticipated Waldorf Astoria. These additions are complementing the city’s established portfolio of luxury hotels and large-scale convention facilities.

The combined effect of these developments is being reflected in the growing demand for repeat corporate and incentive visitation. Companies are increasingly being provided with fresh reasons to return to Sydney multiple times, supported by a constantly evolving range of experiences.

Australia Next 2027 as a Platform for Global Engagement

Australia Next is recognised as one of the country’s most important trade engagement platforms for the incentive sector. The event is specifically designed to connect international planners with Australian suppliers, destinations, and experience providers in a highly targeted business environment.

Through carefully curated programs, delegates are exposed to Australia’s business events capabilities across accommodation, venues, transport, and experiential offerings. The value of this direct engagement lies in its ability to convert market interest into confirmed business, driving international demand at a national scale.

By hosting the 2027 edition in Sydney, Australia’s most internationally recognised city will be showcased during a period of unprecedented transformation. The global incentive community will be introduced to a refreshed destination supported by new airports, new hotels, upgraded precincts, and expanded connectivity.

Economic Significance for Australia and New South Wales

The long-term economic impact of hosting Australia Next extends far beyond the duration of the event itself. International incentive programs secured through the showcase typically involve large group travel, high-yield visitor spending, and extensive use of hospitality and event services.

The business secured through the recent consecutive showcases has already been measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars in future economic value. These benefits are distributed across airlines, hotels, event venues, transport providers, experience operators, and the broader visitor economy.

For New South Wales in particular, the hosting of Australia Next 2027 is expected to deliver sustained economic flow-on effects over the following years as confirmed international programs are delivered across Sydney and surrounding regions.

Partnership Between Tourism Australia and Business Events Sydney

Australia Next 2027 will be delivered through a collaborative partnership between Tourism Australia and Business Events Sydney. This partnership will combine national destination marketing expertise with strong local industry networks and operational experience.

Tourism Australia will continue to lead international promotion and buyer engagement, while Business Events Sydney will showcase the city’s infrastructure, experiences, and supplier capability. This joint delivery model has been proven effective in previous host cities and will again be utilised to ensure a seamless experience for participating planners.

Through this partnership approach, Sydney will be positioned not only as a premier Australian destination, but also as a leading global hub for incentive and corporate events.

A Defining Moment for Sydney and the National Industry

The return of Australia Next to Sydney in December 2027 represents a defining moment for both the city and the national business events industry. After three years of intensified recovery efforts, the sector is now transitioning into a period of renewed confidence and long-term growth.

The showcase will serve as an international stage on which Sydney’s transformation will be presented to the global incentive market. With expanded aviation capacity, world class infrastructure, and a continuously evolving portfolio of experiences, the city is expected to deliver one of the most compelling Australia Next editions to date.

As preparations progress toward December 2027, the event is being regarded as a powerful catalyst for future international business, reinforcing Australia’s standing as a world class destination for incentive travel and business events.