US Joins China and New Zealand as Sydney Marathon Strengthens NSW Tourism With More Than One Hundred Forty Countries

Written By: Ananya Dey

Ananya Dey

I amAnanya Dey, a Journalism and Mass Communication postgraduate with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science (Honours). I am passionate about travel, writing, and research, with a strong interest in storytelling and content creation.

See Full Bio

September 13, 2026 22:49 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

US Joins China and New Zealand as Sydney Marathon Strengthens NSW Tourism With More Than One Hundred Forty Countries because global sport is pulling new visitors into the region. Official data show strong tourism demand from China, the US and New Zealand, while the Sydney Marathon drew finishers from more than 140 countries. That mix boosts hotels, transport, restaurants and attractions. US Joins China and New Zealand as Sydney Marathon Strengthens NSW Tourism With More Than One Hundred Forty Countries because major events now connect Sydney with established markets and a much wider international audience, giving NSW tourism global reach.

China Leads NSW International Tourism as US and New Zealand Follow

New South Wales welcomed 4.2 million international visitors in the year ending March 2026, an increase of 7.9% year on year, according to Destination NSW data sourced from Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey. Those travellers generated A$15.2 billion in expenditure, up 18.1%.

China remained the largest international visitor market, sending 585,000 travellers to NSW. The United States ranked second with 483,400 visitors, while New Zealand contributed 443,300 visitors.

These figures are important for Sydney because the city is NSW’s principal international gateway and largest tourism centre. However, the country totals are NSW-wide figures and should not be described as Sydney-only visitor numbers.

Official NSW International Tourism Data at a Glance

New South Wales recorded 4.2 million international visitors in the year ending March 2026, up 7.9%, while international visitor spending reached A$15.2 billion, rising 18.1%. China led the state’s overseas markets with 585,000 visitors, followed by the United States with 483,400 and New Zealand with 443,300. Sydney’s global sports-tourism appeal was also clear at the 2026 Sydney Marathon, where 36,296 runners finished the race and participants represented more than 140 countries. Around 400,000 spectators lined the route. The figures show two different but connected strengths: large established international visitor markets across NSW and Sydney’s ability to attract a highly diverse global audience through major sporting events.

Sydney Marathon Connects the City With More Than 140 Countries

The TCS Sydney Marathon on 30 August 2026 added a very different international dimension to Sydney tourism.

Destination NSW reported that 36,296 participants from more than 140 countries crossed the finish line at the Sydney Opera House. A record 400,000 spectators lined the city’s streets.

Unlike statewide tourism statistics, the 140-country figure is directly connected to a Sydney event. That makes the marathon especially significant for understanding Sydney’s reach as an international sports-tourism destination.

The event brought global participants onto a route closely associated with Sydney’s best-known urban landmarks. It also placed visitors, athletes and spectators within the city’s accommodation, hospitality, transport and attraction network.

Global Marathon Demand Creates Direct Tourism Opportunities

International demand for the event was already visible before race day.

Destination NSW reported that the 2026 marathon ballot attracted more than 123,000 entries, representing a 56% increase on 2025. The agency said increased international applications were a major factor behind that growth.

Around 40,000 runners and wheelchair athletes from more than 140 countries had been expected to start the race. The final official result recorded 36,296 finishers.

Sydney also used the event to encourage participants and supporters to spend more time exploring the city. Destination NSW’s Run Perks programme connected marathon week with hospitality and visitor experiences across Sydney from 24 to 31 August.

Sydney Sports Tourism Extends Beyond the Race Course

The marathon’s tourism value does not come only from runners.

Every international participant can create demand for flights, accommodation, restaurants, public transport and attractions. Supporters travelling with athletes can extend that effect.

The official data show the scale of this opportunity. A sporting event attracting participants from more than 140 countries gives Sydney access to a much broader geographic audience than its largest traditional visitor markets alone.

China, the United States and New Zealand remain crucial because they already provide hundreds of thousands of NSW visitors. The marathon, however, demonstrates how major events can reach travellers across dozens of additional markets.

China, US and New Zealand Remain Critical to the Wider Visitor Economy

The strength of NSW tourism still depends heavily on established international markets.

Destination NSW identifies international visitor profiles for 17 key countries and regions, which collectively represent more than 80% of international visitors and expenditure to NSW. These include China, the United States, New Zealand, India, Japan, the UK, Singapore and South Korea.

China’s position as the largest market is particularly significant, while the US provides another high-volume long-haul source. New Zealand benefits from geographic proximity and deep aviation links with Australia.

Sydney therefore benefits from two complementary travel forces: large established international visitor markets and globally recognised events capable of attracting participants from far beyond those core countries.

Sydney’s Global Sports Tourism Reach Is Becoming Harder to Ignore

Official data provide a clear picture. NSW international tourism reached 4.2 million visitors and A$15.2 billion in expenditure, led by China, the United States and New Zealand. At the same time, Sydney proved its international event appeal when 36,296 marathon finishers from more than 140 countries reached the Sydney Opera House.

The figures should not be combined into one visitor total because they measure different tourism activities. Yet together they show why Sydney’s international tourism story increasingly stretches beyond conventional sightseeing. Major global sporting events are now helping bring travellers, spectators and international attention directly into the city.

US Joins China and New Zealand as Sydney Marathon Strengthens NSW Tourism With More Than One Hundred Forty Countries because international travel and major events are working together. China, the US and New Zealand remain leading NSW markets, while the Sydney Marathon brought finishers from more than 140 countries and drew spectator interest. That means tourism benefits extend beyond the race itself. US Joins China and New Zealand as Sydney Marathon Strengthens NSW Tourism With More Than One Hundred Forty Countries because global participation supports hotels, transport, dining and attractions while expanding Sydney’s visibility across established and emerging visitor markets.