Sydney Secures Australia Next 2027 Host Spot, Highlighting New Infrastructure In Return To Biennial Showcase Cycle

Published on December 9, 2025

The esteemed decision regarding the host city for Australia Next in 2027 has been formally announced, with Sydney being chosen to welcome the international business events community. This major development was confirmed following the successful completion of the incentive showcase held in Melbourne. The event, which is meticulously managed by Tourism Australia, is widely recognised as a crucial platform for engaging global business events organisers and comprehensively showcasing Australia’s diverse and dynamic offerings.

The much-anticipated return of the showcase to Sydney for the 2027 iteration is considered a powerful indicator of the industry’s robust national recovery and renewed strategic direction. The delivery of the 2027 event will be undertaken in close collaboration with the city’s lead business events body, Business Events Sydney (BESydney), signifying a potent public-private partnership aimed at curating and delivering an unparalleled experience for high-value international delegates.

Strategic Shift: Normalisation of the Event Cycle

A significant adjustment to the operational scheduling of Australia Next has been confirmed in alignment with this host city announcement. The prestigious incentive showcase is scheduled to revert to its traditional two-year cycle in 2027. This pivotal decision was reached subsequent to an intensive period of three consecutive showcases, which were intentionally implemented to bolster the business events sector’s national resurgence. These recent, accelerated events were successfully staged in Adelaide in 2023, Cairns in 2024, and Melbourne in 2025. It was determined that the increased frequency was a necessary strategic measure as the industry emerged from the substantial, global challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

An acknowledgement of this crucial strategic timing was conveyed by Robin Mack, the acting managing director for Tourism Australia. It was explained that the operational tempo of the showcase had been deliberately increased for three years running specifically to help turbocharge the industry’s nationwide recovery. This concentrated staging provided a vital and immediate opportunity for international planners to be comprehensively shown the significant volume of new and updated product offerings that had become available throughout the country during the period of disruption.

A Sixteen-Year Return: Sydney’s Renewed Commitment

The selection of Sydney for 2027 carries considerable historical significance for Tourism Australia’s showcase, given that the city last hosted Australia Next in 2011. The 2027 event will mark the first time international business events planners have been welcomed to Sydney specifically for this incentive showcase in sixteen years. Great excitement is being generated around this long-awaited return, which is viewed not merely as a repeat performance but as a comprehensive reintroduction to a globally evolving city. The considerable interval since the last hosting allows for a completely fresh narrative to be presented regarding Sydney’s capabilities and product depth.

The partnership with Business Events Sydney (BESydney) is considered instrumental to the comprehensive success of the 2027 showcase. Amanda Lampe, the CEO of BESydney, conveyed immense anticipation and enthusiasm for the impending opportunity to greet the global incentive community in December 2027. Her excitement is demonstrably heightened by the major infrastructural developments that are being realised across the metropolitan area. The city’s capacity to host and delight international delegates is said to be expanding at an accelerated rate, reflecting unprecedented public and private investment.

Infrastructure and Accessibility: Preparing for the Global Stage

A focal point of the 2027 event will undoubtedly be the significant infrastructural improvements that will have recently culminated. Specifically, the impending completion and commissioning of Sydney’s second international airport is considered a monumental game-changer for international accessibility. This new facility is scheduled to become fully operational toward the end of 2026, positioning Sydney to offer dramatically enhanced services just ahead of the showcase.

This monumental project is expected to deliver a resultant and substantial increase in 24-hour air capacity, alongside the establishment of crucial new routes into Australia’s primary gateway city. Such significant improvements in global connectivity and accessibility are considered paramount for attracting and effectively managing large-scale international business events, particularly those involving high-profile incentive groups.

The New Sydney: Experiences and Sophistication

The 2027 event will serve as a critical platform through which international buyers can be offered a direct, first-hand experience of the newly rejuvenated and expanding city. This personal exposure is believed to be the most effective mechanism for driving future bookings and sustained interest from the global incentive market.

A distinct emphasis will be placed on demonstrating how beloved city favourites are being presented with a new perspective, while also showcasing completely new and transformative infrastructure projects. Iconic landmarks, such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House, will undoubtedly be incorporated into incentive programs, but new and innovative ways of experiencing them will be curated and presented. Concurrently, completely new hospitality and leisure assets will be spotlighted for international buyers. Examples of this exciting new infrastructure include the highly anticipated redevelopment of the Sydney Fish Market and the opening of the luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Economic Dividends and Global Positioning

The fundamental purpose of Australia Next is to connect qualified international business events organisers directly with Australian suppliers. The format typically involves structured networking sessions, strategic one-on-one meetings, and immersive familiarisation activities designed to comprehensively showcase the hosting destination’s unique capabilities. For Sydney, the 2027 event provides an invaluable opportunity for local providers—ranging from major hotels and world-class convention centres to specialist experience operators and destination management companies—to be directly exposed to influential global decision-makers.