How Major Events Supercharge Sydney’s Airbnb Rates: Lessons from Taylor Swift and the looking forward to 2025–26 Boom

Last year, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour provided a masterclass in how world-class events can skyrocket demand and pricing in Sydney’s Airbnb and short-term rental market. As we look at the packed event schedule for August 2025 to March 2026, it’s clear this city’s hosts, guests, and investors are in for another surge. Here’s why you shouldn’t sit on the sidelines.

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The “Swiftonomics” Effect - And What It Means for Sydney Airbnb Market

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When Taylor Swift's Eras Tour hit Sydney, Airbnb saw an unprecedented spike:

• ADR (Average Daily Rate) soared by up to 50% across the city, with super-premium stays around Accor Stadium often trebling their prices. 
• Occupancy hit near 100% for MadeComfy properties days before and after each show.
• International and interstate guests booked months ahead, pushing February-March revenue to record highs.

The lesson is clear: big events drive both advance bookings and price surges - benefiting hosts and reshaping city income patterns for weeks.

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2025-26: An Historic Run of Demand-Powering Events

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The upcoming calendar is stacked with blockbuster concerts, iconic sporting finals, essential festivals, and high-profile arts exhibitions-running throughout the next 8 months to deliver “Taylor Swift” demand for professionally managed short-term rentals that are set up to capture these spectators!

Major Sporting Fixtures

• British & Irish Lions v Wallabies (2 Aug 2025, Accor Stadium)
• City2Surf (10 Aug 2025)
• Sydney Marathon (31 Aug 2025)
• NRL & NRLW Grand Finals (5 Oct 2025, Accor Stadium)
• The Everest Horse Race (18 Oct 2025, Royal Randwick)
• Australia vs India (Men’s ODI) (25 Oct 2025, SCG)
• The Ashes – Fifth Test (4–8 Jan 2026, SCG)
• Australia vs India (Women’s T20I) (15 Feb 2026, SCG)
• Supercars Sydney 500 (21–23 Feb 2026, Sydney Motorsport Park)
• UFC 312 Sydney (9 Feb 2026, Qudos Bank Arena)
• NBL & WNBL Key Fixtures (Jan–Mar 2026, Qudos Bank Arena)
• Sydney Swans (AFL) Opening Round (7 Mar 2026, SCG)
• Sydney Hobart Yacht Race (Finish) (Dec 2025, Sydney Harbour)

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Blockbuster Concerts & Live Performances

• OASIS LIVE ’25 World Tour (7-8 Nov 2025, Accor Stadium)
• Keith Urban (22 & 23 Aug 2025, Qudos Bank Arena)
• Tyler, The Creator (26–28 Aug 2025, Qudos Bank Arena)
• Paul Kelly (30 Aug 2025, Qudos Bank Arena)
• Bloc Party & Young the Giant (1 Aug 2025, Hordern Pavilion)
• The Wombats (1 Oct 2025, Hordern Pavilion)
• Zac Brown Band (7 Oct 2025, Hordern Pavilion)
• Jacob Banks (4 Oct 2025, Metro Theatre)
• Rock The Boat 2025 (Nov 2025, Sydney Harbour)
• Harbourlife 2025 (Nov 2025, Mrs Macquaries Point)
• Hellbound 2026 (Early 2026, Venue TBC)
• Lost Sundays Block Party (5 Jan 2026, IVY Precinct)
• More notable shows at Enmore Theatre, ICC Sydney, The Vanguard, State Theatre, and more

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Iconic Festivals & Cultural Events

• Sydney Fringe Festival (1- Sep 2025)
• SXSW Sydney (13-19 Oct 2025)
• Sydney Festival (Jan 2026)
• Chinese Lunar New Year (29 Jan 2026)
• Sydney New Year’s Eve (31 Dec 2025)

Arts, Exhibitions & Cultural Highlights

• Ron Mueck: Encounter (6 Dec 2025 - 12 Apr 2026, Art Gallery of NSW)
• Data Dreams: Contemporary Art in the Age of AI (21 Nov 2025 - 26 Apr 2026, Museum of Contemporary Art)
• Other highlights: “A Painter’s Painter”, Archibald/Wynne/Sulman Prizes, regular installations and gallery programs

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Don’t Miss the Boom: Spiking Airbnb Demand Signals Urgency for Sydney Property Owners

Sydney’s 2025–26 event season is already translating into real bookings and rising nightly rates across the city. The time to act is now—we’re already witnessing a surge in Airbnb clicks and confirmed bookings for major event dates. Owners who hesitate will miss what could be their best-earning window of the decade.

Demand Is Accelerating - Here’s What We’re Seeing

• Sharp spikes in Airbnb interest and booking activity around blockbuster events: Oasis World Tour, the Ashes, NRL Grand Final, SXSW, British & Irish Lions, and New Year’s Eve.
• Booking volumes are well ahead of typical seasonal trends, with many hosts reporting their premium calendars filling up for peak weekends as much as 6- 8 months in advance.
• On key dates, click rates and booking conversions are climbing weekly-mirroring the same upward trend seen when the Taylor Swift Eras Tour drove rates and occupancy to historic highs.

Take the Next Step

Sydney’s blockbuster events season is shaping up to be a record-breaker for accommodation demand. By partnering with MadeComfy, you can turn this surge into consistent, maximised income while enjoying a stress-free hosting experience.

Contact MadeComfy today for a free, data-driven rental income assessment and see exactly how much your property could earn during Sydney’s hottest events. Don’t miss out on your best season yet!

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See how much you could be making - here

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