Mega & Strategic events

Overview

Queensland is continuing to build its reputation as Australia’s premier mega events destination in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation facilitates the assessment of mega and strategic event opportunities and the preparation of bids to secure these events for Queensland, and coordinates whole-of-Government support for these events.

Mega and strategic events play a crucial role in raising Queensland’s profile globally as a visitor destination, attracting visitors, increasing total visitor expenditure (TVE) and driving broader outcomes for the state.

Through the Destination 2045: Delivering Queensland’s Tourism Future plan, Queensland will be transformed into Australia’s event capital. This includes investing $100 million through the first ever dedicated mega and strategic events attraction fund to secure more events for Queensland and grow the state’s pipeline of events.

To ensure benefits from the state’s investment in mega and strategic events are maximised, we leverage across industry, community and other departments and agencies, while supporting each event’s operational delivery.

The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of all global events, serving as a catalyst for the development of a pipeline of exciting events in Queensland including the men’s Rugby World Cup in 2027.

Queensland played a key hosting role during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, with eight games staged at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium attracting 355,115 spectators. Queensland welcomed more than 52,000 visitors with $100m in direct and indirect spending generated in the state.

The trajectory of women’s football continues with Gold Coast one of three host cities for the Asian Football Confederation Women’s Asian Cup 2026.

Our partner, Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), is responsible for attracting, supporting, growing, and promoting successful regional and major events in Queensland to grow the visitor economy. We support TEQ by seeking and administering government funding for major event opportunities that align with Queensland Government objectives and contribute to the development of policies that support the staging of major events in Queensland.

Our role in relation to mega and strategic events includes:

• Assessing hosting opportunities and leading bids on behalf of the Queensland Government;
• Identifying resourcing requirements and quantifying costs associated with supporting these events;
• Managing the hosting and funding agreements;
• Coordinating Queensland Government support;
• Administering funding to government agencies (such as TEQ) to support the staging of mega and strategic events in Queensland;
• Helping to identify strategic event opportunities for Queensland through whole-of-Government engagement;
• Working with government stakeholders to secure and successfully stage mega and strategic events in Queensland;
• Partnering with Organising Committees and peak bodies to ensure an integrated approach to the delivery of mega and strategic events in Queensland.

Visit the Queensland Events calendar for a range of dynamic and growing sport, arts, entertainment and cultural events throughout Queensland.