Australian Live Scene Breaks Decade-Long Record Amidst Festival Crisis
Australia’s live event scene just had its best summer in nearly a decade, smashing ticket sales records despite a tough year for the festival industry.
According to Ticketek’s FanDX report, over six million tickets were sold across sports, music, comedy, performance arts, and family events, with two million Aussies jumping on board. It’s clear that live experiences are still thriving – although the festival landscape faced a series of hurdles, from financial struggles to event cancellations.
Festivals like Good Life Presents and Souled Out had to make tough decisions as financial challenges led to cancellations, but the overall live event market has proven resilient. Laneway Festival wrapped up an impressive 2025 season and has already confirmed its return for 2026 – showing that, despite some setbacks, demand for live music remains strong.
This summer also marked a milestone for first-time eventgoers. More than 370,000 fans attended their very first live event, with major names like Laneway Festival, Tina Turner The Musical, Bluey’s World, and Beauty and the Beast bringing in huge crowds.
It’s a solid win for the live event industry, showing that audiences are embracing everything from international superstars to family-friendly fun. Gen Z is leading the pack, splurging an average of $256 per ticket – more than any other group. Millennials are next at $238, with Gen X trailing closely at $244. And while Baby Boomers are still ruling the sports scene, they’re also making waves in performing arts, with 32% attending musical theatre this summer.
Music events continue to dominate, making up 49.5% of the ticket pie this summer. Sports took a significant slice too, grabbing nearly 30% of ticket sales – its biggest share in four years. This shift shows a growing love for sporting events, but music still reigns as the crowd-puller.
“Ticketek’s FanDX analysis powerfully reaffirms that live experiences are an irreplaceable and deeply valued part of our lives—now more than ever for a growing number of Australians,” says TEG’s Chief Operating Officer and Head of Global Ticketing, Cameron Hoy.
“Audiences are turning out in greater numbers, embracing a wider variety of events, more often, driven by a level of emotional connection few other experiences can match. With ticket sales rising and fan engagement reaching new heights, the future of live events in Australia has never looked more vibrant or promising.”