Brisbane in the spotlight as major events entice visitors

1 JUNE 2022

There’s no time to hibernate this winter with Brisbane playing host to a jam-packed calendar of major events.

As the temperature drops in southern states, Brisbane turns up the heat with international sporting showdowns, major festivals and world-class cultural events driving visitation to the city throughout the second half of 2022.

Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) is shining the spotlight on Brisbane’s bumper events calendar with a four-week interstate tourism campaign, launching today.

Brisbane’s major sporting and cultural events take centre stage across highly targeted media channels including in-stadium LED signage, out of home billboards near key sporting venues and cultural precincts and streaming platform Kayo, with the campaign’s creative a nod to Brisbane’s relaxed, playful and welcoming nature.

BEDA Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ryan said the major events campaign will entice sports fans, arts-lovers, foodies and thrill-seekers to Brisbane from across the country.

“Brisbane offers event enthusiasts the ultimate experience with our state-of-the-art venues and facilities, glorious winter weather and proven track record for hosting major events, from the Bledisloe Cup to the Bolshoi Ballet,” Mr Ryan said.

“There is no place like Brisbane, with the city offering a unique mix of culture, lifestyle and business to create the ultimate events destination.

“It’s also why we’re seeing more sports bringing their big competitions to Brisbane including the exclusive hosting of Nitro World Games, NRL Magic Round and the Brisbane Cycling Festival.

“With a ‘green and gold’ runway to 2032, we see Brisbane in the box seat to become the events capital of Australia over the next decade.

“Major events play an important part in powering the city’s economy with this campaign encouraging visitors to stay longer, spend more and support local businesses.”

Kicking off the major sporting events, Suncorp Stadium hosts three epic cross-code events in July: the Wallabies V England Rugby Union test match on 9 July, State of Origin game three on 13 July and the first Queensland Champions Cup on 17 July when Brisbane Roar takes on English Premier League Football Clubs Aston Villa and Leeds United.

The Gabba steps up to the crease for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup when Brisbane hosts four Super 12 matches over three days pitting Australia, England and New Zealand against tenacious challengers from 30 October 31 to 1 November.

The on-field action ignites with the Nitro World Games assembling the world’s best extreme sports athletes across FMX, BMX, skate and scooter for a global showdown at Suncorp Stadium on 22-23 October.

Swinging into summer, the Australian PGA Championship returns to Brisbane’s Royal Queensland Golf Club for four thrilling days from 24-27 November.

Off-field, Brisbane is alive with a slate of major festivals and events across arts, culture, food and science.

Curiocity Brisbane transforms Brisbane into a world of discovery from 24 June to 10 July when science and art intersect across the city to inspire curious minds of all ages.

The highly anticipated Brisbane Festival returns to fill the city with three weeks of wonder, delight and celebration from 2-24 September, starting with a bang with fireworks extravaganza; Riverfire, by Australian Retirement Trust.

Immersive and large-scale works take over the entire ground floor of the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) in Air, an awe-spiring exhibition from 26 November 2022 to 23 April 2023.

Foodies are also catered for with a smorgasbord of food and wine festivals across the Brisbane region.

Long lunches roll into degustation dinners when Scenic Rim Eat Local Week spotlights fresh food, passionate producers and clever chefs over nine days of gastronomic events from 25 June to 3 July.

Eat, drink and enjoy Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate at Moreton Bay Food & Wine Festival, held over three days at venues along the waterfront and the hinterland from 19-21 August.