Sydney Olympic Park has smashed its visitation record, welcoming 12.3 million visitors in 2025-26, up 2.5 per cent on the previous year and the highest attendance in the Park’s history, including during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The numbers tell a clear story: as Sydney grows, Sydneysiders are choosing Sydney Olympic Park more than ever, for major sport and entertainment, for its parklands and wetlands, for its cafes and restaurants, and for the simple pleasure of green open space close to home.
It is proof that when governments invest in great public places, communities show up.
More Sydneysiders and visitors than ever are discovering the Park’s unique mix of green open space, major events, walking and cycling trails, wetlands, playgrounds, cafes and opportunities for recreation and relaxation.
Sporting visitation surged by 310,000 people (up 18 per cent), driven by huge crowds for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and a bumper NRL season, including 16 matches attracting more than 30,000 patrons each, up from 10 the previous year.
Parklands visitation also climbed, with an additional 60,000 visitors (up 2 per cent) enjoying Sydney Olympic Park’s green spaces, wetlands, playgrounds and walking trails.
With spring in the air, the Minns Labor Government is encouraging families, visitors and locals to explore the Park’s free outdoor experiences, including:
- Badu Mangrove Boardwalk: part of Sydney’s largest remaining mangrove forest.
- Murama Healing Space: home to the Murama Dance Ground and Healing Circle.
- Brickpit Ring Walk: a 550-metre elevated loop overlooking habitat for the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog, while learning about the history of this unique site.
- Extensive cycling and running trails: including the popular 5km parklands circuit.
- Picnic lawns, playgrounds and wetlands: featuring boardwalks, bird hides and viewing platforms, ideal for family outings.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully said:
“These record visitation figures show why the Minns Labor Government’s continued investment in and activation of great public spaces matters.
“Sydney Olympic Park is one of Australia’s premier visitor destinations, offering a unique mix of major sport and entertainment, parklands, wetlands, walking and cycling trails, cafes and restaurants and free outdoor experiences for families and visitors.
“As Sydney grows, places like Sydney Olympic Park will become even more important, vibrant, connected destinations that support healthy lifestyles, attract visitors, strengthen local economies and bring communities together.”
Minister for Sport, Steve Kamper said:
“Record visitation shows Sydney Olympic Park is one of Australia’s great sporting and entertainment destinations, and its appeal continues to grow.
“From the AFC Women’s Asian Cup to a bumper NRL season, we’re seeing more major sporting events draw bigger crowds to Western Sydney.
“Every packed stadium, busy restaurant and visitor exploring the area is a win for Western Sydney’s visitor economy.
“Sydney Olympic Park has the venues, transport links, open space and scale to keep attracting major events and visitors from across Australia and around the world.”
Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:
“Sydney Olympic Park is one of the great assets of Western Sydney, and these figures show just how much locals and visitors love spending time here.
“From the mangroves to the Murama Healing Space to the roar of the crowd on NRL match day, this precinct has something for everyone, and it belongs to our community.
“I am proud to represent an electorate that is home to a destination the whole of Sydney wants to visit, and I will keep backing the investment that keeps it growing.”
Sydney Olympic Park Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer, Chris Martin said:
“What’s particularly encouraging is that we’re seeing growth across both major events and our parklands.
“People increasingly see Sydney Olympic Park as more than an event destination. It’s somewhere they can exercise, connect with nature, spend time with family and enjoy free outdoor experiences year-round.
“With warmer weather on the way, there’s never been a better time to discover everything the Park has to offer.”
