The Minns Labor Government is turbocharging events and entertainment in Sydney, lifting the cap on major events at Royal Randwick Racecourse to allow up to 10 major cultural events of between 5,000 and 15,000 people each year, in addition to race days.
Previously limited to a single cultural event of over 5,000 people, a consent which expired in 2024, the lifting of this cap will unlock more opportunities for world-class entertainment in our city.
Already home to some of Australia's premier race days, these new concerts and major cultural events at Royal Randwick are expected to inject more than $19 million into the NSW economy.
The decision will transform the iconic venue into a year-round destination for concerts, cultural festivals, exhibitions, and community gatherings - giving locals and visitors more reasons to enjoy world class entertainment in the city.
This is a major boost to the NSW economy, vibrancy agenda and will support more than 100 ongoing jobs and create new opportunities for young people, families, and communities to experience live performances and cultural events.
This proposal is consistent with a key part of the NSW Government's vibrancy reforms, designed to unlock new opportunities for live entertainment and experiences. These additional event days at Royal Randwick
Racecourse put these reforms into action - making it easier to activate iconic spaces, support local creativity, and build a more vibrant nighttime economy.
This comes as the NSW Government has also lifted concert caps at Centennial Park and the Sydney Cricket Ground precinct, while also launching a redevelopment of the nearby Entertainment Quarter.
The first events are expected from late 2026, adding even more colour and energy to Sydney's cultural calendar.
With excellent connectivity via light rail, buses, major roads, and parking for over 3,500 cars, the venue is well-located to support easy access from suburbs across Sydney. The venue will continue working closely with councils, NSW Police and Transport for NSW to make sure events are safe, well-managed and enjoyable for all.
The new events at Randwick Racecourse and surrounding venues builds on over two years of vibrancy reforms including:
- A boost to capacity, entertainment and events along with supporting more than 20 local councils to establish Special Entertainment Precincts.
- Ending single serial noise complaints, extending trading hours for venues that host live entertainment, reducing red tape around entertainment and outdoor spaces.
- Making it easier and more affordable to have events like street fairs and community festivals on public land.
- Streamlined approvals for outdoor dining, increased outdoor venue capacity and removed the ban on standing up drinking
- Scrapping the 5km member sign in rule at clubs.
- Rolling out $14.9 million in Uptown Grants to support entertainment hubs.
The NSW Government has granted approval, following extensive community consultation, with strong safeguards in place to manage noise, traffic, and crowd impacts.
Event plans, real-time noise monitoring, and a dedicated feedback hotline will mean the community enjoys the benefits of increased vibrancy while neighbourhood amenity is protected.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said:
"Sydney is a global city - it should be buzzing not just on our premier race days, but all year round.
"By unlocking this iconic venue to host more events, Royal Randwick is helping drive new life back into our city, supporting jobs, local businesses, and fun.
"We've lifted the concert cap at the SCG precinct, Centennial Park and now Royal Randwick. This is good for jobs, good for the economy, and great for the community."
Minister for the Arts and Night-time Economy John Graham said:
"We need more spaces for outdoor entertainment in Sydney.
"We support opening up Randwick Racecourse for more than just racing. Randwick Racecourse has good existing transport links and is a great place for more entertainment offerings.
"For too long, Sydney has been reined in by red tape. We've been removing unnecessary restrictions, lifting the concert cap and changing our noise complaint rules to get the city back up and running.
"The Minns Labor Government wants NSW to be the place where young people choose to live and work which means alongside unlocking more housing, we must also support lively communities and culture."
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"Randwick Racecourse is one of Sydney's great public venues.
"It has excellent transport connections and is built to host tens of thousands of people, and now it can be used more often for everyone's benefit.
"We're realising Royal Randwick's full potential as a cultural and community hub - a space built for big moments and shared experiences. With safeguards in place, we're making sure we balance both vibrancy and neighbourhood amenity."
Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O'Neill said:
"As the local member, I am proud to see Randwick open its gates to more than just racing.
"This is about giving people in the East more opportunities to enjoy world-class events right on their doorstep.
"We have listened to local voices and put in place strong protections in place to manage noise, traffic and crowd impacts. This is a win for our community, our economy and our young people who want more reasons to stay, play, and thrive - close to home."
