UFC signs multi-year deal to host events in Sydney

The Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial arts promotion has signed a four-year deal with the New South Wales Government to stage three pay-per-view events in Sydney.

The first event, UFC 293, will take place on September 10, with two more events to be held by 2027. The venue for this year’s event is yet to be confirmed, with Qudos Bank Arena and CommBank Stadium reportedly under consideration.

Sydney hosted its first UFC event in 2010, when Qudos Bank Arena (then Acer Arena) staged UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez.

Since then, UFC has presented 16 live events in Australia, including sold-out shows at Qudos Bank Arena, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Perth’s RAC Arena, Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Gold Coast Convention Centre. Sydney last staged an event in 2017 as Qudos Bank Arena played host.

UFC 293 will be the second PPV event in Australia this year, following UFC 284 at RAC Arena on February 12. The event in Perth marked UFC’s return to Australia for the first time since October 2019.

Peter Kloczko, UFC’s vice-president of Australia and New Zealand, said: “UFC events are the pinnacle of sports and entertainment. Nothing compares to the UFC live event experience, which we are thrilled to be bringing to Sydney over the next four years. UFC events have massive local appeal with fans in all parts of Australia, while remaining relevant to a global audience of millions.

“Our events drive strong economic outcomes through industry-high visitation and marketing value by showcasing host cities to millions of engaged fans worldwide. UFC 284 hosted earlier this year in Western Australia saw a record 68% of ticket buyers travel interstate or from overseas, injecting millions into the local economy.”

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns added: “Today the NSW Government has delivered on another election commitment. We are bringing three major UFC events to Sydney for the first time in more than a decade, which is a major coup for the people of NSW.

“This government has a laser-sharp focus to ensure we continue securing a calendar of exclusive, diverse and unmissable events to boost our visitor economy, support local businesses and create more jobs, and that’s exactly what these UFC events will do.”