LPA Ticket Attendance and Revenue Report 2018

Photo: The Book of Mormon, The Gordon Frost Organisation, Jeff Busby

Special EventsClick for more info

Similar to previous years, the Special Events category is particularly variable as it is dependent on whether performances that cannot be classified into other categories take place.

Special Events experienced the highest y-o-y growth in revenue and the fourth highest y-o-y growth in attendance amongst all categories, generating 337.9% growth in revenue and 24.5% growth in attendance in 2018. The growth in revenue was primarily attributed to a significant increase in the average ticket prices by 202.8%, from $50.43 in 2017 to $152.70 in 2018. Top events in this category in 2018 were special events presented as part of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the Mardi Gras Party, Nitro Circus, Bill Murray, Jan Vogler and Friends and Crossing Over with John Edward.

QLD and NSW contributed 56.7% and 30.5% of the overall market share in revenue and 46.7% and 30.8% of the overall market share in attendance in this category in 2018. Combined, QLD and NSW generated 87.2% of the overall revenue and 77.5% of the overall attendance in this category. QLD experienced the highest y-o-y growth in revenue (1414.6%) and second-highest y-o-y growth in attendance (235.9%). The largest contributor to revenue and attendances to special events in QLD were those presented as part of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. NSW witnessed a y-o-y increase in revenue by 380.7% and 21.2% y-o-y growth in attendance. The growth in revenue in 2018 was primarily driven by the Mardi Gras Party.

Close Table

Special Events - Revenue and Attendance (2004–2018)

Revenue ($) Growth (%) Total Attendance* Growth (%) Average Ticket Price ($)** Growth (%)
2004 $96,706,366 3,125,013 $45.43
2005 $89,357,246 -7.6% 2,992,097 -4.3% $31.50 -30.7%
2006 $82,143,879 -8.1% 2,625,779 -12.2% $42.64 35.4%
2007 $117,203,892 42.7% 3,453,077 31.5% $48.56 13.9%
2008 $10,324,979 -91.2% 374,623 -89.2% $43.60 -10.2%
2009 $23,602,096 128.6% 559,434 49.3% $67.79 55.5%
2010 $31,449,876 33.3% 526,503 -5.9% $88.67 30.8%
2011 $15,799,946 -49.8% 370,239 -29.7% $57.28 -35.4%
2012 $4,250,001 -73.1% 91,189 -75.4% $57.58 0.5%
2013 $6,030,274 41.9% 113,294 24.2% $73.18 27.1%
2014 $10,984,057 82.1% 210,390 85.7% $86.90 18.8%
2015 $20,340,607 85.2% 556,914 164.7% $42.26 -51.4%
2016 $29,310,579 44.1% 185,104 -66.8% $170.90 304.4%
2017 $5,049,945 -82.8% 136,871 -26.1% $50.43 -70.5%
2018 $22,115,160 337.9% 170,359 24.5% $152.70 202.8%

*Based on both paid and unpaid tickets

** Average Ticket Prices are calculated based only on paid tickets

State/Territory Breakdown Close Table

Close Table

Special Events - by State/Territory (2018)

State/Territory Revenue ($) Market Share Proportion Market Share Change from 2017 Attendance Market Share Proportion Market Share Change from 2017
NSW $6,747,994 30.5% 380.7% 52,453 30.8% 21.2%
VIC $1,196,312 5.4% -22.9% 11,292 6.6% -70.5%
QLD $12,529,378 56.7% 1,414.6% 79,530 46.7% 235.9%
WA $624,261 2.8% -6.5% 7,061 4.1% -67.3%
SA $533,142 2.4% 49.5% 10,365 6.1% 48.2%
ACT $306,852 1.4% 58.1% 5,910 3.5% 145.3%
TAS $169,957 0.8% 244.5% 3,513 2.1% 418.1%
NT $7,265 0.0% 0.0% 235 0.1% 0.0%

Photo: Briggs at Reconciliation Day Eve Concert, Canberra Theatre Centre, David James McCarthy

Individual Category Results