Major Events Sponsorship Program

The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and its thriving economy benefits from a strong tourism industry. The region hosts a variety of major events each year to support off-peak tourism periods, which reinforce our reputation as a great place to visit all year round and support our aim to position the region as Australia’s premier regional major events destination.

The Sunshine Coast Major Events Strategy 2018-2028 – 2023 Refresh focuses on the long-term outcomes and benefits from hosting a diverse portfolio of major events. The immediate economic impact and visitation that major events provide will always be the primary measure of success for each event, but we also review an event’s ability to support local businesses and profile the Sunshine Coast as an attractive destination to visit. We also assess an event’s inclusivity and sustainability practices.

Major Events Sponsorship Process

Applications for Major Event Sponsorship go through a rigorous assessment process to ensure the best return on investment.

Event organisers are required to complete the contact form to register their interest in the sponsorship program. Council’s Major Events team will then contact you to discuss your event.
If an event is deemed to be eligible for major events sponsorship, you will be sent a link where you will be asked to complete a preliminary assessment. Those eligible will be invited to complete this through the online portal SmartyGrants.
- Please have the following information readily available: event attendance including the number of out of region attendees and their estimated length of stay.
The preliminary assessment will be reviewed. If the event meets the assessment criteria, you will then be asked to finalise your application by completing some additional questions.
The sponsorship application is then evaluated by an independent advisory Working Group, and then consequently the Sunshine Coast Events Board who provide a recommendation to Council. Please find more information on the Sunshine Coast Events Board here.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible to apply for Major Event sponsorship, an event must meet the key objectives as stated below. Please ensure that you are able to provide the following prior to considering applying for sponsorship;

The total number of event participants/attendees by location (local, intrastate, interstate, and international).
An accurate estimate of projected visitor nights from the event participants/attendees.
An accurate event budget, including projected spend from local businesses and suppliers.
Event media coverage information, including the size and type of audiences.
A comprehensive event marketing plan.

Emerging Events

The “emerging events” initiative allows events that demonstrate potential to grow in size over a maximum 3-year period to attract more out of region visitors to be supported through the Major Events Sponsorship Program.

Applications for the Emerging Events program are open once a year. The 2025 Emerging Events Round opens April 30, and closes July 29 2025.The first series of events funded through the new category included:

the Sunshine Coast Chamber Music Festival’s concert series,
SHOWFEST which celebrated our growing film and TV industry,
the Australian Wearable Art Festival, where high-end fashion and art collide, and
The Rangebow Festival to celebrate the creative life and spirit of everyone in The Range communities.

Emerging Events we want to Fund

Events that have great future growth potential to generate substantial economic benefits for the region in the future.
Events aimed at diversifying our major events portfolio to enhance support for the arts and cultural sector.
Events hosted in distinctive and captivating locales, including our Hinterland.
Events requiring time to bolster their reputation and appeal to attract visitors beyond the region.
Events held outside of peak tourism periods.

To see if your event qualifies as an Emerging Event, please complete the contact form.

Sponsorship Rounds

There are four (4) Sunshine Coast Major Events Sponsorship Rounds each calendar year, applications are required to be submitted a minimum eight (8) months prior to their event date.

Round	Opening Date	Closing Date	Anticipated Outcome
Round 1	Tuesday 3 December 2024	Tuesday 28 January 2025	Mid-March 2025
Round 2	Wednesday 29 January 2025	Tuesday 29 April 2025	Mid-June 2025
Round 3*	Wednesday 30 April 2025	Tuesday 29 July 2025	Mid-September 2025
Round 4	Wednesday 30 July 2025	Tuesday 28 October 2025	Mid-December 2025
Round 5	Wednesday 29 October 2025	Tuesday 27 January 2026	Mid-March 2026

*Inclusive of emerging events applications

Additional Information

For further guidance regarding Major Event funding, we encourage event organisers to review the following documents that will be beneficial prior to applying for sponsorship;

Other Funding Opportunities

We appreciate that any potential grant or sponsorship funding can be an important revenue stream for events. Therefore, we would recommend you have a look at the Sunshine Coast Council Funding Finder – the free program allows you to search for available grants and funding for your events, businesses and projects outside of the Major Events Sponsorship Program.

Sunshine Coast Funding Finder - www.grantguru.com/au/sunshinecoast.