Underbelly of one of Sydney’s biggest stadiums set to host thousands of revellers

Thousands of revellers will take to the cavernous underbelly of one of Australia’s largest stadiums for the Mardi Gras party next year, following a troubling year for the organisation.

For the first time in Mardi Gras’ 48-year history, the organisation cancelled its ticketed $2 million party three weeks before the February parade, after its headliner fell through, and amid concerns the event had run at a loss since 2020 and the organisation was facing financial challenges.

While the 2027 party headliner will be announced next week, Mardi Gras chief executive Jesse Matheson said at its 49th festival launch on Thursday that the organisation was entering a new era.

“We’ve been through a period of transformation and growth and renewal, and we are presenting this festival really confidently … we are entering a new era for Mardi Gras,” Matheson said.

“Party was cancelled [in 2026], and that was partly due to challenges with talent after the new year, but also we continue to see the costs of the event rise. We were trying to do something brand new and fresh.”

This is the first time the service tunnels beneath Allianz Stadium at Moore Park will be used for entertainment.

While most are familiar with the Mardi Gras Oxford Street parade, the event began in 1978 as a peaceful demonstration against gay and lesbian discrimination that ended in violence at the hands of police. The parades became annual events, and post-parade parties were started in 1980, typically attracting more than 10,000 revellers.

“Last year, I made a promise that we were going to bring Party back. We’re going to do it right, and we’re going to find a space where it can grow and bloom,” Matheson said.

Matheson said when the Mardi Gras team toured the stadium while scouting for a location for the 2027 party, they kept passing “massive” tunnels to different rooms and underground areas. So they asked if those could be the site for the party.

“You can get thousands of people under there, and it provides this really incredible warehouse underground feeling,” Matheson said.

Party’s headliners in previous years have included the likes of Cher, George Michael, Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Sam Smith, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton-John, Jimmy Somerville, The Veronicas, Tina Arena and Calvin Harris.

“This season is about really uplifting Australian talent and also bringing in some really hard-hitting international talent as well to the festival,” Matheson said.

Over the past year, the organisation has faced not only financial issues – but also a board fight.

In July, the organisation held a fiery extraordinary general meeting, which resulted in two directors being booted off the board after months of factional infighting.

Before the 2026 February parade, Mardi Gras faced community backlash for controversially partnering with Live Nation subsidiaries Kicks Entertainment and Bizarro in a five-year agreement, instead of a queer events company for the party. Mardi Gras at the time said it made those partnerships to reduce financial risk.

At the launch for the 2027 festival, Mardi Gras co-chair Kathy Pavlich introduced next year’s theme, “Hyperbloom”, representing the energy, creativity and joy generated when communities come together.

“Mardi Gras began as a protest, and in many ways, it’s never really stopped being one. Our communities have faced scrutiny, hostility, and plenty of people who would rather that we stay quiet,” Pavlich said.

“Every time Mardi Gras has answered the same way, we show up, we keep going, and we don’t forget what we’re fighting for: the right to live openly, to be safe, and to celebrate who we are in public.”

Next year’s Mardi Gras is a week longer, starting with Fair Day on February 14 and finishing on March 7 with a laneway celebration at Surry Hill’s Beresford Hotel and in neighbouring Hill Street.

The Oxford Street parade will take place on March 6, the week before the NSW election, with the party on the same night.

Other highlights include the Rainbow Road Street Fair on February 20, the Mardi Gala Ball on February 25, Ultra Violet at Carriageworks on February 26, the Kaftana and Paradiso pool parties return to Jimmy’s Rooftop on February 21 and 28 respectively, and Laugh Out Proud at Newtown’s Enmore Theatre on February 19.

Sissy Ball will once again take over Sydney’s Town Hall on February 20, and to celebrate the almost 10-year anniversary since the marriage equality campaign, Mardi Gras is partnering with the State Library of NSW for an evening of reflection on February 23. Meanwhile, the Queer Art After Hours exhibition will return to the Art Gallery of NSW on March 3.

Tickets for the Mardi Gras Party go on sale on November 9. The headline act will be announced on November 10.