City embraces Beatlemania as major events partnership attracts rock royalty to Newcastle

One of the world's most successful musicians will be winging his way to Newcastle this October thanks to a major events partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW.

Former Beatle and Wings frontman Paul McCartney will take to the stage at McDonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday 24 October as part of a national tour presented by Frontier Touring.

The concert marks not only Paul McCartney's first visit to Newcastle, but will also be the first time he has ever played in Australia outside of a capital city.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Paul McCartney concert would cap off an enviable trifecta of international acts that have set their sights on Newcastle as a result of City of Newcastle's strategic partnership with Venues NSW.

"We are thrilled to welcome global music icon Paul McCartney to our city in October for what will be a night to remember for tens of thousands of appreciative Novocastrians and tourists," Cr Nelmes said.

"On the back of two unforgettable performances by Elton John in January this year and ahead of next February's sold-out Pink concert, Newcastle has become a must stop destination for promoters looking for a world-class city to include on their national concert tour schedule."

Since entering into a formal partnership last year, City of Newcastle and Venues NSW have secured a diverse line-up of major music and sporting events, including the Australian Supercross Championship in 2022 and 2023, the Cup of Nations football double header featuring the Matildas, and an international netball Test Series match between Australia and England.

Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather said it’s been a transformational year for Newcastle and McDonald Jones Stadium.

"Venues NSW has worked incredibly hard over the past 12 months to ensure Newcastle becomes a regular stop on the Australian leg of any artist’s world tour,” Ms Mather said.

“Off the back of the record-breaking Elton John concerts earlier this year, we are delighted to have partnered with Frontier Touring and the City of Newcastle to secure global superstar Paul McCartney and other major events for McDonald Jones Stadium."

NSW Minister for Sport Steve Kamper added: “It’s incredibly exciting to secure the one-and-only Paul McCartney for Newcastle and Sydney, in what shapes to be the biggest and best concert season ever across the Venues NSW network.”

Cr Nelmes said attracting headline acts of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle's growth as a world-class event city.

"Events deliver both an immediate and ongoing benefit for the community and economy, with greater visitation, investment and liveability outcomes," Cr Nelmes said.

"Elton John's visit to Newcastle injected more than $14 million into the local economy while Pink's concert is forecast to deliver another $9 million economic windfall for the city, with similar outcomes expected during Paul McCartney's visit.

"These events also play an essential role in boosting tourism, as well as encouraging repeat visitation in the future."

Elton John's concerts were watched by almost 50,000 music fans, with more than 75 per cent of people coming from outside of Newcastle. During this time, Newcastle's accommodation occupancy rates almost double compared to the same period the year before.

The visitation trends were similarly high for the sporting events, with more than 90 per cent of the Supercross spectators and around 60 per cent of the football fans coming from outside of the local government area.

“Major events are a key part of City of Newcastle's Destination Management Plan as a primary driver of the local tourism visitor economy," Cr Nelmes said.

"Ongoing investment in events and tourism is integral to building a thriving, diverse and robust economy."

Tickets to Paul McCartney at McDonald Jones Stadium go on sale on from Thursday 3 August, with further information available via Frontier Touring at www.frontiertouring.com/.