5 epic shows on at Sydney's Afterpay Arena in spring 2026

With a new name, fresh upgrades and a blockbuster line-up, there’s never been a better time to check out this beloved venue
Afterpay Arena
Photograph: Supplied | Afterpay Arena | Afterpay Arena
By Aimee O'Keefe for Time Out in association with Afterpay Arena
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Whether you know it best as Qudos Bank Arena or are an OG fan who still thinks of it as Sydney Super Dome, the harbour city’s much-loved entertainment venue (and one of Billboard’s 2025 top five live music venues in the world) is stepping into a new era – and that includes a brand-new name.

Newly dubbed Afterpay Arena, the venue is marking more than just a name change, with the integration of Afterpay and Square across the arena experience. This means food, beverage and merch purchases are faster and more seamless. So you can spend more time belting out an encore or cheering on the Sydney Kings and less time waiting in line. 

As if that wasn't reason enough to visit, the event line-up is looking pretty damn good, too. Here are five shows to catch this October.

Relive your Lizzie McGuire era with Hilary Duff

Who knew we'd still be jamming to everyone's favourite Lizzie McGuire icon 20 years later? It’s time to get nostalgic and sing your heart out as Hilary Duff returns to the stage for the Lucky Me Tour. Marking her first global headline tour in almost two decades, Duff is entering her new era, and we’re all for it. But don’t worry – you can expect a mix of new music alongside the early-2000s pop anthems that raised us. This could be your chance to scream-sing along to ‘What Dreams Are Made Of’ and ‘So Yesterday’, catapulting you right back to your childhood bedroom and SingStar days. Ah, the circle of life. 

Go on an emotional rollercoaster with Noah Kahan

Get ready to laugh and cry, because folk-pop singer-songwriter Noah Kahan is bringing his The Great Divide Tour to Afterpay Arena for four nights in October. Fresh off his breakout album Stick Season, this is set to be the artist’s biggest Australian tour yet. So get ready to sing along to ‘Dial Drunk’ with a couple of thousand kindred spirits – this will be one for the memory bank. 

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Grab the girls for a night with Olivia Dean

Having recently taken out the number one spot in Triple J's Hottest 100 with her banger ‘Man I Need’, it’s safe to say that Olivia has a few keen fans Down Under eager to see her live. The good news is, the British singer-songwriter is bringing her The Art Of Loving Tour to Afterpay Arena this October for two nights, so you’ll soon be able to experience her soulful melodies and flawless blend of neo-soul, pop and R’n’B in the flesh. While these Aussie shows follow the drop of her latest album, you can still expect to dance along to some of her classic tracks. 

Run from the sunlight like Dracula with Tame Impala

If modern soul isn't your vibe, maybe a dose of home-grown psych-rock is what you need. Aussie legend Tame Impala is bringing his Deadbeat Tour to Afterpay Arena this October, performing brand-new music and crowd favourites across three shows. Led by multi-instrumentalist and mastermind Kevin Parker, Tame Impala is one of our biggest musical exports and seeing him on home soil is truly something special. Backed by a six-piece live band, prepare to be transported into a psychedelic fever dream.

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Get rowdy with Zara Larsson

Once you’ve recovered from the spectacle of Tame Impala, get ready to do it all over again at  Zara Larsson’s Midnight Sun Tour. It’s hard to believe, but it has been an entire decade since the Swedish pop powerhouse last graced us with her presence, and we’re definitely not risking another ten-year wait. Touring her high-energy fourth studio album, Midnight Sun, Larsson is returning to her pop roots with a bright, loud and raucous live show filled with fresh tracks, beloved classics and that platinum blonde hair we all know and love.

Find the full line-up here.

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