Elton John rockets into Newcastle on back of new City partnership with Venues NSW

Elton John will rock McDonald Jones Stadium during an upcoming international tour as the first major event announced under a historic partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW.

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour concert will be the Rocket Man's first performance in Newcastle and is expected to be a sellout, filling the stadium's 30,000 seats with locals and visitors on January 10, 2023.

City of Newcastle and Venues NSW secured the show through a new Major Events Partnership, which builds on the history of the two organisations working together to land world-class events such as the Matildas match against the USA, and international rugby double-headers featuring the Wallabies, Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Elton John concert was a coup for the city and just one example of the diverse major events the new partnership is looking to achieve.

"Newcastle is once again showing Australia and the world that we're a global events city, attracting one of the biggest names in music, Elton John, to play a stadium concert in front of thousands of cheering Novocastrians and tourists," Cr Nelmes said.

"There was a time not so long ago that you would never imagine a name like Elton John playing in Newcastle, however we're on a cusp of a new era thanks to a strategic focus led by City of Newcastle attracting events, the backing of the local business and tourism industry, and Venues NSW expanding its vision beyond sports for McDonald Jones Stadium.

"City of Newcastle and Venues NSW have been working together to bring various major sporting events to Newcastle for years and now we've made this partnership official with the vision to attract events that are new, unexpected and will bring more visitors to the city."

Venues NSW and McDonald Jones Stadium CEO Kerrie Mather added: “We can’t wait to welcome Elton John to Newcastle as part of his Australian tour in what will be an unforgettable night for the region.

“We’re about to embark on the busiest concert season in New South Wales arguably ever, with Elton John to perform live in Newcastle and Sydney, while Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Guns N’ Roses, Harry Styles and Red Hot Chili Peppers are just some of the global superstars announced so far.

“This is an incredibly exciting result for Newcastle, and just a taste of the major events to come for the region.”

Major events are a key part of City of Newcastle's Destination Management Plan as a primary driver of the local tourism economy, which was worth $1.27 billion pre-COVID.

The Major Event Partnership between City of Newcastle and Venues NSW will see the two organisations work together in attracting major and international events to McDonald Jones Stadium and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.

For tickets and detailed information for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour at McDonald Jones Stadium on January 10, 2023 head to oznz.eltonjohn.com