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read moreUFC 293, held at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on 10th September 2023 delivered 12 breathtaking bouts while also shattering ticket sale records – highlighting the global appeal of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The presence of over 1,000 corporate guests at UFC 293 highlighted the growing corporate support for the sporting extravaganza. The 360-degree configuration of the main auditorium allowed for the opening of the Contender Lounge, a unique super suite that offered a premium setting for over 100 guests. It was a record-breaking night for corporate sales, emphasising the increasing recognition of UFC's global reach across all price categories.
The event marked the promotion's sixth visit to Sydney and first since November 2017 and witnessed an unforgettable upset in the world of mixed martial arts. The event reached its zenith with the main event, where Sean Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight championship belt. This victory will be remembered as one of the most significant upsets in recent MMA history.
The excitement surrounding UFC 293 was palpable from as early as the public on-sale with initial ticket allocations selling out an astonishing 13 minutes as fans rushed to secure their seats, amassing over $10.7 million in total ticket sales. This monumental result surpassed the previous Arena record held by the Rolling Stones by a remarkable 92%, highlighting the UFC's unparalleled drawing power.
UFC 293 attracted fans from around the world, with a large number of attendees coming from outside New South Wales (NSW). This international turnout emphasised the UFC's status as a global sports phenomenon and demonstrated the universal appeal of mixed martial arts.
Qudos Bank Arena General Manager Steve Hevern noted “this is the second time a numbered UFC event has been held at Qudos Bank Arena and was by far the biggest. It is really pleasing to see the momentum continuing to build post-COVID. It is clear that the fans have spoken and live entertainment is well and truly back. UFC 293 was one for the ages. It was a massive effort by the entire Arena team, and I couldn’t be prouder of their determination to deliver a seamless operation that produced memorable experiences across the board.”
UFC 293 wasn't limited to the action inside the Arena, it spilled out into the community with two free events attended by thousands of fans, with the Press Conference on Thursday and Ceremonial Weigh-Ins on Friday adding to the excitement of the week. The UFC Fan Experience outside the venue provided fans with an immersive experience, allowing them to partake in activities that included athlete interviews, Legacy belt, Fighter faceoffs, striking machines, and access to merchandise.
Further to breaking records in ticket sales and corporate support, there was also a staggering number of food and beverage serves as fans enjoyed the event to the fullest, adding to the overall spectacle.
UFC Vice President Australia and New Zealand, Peter Kloczko shared “Fans had waited six long years for UFC to return to Sydney and they celebrated by turning out in record numbers for an unforgettable week of events, culminating with an incredible fight card last Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena.
“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with the NSW Government to deliver a brilliant program of events for UFC 293 fight week that captivated MMA fans across the city and thousands more that travelled to Sydney from far and wide to immerse themselves in the action.”
UFC 293 will be remembered as a historic occasion that transcended the Octagon. It showcased the UFC's global allure, shattered records, and delivered a heroic upset that left fans in awe. As the UFC continues to captivate audiences worldwide, events like UFC 293 serve as a testament to the enduring power of mixed martial arts to unite fans, athletes, and corporate partners in shared moments of excitement and triumph.
It has also been revealed that UFC 284 in Perth in February this year generated $42.8 million for Western Australia's economy.
Images. Credit: Glenn Pokorny
3rd April 2023 - UFC acquires WWE in US$9.3 billion takeover deal
17th February 2023 - UFC 284 event sets new sporting event attendance record for Perth’s RAC Arena
9th January 2023 - Inflated ticket holders at risk of being refused entry to UFC event at Perth’s RAC Arena
8th January 2021 - Abu Dhabi’s new Etihad Arena to open with fans in attendance for UFC fights
11th July 2020 - UFC ready to launch ‘Fight Island’ project on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island
26th February 2020 - Perth’s hosting of UFC event a major coup for Western Australia tourism
30th March 2016 - Etihad Stadium’s UFC193 event delivers economic impact of $102 million
12th September 2022 - Schools Spectacular to showcase public education’s creativity and performing arts at Qudos Bank Arena
9th February 2022 - Qudos Bank Arena announces new venue organisational structure and appointment of three new directors
1st October 2021 - More than 300,000 jabs administered at Qudos Bank Arena vaccination centre
9th August 2019 - Qudos Bank Arena partners with JBL to deliver stadium quality audio
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