The 2025 Summernats event injected a record-breaking $46 million into the region’s economy, while also bringing in more visitors than ever.
The event ran at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) from 2-5 January.
Research by IER reported a $46.6m benefit to the ACT economy, with 47,500 patrons travelling from interstate and overseas for the event.
Summernats has injected more than $900m into the ACT economy over the lifetime of the festival, with $175m coming from the last five events.
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said the 2025 event was “without doubt” the best since acquiring the festival in 2009.
“We had a record attendance of over 130,000 patrons and 2800 entrants across the festival period,” he said.
“We’re always making improvements to the show with a massive focus on delivering an excellent customer experience, and the high satisfaction levels in the research show the event continues to deliver on the expectations of the Summernats community.”
Mr Lopez said it was fabulous to see both records broken.
“The research data showed that the people who came to Summernats — the entrants and spectators — had a good time,” he told CD.
“There were high satisfaction levels and a big vote about wanting to come next year.”
Research by IER — one of Australia’s leading providers in the measurement of the impact and performance of major events — showed an increase in patrons who will ‘likely attend Summernats next year’ from 77 per cent in the 2024 report to 81 per cent following this year’s event.
Mr Lopez said the event also boosted Canberra’s hospitality, tourism and retail sectors, during what was typically a quiet period in the nation’s capital.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said Summernats continued to be a high-impact event for Canberra.
“Its record-breaking attendance and economic contribution this year highlight the value that the festival delivers for our city’s hospitality and local businesses in January,” he said.
City Renewal Authority chief executive officer Craig Gillman said an estimated $1 million-plus was spent at local businesses during this year’s Fringe festival.
BentSpoke Brewing Co. co-founder Richard Watkins said it has been great to see Summernats increase its footprint into other parts of Canberra and engage with these communities.
“At a time of the year when trading can be a bit inconsistent for hospitality, BentSpoke has seen an uplift in trade directly as a result of Summernats,” he said.
Braddon eatery Fricken co-owner Mohammad Saad said the Fringe festival was easily their biggest week of the year, breaking records every time.
“In the lead up, nearby hotels and Airbnbs fill up, and we see a big boost in interstate diners,” he said.
“The energy is huge with the cars and street atmosphere. We’re grateful for the event’s massive economic boost and the loyal regulars it’s built; it’s a summer tradition we look forward to every year.”
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