Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship Fund
Wagga Wagga City Council's Major Events, Festival and Film Sponsorship program aims to fund meaningful, creative and high-quality events for our community and visitors to participate in and enjoy. Council is committed to supporting and enabling a vibrant events calendar for our city and recognises the value of events in driving visitation, creating social connection, celebrating our culture and enlivening our city.
Funding for the following types of events is available:
| Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship Program | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Incubator Events | New tourism events in their first or second year of development that demonstrate sound organisational planning and a broad appeal that is likely to attract tourism and overnight visitation. |
The funding range is: $3,000 to $10,000 |
|
Developing Events | Developing major tourism events* that have been running for more than two years, that demonstrate sound organisational planning, attract significate attendance and/or overnight visitation and enhances the profile of Wagga Wagga as a major regional events destination. |
The funding range is: $3,000 to $20,000 |
| Flagship Events | Established major tourism events* that have already received three years funding through the Developing Events category and can present a comprehensive strategy for future growth and development of its tourism potential. This sponsorship is |
The funding range is: $10,000 to $20,000 |
| Out of Round Requests | For new or unplanned projects that arise outside the designated assessment timeframes (see page 11 of 2024/25 Events Sponsorship Program Guidelines). Maximum of one per event over the events lifecycle. | The funding range is: $3,000 to $15,000 |
Applications for the 2025/26 Major Events, Festivals and Films sponsorship fund are now open for events held between 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. If you have any questions regarding the Major Events, Festival and Films Sponsorship program please contact the Events team on 1300 292 442 or email events@wagga.nsw.gov.au.
*A major tourism event is defined as an event, festival or film that is expected to attract in excess of 2,500 attendees, generates economic impacts greater than $350,000 and/or provide significant state/national and local exposure for the city.
The Major Events, Festival and Film Sponsorship is for events held from 1st July 2025 to 30 June 2026.
Applications for this fund are now open and will remain open all year round or until available funds are exhausted. Applications will be assessed four (4) times per year by the panel as follows:
| ROUND | APPLICATION DUE DATE | COUNCIL MEETING DATE |
| ONE | Sunday 18 May 2025 | Monday 23 June 2025 |
| TWO | Sunday 13 July 2025 | Monday 25 August 2025 |
| THREE | Sunday 5 October 2025 | Monday 10 November 2025 |
| FOUR | Sunday 11 January 2026 | Monday 16 February 2026* |
Read the information
Read the Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship Guidelines
Event Sponsorship Guidelines 2025/26 225.7 KB Download
Consult with Events Officer
If you need assistance or have any questions regarding Council's Event Sponsorship Program, please contact the Events Officer on 1300 292 442 or email events@wagga.nsw.gov.au
Complete and submit the application
Applications for the Major Events, Festivals and Films sponsorship program can be completed via Smarty Grants.
Access to smarty grants is available now via the link here.
All funding applications received will be reviewed by an assessment panel. Recommendations will then be made to the next available Council meeting for endorsement.
Successful and unsuccessful applications will be notified after Council’s decision.