National Convention and Entertainment Centre

Funding: $62.2 million in funding for this project. Paid by instalments as key milestones are delivered

The ACT Government is planning a new Convention and Entertainment Centre in the city centre.

The new National Convention and Entertainment Centre will host, exhibitions, events, conferences, touring artists, indoor sporting events and performances.

With a seated capacity of up to 7,500 people, the new entertainment venue will give Canberra access to showcase large-scale sporting and touring acts.

Canberra is also a unique location for hosting conferences, with connections to top Australian universities and relationships with leading research institutions. We also have a strong diplomatic community and connections to Australian Government.

To create the new National Convention and Entertainment Centre, we’ll partner with:

• industry
• local and regional communities
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• the Australian Government.

This will create a convention and entertainment district that’s worthy of Canberra’s identity as the nation’s meeting place.

Project progress:

The funding for this project will deliver detailed design and procurement activities, progressing the project to a construction-ready stage. Completed activities include:

• initial feasibility studies
• technical due diligence
• early scoping to define the size and role of the area.

Over the next 12 months, the project will progress through key steps, including:

• development of Business Case and a Reference Design
• securing planning approvals
• stakeholder engagement.

Project benefits:

The new National Convention and Entertainment Centre will:

• attract larger scale conferences, sporting and music events
• grow jobs in tourism, hospitality and construction
• increase visitor numbers to Canberra, boosting the local economy
• create a contemporary and vibrant cultural district for Canberra
• build a safe and welcoming place for everyone.

Find out more

If you have questions about this project, please contact conventionandentertainmentcentre@act.gov.au