Everything You Need To Know About Knockout Festival 2024

We are inching closer and closer to the highly celebrated hardstyle and electronic dance music event of the year, Knockout Outdoor: Games of Destiny, this weekend in Sydney. Knockout is hosted and created by events company Harder Styles United (HSU), who have kept the root of raving, hardstyle and partying alive since 2009. Since then they've branched out from Australia and into Spain, UK, Chile and the USA. 

Festival day is always hectic, but it doesn’t have to be. Here at The Music, we want to make sure your Knockout experience is as seamless as possible. So, here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about the event this weekend including times, venue, weather, lineup and so much more.

WHEN IS IT, WHERE TO GO & HOW TO GET THERE:

Knockout Outdoor: Games Of Destiny is a one-day festival happening on Saturday October 5th at Engie Stadium, Sydney Showground. Doors open from 2PM.

The best way to get to the showgrounds – especially if you plan on sinking a couple of drinks – is via public transport. Catch a connecting train from Lidcombe Station to Sydney Olympic Park Station, or you can check your local bus and ferry routes to Sydney Olympic Park via the Transport NSW Trip Planner here. If you plan on driving, you can find parking information here.

TICKETING INFO

Unfortunately, the event is completely sold out – but not all hope is lost!

HSU’s official resale partner is Tixel, which means tickets bought from any other unauthorised resale sites should not be trusted. Tixel resale tickets can be purchased here. No need to worry about changing the name on the ticket – Tixel will automatically do it for you.

WEATHER

We all know Australian weather can be pretty unpredictable, so to ensure your parade doesn’t get rained on (literally), here’s The Music’s weather forecast for Saturday in Sydney.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology as of today, Sydney is to expect a minimum of 15 degrees Celsius, and a maximum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius this Saturday. There’s an 80% chance of rain, most likely predicted to fall in the morning. Sun protection is recommended from 8:30 AM to 2:50 PM. Given the festival’s main stage is outdoors, make sure to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat – carry a rain poncho just in case. 

ENTRY CONDITIONS

This week, HSU released an official list of entry conditions to Knockout this weekend, and it’s pretty hefty. While it may look intimidating to sift through each slide, it’s all packed with important information to ensure the safety of yourself, and all attendees around you.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by H S U 👑 (@eventshsu)

If you find the information difficult to grapple with, here's an overview of some of the most necessary, general information you need to know:

ID

Given the event is 18+, all patrons must have an acceptable form of ID, including an Australian Drivers License, Proof of Age or Photo Card, Keypass ID and Passport. All ID must be valid, within date and scanned copies or photos of ID will not be accepted. If you are an international traveller, your passport must be brought with you as international drivers licences are not accepted.

DRESS CODE

As per the HSU website, there is a “NO LAD policy” set in place for the event. 

The dress code is described as “relaxed”, where you can wear what you wish except lad wear (TNs and bum bags are allowed), bare feet or thongs and masks. Hats are allowed, and if you plan on dressing up, you mustn’t keep your face hidden.

PERMITTED ITEMS

Everyone has a bag of festival day essentials, but before you decide to pack yours, have a quick read at what you can bring into the festival:

• Makeup including mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, lipstick, pawpaw cream (must be under 10 ml and not in glass packaging)

• Perfume (must be under 100 ml and not in glass packaging)

• Sealed cigarettes and vapes

• Deodorant (must be under 100 ml and not in glass or aerosol packaging)

• Single sealed lollipops

• Sealed hydralytes (must be under 100 ml/g)

• Medications and prescriptions including insulin pens, salbutamol inhalers, epi-pens and naloxone inhalers

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Every event has a list of items that aren’t prohibited into the venue, and Knockout is no different. Here’s what you can’t bring into the festival:

• Cans, glass, or metal containers

• Alcohol or any beverages

• Flares, fireworks, laser pointers

• Illicit drugs

• Unsealed packets of cigarettes

• Unsealed vapes and e-cigs

• Backpacks and bags bigger than A4 size

• Professional cameras or recording devices/equipment

• Liquids or aerosols

• Nasal inhalers, nitrous oxide, butane, or any other enhancers

• Dangerous items like knives or weapons

• Chewing gum

LINEUP

Now for the best part – this year’s Knockout Outdoor lineup is well and truly stacked. English music producer Darren Styles is a household name for every hardstyle and electronic music fan, having played stages at Tomorrowland, Defqon 1 and Knockout 2023. Code Black is another name that rings familiar in the ears of hardstyle fans. The Aussie DJ’s raw, edgy production first found success in the Netherlands before he started gaining recognition in his own backyard. Dutch DJ and producer Wildstylez is another hardstyle veteran taking to Sydney showground this weekend. Known to have founded Project One – his collaborative music project with fellow hardstyle OG Headhunterz – Wildstylez is expected to roll out bangers like Year of Summer and Lose My Mind this weekend. Set times are expected to drop on Thursday.

Find the full lineup of artists here.

If you’ve made it this far, congratulations! You’re probably going to be the most prepared person at this year’s Knockout Outdoors: Game Of Destiny. So in the words of the festival itself: Be Aware, Be A Legend, Care For Your Crowd and Don’t Risk It. And from us at The Music, happy raving!