Foo FightersOf the seven Australian stops that Foo Fighters will make on their Take Cover stadium tour in November and January, regional cities Newcastle and Townsville are showing the greatest excitement.
Both have been tirelessly promoting themselves as destinations for international concerts, and to be included in this major visit is vindication.
Newcastle To The Game
NSW Minister for Tourism Steve Kamper said: "Foo Fighters' tour landing in Newcastle reinforces the Hunter's rapid rise as one of Australia's premier regional event destinations, with major global acts choosing the harbour city for headline shows alongside major international capitals.
"This momentum is being supercharged through the new Newcastle International Terminal and our NSW Take Off Fund, which has unlocked Newcastle as a global gateway for tourism, trade and investment."
Dave Grohl and cohorts plug in on November 12th at McDonald Jones Stadium to 30,000 to 35,000 fans. Tickets are expected to sell out in days.
Boxes at the venue were snapped up in hours. A private air conditioned suite for 16 includes a four-hour food & beverage package, a bar, and dedicated valet.
The Centreline Club included one reserved ticket, a three-hour food & beverage package and bar.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
To celebrate the Foos' first foray into the Hunter Valley, the City of Newcastle has set up a huge FOOCASTLE sign on the hill overlooking Nobbys Beach.
The City and local businesses are set to welcome interstate and international fans.
FOOCASTLE was secured as part of City of Newcastle's Major Events Partnership with stadium operators Venues NSW.
In the last few years it led to Pink, Elton John, and Paul McCartney performing at the McDonald Jones Stadium.
The venue had not hosted a music event since February 1990 when a star-studded benefit concert headlined by Midnight Oil raised $800,000 for the Newcastle Earthquake Recovery Concert.
When Pink arrived in February 2024, the city was turned into a hive of pink. Wheeler Place had a giant disco ball and bright pink dance floor, a party trail to clubs, and competitions to win VIP tickets, bars, cafes and restaurants served pink-coloured drinks and food.
The Pink visit injected $9 million into the city's wealth. Venues NSW confirmed 80% of tickets were bought outside the Newcastle LGA, and 7.5% from interstate.
In 2023, attractions for McCartney's first show outside an Australian capital city included a large mural based on his songs, for which he took time to visit. That visit boosted $9 million into local hotels, restaurants and small businesses.
Elton John's two shows at the stadium had almost 50,000.
Of these 11,000 were from outside Newcastle, 2,000 from interstate, and 120 from outside Australia. Hotel occupancy doubled that month from a year before. The piano man had an economic impact of $12 million.
City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath said: "Major events don't come much bigger or louder, than the Foo Fighters. Having Foo Fighters for a stadium show is a huge coup for Newcastle and once again puts our city up in lights on the international stage.
"Novocastrians and visitors will no doubt pack out the stadium for what will be a night to remember. As someone who has seen his fair share of Foo Fighters concerts, the good news is even if you miss out on a ticket, pretty much all of Newcastle will still be able to hear it!"
Frontier Touring CEO Dion Brant added: "The Foo Fighters tour of Australia will see the band visit seven cities, and we're delighted that Newcastle fans would be treated to their first ever visit from the legendary rockers."
Speculation is that two more international acts are to be announced shortly for Newcastle.
Painting Townsville Red
In Townsville, the Foos' November 7th concert at The Queensland Country Bank Stadium is expected to bring in a fresh $5 million to the Far North Queensland city according to Townsville Enterprise.
Mayor Nick Dametto called the Foos adding his city to their schedule "an exciting milestone for our city.
"This is the third year in a row Townsville has featured an international act of this standing. From Pink through to The Killers, Jelly Roll & Shaboozey and now Foo Fighters; this is a real coming of age for entertainment in Townsville.
"These concerts give our city a chance to showcase to the rest of the country what we are capable of – our locals get access to world-class entertainment while we attract more visitors and tourists to our region."
Jelly Roll and Shaboozey's show in November 2025 with Busby Marou drew 20,000 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium – his biggest ever crowd here, he told the audience – and pumped in an extra $3 million into the city.
Jelly Roll promised he'd definitely include Townsville on his next Australian run. He told the crowd, "Then they told me before I walked out on stage that people here have drove from four to five to six hours... I just want to say thank y'all."
In March 2024, Pink broke the record at Queensland Country Bank Stadium with 65,000 over two nights.
A council report went on to say the shows "also brought a welcome boon to the Townsville economy, resulting in a $50 million boost in businesses like local hotels, restaurants, bars and retail outlets, showcasing the power of major events to drive economic prosperity."
The Killers' gig at Townsville Stadium was to 18,000. The crowd included a drum tutor who'd driven four hours from Mackay who was spotted holding a sign asking if he "could play one". He was brought on stage to play on For Reasons Unknown and achieve a long time dream.
Continuing to speak about the Foos' coup, Mayor Dametto asserted that Townsville had more than proven itself as a host of huge entertainment and sporting events.
"From infrastructure and logistics through to community support, we have a reputation of selling out stadiums and supporting great acts that come to our city."
The Foos show in November coincides with blockbusters as the Rugby League World Cup and Professional Bull Riding.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme said "It's Times Like These that truly showcase why Townsville has earned its reputation as the Events Capital of the North."
Next year sees more events and tourism publicity as it marks the sixth year since the Queensland Country Bank Stadium opened, following Townsville Enterprise's and civic leaders' seven-year advocacy journey to bring the venue to life.
Presented by Frontier Touring and Triple M (AU), The Rock (NZ)
FOO FIGHTERS
AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND TAKE COVER STADIUM TOUR
Thursday 5 November 2026 – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD
With special guests Full Flower Moon Band (Brisbane) + Mini Skirt (Byron Bay)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
Saturday 7 November 2026 – Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, QLD
With special guests Full Flower Moon Band (Brisbane) + Downgirl (Sydney)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
Tuesday 10 November 2026 – Accor Stadium, Sydney, NSW
With special guests The Belair Lip Bombs (Frankston) + TEENS (Hobart)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com.au
Thursday 12 November 2026 – McDonalds Jones Stadium, Newcastle, NSW
With special guests The Buoys (Sydney) + C.O.F.F.I.N (Sydney)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
Saturday 14 November 2026 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, VIC
With special guests The Belair Lip Bombs (Frankston) + FRENZEE (Melbourne)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (11am local time)
axs.com/au
Tuesday 17 November 2026 – Coopers Stadium, Adelaide, SA
With special guests Kurralta Park (Adelaide) + Spooky Eyes (Launceston)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
Tuesday 19 January 2027 – One New Zealand Stadium, Christchurch, NZ
With special guests Dartz (Wellington) + Seek Help! (Dunedin)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/nz
Friday 22 January 2027 – Western Springs Stadium, Auckland, NZ
With special guests Dick Move (Auckland) + Ringlets (Auckland)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/nz
Monday 25 January 2027 – HBF Park, Perth, WA
With special guests Southern River Band (Perth) + Last Quokka (Perth)
On sale: Wednesday 25 February (12pm local time)
axs.com/au
