Opera Australia (OA) has announced The Phantom of the Opera as the most successful Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour season in the annual event’s 15-year history, soaring far beyond all previous box-office records, with sold-out houses every night of the extended five-week 2026 season.
This Phantom of the Opera was the most attended and highest grossing of any Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour season since the event’s debut in 2012. More than 92,000 people attended the event, an impressive 30% increase on the last time Phantom played on Sydney Harbour in 2022.
Critically acclaimed as “a dazzling open-air triumph that redefines what musical theatre can be” by Australian Arts Review, and “a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience” by Arts Hub.
The combination of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s perennial hit musical, currently celebrating its 40th Anniversary, and the epic-scale production elements that Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is famous for, including the stunning harbour backdrop, live orchestra and nightly fireworks, has proven a winning combination.
“We have been blown away by the extraordinary success of this production. With record-breaking attendance, night after night has seen Sydneysiders alongside audiences from across Australia and across the globe, gathered on the harbour to experience this spectacular production of The Phantom of the Opera,” said OA CEO Alex Budd.
“The show’s success is a testament to the vision of director Simon Phillips and his creative team, the brilliance of the cast and orchestra, and the work of the many people behind the scenes who bring this production to life each night. It is a mammoth undertaking, and its success depends on consistent excellence across every part of the company.”
The production’s appeal has spread far beyond Sydney, more than half of all ticket buyers were from outside of metropolitan Sydney, including 19% from interstate and 25% from overseas.
“I’m delighted Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour has broken its box-office record this year, which underscores its growing reputation as a signature event and major visitor drawcard on our city’s cultural events calendar,” said Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper.
“Nothing showcases Sydney’s unique combination of cultural vibrancy and natural wonder to the world quite like Handa Opera. I congratulate the team at Opera Australia and the entire cast and crew on this year’s special record-breaking 40th anniversary production of The Phantom of the Opera.”
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported by the NSW Government, via its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, and through the International Foundation for Arts and Culture as Naming Rights Partner, Dr Haruhisa Handa OA’s Patron in Chief, and OA’s Principal Partner HSBC.
The Phantom of the Opera played from Friday 27 March – Sunday 3 May 2026 as part of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. For more information, visit: www.opera.org.au for details.
Image: The cast of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s 2026 production of The Phantom of the Opera – photo by Daniel Boud