NEXT year’s Supercars event has already landed a major headline act with the announcement that American rock band KISS will return to the city to perform at the Newcastle 500.
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The band, which has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, will play at the No.1 Sportsground on Saturday 23 November, 2019.
The performance comes as part of the band’s three-year End of the World tour which kicks off in January in Vancouver, Canada.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC said the international superstars would provide even more incentive for visitors to travel to Newcastle for the event.
“Rock bands don’t come much bigger than KISS and with the Newcastle 500 to be the first of only two NSW shows, it is a massive win for the event, motorsport fans and the local community,” Mr MacDonald said.
“The Newcastle 500 is a highlight of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship calendar and already attracts thousands of overnight visitors. The addition of KISS to next year’s schedule is sure to fill the No.1 Sportsground and see many more people travel to the spectacular Hunter region.”
Tickets are still available for the grand finale of this year’s Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, which will return to Newcastle in just over three weeks.
Mr MacDonald said the success of last year’s inaugural event means the city will be abuzz with visitors once again.
“The 2017 Newcastle 500 was one of the biggest events on the State’s sporting calendar and with the sensational weather, huge crowds and down-to-the-wire finish, it certainly lived up to the hype,” Mr MacDonald said.
“Over 20,500 domestic and international overnight visitors travelled specifically to attend last year’s event. In total, these visitors spent over $12.5 million during their visit, with about 85 per cent spent in Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.”
This year’s event promises to be just as entertaining, with plenty of action on and off the track including performances by Scottish rock legends Simple Minds and Aussie favourites Birds of Tokyo.
The Newcastle 500 was secured exclusively for Newcastle for five years by the NSW Liberal National Government in partnership with the Newcastle City Council.
The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will take place from 23 to 25 November 2018. For further information and tickets, visit www.supercars.com/newcastle.