The Concourse
The Concourse is a government-owned performing arts precinct in Chatswood, Sydney, operating multiple hireable venues (including a 1,000-seat concert hall and 499-seat theatre) that host concerts, ballet, comedy, corporate events, and the resident Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersChatswood, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What The Concourse does
The Concourse is a government-owned cultural and entertainment precinct in Chatswood, Sydney, operated by Century Venues Pty Ltd on behalf of Willoughby City Council. The precinct comprises multiple hireable performance venues — the 1,000-seat Pat Reilly Concert Hall (renamed June 2026), a 499-seat Theatre, The Lounge (500 GA/300 cabaret), a Rehearsal Centre with two studios, outdoor spaces including an amphitheatre and Upper Terrace, and Foyers. Ancillary facilities within the precinct include Chatswood Library (one of the largest on Sydney's North Shore), restaurants, cafes, retail stores, and a 400-vehicle onsite car park. The site has hosted performing arts and civic ceremonies since 1903; the current facility opened in September 2011 following an architectural design completed in 2007 and construction begun in 2008.
The venue's core offering is event-driven programming: ticketed live performances (concerts, theatre, ballet, comedy, family entertainment), corporate venue hire, and a resident orchestra — the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, established 1966, featuring up to 80 musicians under Chief Conductor Dr Nicholas Milton AM since 2001. The technical base is fundamentally physical infrastructure — acoustically designed performance spaces, lighting and audio production facilities — rather than software or AI. Ticketing is facilitated through a third-party platform (Ticket Search). The Civic Place Trust, established 2004, administers tax-deductible donations supporting the annual Young Composer Award, commissioning of new Australian works, and instrument purchases.
Revenue is generated through five streams: ticket sales (transaction-based), venue hire (one-time licensing for corporate events and functions), corporate partnerships and event sponsorships (recurring arrangements tied to festivals such as Vivid Sydney and Chatswood Family Festival), tax-deductible donations, and parking. Pricing varies materially by event, venue, and seating position — concert tickets range from $23 to $85, with subscription packages offering up to 15% savings and dedicated tiers up to $20,000 for donations. Customer segments are diversified across general arts audiences, corporate event clients, classical music patrons, community and education users, and corporate sponsors.
The Concourse firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Concourse
- Legal name
- The Concourse (operated by Century Venues Pty Ltd and Century Entertainment Pty Ltd)
- Website
- https://theconcourse.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Concourse is a government-owned performing arts precinct in Chatswood, Sydney, operating multiple hireable venues (including a 1,000-seat concert hall and 499-seat theatre) that host concerts, ballet, comedy, corporate events, and the resident Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Concourse industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Venue & Live Entertainment
- NAICS
- Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), VIP, Hospitality & Premium Experiences (Packages, Clubs, Suites) (MPAIAFAK), Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA), Nightclub & Small Live Venue Operations (Clubs, Bars with Stages) (MPAGALAF)
Keywords
Where The Concourse is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chatswood
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Concourse business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tickets to performances, concerts, theatre productions, comedy shows, and family entertainment events across multiple venues.
- Venue Hire: Revenue from hiring out performance and event spaces including the Pat Reilly Concert Hall, Theatre, The Lounge, Rehearsal Centre, Outdoor Spaces, and Foyers for corporate events, functions, conferences, and performances.
- Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship: Customised corporate partnership packages including event and festival sponsorships such as Vivid Sydney, Chatswood Family Festival, and Emerge Festival, as well as branding opportunities within the venue.
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the Civic Place Trust supporting arts programs, the Young Composer Award, world-class soloists, new works by Australian composers, and instrument purchases for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra.
- Parking: Onsite car park with 400 vehicle capacity generating revenue from hourly and event parking rates.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | General admission and reserved seating tickets ranging from $23-$85 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Concert hall and theatre hire for corporate and private events |
| Subscription | Annual | Subscription packages for Willoughby Symphony Orchestra concerts offering 15% savings |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Concourse product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Concourse is a multi-venue performing arts and entertainment precinct that sells tickets to live performances (concerts, theatre, comedy, dance, family shows), hires out its performance and event spaces to corporate and private clients, runs subscription packages for the resident Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, and accepts corporate sponsorships and tax-deductible donations via the Civic Place Trust. Its resident orchestra and seasonal festivals (including Jazz at The Lounge) are core programming offerings, supported by onsite amenities such as a library, dining, retail, and parking.
Product overview
The Concourse is a combined arts and conference hub in Chatswood, Sydney, operated by Century Venues on behalf of Willoughby City Council. The venue portfolio consists of multiple hireable performance spaces (Pat Reilly Concert Hall, Theatre, The Lounge, Rehearsal Centre, Outdoor Spaces, Foyers) that host live performances, conferences, and events. The venue's resident company is the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, and it presents seasonal programming including the Jazz at The Lounge festival. Supporting amenities include Chatswood Library, dining options, retail stores, and parking facilities. Revenue streams include venue hire, event ticketing, corporate sponsorships, and charitable donations via the Civic Place Trust.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Jazz at The Lounge: Annual jazz festival featuring Australia's finest jazz talent at The Lounge venue within The Concourse.
- Willoughby Symphony Orchestra
Products and services
- Venue Hire Services Multiple hireable venues including Pat Reilly Concert Hall (1,000 seats), Theatre (499 seats), The Lounge (500 GA / 300 cabaret), Rehearsal Centre (two studios), Outdoor Spaces (amphitheatre up to 1,000, Upper Terrace up to 500), and Foyers. Suitable for performing arts, conferences, business meetings, exhibitions, product launches, banquets, and cocktail parties, with in-house catering available.
- Jazz at The Lounge Annual jazz festival bringing world-class Australian jazz musicians to The Lounge venue. The 2026 season features artists including James Morrison, Michelle Nicolle, Paul Grabowsky, Emma Pask, Monica Trapaga, and ensembles such as Sydney Youth Jazz Orchestra and Spectra Jazz Orchestra.
- Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Resident symphony orchestra of The Concourse, performing in the Pat Reilly Concert Hall. Delivers an annual subscription concert series and is supported by the Civic Place Trust through donations, the Young Composer Award, and instrument purchases.
- Event Ticketing Services Box office ticketing service for all events at The Concourse, with prices ranging from $23 to $85 depending on show and seating. Bookings available online via Ticket Search, by phone (+61 2 8075 8111), and in person at the ground floor box office.
- Willoughby Symphony Orchestra Subscription Packages Subscription packages for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra's annual concert series, offering 3-Concert and 4-Concert bundles with up to 15% savings versus single-ticket pricing.
- Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorship Corporate sponsorship packages allowing businesses to maximise branding potential through association with The Concourse's performing arts programs and events. Includes individual corporate partnerships and event/festival sponsorship opportunities such as Vivid Sydney, Chatswood Family Festival, and Emerge Festival.
- Civic Place Trust Donations Program Tax-deductible donation program administered by the Civic Place Trust supporting arts programs at The Concourse, including the Young Composer Award, world-class soloists and conductors for the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, commissions of new works by Australian composers, and instrument purchases. Tiers include Maestro ($20,000+), Symphony ($10,000+), Oratorio ($5,000+), Concerto ($2,000+), and Overture ($1,000).
- UPSTAGE Membership Membership program offering discounts and exclusive opportunities for supporters of The Concourse, currently being transitioned to a new electronic online platform with extended free memberships for existing members.
Quantifiable outcome
- One of Sydney's leading entertainment venues and home to a dynamic range of live arts and entertainment
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use The Concourse
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
The Concourse technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Concourse partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Civic Place TrustcoreEstablished in 2004 by Willoughby City Council for promoting arts and provision of cultural facilities. Listed on the Register Of Cultural Organisations (ROCO) and manages a tax deductible (Deductible Gift Recipient) public fund. Supports annual Young Composer Award, world-class soloists and conductors for WSO, commission of new works by Australian composers, and purchase of instruments for the orchestra.
- North Shore Alliance (Luna Park Venues, Northside Conference Centre)coreThe Concourse has partnered with Luna Park Venues and Northside Conference Centre to create the North Shore Alliance, offering a complete event venue guide for the North Shore including accommodation package partners within the precinct.
- Corporate PartnersminorIndividual Corporate Partnerships tailored to specific marketing, entertaining and corporate relationship requirements. Event and festival sponsorship packages available targeting specific audiences including Vivid Sydney in Chatswood, The Chatswood Family Festival and Emerge Festival.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Concourse competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ICC Sydney: Sydney's flagship convention, exhibition, and meetings venue at Darling Harbour. Comparable as a large-scale hireable event venue competing for the same corporate/conference hire business, though its primary focus is conventions over performing arts.
- Arts Centre Melbourne: Melbourne's largest performing arts complex encompassing Hamer Hall, Playhouse, Fairfax Studio, and outdoor programming. Comparable multi-format civic arts precinct but at materially larger scale and broader programming remit.
Direct peers
- Hordern Pavilion: Large multi-format Sydney venue at Moore Park hosting concerts, corporate events, and exhibitions. Comparable as a hireable multi-format venue serving overlapping live entertainment and corporate hire segments.
- Enmore Theatre: Sydney's heritage live music and theatre venue in Newtown. Comparable as a hireable live entertainment venue hosting concerts, comedy, and theatre with similar ticketing and venue-hire revenue dynamics.
- Capitol Theatre Sydney: Major Sydney CBD theatre hosting large-scale musicals, ballet, and concerts. Comparable as a hireable, ticketed performing arts venue serving similar Sydney audiences with theatre and live entertainment programming.
- Sydney Lyric Theatre: Sydney Lyric is a 2,000-seat commercial theatre at The Star precinct primarily staging large-scale musicals. Comparable as a Sydney performing arts venue drawing overlapping audiences for theatre and live entertainment.
- Sydney Opera House: Australia's flagship performing arts venue, also offering concert hall, theatre, and studio spaces with multi-format programming. Directly comparable to The Concourse as a multi-venue performing arts operator in the Sydney market, though at materially larger scale and brand prestige.
- Riverside Theatres Parramatta: Western Sydney council-owned multi-venue performing arts centre with concert hall, theatre, and outdoor spaces. Highly comparable as a publicly-owned multi-venue civic arts precinct with similar programming mix (music, theatre, comedy, family).
- State Theatre Sydney: Sydney CBD heritage theatre hosting concerts, comedy, ballet, and corporate events. Comparable as a ticketed, hireable performing arts venue with similar programming breadth and corporate event capability.
Regional players
- QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre): Queensland's flagship multi-venue performing arts centre in Brisbane with concert hall, theatre, and studio spaces. Comparable as a publicly-supported multi-venue performing arts precinct, though serving a different Australian metropolitan market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Concourse social profiles
Digital presenceThe Concourse financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Concourse leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
The Concourse subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
The Concourse funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Concourse M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Concourse
What does The Concourse do?
The Concourse is a multi-venue performing arts and entertainment precinct that sells tickets to live performances (concerts, theatre, comedy, dance, family shows), hires out its performance and event spaces to corporate and private clients, runs subscription packages for the resident Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, and accepts corporate sponsorships and tax-deductible donations via the Civic Place Trust. Its resident orchestra and seasonal festivals (including Jazz at The Lounge) are core programming offerings, supported by onsite amenities such as a library, dining, retail, and parking.
Is The Concourse a public or private company?
The Concourse is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was The Concourse founded?
The Concourse was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Concourse based?
The Concourse is headquartered in Chatswood, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does The Concourse make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are venue Hire, corporate Partnerships & Sponsorship, donations and parking.
Who are The Concourse's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ICC Sydney and Arts Centre Melbourne. Direct peers are Hordern Pavilion, Enmore Theatre, Capitol Theatre Sydney, Sydney Lyric Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Riverside Theatres Parramatta and State Theatre Sydney. QPAC (Queensland Performing Arts Centre) is listed as a regional player.
Does The Concourse have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Concourse.
What industry is The Concourse in?
The Concourse's product category is Performing Arts Venue & Live Entertainment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAE, Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes), with a secondary code of MPAGALAC, Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues). Its NAICS code is 711 and its SIC code is 7990.