Melbourne hotels recorded their highest September average daily rate and revenue per available room on record in September 2026, supported by demand linked to the AFL Grand Final and other major events, according to preliminary CoStar data.
Hotel occupancy reached 75.6% during the month, up 9.7% from September 2025. Average daily rate increased 16.2% year over year to AUD242.11, while revenue per available room rose 27.5% to AUD182.99.
September occupancy was Melbourne’s highest since 2019.
The strongest daily results occurred Saturday, Sept. 26, the night of the AFL Grand Final between Fremantle and Brisbane. Hotel occupancy reached 93.4%, with an average daily rate of AUD420.50 and revenue per available room of AUD392.84.
The Melbourne Royal Show, held from Sept. 24 to Oct. 4, also coincided with the Grand Final period.
Hotel demand and rates were also supported earlier in the month by the NFL’s first game in Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, Sept. 11. On the night before the Los Angeles Rams played the San Francisco 49ers, Melbourne hotel occupancy reached 89.3%, while average daily rate was AUD372.09 and revenue per available room was AUD332.12.