news.com.au Surpasses ABC News in September 2026

The news outlet reached 10.99 million Australians in September, overtaking ABC News in total monthly audience reach.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Australia and New Zealand

news.com.au Surpasses ABC News in September 2026

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In September 2026, news.com.au became the most-reached news brand in Australia with 10.99 million users. This performance narrowly surpassed ABC News, which saw 10.97 million users during the same period.

Why it matters

High-profile sporting events including the AFL finals and the Brisbane Lions premiership win significantly boosted national news consumption. Simultaneously, major entertainment events drove increased traffic to online ticketing platforms despite broader cost-of-living pressures.

A total of 20.2 million Australians accessed a news website or app in September. During this time, the events and attractions category grew to 12.7 million users, with Axs traffic rising 86.1% and Ticketek recording 3.63 million users.

The players

news.com.au

This is a major Australian commercial news website that provides continuous coverage of national and international affairs.

ABC News

ABC News is the news division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a national public broadcaster funded by the government.

Brisbane Lions

The Brisbane Lions are a professional Australian Rules Football club that competes in the Australian Football League.

Dom Dolla

Dom Dolla is a prominent Australian house music producer and DJ who has achieved significant success both domestically and abroad.

The details

While news.com.au secured the top spot in reach, ABC News audiences spent more time on the platform, averaging 39 minutes per person compared to 29 minutes for news.com.au. The growth in the events sector was bolstered by significant happenings such as Dom Dolla's homecoming performance and the debut of the NFL in Australia.

In August 2026, news.com.au recorded 10.50 million users.
During September 2026, news.com.au surpassed ABC News in total reach.

Travel Outlook

The surge in digital activity follows a pattern set by the 2026 AFL finals season, where high-stakes national sporting results directly dictate audience engagement with news brands. This trend mirrors how major regional events influence tourism and local digital traffic patterns.

Readers should expect high-traffic periods surrounding major sporting and music events to affect local digital services and ticketing availability. Checking ticket platforms early is recommended when high-profile homecoming shows or international sporting fixtures are announced.

The takeaway

Large-scale cultural and sporting events remain the primary drivers of digital engagement across the Australian market. Readers can anticipate increased competition among news brands whenever major premierships or international performances capture the public attention.