‘What is this, 1998?’: Sydney lagging behind in the global fireworks arms race

The Lord Mayor claimed Sydney’s New Year’s Eve celebrations were ‘the best yet’ - but what did Aussies think in comparison to the rest of the world?

The self proclaimed “New Year’s capital of the world” ushered in 2025 with its nine tonne firework display spectacularly lighting up the iconic Sydney skyline.

But the news wasn’t all good, with some Sydneysiders suggesting the City of Sydney was lagging behind in the global fireworks arms race.

The city’s long time Lord Mayor Clover Moore lauded the event claiming, “it well and truly was our best New Year’s Eve ever.”

With more than one million people braving the heaving crowds and long lines, and additional fireworks launched from barges west of the bridge, NSW Premier Chris Minns similarly declared that it was “the best party in the world, in the best city in the world.”

A crowd of one million revellers enjoyed a 12 minute firework display to usher in the new year in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Despite the raving reviews from the Mayor and Premier it seems some Sydneysiders felt let down by what they saw as a fairly lacklustre display.

One user took to X to express their displeasure with the night’s festivities. “Intrusive thought … The Sydney New Year’s Eve firework display was s**t,” they said.

“No story, no fireworks timed to music, just normal fireworks … What is this, 1998?!”

Since 2006 the City of Sydney has issued seven contract extensions to the same fireworks company, Foti Fireworks International, and allowed it to skip a public tender process.

While there have been no allegations of wrongdoing by either the council or the fireworks company, the 27 year stranglehold on the event by Foti has raised eyebrows.

The council has spent at least $18.4 million on contracts with Foti, claiming they considered “innovation, creativity and strategic thinking” when awarding the contracts.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore claimed this year was Sydney’s best New Year’s Eve yet. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The main contender to Foti in the past has been Sydney-based company, Howard & Sons pyrotechnics.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, the company’s director Andrew Howard said previous tenders they had submitted included the use of drones and the integration of live performances instead of a simple fireworks show.

Cities around the world have embraced the use of drones and light shows to enhance viewer experience from London to Dubai to Singapore.

When contacted by news.com, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said: “The City’s New Year’s Eve staff and creative teams are constantly tracking improvements and new technologies to ensure light shows, lasers and drones are considered for events.

“Drones and laser technology is impressive for a smaller audience, but our fireworks display is viewed over 7km away up many waterfront sites,” Moore said.

Despite the uptake of such technology across the world, Moore believes that “fireworks are still the most spectacular, economical and egalitarian entertainment the City of Sydney can provide.”

Fireworks exploding around the Burj Khalifa Tower during New Year's celebrations in Dubai. Picture: Fadel Senna / AFP

Economical and egalitarian maybe, but the developing rivalry in The Gulf between Sheikhs on who can splash the most cash on New Year’s Eve fireworks has resulted in some displays that may have outdone Sydney’s “spectacular” entertainment.

This year Abu Dhabi showcased a 50 minute pyrotechnic performance with a 6,000 strong drone display that lit up the sky for 20 minutes.

Last year, Dubai launched fireworks horizontally off the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa, as a gigantic video turtle climbed the building.

Of course, Sydney is still beating out these Gulf States when it comes to environmentally friendly fireworks displays.

Moore confirmed that “currently, the fireworks used are manufactured from biodegradable paper and compounds that dissipate after use to minimise impacts on the environment.”

Another Sydneysider was satisfied with the fireworks display but not so much with the crowds.

“Expectations vs. Reality. Word of advice: don’t bother with Sydney NYE unless you’re willing to camp at a spot from 7am,” they said on X.

This was the view an Instagram influencer secured after waiting 7 hours in line for a spot in Mrs Macquarie’s Park. Picture: Instagram / benjrobins

By 11.20am Mrs Macquarie’s Point, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Domain and Opera House were all at capacity, with punters queuing up in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

One influencer documented the 7-hour wait to secure a spot in Mrs Macquarie’s park, all for a view obscured by trees. Many in his comments section questioned whether it was really worth the effort.

Despite the teeming crowds, police were pleasantly surprised by the behaviour of the overwhelming majority of revellers. Just 36 arrests were made across the city for a range of offences.

Originally published as ‘What is this, 1998?’: Sydney lagging behind in the global fireworks arms race