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Vivid Sydney Suspends Drone Show After RF Glitch

5/26/2026

50 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Vivid Sydney suspended the drone show indefinitely and cancelled the 9:30 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday performances.
SKYMAGIC reported an unexpected radio-frequency change after take-off compromised drone positioning, activating failsafe landings.
Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones and SKYMAGIC Head of Production Dylan Rhys will address the incident at a press conference.
At least five of the 22 planned performances over 11 nights have been cancelled.

History

Historical Context

Intel’s Shooting Star drones lit the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics opening ceremony with 1,218 synchronized units, setting a world record. Subsequent high-profile glitches—such as the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup where 350 of 500 drones fell into water—have spurred authorities worldwide to tighten drone-show safety rules, influencing the recent Vivid Sydney cancellation.

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Story summary

Vivid Sydney suspended the drone show indefinitely and cancelled the 9:30 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday performances.
SKYMAGIC reported an unexpected radio-frequency change after take-off compromised drone positioning, activating failsafe landings.
Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones and SKYMAGIC Head of Production Dylan Rhys will address the incident at a press conference.
At least five of the 22 planned performances over 11 nights have been cancelled.

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