SXSW Expands into Podcasting with Dedicated Festival

SXSW, the renowned festival celebrating creativity, innovation, and entertainment, is expanding its horizons with the introduction of a dedicated Podcast Festival in 2027. This exciting development marks a significant milestone for podcasting, solidifying its place as a core element of the SXSW experience, alongside Film & TV, Music, Comedy, and the Innovation Conference.

Podcasts have become an increasingly important part of SXSW, with live tapings and industry conversations drawing in attendees from across the globe. The Podcast Festival’s inaugural edition will take place from March 17-20, 2027, offering an immersive experience for all SXSW badgeholders.

Logistical Changes for SXSW 2027

In addition to the Podcast Festival, SXSW has announced several logistical changes for 2027. The Film & TV Festival will now be hosted at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, with the Austin’s Paramount Theatre undergoing a restoration that will be completed in time for the 2028 event. The Film & TV Conference will relocate to The Driskill and Stephen F. Austin hotels, providing a more centralized location for attendees.

The Music Clubhouse will move to The Thompson hotel, with Music Conference programming taking place at The Thompson and Westin hotels. These changes aim to create more intentional hubs across downtown Austin, giving growing communities like podcasting a bigger platform.

Greg Rosenbaum, SVP Programming at SXSW, commented on the evolution of the event, stating, ‘2026 proved that we can evolve the event while preserving the discovery, connection, and creativity that make it special. We heard amazing feedback from attendees, with 2027 PanelPicker submissions and Music and Film & TV festival applications up by as much as 50 percent so far.’

Rosenbaum continued, ‘For 2027, we’re building on what worked by creating more intentional hubs across downtown Austin, giving growing communities like podcasting a bigger platform, and making it easier for attendees to find the ideas, people, and opportunities that matter to them.’

SXSW 2027 will run from March 15-21, offering a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with the latest developments in podcasting, film, music, and innovation.