SXSW Reveals First Wave of Featured Sessions, New ‘Clubhouse’ Format for 2026

South by Southwest has revealed caller details, including a archetypal question of league programming, for its 40th day event, taking spot March 12–18 successful downtown Austin. 

For the archetypal time, SXSW volition diagnostic a afloat integrated seven-day docket crossed its trio of halfway programs, with downtown Austin transforming into a originative colony anchored by 3 “clubhouses” — Innovation astatine Brazos Hall, Film & TV astatine 800 Congress, and Music astatine The Downright — designed to simplify navigation and foster collaboration passim the all-in-one event.

To heighten accessibility, SXSW 2026 volition present a refreshed badge system with regular reservations — different archetypal for the festival. Platinum badge holders summation entree to each clubhouses and programming, positive 3 reservations regular with precedence booking. Innovation, Film & TV, and Music badge holders person 2 regular reservations, entree to their dedicated clubhouse and introduction to keynotes and featured sessions.

Greg Rosenbaum, SXSW’s svp of programming, emphasized that the 40th twelvemonth focuses connected delivering a “more rewarding” attendee experience, adding, “the programming we’re unveiling shows the unthinkable scope of conversations that specify SXSW — from however AI is reshaping creativity and business, to the aboriginal of media and marketing, to bold ideas connected quality connection.”

SXSW continues to physique connected its four-decade bequest arsenic a premier music, arts, movie and exertion league and festival, archetypal launched successful Austin, successful 1987. Since Penske Media — genitor institution of Billboard — acquired a bulk involvement 2 years ago, the marque has expanded its scope to 3 continents, present hosting flagship events successful Austin, Sydney and London.

Over 50 Conference sessions person been announced, spanning topics similar AI, media, marketing, wellness and climate. Attendees tin articulation The All-American Rejects for a speech connected autarkic touring, cheque retired a treatment connected independency successful euphony with Russ and TuneCore CEO Andreea Gleeson, and cheque retired futurist Amy Webb’s Emerging Tech Trend Report, among others.

Featured Session Highlights (via SXSW):

5 Non-Obvious Secrets of Human Connection (For Love & Profit): Rohit Bhargava (Non-Obvious Company Founder & Chief Trend Curator) shares 5 counterintuitive secrets for gathering authentic quality transportation successful a tech-driven world.

5 Traits of Successful AI Projects: From Pilot to Real ROI: Sandy Carter (Chief Business Development Officer & COO, Unstoppable Domains) reveals the roadmap for turning AI pilots into scalable, ROI-driven successes.

Actionable Ikigai: Career Planning successful the Age of AI:Join Mike Bechtel (Futurist, University of Notre Dame) arsenic helium explores however to use the Japanese conception of ikigai to physique meaningful careers successful an AI-driven world.

A Conversation with The All-American Rejects: The All-American Rejects discuss their House Party Tour and however autarkic artists tin physique community-driven touring experiences extracurricular accepted venues.

Amy Webb Launches 2026 Emerging Tech Trend Report: Renowned futurist Amy Webb (CEO, Future Today Strategy Group) unveils her yearly forecast connected the technologies acceptable to signifier the twelvemonth ahead.

Breaking Through Barriers to Innovation: Lessons from Space and Earth: Dava Newman (Apollo Professor of Astronautics, MIT) reveals bold strategies for harnessing breakthroughs successful AI, climate, energy, and abstraction to thrust transformative innovation.

A Conversation with Jack Conte: Join Jack Conte (CEO and co-founder, Patreon) for a treatment connected the existent authorities and aboriginal of the creator economy.

How CMOs are Rewriting the Rules of Connection: Lauren Stafford Webb (Chief Marketing Officer, SoFi), Brian Irving (Chief Marketing Officer, Lyft), and Allison Stransky (Chief Marketing Officer, Samsung Electronics America) join Axios reporter Eleanor Hawkins for a speech connected however today’s CMOs are utilizing AI to supercharge growth successful personalized experiences.