South by Southwest (SXSW) is undergoing a significant transformation ahead of its 2026 event. The conference and festival will have a two-day shorter schedule, while offering early bird discounts that cut badge prices in half for a limited time.
The change eliminates the traditional music-centric second weekend, but organizers say the music festival is not getting shorter. Instead, showcases will take place throughout the entire event, with seven nights of shows instead of six. The number of bands participating has also decreased, from 2,000 in 2025 to 1,012 this year.
The Film and TV Fest, on the other hand, is experiencing a surge in popularity. With Penske Corp. investing 50% of SXSW since 2021, the festival now feels like the “VIP lounge.” The event has become a hub for screen time, with industry professionals clamoring for exposure.
SXSW 2026 will run from March 12 to March 18, and early bird prices are available through March 31. These discounted badges include Platinum passes starting at $1,135, Interactive badges at $785, Film and Television badges at $700, and music badges at $475. In contrast, walk-up prices were significantly higher.
Notably, the new Platinum pass is the only badge that will grant access to all festival tracks, whereas previous badges granted secondary access to other tracks. With these changes, SXSW 2026 promises to be a more streamlined and accessible event for attendees.
Source: https://eu.statesman.com/story/entertainment/2025/03/16/sxsw-2026-schedule-half-price-badges-early-bird-available-now/82470583007