What You Need to Know

You can spend all year chasing signals across separate events, or you can go to South by Southwest. SXSW is the only event where you cross industries with intention. For one week, dive into the conversations, culture shifts, talent, technology, and strategy that gives you an edge.

As a Platinum Badgeholder, you access all conferences, festivals, and Clubhouses during SXSW. Whether you’re checking out Innovation Sessions, catching Film & TV Screenings, or going to Music Showcases, you’ll be experiencing everything our event has to offer.

This guide dives further into how to make the most of your time at SXSW as a Platinum Badgeholder. Make sure you’ve looked at our quick-start guide for all badgeholders here: Attendee Guide.

Go Deep on 12 Tracks

Your Roadmap to Discovery

We've mapped Tracks to buildings this year to make exploring easier than ever when you land. Explore programming tailored for Music, Film & TV, Brand & Marketing, Cities & Climate, Creator Economy, Culture, Startups, Sports & Gaming, Tech & AI, Workplace, Design, and Health. Platinum Badges access all Tracks and events. Have a look at the Track Access & Timeline to see when Tracks run throughout the week.

EXPLORE TRACKS

Platinum Reservation Windows

First Window

Thursday February 19, 9am CT
Sessions, Screenings, Showcases, Mentor Sessions, and Workshops

Second Window

Thursday February 26, 9am CT
Sessions, Screenings, Showcases, Mentor Sessions, and Workshops

Third Window

Thursday March 5, 9am CT
Additional daily reservations for non-conflicting Film & TV Screenings

Our events are available to badgeholders with and without Reservations. Reservations are venue-based and account for a portion of the room size, but they don’t mean an event is necessarily full. If you are not able to secure a Reservation for an event, join the walk-up line.

Reservations for Mentor Sessions and Workshops are required, but these don’t count against your total advanced Reservations limit.

Check out more details and FAQs for Reservations and Walk-up Lines.

Professional Edge

Connect Without Limits

Every day, stack paradigm-shifting sessions with direct access — Mentor Sessions, Round Tables, and the kind of networking that stretches from Sessions to Clubhouses to Music Showcases. If your work depends on staying ahead of culture, technology, and audience behavior, we have some recommendations to get the most out of your Platinum Badge.

Keynotes & Featured Sessions

Daily Keynotes showcase some of the world's most inspired thinkers with powerful new ideas in the ever-evolving worlds of technology, film, culture, and music.

Featured Sessions bring together some of the biggest and brightest names of our time. Spanning across various trends and Conference Tracks, Featured Sessions present a snapshot of the most transformative ideas shaping our future.

Mentor Sessions

Expand Your Expertise

Mentor Sessions offer one-on-one coaching by professionals from all areas of the tech, film, and music industries. Within the 75-minute duration of Mentor Sessions, there will be five one-on-one meetings. Reservations are required, but this does not count against your three reservation daily limit.

FAVORITE MENTOR SESSIONS NOW

Tom London Mentor Session at 2019 SXSW Conference - Photo by Richard Pflaume/Daimler AG

Workshops

Hone Your Skills

Workshops offer a variety of hands-on learning activities and specific takeaways for professional growth. Reservations are required, but this does not count against your three reservation daily limit.

FAVORITE WORKSHOPS NOW

Clubhouses

Innovation, Film & TV, and Music

Platinum is the only badge that comes with access to all three Clubhouses. The Clubhouses are conveniently located next to the highest density of Innovation, Film & TV, and Music events, and are a great place to recharge, bump into an old friend, or network. Each one is designed with that specific community in mind, including custom merch, activations, and meetups.

Clubhouse Hours

Innovation Clubhouse at Brazos Hall
March 12 - 18, Noon – 10pm

Film & TV Clubhouse at 800 Congress
March 12 - 18, Noon – 10pm

Music Clubhouse at Downright
March 13 - 18, Noon – 8pm

Parties!

As a Platinum Badgeholder, full access is available to each and every SXSW official party. From opening night until the close of the festival, these in-demand events give attendees the chance to let loose, be seen, and join the celebration.

Crossover Day Mixer at Arriba Abajo
March 12, 5pm – 7pm

Innovation Opening Party at Brazos Hall
March 12, 7pm – 10pm

Music Opening Party at Stubb's
March 12, 8pm – Midnight

Film & TV Opening Party at Fairmont (Palm Court)
March 12, 10pm – 1am

Film & TV Wrap Party at Zach Theater
March 18, 10pm – 1am

SXSW Comedy Festival

Platinum Badgeholders can also attend the SXSW Comedy Festival. Expanding its footprint for 2026, the Comedy Festival will feature comedy icons, rising stars, live podcasts, and improv shows. You never know who might drop by!

For Comedy Showcases, arrive 40 minutes before the start of the Showcase. SXSW Festival hack tip: If you've used one of your Reservations for the event, join the Reservations line to get in a little faster.

Expect some exciting lineup announcements coming very soon.

The Daily Show Correspondents – Roy Wood Jr., Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta

SXSW Merch Discount

Show Off Your SX Style

Be sure to snag this year’s limited-edition 2026 SXSW cap styled by AS Colour — only available at checkout with your badge! Platinum gets a 10% discount on this pre-order. You can pick up your prepaid merch in-person when you pick up your badge at any Registration location.

SX MERCH

Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds at Auditorium Shores

Enjoy epic performances across two stages under the iconic Austin, TX, skyline on March 13 and March 14! Badgeholders can reserve a ticket when their badge’s reservation window opens by going to the Sips & Sounds event listing on the SXSW Schedule. Ticket pickup will be at Auditorium Shores will-call, limited to 1,000 Platinum Badgeholders per day.

FAVORITE COCA-COLA SIPS & SOUNDS

Sips and Sounds Lineup

Dropout Improv at ACL Live

Dropout Improv featuring some of your favorite Dropout comics is at ACL Live for one night only! Reservations are available for 300 Platinum Badgeholders through SXSW GO or on the web schedule. Arrive 30 minutes prior to the event to pick up a ticket at will call.

CHECK IT OUT

One badge for all Conferences and Festivals