AUSTIN, Texas — “We’re very committed to being in Austin, Texas. We are excited that in March 2027, we will be back in Austin for another iteration of SXSW,” said SVP of SXSW Programming Greg Rosenbaum.

South by Southwest organizers are continuing to deny speculation that the festival could be moving out of Austin. A demolished convention center has forced South By to make significant changes this year, but that does not mean the festival will be uprooted.

The demolition of the Austin Convention Center forced SXSW to create a reimagined, decentralized footprint. Instead of having panels, sessions, and workshops in one central hub, everything is now everywhere in Downtown Austin.

Three SXSW clubhouses spread across downtown are now serving as smaller hubs for Innovation, Music, and TV and Film. Each gives its audience a place to relax, network, and attend sessions.

“It is a completely different experience,” said Walter Silva.

This is Silva’s third SXSW. Sitting in the Innovation Clubhouse at 4th and Brazos Streets, he says his opinion about the extra walking and navigating this year has changed from Day 1 to Day 5.

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“At first, well, I found myself rushing a little bit and trying to manage it. But no, it is fine. It is fine because, you see, at most conferences you get stuck in a convention center. You do not get the opportunity to walk around the city,” said Silva.

South-By has been intentional this year in giving badge holders and the public more to see and do. Rivian’s Electric Joyride in front of the State Capitol offers a passenger seat view of the festival’s new format. It is part of a first-time takeover of three blocks of Congress Avenue during all seven days of the festival.

“We’ve been excited to see folks embrace the city of Austin and really get on their feet, see the city, and be part of the programming here,” said Rosenbaum.

Hulu’s street activation for the new show The Testaments pushed the boundaries of the festival even further. The South Congress event is another example of how South by Southwest organizers are committing to Austin as their home base.

“Will you be coming back to Austin next year?” asked CBS Austin Reporter Bettie Cross.

“South by Southwest has been in Austin for 40 years. We are so proud of 40 years of SXSW in Austin, Texas, and we see many, many, many more years ahead of us. We are so proud to be in Austin, and our future is here,” said Rosenbaum.

Badge holders say they hope the clubhouse concept stays even after the new convention center opens.

“I prefer the decentralized way,” said Silva. “I prefer this format.”

The rebuild of the convention center will take a couple of more years. The new and improved facility will be open for SXSW 2029.