The first speaker drop for SXSW Sydney 2025 has landed, and if it’s any indication, this year’s conference is going to be a monster.
GoFundMe CEO Tim Cadogan, Dr Karl, Benjamin Law, and Deputy CEO Silvija Martincevic are among the first 40 names announced—covering everything from AI and cyber security to podcasting, press freedom and whatever consciousness exploration is. Expect hundreds more.
Running from October 13–19, SXSW Sydney is now in its third year—and if past line-ups are anything to go by, the bar’s high. Charlie Brooker, Nicole Kidman, the Kid Laroi and Chance the Rapper have all graced previous stages. It’s the kind of event where Hollywood royalty rubs shoulders with startup weirdos and government tech nerds. And it somehow works.
SXSW Sydney has never been subtle, but this year feels especially packed. Running October 13–19 across the city, the week-long event will host 1,600 sessions and experiences, including 400 conference panels, 300 live music performances, 150 games events, film screenings, brand activations and more chaos in between.
It’s the only event where you’ll see an astronaut dietitian, a surfing commissioner, and the creator of Science Vs in the same line-up—plus execs from IBM, R/GA, Mamamia, and Out Leadership all talking about the future of work, media and tech.
And if you’re allergic to corporate buzzwords, don’t stress. This isn’t just a business crowd in blazers. It’s also about subcultures, scenes, and ideas before they hit the mainstream.
Panel voting is open until April 11, so if you want to help shape things, now’s the time.
Early bird passes are on sale now and cheaper than they’ve ever been, which means more access for more people—not just industry insiders. Whether you’re in tech, film, music, policy, or just here to soak it up, SXSW Sydney 2025 is looking like a no-brainer.
For the full speaker list, more info, or to get your hands on passes: sxswsydney.com
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