The SXSW Closing Barbecue and Softball Tournament is free to all SXSW Platinum and Music Badges and also open to the general public (food and soft drink tickets available for sale).
Barbecue
Enjoy an authentic Texas barbecue spread with all the trimmings (vegetarian options as well). Platinum and Music registrants can claim one free meal but you MUST bring your Platinum or Music Badge and a photo ID (everyone gets carded).
Film Badges, Interactive Badges, and general public guests can purchase a $15 food plate. Note: For insurance reasons, we cannot sell beer to non-registrants; however, you’re welcome to bring your own (no glass containers, please).
Note to Showcasing Artists: If you chose the Registration Packet, your Artist Packet envelope gets you one free barbecue meal.
Play in the Softball Tournament
Any SXSW Platinum or Music registrant can sign up to play in the SXSW Softball Tournament. Performing artists with SXSW Artist Wristbands can sign up and play as well; one player per band, please.
There are three rounds of games: quarterfinals, semifinals, and a final that starts at 4pm, with live announcers and a rendition of “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.” We recommend you bring your own glove, if you have one, but we have a lot of loaners as well, which you can sign out with proper ID.
Sign up here to be on one of the following teams before Friday, March 18 at 5pm CT.
- Musicians
- Print Media
- Mixed Media
- Record Companies
- Agents/Managers
- Clubs/Talent Buyers
- SXSW Staff and SXSW Volunteer teams will be filled from within
Our tournament staff will reconfirm with you closer to the event and answer any questions you may have. After sign up closes on March 18, if you are still interested in playing you will need to arrive at Krieg Field (517 S Pleasant Valley Rd) on Sunday, March 20 at noon and get in the standby line to potentially join a team.
Be sure to explore our Softball Rules including play check-in information below.
Transportation
The Barbecue and Softball Tournament will be at Krieg Fields (517 S Pleasant Valley Rd), a ~10-minute drive from downtown and ~15 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
SXSW will run a shuttle van between the fields and the Hilton, Fairmont, and JW Marriott downtown hotels. The shuttle runs every 20 minutes or so.
With advance notice, we can also take you directly to the airport from the field; please report to Player Registration at the Austin Convention Center if you’re going to need airport shuttle service.
Driving directions to Krieg Fields: From downtown, south of the river, take Riverside Drive east. Turn left on Lakeshore Blvd., a couple of blocks past I-35. Make another left on Pleasant Valley when Lakeshore dead ends, and then take the first right, at the traffic light, into the first parking lot for the Krieg Softball Complex. Follow the park road around until you can’t go any further.
Rain Plan
If the weather looks iffy on Sunday morning, call the SXSW Softball Hotline, (512) 467-7979, to find out whether the game is on or not.
If there is rain, barbecue will be served 1-4pm, or until it runs out, at the Fiesta Gardens Pavilion on Bergman Street and Lady Bird Lake.
Driving directions to Fiesta Gardens Pavilion: From the Convention Center head east on Cesar Chavez Street about 10 blocks. Turn right on Chicon and the Fiesta Gardens Pavilion is on your left two blocks before Chicon dead-ends at Lady Bird Lake.
Questions?
Email softball@sxsw.com.