PodBXL, a podcast festival organized by The Podcast Factory Org ASBL, will take place July 4, 2026, in Brussels, bringing together podcasters, audiences and independent creators for live recordings, discussions and human connections beyond algorithms and competition.
The festival represents a departure from conventional podcast events, eschewing competition formats and jury-based selection in favor of a first-come, first-served approach designed to amplify voices rarely heard in mainstream podcast spaces. According to organizers, the event prioritizes native podcasts, audio fiction and original content without competing against major media replays, creating what they describe as a radical but simple alternative to traditional festival structures.
Running from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Transforma BXL in Evere, the festival will feature podcasts recorded before live audiences throughout the day, with videos subsequently available on The Podcast Factory Org’s YouTube channel. The event operates without podiums or trophies, emphasizing community building over statistics and competition metrics. “The focus is not about being ‘better than’ but creating a space where everyone can exist without comparing themselves,” according to the festival’s stated mission.
Attendees and participating podcasters will have access to professional audio engineering support and equipment to facilitate productions. The festival welcomes podcasters, hosts, guests and enthusiasts across all podcast genres and experience levels. Organizers note that registrations are mandatory for spectators and for podcasters wishing to participate, with ticket registrations providing access to consumption tickets at the venue.
Registration is required to attend, though no admission price is listed on the event page. Spectators can register through the festival website, while podcasters interested in participating in 2026 programming are advised that slots are already full; submissions for 2027 are currently being accepted. Interested parties can propose their podcasts via an online form on the PodBXL website.
The Podcast Factory Org, the nonprofit organization behind PodBXL, supports ESG-related programming and initiatives aligned with sustainability and community building around podcast media. The organization annually supports the Podcasthon initiative and encourages community participation through donations to sustain and expand the festival’s reach.
