Festival del Podcasting Marks Its 10th Anniversary While Shaping the Future of Digital Audio

After ten years of innovation, storytelling and community building, Festival del Podcasting returns to Milan on 2 and 3 October 2026, reaffirming its position as Italy’s leading event dedicated to podcasting and digital audio.

Directed by Ester Memeo, the Festival will once again bring together podcasters, publishers, media companies, brands, platforms and communication professionals to explore how podcasting is evolving from a storytelling medium into a strategic tool for publishing, marketing, education and branded content.

The headline innovation of the 2026 edition is the introduction of Industry Day, dedicated to brands, companies, agencies, publishers and communication professionals. The programme explores how podcasts have become a strategic business and communication asset, reflecting the maturity of Italy’s digital audio ecosystem.

The Festival will once again host the Podcast Pitch, giving emerging creators the opportunity to present their projects directly to producers, publishers and industry professionals. Workshops and practical sessions will cover writing, storytelling, editorial development and innovative audio formats.

The latest Nielsen research commissioned by Audible will be presented exclusively, providing insights into Italy’s podcast market, listening behaviour and the future of digital audio.

The 2026 Programme

• Podcast marketing and audience growth
• Discoverability
• Video podcasting
• Distribution strategies
• Monetisation
• Branded podcasts
• Journalism
• Educational content
• Emerging audio formats

Two Days, Two Distinct Experiences

Friday, 2 October - Industry Day

The opening day is dedicated to brands, companies, publishers, platforms, production studios, communication agencies and marketing professionals. Highlights include the launch of the Audioboost Award for Best Branded Podcast, the traditional Podcast Contest, the MediaKey Award and the AperiPodcast networking event with DJ set.

Saturday, 3 October - Creator Day

The second day focuses on the creator community with live podcasts, workshops, panels, networking and the Podcast Pitch. The Pod24 Award, promoted by 24Ore Podcast, will recognise the best independent investigative and documentary podcasts. Applications are open at festivaldelpodcasting.it.

Sponsors and Partners

Confirmed sponsors: Acast, Audioboost, Insieme Salute, Audible, Banca Investis, Steady, Yamaha, ASSIPOD.org - Italian Podcasting Association, and Sony (Technical Partner).

Confirmed partners: Dizione.it, Podcast Academy and Silent Emotion.

Media partners: Radio24 / 24Ore Podcast, MediaKey, RadioSpeaker, Radio Urban, Radio Active, Spot&Web and Linkioni.

Tickets for the Festival del Podcasting Summit (2 - 3 October, Milan) are available at festivaldelpodcasting.it. Early Bird rates are available until 31 July 2026.