In 2026, Westway will strengthen the network between Portugal and Spain, while also engaging other Southern European countries and geographical peripheries that promote talent.

Within the scope of Westway MEETING, the 2026 edition, together with WHY Portugal, will welcome a renowned group of international guests, including Jordi Fosas (Fira Mediterrània Manresa, ES), Jordi Casadesús (Mercat de Música Viva de Vic, ES), Joyce Jenny Loir (Ancienne Belgique, BE), Eugenio González (La Mar de Músicas, ES), Ísleifur Thorhallsson (Sena Live / Iceland Airwaves, IS), and Cíntia Marques (ARCUPS, the organizing association of the Ti Milha Festival, PT), with many more announcements still to come.

Registrations for access and participation in this upcoming edition of Westway MEETING are already open with promotional rates.

This edition also introduces a new category for participants under 35 years old:
Young Delegate Pass – U35 (€25); and offers the Delegate Pass – Early Bird (€40) until the end of December 2025.

Another highlight of this 13th edition is a training opportunity for young music professionals, which Westway will debut in April 2026, in Guimarães, through an initiative launched by WHY Portugal and Audiogest.

Remaining true to its synergistic nature, this 13th edition of Westway will also amplify partnerships and create new opportunities, moving forward together with partners such as Fundação GDA, WHY Portugal, Bando à Parte, Audiogest, European Talent Exchange (ETE), Canal 180, and Antena 3.

The City Showcases will energise Saturday afternoon with performances by Hate Moss (IT), Hause Plants (PT), Hofe (ES), Humana Taranja (PT), MonchMonch (BR / PT), and Tiago Sampaio & Cody XV (PT), who will take the stage at several venues across the city of Guimarães, including Ramada 1930, Convívio Associação Cultural (Salão Nobre), and CAAA – Centro para os Assuntos da Arte e da Arquitectura.

Westway 2026 will also present, for the first time in Portugal, in partnership with Why Portugal, The Portuguese Discovery, an initiative dedicated to the international representation of new Portuguese music, featuring Ana De Llor, Summer of Hate and The Sunflowers.

The latest announcements also extend to the Westway MEETING programme, which, in collaboration with WHY Portugal, reveals new confirmations joining the group of (inter)national guests visiting Guimarães over these four spring days. Jess Partridge (European Music Managers Alliance), Hélio Morais (Primavera Tours), Paulo Silva (MED), João Rufino (Bons Sons), Terry Costa (Festival Cordas), Nadine Saize (Freelance), João Lemos (Sonus), Gabriel Nery (Pointlist), Mariana Lois (Festival A Porta), Paola Wescher (Last Tour), Stefan Schurter (Music Managers Forum), Yves Tattevin (Persona Grata), Yvan Soyouz (Soyouz Music), Jorge Dias (GIG Rocks), Miguel Augusto Silva (Armoniz), Carlos Maria Trindade (artist), and Jorge Bizarro (WHY Portugal) join the tribe of music industry professionals preparing to share insights and reflect on the present and future directions of the sector together with Westway participants in Guimarães.

These names join previously announced guests: Dalse Yoonyoung Kong (Zandari Festa, South Korea), Robin Werner (Reeperbahn, Germany), Jordi Fosas (Fira Mediterrània Manresa, ES), Jordi Casadesús (Mercat de Música Viva de Vic, ES), Joyce Jenny Loir (Ancienne Belgique, BE), Eugenio González (La Mar de Músicas, ES), Ísleifur Thorhallsson (Sena Live / Iceland Airwaves, IS), and Cíntia Marques (ARCUPS, organising association of the Ti Milha festival, PT). The Westway MEETING programme also includes the addition of moderators Gordon Masson, Isilda Sanches and Vítor Belanciano.