Billboard Latin Music Week 2025 served as the premier global gathering for Latin artists and industry executives, spanning from October 22nd and culminating with the Billboard Latin Music Awards on October 23rd. The week-long conference in Miami featured a packed schedule of panels, marquee conversations, roundtables, networking opportunities, and celebrated Billboard En Vivo showcases, uniting a star-studded lineup of talent.

A significant highlight was “The Music of the World Cup” panel on Wednesday, October 22nd, where Carlos Vives, Emilia, Wisin, and Xavi, the artists behind the 2026 Telemundo World Cup anthem, discussed their creative process. Moderated by Carlota Vizmanos, the panelists emphasized the song's message of unity and family. Carlos Vives articulated the sentiment, stating, “In a world where war and hatred are the norm, soccer is the complete opposite. What a great opportunity for this song to speak to that and for Telemundo to be the message that brings it.” Xavi echoed this, noting, “Despite being from different worlds, we all have something in common — and that’s soccer, and that’s why it’s about unity.” The anthem was slated to premiere at the Billboard Latin Music Awards.

Another insightful discussion, “The Power of Podcasters,” also on Wednesday, featured Leo Rojas (Venezuela), DimeloKing (Colombia), and Jorge “Molusco” Pabón (Puerto Rico). Moderated by Tony Dandrades, the experts shared secrets for making podcasts successful and profitable. They highlighted how podcasts “give a voice to those who previously had no voice,” enabling artists to connect with fans on a more personal, human level. Key takeaways included the importance of knowing your audience, not expecting others' success to be your own, leveraging all online elements, creating short-form content, and actively recruiting superfans who engage across all platforms.

The “Cumbia and Tropical Music Explosion” panel, moderated by Jessica Roiz of Billboard, brought together icons like Olga Tañón, Grupo 5, Guaynaa, Bebeshito, and Luck Ra. They explored the enduring cultural impact of their respective tropical genres and how new generations are embracing and reinventing them. Olga Tañón, dubbed “Woman of Fire,” shared her initial reluctance to be a merengue singer, stating, “I didn’t want to be a merengue singer; I’m a merengue snob,” before embracing the genre. Christian Yaipén of Grupo 5 emphasized focusing on creating music from the heart rather than chasing trends. Guaynaa discussed the dual influence of record labels and public demand in driving tropical music experimentation, while Bebeshito highlighted the unique, heart-driven support for Cuban reparto music despite digital limitations. Luck Ra celebrated cumbia and cuarteto as joyful, danceable genres that transcend geographical boundaries.

Beyond these panels, the week was rich with artist appearances and discussions. Ozuna participated in an Afrobeats panel alongside Goyo, Kapo, Humby, and Venesti, discussing the fusion of their signature sounds with Afrobeat. Tokischa engaged in a candid one-on-one conversation with Ivy Queen about feminism, sexuality, and music, also revealing details about her upcoming intimate album, a project seven months in the making that delves into her personal story and overcome traumas. Superstar Q&As featured prominent artists such as Daddy Yankee, Laura Pausini, and Kali Uchis. Other returning panels included “Making the Hit Live!” with Pablo Alborán and Julio Reyes Copello, and the Women’s Panel, featuring Aitana, Silvana Estrada, Yailin, Ela Taubert, and Yami Safdie. Many attending artists also posed for Billboard’s photo booth, capturing memorable backstage moments.

The 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, coinciding with the week, aired on Thursday, October 23rd, on Telemundo and Peacock. Bad Bunny was honored as the Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century. Additionally, Billboard’s Live Music Summit was announced for November 3rd in Los Angeles, further extending the industry's engagement.