ORLANDO, FL – MEGACON Orlando 2026 is back and bigger than ever this year. Building on last year’s attendance of 180,000+ fans, the Southeast’s largest pop culture celebration returns to the Orange County Convention Center Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22. Attendees can enjoy four full days of celebrity meet-and-greets, cosplay competitions, interactive experiences, panels, and exclusive programming spanning movies, TV, comics, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, anime and gaming.

A star-studded line-up at MEGACON Orlando 2026 with first announcements

MEGACON Orlando 2026 is officially underway with its first wave of celebrity announcements.

Fans can look forward to meeting an incredible lineup of stars, including John Cena (actor, wrestler); Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, andBilly Boyd (The Lord of the Rings); John Boyega (Star Wars); Helen Hunt (Twister); Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden,andBrent Spiner (Star Trek: The Next Generation); Walter Koenig (Star Trek); Giancarlo Esposito (The Mandalorian); Josh Holloway (Lost); Ashley Eckstein (Founder, Her Universe); James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer); and Cedric Yarbrough and Thomas Lennon (Reno 11!). Additional celebrity guests will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.

Fans can participate in celebrity Q&As, gaining rare insights and behind-the-scenes stories from their favorite stars. Photo ops and autograph sessions will allow attendees to capture these moments and create lasting keepsakes. As well as special moments such as: 

• AN EVENING WITH THE HOBBITS: IN CELEBRATION OF 25 YEARS – Join The Lord of the Rings 25th Anniversary Reunion Tour: A Once-in-a-Generation Celebration as Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd reunite for to celebrate 25 years of Middle-earth magic. Choose from an exclusive backstage pass, team-up or individual photo ops and autographs, and tickets to their special panel, An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years. Guests will also have access to exclusive merch.
• John Cena Live – Meet John Cena with autographs, photo ops, and special experiences like John Cena Live.
• On Stage with Orlando Bloom – Meet Orlando Bloom with autographs, photo ops, and special experiences like On Stage with Orlando Bloom. 
• Jim Lee Experience – Comic book royalty is coming to MEGACON Orlando. Don’t miss your chance to snag exclusive autographs and sketch experiences with Jim Lee.
• Frank Miller Experience – Get ready to dive into the shadows of Gotham with the creator of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Guests will enjoy exclusive backstage access with a private welcome talk before everyone else gets in, priority seating, and signed collectibles to take home. Pick either the Frank Miller Experience or Frank Miller Sketch Package and lock in those coveted autographs. Get up close and personal with comic book legend Frank Miller.
• Joe Quesada Experience – Join MEGACON for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the legendary creator. Whether you are attending a special presentation with Joe Quesada Live on Stage, getting your hands on exclusive merch, or taking the perfect selfie and autograph, there’s a perfect fan experience for every comic lover.

Masters of Cosplay Grand Finale

For the second year in a row, MEGACON Orlando will host the Masters of Cosplay Grand Finale in March, bringing together the 2025 qualifier winners for an unforgettable showdown. Award-winning cosplayers from across North America will compete for the grand prize of $10,000, while MEGACON also serves as the home of the 2026 Masters of Cosplay Sunshine Qualifier. At MEGACON, cosplay fantasies come to life and the possibilities are endless.

Fans can connect with professional cosplayers, dive deeper into the art and craft of cosplay, and proudly showcase their own creations on the Cosplay Red Carpet. Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy nonstop cosplay-focused programming and themed meet-ups celebrating creativity and community.

Adding to the excitement is Comics Xplosion, an epic live art battle that puts the spotlight on the best in comic creation. Watch top illustrators go head-to-head as they bring fan-favorite characters to life in real time, then take home one-of-a-kind artwork when the competition ends. Comic Xplosion is included with guests’ MEGACON Orlando show badge.

Beyond cosplay and comics, MEGACON Orlando offers something for every fan. Sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts can explore panels, workshops, and family-friendly experiences that span galaxies and timelines, featuring stars from some of the biggest franchises. Animation fans can meet the voices behind beloved characters and engage in programming that highlights the artistry of animation. Gamers can level up in the Gaming Arena with tournaments, free-play stations, tabletop games, and Q&As with the voices behind their favorite video game characters.

Exclusive Universal Orlando Resort after-hours event planned for 2026

Additionally, MEGACON Orlando 2026 will host after-hours event at Universal Orlando Resort on Friday, March 20. Attendees will enjoy unlimited access to select rides and attractions at Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. Tickets are available online now.

MEGACON Orlando remains one of North America’s largest and most immersive pop culture conventions, celebrating comics, sci‑fi, fantasy, horror, anime, and gaming. Single‑day tickets and limited four‑day passes for 2026 are now available for purchase online. For a complete list of programming, guest announcements, and tickets, visit fanexpohq.com/megaconorlando.

About me: Hello my name is Carlos Hernandez and I am a writer and journalist with over 15 years of experience. I write the food and travel blog Carlos Eats (https://www.carloseats.com) and also contribute to several newspapers and magazines on numerous topics.