Anime Expo 2026

Anime Expo runs July 2nd through 5th at the Los Angeles Convention Center — badges at AXS — and the West Hall, South Hall, Petree, and Concourse are all cleared for four days and given over to the largest anime convention in North America. A hundred thousand people. Some in costumes that took six months to build. All in the same building at the same time.

The AX floor rewards knowing what you're looking for and punishes aimlessness — the Exhibit Hall has premiere merchandise, Japanese publishers, indie creators, and industry names in a space that takes three hours to cover once at a casual pace. The panels fill the big rooms with standing ovations for announcements that hit the internet seconds later. The Artist Alley is where the convention finds its actual soul: original work, fan work, artists who drove thirteen hours and set up at 6 AM because this is the room where their work finds its people. Outside the hall, the cosplay density on Day 2 turns the Convention Center plaza into its own event. Four days is not enough time. Pick your anchors — panels, signings, morning Exhibit Hall, night events — and let the rest happen around them. Badges sell out. Lock yours in.