{"id":196090,"date":"2026-03-18T09:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T09:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/196090\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T09:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T09:18:08","slug":"megacon-orlando-2026-starts-thursday-heres-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/196090\/","title":{"rendered":"MEGACON Orlando 2026 starts Thursday. Here\u2019s what you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 One of the largest conventions<\/a> in the southeast U.S. returns this weekend at the Orange County Convention Center.<\/p>\n

MEGACON Orlando runs Thursday through Sunday. The convention showcases fans and pop culture, from sci-fi and fantasy to anime and video games to comic books and cosplay.<\/p>\n

Dozens of celebrities will be on hand as well, including some big names like John Cena, Brendan Fraser, Gillian Anderson, Alec Baldwin, as well as a huge \u201cLord of the Rings\u201d cast reunion.<\/p>\n

Four-day and single-day tickets are still available for adults all weekend.<\/p>\n

[Heading to MEGACON? PINIT! Share your photos of what you see<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what you need to know before you go.<\/p>\n

Location<\/p>\n

MEGACON this year is located in the West Concourse of the Orange County Convention Center off International Drive.<\/p>\n

The ticketing hall this year is in West Hall E, which is on the north side of the building. That\u2019s also where customer service and disability services are located. The main exhibit hall, with the retailers, community zone, artist alley, and the celebrity autograph and photo ops area, takes up the rest of the building.<\/p>\n

Show Hours<\/p>\n

The show hours are:<\/p>\n

Thursday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.<\/p>\n

Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

However, there are activities and events taking place after regular convention hours, such as screenings and afterparties. Check the MEGACON schedule <\/a>for more information.<\/p>\n

[WATCH: MEGACON Orlando 2026 Preview]<\/p>\n

Parking<\/p>\n

MEGACON urges people to pay for parking in advance. There are designated parking lots throughout the International Drive area. Other lots have a shuttle service.<\/p>\n

Lot 1, which is the West Concourse lot, is sold out for the weekend. Other advanced lots are sold out on Saturday, but spots are available through the rest of the weekend. Prices vary depending on the lot, but can cost as much as $40.<\/p>\n

The MEGACON website has a page with a map of the different parking lots<\/a>, and on what days space is still available.<\/p>\n

MEGACON has also opened several day-of parking lots throughout the area, including at Pointe Orlando, ICON Park, and Aquatica. Lots are open on different days and times and prices vary. Some of the lots have shuttle access to the convention center, some do not. <\/p>\n

To see those lots, check out the MEGACON parking map for each day.<\/p>\n

MEGACON is also urging guests to follow its X account for parking updates. <\/a><\/p>\n

Aside from Lot 1, all of the lots have shuttles that run throughout the weekend.<\/p>\n

Note that not all parking lots are open late or have late hours, so if you are planning to stay late at the convention, you may have to move your vehicle.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices<\/p>\n

A four-day pass is still available for $159. It includes 2 p.m. early entry on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Single-day adult tickets are available for all four days. Tickets are $33 on Thursday, $55 on Friday, $74 on Saturday and $64 on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Youth single-day tickets are sold out for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Sunday tickets are still available. Those are for children 13-17. Youth tickets are $59 on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Passes for children ages 6-12 are still available for $15.<\/p>\n

Family passes are also still available for all days except Saturday. These passes include two adult tickets and admission for up to four children ages 6-12. Thursday passes cost $71, Friday passes cost $115, and Sunday passes cost $133.<\/p>\n

All tickets are available on the MEGACON website. <\/a><\/p>\n

There is also a free kids coupon available with the purchase of an adult pass for children ages 6-12 HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

[WATCH: Thousands head to Orange County Convention Center for MEGACON 2025]<\/p>\n

Who is coming?<\/p>\n

The lineup this year for MEGACON features dozens of TV and film celebrities, voice actors, comic book creators, cosplayers, YouTubers and more.<\/p>\n

Not every guest appears every day. Some guests are only appearing on Saturday, some only on Saturday and Sunday. Some only on Thursday and Friday. Be sure to check the listing to see who you want to see before buying tickets.<\/p>\n

[MEGACON 2026: Cosplay, comics, celebrity meet-and-greets and after-hours fun<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Celebrities are available for autographs and professional photo opportunities on the days they are appearing. You can purchase tickets for most of these in advance or at the table. Some of the guests also charge for selfies at the table, which can be cheaper than the photo-ops.<\/p>\n

If you are planning to buy selfies or autographs at the convention, be sure to bring cash. Not everyone has credit card access. There are ATMs on site.<\/p>\n

A complete list is on the MEGACON website<\/a>. Click on the individual celebrity to see prices and purchase tickets.<\/p>\n

Here is a sampling of 74 celebrity guests coming this year:<\/p>\n

John Cena (WWE, \u201cPeacemaker,\u201d \u201cThe Fast and the Furious\u201d)<\/p>\n

Diego Luna (Star Wars star)<\/p>\n

Brendan Fraser (\u201cThe Mummy,\u201d \u201cDoom Patrol,\u201d \u201cGods and Monsters,\u201d \u201cThe Whale\u201d)<\/p>\n

John Carpenter (legendary horror director)<\/p>\n

Gillian Anderson (\u201cThe X-Files,\u201d \u201cThe Crown,\u201d \u201camerican Gods\u201d)<\/p>\n

Alec Baldwin (\u201cBeetlejuice,\u201d \u201c30 Rock\u201d)<\/p>\n

John Boyega (Star Wars star)<\/p>\n

William Shatner (Star Trek star)<\/p>\n

Mr. T (Wrestler, \u201cA-Team,\u201d \u201cRocky III\u201d)<\/p>\n

Rei Ami (\u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d)<\/p>\n

Arden Cho (\u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d)<\/p>\n

Ji-Young Yoo (\u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d)<\/p>\n

Cara Buono (\u201cStranger Things\u201d)<\/p>\n

Helen Hunt (\u201cTwister\u201d)<\/p>\n

Jodie Whittaker (\u201cDoctor Who\u201d)<\/p>\n

Christopher Lambert (\u201cHighlander\u201d)<\/p>\n

On top of that, MEGACON is hosting a \u201cLord of the Rings\u201d reunion to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the trilogy.<\/p>\n

Joining from the cast:<\/p>\n

Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins)<\/p>\n

Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee)<\/p>\n

Billy Boyd (Peregrin Took)<\/p>\n

Dominic Keating (Meriadoc Brandybuck)<\/p>\n

Orlando Bloom (Legolas)<\/p>\n

Liv Tyler (Arwen)<\/p>\n

John Rhys-Davies (Gimli)<\/p>\n

Karl Urban (Eomer)<\/p>\n

David Wenham (Faramir)<\/p>\n

John Noble (Denethor)<\/p>\n

WETA Workshop representatives who helped create Middle-Earth for the trilogy will also be on hand, including Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger, Daniel Falconer and Flo Foxworthy. <\/p>\n

Activities<\/p>\n

The convention is not just about meeting famous people. There will be four days of panels and discussions on various fandoms, programming rooms, gaming rooms, community groups, film festivals, a reading library, and fan meetups.<\/p>\n

There will be free photo-ops with famous vehicles from films and TV shows, robot builders and more.<\/p>\n

People interested in creating costumes, robots and special effects can also find workshops. There\u2019s even an Escape Room.<\/p>\n

There are several costume contests, including one for kids. There will be panels and workshops, and photo-ops at a cosplay photo park. Also, lots of people take their cosplay seriously \u2014 very seriously \u2014 and they love to take pictures with people, so be sure to take pictures and share them with News 6 using PINIT! on the News 6 app<\/a>. Check out some of the cosplayers we saw last year. <\/a><\/p>\n

There will also be family zones and a quiet room.<\/p>\n

There are also after-hours events all four nights.<\/p>\n

These activities are spread out in rooms on every level of the convention center.<\/p>\n

A full schedule of events is HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

Getting into the show<\/p>\n

Be prepared to go through security \u2014 there will be bag checks and if you are bringing in costume props, those will be checked as well.<\/p>\n

After bag check, you will pick up your pass, and you will have to activate it before you enter the convention. There are signs with instructions on how to activate your badge. Badges are non-refundable and non-transferable, and if you lose or damage your activated badge, you will have to buy a new one for $5.<\/p>\n

Pack your patience, especially on Saturday \u2014 Saturday is the busiest day of any convention, but with several major celebrities only appearing on Saturday, expect longer lines inside and outside of the convention center. Arrive early, be prepared to stand a lot. <\/p>\n

The good news is, according to our Weather team<\/a>, the weather will be comfortable all weekend, with little chance of rain.<\/p>\n

There are accommodations for people who are disabled \u2014 A medical sticker is required. It provides for accessible seating when available, but does not provide priority access to autographs and photo ops. There\u2019s a Frequently Asked Questions page on disabilities HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

Schedules and maps are also available online and through the MEGACON mobile app.<\/a><\/p>\n

Finally, only service dogs are allowed at the convention.<\/p>\n

Central Florida Happenings<\/p>\n

From community to must-do events, we’ve got you covered in this one-stop source for all things happening in Central Florida.<\/p>\n

Check out every episode of Riff On This <\/a>in the media player below:<\/p>\n

Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.<\/p>\n