FAN EXPO: fandom takes over Toronto

By Janet Grant – photos by Melissa Cruzz

Held August 27–30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this year’s event marked its 30th edition, with celebrities, comics, gaming, anime, merchandise, panels and cosplay filling both the North and South Buildings.

But one word kept coming to mind throughout the weekend: crowded. And that crowding shaped almost everything that followed.

Friday was busy. Saturday was busier. Sunday stayed packed.

Moving between the North and South Buildings could be an adventure. At times, getting through the convention floor meant moving slowly with thousands of others. Fans online also complained about long waits and crowd management problems, especially on Saturday.

And yet, people kept coming.

The celebrity lineup was one of the biggest attractions.

Mark Hamill drew the biggest excitement. The Star Wars legend made a rare FAN EXPO appearance, including a Saturday Q&A. His autograph and photo opportunities sold out quickly.

FAN EXPO also welcomed John Cena, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Alan Ritchson, Mr. T and many others.

Celebrity experiences have become a major part of conventions, but some prices this year were hard to ignore. Mark Hamill’s VIP experience was a serious investment. For many fans, meeting a childhood hero is priceless. For others, almost $1,000 is simply out of reach.

That raises an important question: Who gets to participate when fandom becomes this expensive?

Another noticeable change was the growing presence of major corporate displays. Disney Consumer Products, LEGO and other large companies were no longer just exhibitors selling products. They were creating experiences.

Disney featured Marvel, Star Wars and Toy Story 5, while LEGO created an immersive space celebrating Pokémon, Spider-Man and Star Wars. eBay also brought some fun to the floor with its wizard-themed activation.

The message was clear: FAN EXPO is no longer just a convention where fans buy comic books and collectibles. It is also a major marketing opportunity for Hollywood, streaming services, gaming companies and global brands.

Still, some of these displays were impressive.

One of my favourite things about FAN EXPO 2026 was seeing more Black families attend together.

They were doing more than simply walking around looking at costumes. They were participating.

Parents and children were dressed together in family cosplay, turning the convention floor into their own little production. Seeing Black mothers, fathers and children embrace fandom together was wonderful.

There was something especially beautiful about watching a parent help a child adjust a costume, fix a wig and pose for a photograph.

Cosplay is about imagination.

And imagination belongs to everyone.

Seeing more Black families represented on the FAN EXPO floor made the event feel more inclusive and more reflective of Toronto itself.

Between the celebrity appearances, merchandise and cosplay, FAN EXPO also offered glimpses of what is coming next in movies, television, streaming and gaming.

Fans don’t just want to look back at the movies and shows they love. They want to know what’s next.

FAN EXPO Canada 2026 delivered plenty of that.

Was it too crowded? Absolutely. Were some celebrity experiences too expensive for the average fan? Absolutely.

Even so, despite the long lines, packed halls and occasional frustration, there was something wonderful about seeing so many different kinds of people come together because they love the same thing.

Superheroes. Star Wars. Horror. Anime. Comics. Movies. Television. And cosplay.

At the end of the day, FAN EXPO is about fandom. In 2026, Toronto showed just how big, crowded and expensive that fandom has become.

FAN EXPO 2026 may have tested everyone’s patience, but it never seemed to run out of fans.

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