Anime Expo 2026
Another year has come and gone for the largest anime convention in the United States: Anime Expo. Once again, I had the pleasure of attending, continuing a tradition that started in 2006. I’ve especially enjoyed photographing the event over the past decade. However, I wish Anime Expo offered a basic admission ticket instead of requiring attendees to purchase the expensive four-day badge. Since I don’t attend panels or spend much time in the exhibit halls, paying $195 (plus numerous fees) for full access feels like a waste.
During Anime Expo, security temporarily halted attendee entry into the South Hall. At first, the decision seemed to respond to severe congestion in the South Hall lobby, where massive groups of attendees stood or sat. Spontaneous dance circles regularly formed in this area, attracting large crowds of spectators and completely blocking the flow of foot traffic.
Ultimately, this bottleneck highlights a much larger issue: Anime Expo has outgrown the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC). Unfortunately, Southern California still lacks a convention center that can comfortably host an event of this magnitude. Although the Anaheim Convention Center has expanded over the years and hosted Anime Expo from 1996 to 2002 and again from 2003 to 2006, it remains unclear whether the venue could accommodate the convention’s current size, especially since attendance has consistently exceeded 120,000 badge holders.
Construction crews are improving the connection between the West Hall and South Hall so more people can move between the two buildings. Hopefully, the project will also add more parking and expand the West Hall, which houses the Entertainment Hall. In addition, the LACC plans to complete its expansion and modernization project before the 2028 Olympics. Once the project is complete, the venue’s capacity should increase from 72,000 to 90,000 people.
Overall, Anime Expo 2026 was a success. Even with construction expected to continue for another two years and only one route connecting the West Hall and South Hall, attendance still increased to 422,000 turnstile entries, up from 385,000 last year. Anime Expo sold approximately 120,000 badges (an estimate based on the convention’s four-day attendance figures), bringing the event close to the Los Angeles Convention Center’s practical capacity. Despite these challenges, I still had a fun and enjoyable experience.
I’m encouraged that the organizers are taking steps to improve crowd management. For example, on the second day of the event, they changed the traffic flow in the concourse hallway by creating one-way pedestrian traffic instead of allowing people to move in every direction. That simple change reduced bottlenecks and prevented people from constantly bumping into one another.
Will I return next year? Of course. I just hope Anime Expo offers a basic admission ticket instead of requiring me to pay for full-access privileges that I rarely use.
Thank you so much for taking the time to view my photos!
Photo of JC aka cosplayphotog
Photostakenbyjc.com
#cosplayer – @cyberstephanie
cosplayer – @mimsyheart
before coming
Anime Expo – Largest Anime Con in USA
https://www.anime-expo.org/ – iG @animeexpo
This 4-day anime convention is held during the Fourth of July weekend. Attendance in 2017 was well over 100,000. Event tickets range from $120 to $160. Anime Expo sold out in 2022.
If you are into anime, you need to come because there is so much to see. You can go to panels, shop, watch fashion shows, cosplay contests, see cosplayers, and much more.
The convention is a bit crowded when the fourth day falls on a Monday. The event is usually held from July 1 to 4 because the Fourth of July moves to different days each year. In 2018, Day Zero was on the Fourth of July.
I apologize that there is no marker for Anime Expo on Google Maps, but perhaps AX will create one. Please view the photos later. I will add photos as I process them. The photos I select are from my Instagram accounts or cell phone captures.
In 2026, badges were sold through Leap (formerly ShowClix). Attendees could choose to have their badges mailed or pick them up on-site. If you planned to pick up your badge on Day Zero (Thursday), it was best to do so before Day One to avoid longer waits. In most years, badge pickup lines take about 1 to 2 hours. In 2026, the queue was moved onto Figueroa Street to improve crowd management and make the lines easier to organize.
cosplay photog instagram photos
cosplayer – @katkwo4
My Dress-Up Darling
cosplayer – @k8sarkissian
here are a few Anime Expo from different years
