Conquer Comicon
A guide to navigating the gala of geekdom.
With more than 100,000 fans expected to descend upon downtown for Phoenix Comicon May 25-28, 2017, it’s a time for celebration, camaraderie and geeking out.
Here are tips to make things safe and enjoyable for all, from Phoenix Comicon founder Matt Solberg; Matt Hinds, founder of the pop culture social club the Blue Ribbon Army; Catherine Ayotte, a cosplayer and writer/photographer for several pop-culture outlets; and the Phoenix Convention Center.
Registration
Fans who purchased a membership between February and April 15 will receive their badges in the mail. Those who purchased them January and before or after April 15 just need to pick up their
badges at Registration in room 120 CD of the North Building. Either print out your barcode or show it on your phone. The entrance is on Monroe Street between Third and Fifth streets. While purchasing online ahead of time is recommended, memberships can also be purchased at the event. Registration hours are listed below.
Photo ops, autographs and reserved seating
With the solid celebrity guest line-up this year, fans are encouraged to purchase photo-ops, autographs and reserved seating for panels as soon as possible. Some opportunities are already sold out, including the “Daredevil” panel featuring Elden Henson and Jon Bernthal.
Reserved seating is available for certain panels and encompasses only about 10 percent of the available seats, so first come, first served general admission seating is still an option.
Interest is already high for Dick Van Dyke, with Saturday photo-ops and reserved seating for his panel already sold out. General reserved seating for the panel is still available. Remaining seats will be entered into a lottery on May 18.
Transportation
It’s going to be congested. Consider taking a bus, light rail or taxi; riding a bike; or carpooling. Round-trip on the light rail costs $4 per day, and $2 for a single ride. The closest stops to the Phoenix Convention Center are Third and Washington streets going west-bound, and Third and Jefferson streets traveling eastbound. Parking is free at light rail stops.
A majority of all events will take place in and around the Phoenix Convention Center. The outdoor programming will close Third Street from Washington to Monroe streets.
Con on Third
The outdoor programming area, sponsored by the CW6, is free and open to the public, and will take place on Third Street from Washington to Monroe streets. The popular pop culture car show will return, as well as several food trucks and vendor booths. New this year is a barbecue and beer party tent, and the “Dunkirk” movie trailer truck that will show a preview of the upcoming World War II movie directed by Christopher Nolan.
Parking
If you do decide to drive, there are more than 25,000 parking spaces spread out throughout downtown Phoenix. The main parking is available at the north and east Convention Center garages for $20 a day, and the west garage is available on Thursday and Sunday, also for $20. ParkWhiz has limited spots at their Jefferson Street garage for $20 a day. These spots can be reserved ahead of time on the Phoenix Comicon website.
Street parking is available, with more than 2,000 meters, but beware of the
No firearms or weapons designed to fire a projectile are allowed. Steel weapons must remained sheathed at all times. Costume weapons must be » Don’t bring signs or