Let your geek flag fly at these Phoenix conventions
Comic-Con, who?
Thanks to a variety of conventions that return to Phoenix every year, there’s no need to travel to Los Angeles, San Diego or Chicago to dress up and meet greats in the film, television, anime and gaming industries.
Anime fans should keep an eye out for CosplayCon in August and Saboten
Con in September, and gaming enthusiasts should consider heading to the Arizona Game Fair in March, Zapcon in April or Game On Expo in August.
Those looking for the Comic-Con experience should start saving up for Phoenix Fan Fusion in May; 2019 guests included George Takei, Jeff Goldblum, Paul Reubens and Matthew Lewis.
Read on for the comprehensive list of geek conventions in Phoenix in 2020.
Taiyou Con
Every year, a couple thousand anime, animation and video game enthusiasts as well as artists and cosplayers descend upon Taiyou Con in Mesa to meet voice actors, attend panels and meet others who share their interests. In 2020, special guests included Charlene Ingram, Marie Miyake, Kira Buckland, Kyle McCarley and Sung
Won Cho.
Details: Friday-Sunday, Jan. 3-5. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. $30-$149.99. taiyoucon.com.
Arizona Game Fair
Arizona’s “largest tabletop-gaming convention” also arrives in Mesa, bringing the state’s premier 40K tournament with role-playing games, board games and tradingcard games. “This Mortal March,” reportedly Arizona’s first Warhammer Age of Sigmar tournament, will span from Friday through Sunday.
Details: Friday-Sunday, March 20-22. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. $25-$55. arizonagamefair.com.
Zapcon
Spend the weekend playing classic arcade games and pinball machines. The 2020 schedule isn’t yet available, but 2019 programming included pinball tournaments, high score challenges and an escape room.
Details: SaturdaySunday, April 25-26. Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. zapcon.com.
Phoenix Fan Fusion
Phoenix’s version of Comic-Con happens over Memorial Day weekend. Tickets range from single-day passes to VIP memberships that include complimentary “buddy” memberships, VIP seats for celebrity panels, dedicated lines for photos ops and autographs and lounge access.
Highlights of the 2019 Fan Fusion included appearances by “Star Trek” and “Star Wars” actors, Jeff Goldblum, Paul Reubens and Matthew Lewis. Stay tuned for 2020’s programming and schedule.
Details: ThursdaySunday, May 21-24. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N.Third St. $20-$295. 602-635-4306, phoenixfanfusion.com.
Suncats Cat Con
This festival will bring feline-inspired pop culture, music, cocktails and art to the Valley’s cat lovers. The event isn’t exclusive to humans; adventurous cats are welcome. Those looking to expand their families can adopt kittens and cats at La Gatarra Cat Lounge.
Details: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, May 30-31. Warehouse 215, 215
E. Grant St., Phoenix. $15$20. Suncatscon.com.
Game On Expo
Arizona’s largest gaming convention is coming back in August with G.A.M.E. — gaming, anime, music and esports. A Classic Tetris World Championship regional qualifier and Super Smash Bros. tournaments are in the works for 2020, in addition to retro and tabletop play, musical performances, cosplay and celebrity guests.
As of late January, Steve Burton — who voices Cloud from “Kingdom Hearts” — and George Newbern — who voices Superman in various animated films and “Final Fantasy’s” Sephiroth — have been announced as guests.
Details: Friday-Sunday, Aug. 7-9. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St. $35 early bird; $50 general admission. 833-442-6366, gameonexpo.com.
CosplayCon.com Phoenix
So far, CosplayCon’s schedule includes cosplay contests and a rock, paper, scissors tournament. Stay tuned for ticket prices and programming.
Details: SaturdaySunday, Aug. 8-9. Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St. cosplayprosandcons.com/cosplaycon.
Saboten Con
Billed as Arizona’s “premiere Japanese popculture convention,” Saboten Con — which translates to “cactus convention” — celebrates all things anime over Labor Day weekend. There are concerts, masquerade contests and guest appearances. Last year, Rica Matsumoto, who voices Pokémon’s Satoshi (also known as Ash Ketchum) was one of the headliners.
Details: Friday-Monday, Sept. 4-7. Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, 340 N. Third St. $45-$350. 623-232-0580, sabotencon.com.
Arizona Fur Con
Arizona’s annual furry convention, founded in 2013, brings fans of anthropomorphic animals to the metro Phoenix area. The 2019 event in Mesa was themed as a
“music furstival.” Dates for 2020 have not been announced, so check back later.
Details: arizonafurcon.com.