New York Comic Con 2026: Dates, Hours, Tickets & Complete Guide
New York Comic Con 2026 is happening now: from Thursday, October 8 to Sunday, October 11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.
The 2026 edition is especially important because it celebrates the 20th anniversary of New York Comic Con. Its theme is inspired by Coney Island, one of the most representative places of New York's pop culture and entertainment.
Update, October 8, 2026: the convention opens today. According to the official website, only Thursday tickets remain, in limited quantities. Below you will find the ticket status, the Will Call hours and the schedule with confirmed times.
In this Real's Tours NYC guide you will find the dates, hours, ticket status, featured programming, the history of the event, costume rules and tips to enjoy the convention.
Quick Facts: New York Comic Con 2026
Dates: October 8 to 11, 2026. Venue: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Address: 429 Eleventh Avenue, Manhattan. Nearest station: 34th Street–Hudson Yards. Recommended subway: the 7 train. Length: four days. 2026 theme: Coney Island. Anniversary: 20 years. Organizer: ReedPop. Activities: comics, film, television, anime, video games and cosplay. Tickets: only Thursday, October 8 remains.
What Is New York Comic Con?
New York Comic Con, also known as NYCC, is the most important pop culture convention on the US East Coast.
The event brings together actors, illustrators, writers, producers, artists, content creators and thousands of fans from different countries.
Although it started around the world of comics, it now covers practically every area of entertainment: comics and graphic novels, film and television, anime and manga, video games, board and card games, toys and collectibles, cosplay, fantasy, science fiction and horror literature, and meetings with actors and creators.
The major entertainment companies use the convention to present trailers, announce projects and show exclusive content.
New York Comic Con 2026 Dates
The convention runs for four days: Thursday, October 8, Friday, October 9, Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Each day has a different program. A ticket for a specific day does not allow entry on the other days, unless the person holds a valid four-day pass.
New York Comic Con 2026 Hours
Exhibit area: Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM; Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Artist Alley stays open until 8:00 PM from Thursday to Saturday.
Panels: Thursday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM; Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The show floor may close before the last panels. Check the schedule of each activity to plan your day properly.
New York Comic Con 2026 Tickets
Status as of October 8, 2026, according to the official New York Comic Con website: only Thursday, October 8 tickets remain, in limited quantities. Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets, four-day passes and VIP tickets are sold out.
The available options are Premiere Thursday, at $104; the Thursday afternoon ticket (from 3:00 PM), at $55; and the Thursday kids ticket, at $39, which must be purchased together with an adult ticket. Sunday kids tickets are sold out.
Availability can change at any time. Tickets should be bought through official channels; if you get a ticket transferred by someone else, confirm the transfer has been accepted and activate your badge before you arrive.
What does the ticket include? The main exhibit area, more than 400 exhibitors and artists, Artist Alley, several panel rooms, activities run by studios and brands, Cosplay Central, Family HQ, Pride Lounge, Side Quest, exhibits, photos and interactive experiences, and fan contests and meetups.
Professional photo ops and celebrity autographs usually cost extra. Some experiences, panels and exclusive activities may also require a prior reservation or a separate ticket.
Kids tickets: this year kids tickets are for children ages 6 to 12 and must be purchased together with an adult ticket. The Thursday ticket is the only one still available. New York Comic Con does not offer childcare; minors must stay under the supervision of their parents or companions.
Badges and Will Call Pickup
The deadline to have badges mailed was September 14, 2026, so it has passed. All pending badges are picked up at Will Call inside the Javits Center. International buyers must also pick theirs up in person, bringing the purchase confirmation, the QR code, a photo ID and the card used for the purchase, if requested.
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable, unless the buyer purchased additional protection and meets its conditions.
Will Call hours still ahead: Thursday, October 8 from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Lines tend to be longer first thing in the morning, so if you can, pick up your badge outside peak hours.
New York Comic Con 2026 Theme: Coney Island
The 2026 edition celebrates 20 years of NYCC with a theme inspired by Coney Island. The collaboration joins two symbols of New York entertainment: Coney Island stands for amusement parks, shows, imagination and the city's pop culture.
The theme is present in the design, the commemorative merchandise and several experiences inside the convention, including presentations related to the famous Coney Island Circus Sideshow and special activities over the weekend.
Featured Programming at New York Comic Con 2026
The schedule is subject to change. These are some of the panels and experiences announced for each day, with the time and room when confirmed.
Thursday, October 8: Premiere Thursday. Thursday gives you first access to the exhibits and to some exclusive items before the biggest crowds arrive. At 12:30 PM, the Dexter: Resurrection (season 2) panel on the Main Stage and the Brooklyn Nine-Nine retrospective in room 405. At 2:15 PM, The Rookie panel on the Main Stage. At 3:30 PM, the Gundam Showcase on the Main Stage. At 4:15 PM, the Marvel Television and Marvel Animation presentation on the Empire Stage. At 5:30 PM, a talk with Joe Rohde, Disney Legend and Imagineer. At 6:30 PM, the Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of people dressed as Spider-Man on the Main Stage. Also announced, with no confirmed time, are the Crystal Lake first look, the world premiere of Dragon Ball Super: Beerus, the Final Fantasy VII presentation, the DC panel with Jim Lee and friends, the panel related to the Arrow universe, and the premiere and conversation on Helluva Boss.
Friday, October 9: Big Screen Friday. Friday is especially focused on film, television and big productions. At 11:15 AM, Avatar: Seven Havens on the Main Stage. At 12:45 PM, the One Piece English dub panel on the Empire Stage. At 3:30 PM, Whalefall on the Empire Stage. At 5:30 PM, Violent Night 2 and BlumFest on the Empire Stage. In room 405, Marvel Comics presents Bullpen Bulletins at 3:30 PM and The Midnight Hour at 5:00 PM. Also announced, with no confirmed time, are the celebration of Scream's 30th anniversary, the AMC+ panel and the activity related to The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Saturday, October 10: Crown Saturday. Saturday is usually the busiest day and its tickets are sold out. At 11:00 AM, the Bob's Burgers and Futurama panel on the Main Stage. At 2:45 PM, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (season 2) and Star Trek's 60th anniversary in room 406.3. At 3:30 PM, Marvel Comics' The Spider-Web panel in room 405, and at 5:00 PM, House of Ideas in the same room. At 6:00 PM, Percy Jackson and the Olympians (season 3) with Walker Scobell on the Main Stage. At 6:45 PM, Blade Runner 2099 with Michelle Yeoh on the Empire Stage. That day also hosts the Crown Championships of Cosplay regional cosplay contest, and announced with no confirmed time are the special Nicolas Cage presentation on the Empire Stage, the Naruto panel with the original voice cast, the Community cast reunion, the Black Clover premiere and the Children of Blood & Bone panel.
Sunday, October 11: Heroes & Homecomings. Sunday has family-friendly programming and is a good option for those visiting the convention with children. The day opens with the NCIS: New York panel, with LL Cool J and Scott Caan, followed by a FOX comedy panel with Jon Hamm and Joel McHale. Also announced are the activities related to R. L. Stine, the Tokyo Revengers panel, the Dark Horse, Mattel and Bandai Namco presentations, the Cosplay Central costume showcase, and family activities and character experiences.
Panels, Reservations and Lines
Having a ticket does not guarantee access to every panel. The main panels on the Main Stage and Empire Stage require a reservation, which works on a first-come, first-served basis until the available capacity is full.
For 2026 you can reserve up to four panels on Thursday, five on Friday, five on Saturday and three on Sunday. Attendees with a reservation should arrive about 35 minutes before the panel starts. Those stages are cleared between panels, and standby lines are very limited and do not guarantee entry. The other rooms are generally first come, first served.
Funko and private autograph reservations: limited-inventory experiences, including some exclusive Funko products and certain private autographs, used a random selection system. The window to submit preferences was September 14 to 16 and results were notified between September 30 and October 2. If you entered, check your email and bring the confirmation. The free autographs included in certain activities should not be confused with the paid professional photo and autograph sessions.
Main Areas of New York Comic Con
Show Floor: the main exhibit area, with publishers, film studios, video game companies, toy makers and hundreds of shops, plus exclusive products sold only during the convention.
Artist Alley: lets you meet illustrators, writers and comic creators directly. Visitors can buy original art, prints, graphic novels and signed pieces.
Cosplay Central: the space devoted to costumes and the cosplay community, with meetups, workshops, photos, demonstrations and conversations with people who make their own costumes.
Crown Championships of Cosplay: brings together some of the best costumes at the convention, judged on quality, creativity and design complexity. The main contest is held on Saturday.
Side Quest: dedicated to video games, board games, cards and interactive experiences.
Family HQ: designed for families with children, with games, activities and programming suited to younger visitors.
Pride Lounge: celebrates diversity within pop culture and serves as a meeting point for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
History of New York Comic Con
The first New York Comic Con was held in February 2006 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The event was created by ReedPop to bring together fans, artists, writers and companies connected to comics and entertainment.
The public response was much bigger than expected. Thousands of people arrived at the Javits Center and the organizers had to deal with capacity problems and long lines during that first edition. In 2007 the convention used a larger space and improved its access system, and it kept growing over the following years.
The program began to expand beyond comics to include film, television series, video games, anime, manga, toys and big entertainment productions.
In 2010, New York Comic Con moved permanently to the October calendar. That same year it merged with the New York Anime Festival, strengthening the presence of anime and Japanese culture.
Over the years the convention has welcomed major figures from entertainment and the comics world, including internationally known actors, writers, directors and illustrators. In 2020 the in-person event was canceled because of the pandemic and replaced by digital programming; New York Comic Con returned to the Javits Center in 2021.
The 2025 edition drew more than 250,000 attendees and more than 570 panels and events, confirming the huge growth of an event that began twenty years ago. In 2026, New York Comic Con celebrates its 20th anniversary with an edition dedicated to its fans and to the relationship between pop culture and New York City.
How to Get to the Javits Center
The Javits Center is at 429 Eleventh Avenue, between West 34th Street and West 39th Street, Manhattan.
By subway: the easiest way is the 7 train to the 34th Street–Hudson Yards station, about one block from the convention center.
From Penn Station: from Penn Station or Moynihan Train Hall you can walk west along 34th Street. The walk can take between 15 and 20 minutes.
By bus: the M34-SBS runs along 34th Street and gets you close to Hudson Yards and the Javits Center.
By car: we do not recommend it. Parking can be expensive, there will be heavy traffic and Manhattan has a congestion pricing system. The subway is normally the fastest and most practical option.
Building entrances: the blue entrance (Crystal Palace, at 11th Avenue and 34th Street, used for Will Call, VIP and ADA assistance), the north green entrance (11th Avenue and 38th Street), and the south green entrance (34th Street, between 11th and 12th Avenue). General admission visitors should follow staff instructions to use the right entrance.
Safety Rules
All attendees must wear their badge visibly during the event and carry a photo ID. Bags will be checked at the entrances and security screening may be used. Do not leave bags, backpacks or personal items unattended. Drones and selfie sticks are not allowed at the event.
Cosplay and prop weapon rules: costumes are allowed and are an essential part of New York Comic Con, but all accessories must meet the safety rules. Real weapons are prohibited. Props cannot fire projectiles. Toy guns cannot look like real weapons. Prop guns must have a bright orange tip. Bows must remain unstrung and arrows must have soft foam or cardboard tips. Lightsabers and light plastic accessories may be allowed. Security can reject any item it considers dangerous, and approved props receive a different security tag each day. If you bring a large prop or a prop weapon, allow extra time for inspection.
Photos and video: photos and video are generally allowed in common areas. During panels, concerts and screenings, recording, live streaming and flash photography may be prohibited. Some guests may also ask not to be photographed outside authorized sessions.
Accessibility and sensory warning: the event has an assistance program for people with disabilities or medical needs. Some presentations may use flashing lights, strobe effects, loud sounds, or smoke and fog effects. People sensitive to light or sound and families with young children should take precautions. Only service animals are allowed.
Tips for First-Time Visitors to New York Comic Con
Arrive early, since lines to get in, clear security and pick up badges can be long; arriving one to two hours ahead will help you make the most of the day. Download the official app, which lets you check schedules, locations, program changes and reservations. Set your priorities: the Javits Center is huge and you will not be able to see it all in one day. Bring a portable battery, because between photos, videos, maps and reservations your phone can run out of power quickly. Wear comfortable shoes, since you will spend many hours walking and standing. Bring water and something to eat, because there is food inside the venue, but lines can be long and prices high. Set a meeting point with your group, because inside the Javits Center it can be hard to find someone. And leave room for your purchases: if you plan to buy comics, figures or exclusive items, bring a comfortable backpack and materials to protect fragile pieces.
Places to Visit Near the Javits Center
New York Comic Con is next to Hudson Yards, one of the most modern areas of Manhattan. Before or after the convention you can visit Hudson Yards, The Vessel, Edge, the High Line, the Little Spain market, Moynihan Train Hall, Chelsea, Little Island and Times Square.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is New York Comic Con 2026? It runs from Thursday, October 8 to Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Where is it held? At the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, at 429 Eleventh Avenue, Manhattan.
What is the nearest subway? The 7 train to the 34th Street–Hudson Yards station.
Are there still tickets for New York Comic Con 2026? According to the official website, as of October 8 only Thursday tickets remain, in limited quantities. All other days, the four-day passes and the VIP tickets are sold out.
How much do the remaining tickets cost? Premiere Thursday costs $104, the Thursday afternoon ticket (from 3:00 PM) costs $55 and the Thursday kids ticket costs $39.
Can I get in without a ticket? No. All attendees need a valid ticket for the corresponding day.
Where do I pick up my badge? At Will Call, inside the Javits Center. It is open Thursday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Does the ticket include autographs and photos? Not always. Professional photo ops and celebrity autographs are normally bought separately.
Do I need reservations for the panels? Main Stage and Empire Stage panels require a reservation. Other rooms generally work on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I go with children? Yes. There are kids tickets for children ages 6 to 12, always accompanied by an adult. Today only the Thursday one is left.
Can I wear a costume? Yes. Cosplay is one of the main activities of the event, but all accessories must meet the safety rules.
Are photos allowed? Yes, in most common areas. Recording and flash photography may be prohibited in panels, concerts and screenings.
Can I buy a ticket at the Javits Center? Tickets must be bought online. It is not advisable to show up without a confirmed ticket.
Which day is best to attend? Thursday is usually convenient for buying exclusive items with fewer crowds, and it is the only day with tickets available. Friday offers major film and television panels, Saturday concentrates cosplay and the big presentations, and Sunday is the best day for families.
Enjoy New York Comic Con and Discover New York
New York Comic Con 2026 is a historic edition. For four days, the Javits Center brings together fans, artists and major companies to celebrate twenty years of comics, film, television, anime, video games and cosplay.
If you are traveling to the city for the event, take the chance to see other corners of Manhattan and discover the diversity of its neighborhoods. With Real's Tours NYC you can combine your visit to New York Comic Con with tours of the most iconic places in New York.
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Sources
This article was researched and verified in September 2026 using ReedPop and newyorkcomiccon.com, official releases "New York Comic Con Unveils 2026 Programming Schedule" and "New York Comic Con Announces Ticket On-Sale Dates for 2026 Show and Unveils 20th Anniversary Theme"; Wikipedia, "New York Comic Con"; Hoodline, "Coney Island Takeover: NYC Comic Con Turns 20 With Pricey Party At Javits"; and Enstarz, "New York Comic Con 2026: Dates, 20th-Anniversary Theme and Ticket Deadline."
Real's Tours NYC is not affiliated with ReedPop or New York Comic Con. Dates, prices, ticket availability, and programming are subject to change; confirm current details at newyorkcomiccon.com before your visit.
