Over 100k Fans celebrate in the Windy City at C2E2 2026

Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) concluded its jam-packed WEEKEND-long celebration of fandom, as 100K fans made their way through McCormick Place from March 27 through March 29 for the Midwest’s largest pop culture convention to see their favorite celebrities and comic creators.

At this year’s C2E2, fans immersed themselves in a packed WEEKEND of pop culture, from award-winning comic artists and anime creators to some of the biggest names in TV and film. Standout moments included major cast reunions, star-powered appearances and can’t-miss panels with Daredevil co-stars Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Elden Henson, and Wilson Bethel, WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen sharing her love for playing the Scarlet Witch, and Geena Davis reflecting on her iconic career. Con-goers were also treated to appearances from Martin Sheen and Dulé Hill, who revisited the legacy of The West Wing more than 20 years later, alongside Fantastic Four stars Michael Chiklis and Ioan Gruffudd, Christopher Eccleston, and nostalgic favorite Steve Burns of Blues Clues, who delighted longtime fans.

The show floor was electric, brimming with attendees diving into the latest experiences from hundreds of exhibitors, including Bear Walker, Dead Sky Publishing, Boom! Studios, Dice Dungeon, and Tiny Onion. Artist Alley also brought unmatched creative energy, with a roster of artists showcasing their work, like James Tynion IV, Afua Richardson, Jill Thompson, and Kim-Joy to an incredible lineup of fan-favorite creators. Packed with jaw-dropping cosplay to family-friendly programming and nonstop excitement around every corner, C2E2 once again proved why it’s one of the most dynamic celebrations of pop culture in the country.

“This weekend was a fantastic celebration of everything we love about comics, fandom and community. Watching McCormick Place fill with 100,000 fans for these incredible panels and out-of-this-world cosplay was a reminder of why C2E2 is the Midwest’s ultimate pop culture destination,” said Kristina Rogers, VP of ReedPop US Comics Portfolio, BookCon and Star Wars Celebration.

Unique and awe-inspiring cosplay took center stage at the Cosplay Central Crown Championship Regional Qualifier and US Finals, where cosplayers competed to take on the top trophy and head to London to the Global Finals. The event, which was judged by Laughing Rat, Searin Cosplay, and Sean Sharp, saw a diverse array of talent, culminating in Prince of Snark being crowned the US National Champion and Sazura taking home 1st Place/Best in Show, earning the honor of representing Chicago at the Global Finals in London. Other top honors went to Tierza89 in 2nd place and Rogue Heart in 3rd. Category winners included DCWBuilds for Armor, Mew Sakura for Needlework, and Undead Toasty for FX.

Fans can look forward to C2E2 returning to McCormick Place on April 30-May 2, 2027. You can check out highlights of C2E2 news at C2E2.com, and their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, in addition to pop culture news site, Popverse.