Anime Expo 2026 is set to begin on July 2 and run through July 5, bringing thousands of anime, manga, gaming, and Japanese pop culture fans to Los Angeles for what organizers describe as the event’s biggest edition yet. Hosted by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), the convention marks its 35th year and returns with an expanded footprint that stretches beyond the Los Angeles Convention Center into several nearby entertainment venues.
The annual convention remains the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America and is expected to deliver more than 1,400 hours of programming over four days. Ahead of the opening, SPJA released the complete event schedule, giving attendees a detailed look at exclusive premieres, industry panels, guest appearances, and special events planned throughout the convention.
Anime Expo 2026 expands beyond the convention center
This year’s event will be spread across multiple downtown Los Angeles locations, including the Los Angeles Convention Center, Crypto.com Arena, The Novo, Peacock Place, and L.A. LIVE. Organizers have also transformed Figueroa Street into a festival corridor, creating a connected campus designed to make it easier for fans to explore different venues and activities during the convention.
According to SPJA, Anime Expo 2026 is nearly sold out, reflecting continued demand for the annual event from fans and industry professionals around the world.
Speaking about this year’s convention, Ray Chiang, CEO of SPJA, said:
“This year’s Anime Expo is our largest and most expansive event to date. With such a diverse lineup of exhibitors, panelists and guests, AX 2026 reflects both the continued growth of the event and its increasing impact on Los Angeles. We’re proud to deliver an experience that raises the bar for fans while contributing meaningfully to the local community.”
Major publishers, game studios, and anime companies headline the event
Anime Expo 2026 will feature collaborations and presentations from many of the biggest names in anime, gaming, and entertainment. Confirmed partners include Aniplex of America, Crunchyroll, Bandai Namco, ATLUS/SEGA, HoYoverse, CD PROJEKT RED, Square Enix, KADOKAWA, MAPPA, VIZ, Hulu, Lucasfilm, NEXON Korea, Arc System Works America, Secretlab, and Takaratomy, among many others.
More than 400 exhibitors are also expected to showcase exclusive merchandise, collectibles, new projects, manga, anime products, video games, music, fashion, and other Japanese pop culture offerings throughout the convention.
Attendees can use the official Anime Expo mobile app to access live schedules, venue maps, guest information, exhibitor listings, and Artist Alley details during the four-day event.
According to the official announcement from SPJA, additional information, complete programming schedules, guest details, and remaining attendee credentials are available through the official Anime Expo website. The event continues to serve as one of the world’s premier gatherings for anime fans, creators, publishers, and entertainment companies.
