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Everything you need to know about Chicago's C2E2 2026: Guests, Artists Alley, Deadlines, and more

C2E2 2026 preview: Everything you need to know before Chicago’s biggest pop culture event

Features by Chris Arrant, Editor-in-Chief

Published on Tue Nov 11 2025

Popverse's top stories

Am I biased when I say C2E2 is my favorite convention I've ever been to? Yes, but its true.

Of all the conventions I've been fortunate to attend, Chicago's C2E2 (and the fabulous McCormick Place) beat out all the others in terms of my kind of celebrity, my kind of shopping, and my kind of convention building. I'll stop nerding out (for now), and get you (and me) ready for the next C2E2, coming March 27 - 29, 2026.

Of course, Popverse can make the whole experience from now until the convention's end easier with our Popverse C2E2 Superfan membership. We're able to make C2E2 prep easier with premium access to celebrity Photo Ops and Autograph bookings as they're announced, as well as providing special access during the event to a Celeb fast pass, a private Popverse Superfan lounge, and more.

But first, let's talk about that Popverse Superfan Lounge.

Enjoy the Popverse Superfan Lounge at C2E2 2026

Popverse C2E2 Superfans can take a break from the excitement of the show floor in the Popverse Superfan Lounge, with chargers, water, comfortable seating, staffed coat check, and games. Friends and family are welcome in the lounge.

Comics: Get excited about C2E2 2026 Artist Alley

C2E2's Artist Alley is the largest congregation of comic artists in the entire United States - even bigger than New York Comic Con and Comic-Con International: San Diego. Over the years, it has become a convention inside the convention, with people (myself included) spending a whole day walking the aisles to find my favorite creators, and meeting new people who quickly became among my favorites.

Here's who is announced so far for C2E2 2026:

Zoe Thorogood (It's Lonely at the Center of the Earth, The Impending Blinding of Billie Scott)
Alyssa Wong (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Deadpool, Psylocke)
Becky Cloonan (Wonder Woman, Somna, The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys)
David Mack (Daredevil: Born Again, Jessica Jones, Kabuki)
Dean Haspiel (The Red Hook, The Fox, Billy Dogma)
Tula Lotay (Somna, Barnstormers, Groupies)
Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs, The Thing, My Little Pony)
... and more!

Movies, TV & Gaming: C2E2 2026 Guests

Pop culture is about people, and at ReedPop conventions, we prioritize you getting a chance to meet celebrities in person and come away not just with memories, but with Autographs and Photo Ops that can act as a memento for that treasured moment. For C2E2 2026, ReedPop will be announcing guests now through to the ribbon cutting ceremony, opening the event on March 27. That C2E2 2026 guests list is growing each week, but here are the ones we think you'll get excited about most:

DC's Superman & Lois: Tyler Hoechlin, Bitsie Tulloch, Michael Cudlitz
Uncharted: Nolan North, Emily Rose, Richard McGonagle
... and more!

Popverse C2E2 Superfans are not only getting premium access to purchase celebrity Photo Ops and Autographs, but once you get to the show, you will be able to take advantage of a Celeb Fast Pass to make getting all the Photo Ops and Autographs you possibly can.

How does Popverse C2E2 Superfan premium access to celebrity Photo Ops & Autographs work?

Most of the time when C2E2 announces guests, Reedpop and Popverse are able to offer a 24 to 48-hour period where purchasing photo ops and autographs is exclusive to active Popverse C2E2 Superfans. In the event that there is no presale for a guest, Popverse C2E2 Superfans are guaranteed to be able to purchase photo ops and autographs, and can do so by contacting customer service.

How does the Popverse celeb fast pass for C2E2 2026 work?

If a Popverse C2E2 Superfan has purchased a Photo Op or Auto for C2E2, they can go to the front of the line during their reservation period by showing proof of reservation and the Popverse C2E2 Superfan membership to the C2E2 crew member there.

Where do I get my Popverse C2E2 Superfan $15 voucher for Epic Photo Ops?

All active Popverse C2E2 Superfans will be sent the voucher by email by the week leading up to C2E2 2026.

C2E2 2026 Exhibitors: All the big booths!

Stay tuned for big reveals on the publishers, studios, shops, and more, setting up for three days here at the premiere Chicago comic con.

C2E2 2026 Panels: Big panel energy!

Coming soon: first look at just some of the amazing celebrity panels taking place at C2E2 2026!

Where to find Popverse at C2E2

Popverse will be all over McCormick Place for all three days of C2E2. Look for upcoming panel announcements, but if nothing else, come find us in the Popverse Superfan Lounge.

Upcoming C2E2 Deadlines

Here are the major deadlines for all things Emerald City Comic Con, for fans and for pros.

December 1: C2E2 2026 Panels & Programming application deadline
January 6: C2E2 2026 Writers Block application deadline
January 10: C2E2 2026 Artist Alley application deadline
To be announced: C2E2 2026 Show Feature & Partners application deadline
To be announced: Ticket mailing deadline
To be announced: Official Hotel booking deadline
To be announced: Professional application deadline
To be announced: C2E2 2026 Press application deadline
To be announced: C2E2 2026 Meetup application deadline
To be announced: C2E2 2026 Crew application deadline
To be announced: Content Creator application deadline
March 27: C2E2 Day 1
March 28: C2E2 Day 2
March 29: C2E2 Day 3

Want to know what's coming up next in pop culture? Check out Popverse's guides to:

About C2E2

Comics, cosplay, gaming, authors, and anime abound in the only pop culture convention in the heart of Downtown Chicago! We've gathered your favorite celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic creators, and larger-than-life literary authors into one place to celebrate the fandoms you love. From the halls of Artist Alley to the depths of the Show Floor, our goal is to provide a space of creativity and fun, but most importantly, one that cultivates a sense of belonging, safety, and inclusiveness.

Dates

Mar 27 - Mar 29

Location

Chicago's McCormick Place
United States

Visit the event page Buy tickets

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Chris Arrant: Chris Arrant is the Popverse's Editor-in-Chief. He has written about pop culture for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel, Newsarama, CBR, and more. He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards, and the Stan Lee Awards. (He/him)

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