FOX 8’s Kenny Crumpton previews Fan Expo Cleveland as the 2026 convention opens downtown
Fan Expo Cleveland returns to the Huntington Convention Center March 13–15
Fan Expo Cleveland opened Friday, March 13, 2026, launching a three-day pop-culture convention at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The event is scheduled to run through Sunday, March 15, with published show hours of 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Organizers also listed a Friday 1 p.m. early entry window for certain multi-day and VIP-level passes purchased in advance.
The gathering is positioned as a broad “fandom weekend,” combining celebrity appearances, comics programming, anime and animation events, gaming activities, cosplay attractions, and vendor-floor shopping. Programming is built around stage Q&As, panels, workshops, and show-floor experiences intended to connect creators and performers with fans through ticketed and non-ticketed formats.
“Kenny is ready”: local preview highlights the convention’s opening-day rhythm
The pre-show coverage headlined by FOX 8’s Kenny Crumpton framed the start of the weekend as a logistical and cultural sprint: attendees arriving in waves, guests rotating between photo opportunities, autograph sessions, and scheduled Q&As, and show-floor traffic building quickly after doors open. That preview format mirrors how many large conventions operate—time-block programming with moving lines, stage seating limits, and exhibitor activity concentrated around peak weekend hours.
Organizers have emphasized planning around schedules and timed experiences, particularly for celebrity programming. In practice, those experiences typically require attendees to coordinate entry times, queue procedures, and the locations of autograph and photo-op areas alongside panel rooms and show-floor attractions.
Celebrity roster and ticketed experiences are central to the 2026 lineup
The convention’s public-facing lineup highlighted a slate of headline guests that includes Hayden Christensen, Brendan Fraser, William Shatner, Temuera Morrison, Helen Hunt, Dean Norris, and James Marsters. Organizers also promoted separate “experiences” for some guests, including photo ops and autograph offerings, alongside higher-tier package options.
Beyond the main convention site, the weekend schedule includes at least one offsite ticketed event: “A Night with the Cullens,” advertised as a live Q&A followed by a screening of Twilight at the Capitol Theatre on Saturday, March 14, featuring Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Kellan Lutz, and Peter Facinelli.
What attendees can expect on the show floor
Celebrity Q&As and stage sessions structured around moderated discussions and fan questions.
Cosplay programming, including red-carpet-style photo moments and competitions.
Comics and creator programming, including artist-focused activities such as Q&As and live demonstrations.
Gaming offerings promoted as a mix of tournament play, free play, and tabletop options.
Family-oriented activities, including a designated kids’ zone.
For downtown Cleveland, Fan Expo’s opening weekend brings a concentrated mix of scheduled programming and high-volume foot traffic—particularly during Saturday’s mid-day peak.
With the 2026 edition beginning March 13, the weekend’s operational focus becomes managing timed attractions and maintaining predictable access to panels, signings, and show-floor activity across the convention’s three-day run.