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Fan Expo Chicago
Wizard World Chicago logo
Wizard World Chicago logo used in 2012
StatusActive
GenreSpeculative fiction
VenueDonald E. Stephens Convention Center
LocationRosemont, Illinois
Coordinates41°58′45″N 87°51′35″W / 41.97917°N 87.85972°W / 41.97917; -87.85972
CountryUnited States
InauguratedJuly 22, 1972; 53 years ago (1972-07-22)
Most recentAugust 15, 2025; 6 months ago (2025-08-15)
Next eventAugust 14, 2026; 5 months' time (2026-08-14)
Attendance75,000 (2024)
Organized byFan Expo
Filing statusFor-profit
Websitefanexpohq.com/fanexpochicago
[1]

Fan Expo Chicago (formerly Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, and commonly known as the Chicago Comicon), is a comic book convention held during the summer in Rosemont, Illinois, United States, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. It was traditionally a three-day event (Friday through Sunday), but in 2006, it expanded to four days (Thursday through Sunday). It was founded in 1972 as Nostalgia '72, Chicago Comic Con and later as the Chicago Comic and Nostalgia Convention by a local dealer (and school teacher) named Nancy Warner.[2][3]

Acquired by Wizard Entertainment in 1997, and Informa's Fan Expo unit in 2021, Fan Expo Chicago is among the larger comic book conventions in the United States, in third place for overall attendance at a single event.

Originally showcasing comic books and related popular arts, the convention has expanded over the years to include a larger range of pop culture elements, such as professional wrestling, science fiction/fantasy, film and television, horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. From 1995 to 2006, it was also the home of the Wizard World Fan Awards.[4]

History

[edit]

Nostalgia convention

[edit]

Chicago collectibles dealer Nancy Warner staged the area's first comic and collectibles convention on July 22–23, 1972, calling it Nostalgia '72, Chicago Comic Con.[2] It attracted 2,000 attendees. She ran the show, which featured movie screenings,[5] as well as dealers from as far as Los Angeles, Atlanta,[6] Buffalo, New York, and Oklahoma City.[2] In 1973 an unrelated show, called "Chicago Comic Con", produced by Mark Lully of the Atlantis Bookstore, was planned to take place at the Midland Hotel with announced guests including Stan Lee, Jim Steranko, and Mike Hinge,[7] but that show was cancelled.[8]

Chicago Comicon

[edit]
Chicago Comicon logo used by the convention for 20 years. Designed by Tim Conrad and adapted by George Hagenauer.

In 1975, Warner approached local comic book store owner Joe Sarno[9] and his associate Mike Gold to produce the show. Their job was to overcome Chicago's reputation of being a sub-par convention city.[10] Early in the process, George Hagenauer and comics retailer Larry Charet[3] were brought in. Although Sarno wanted to name the show the Chicago Comic Art and Nostalgia Convention, he was voted down and the name Chicago Comicon was adopted.[10] The first Chicago Comicon was held in the Playboy Towers Hotel on August 6–8, 1976. Special guests were Marvel Comics figurehead Stan Lee, DC Comics publisher Jenette Kahn, seminal cartoonist/editor Harvey Kurtzman,[11] artist Mike Grell, and illustrator Tim Conrad. The show featured a comic auction benefiting Chicago's Alternative Schools Network (later auctions benefited the Literacy Volunteers of Chicago). The first Chicago Comicon attracted 2,100 attendees.

In 1977, the Chicago Comicon moved back to the Pick-Congress Hotel, on 520 S. Michigan Avenue (the location of the 1973 show), where it remained until 1983. (The Pick-Congress was renamed the Americana-Congress Hotel in 1982.) The producers added Bob Weinberg to help coordinate the 1977 show.[10] Attendance reached 3,000 at an admission charge of $3/day. The 1978 show was dubbed "Sweatcon" because of the extreme heat.[12] The 1979 show was produced by Larry Charet and Bob Weinberg; it was the first year that Joe Sarno was not one of the show's organizers. Admission was $3.50/day.

Show organizers hosted a "Chicago Minicon" on April 26–27, 1980, at the usual location of the Pick-Congress Hotel; guests included John Byrne, Max Allan Collins, Tim Conrad, Mike Grell, Paul Kupperberg, and Marv Wolfman. By 1980, the feature show admission was $4/day, and by 1982, it had gone up to $5/day. Will Eisner was the show's guest of honor for 1981 but was unable to attend due to an accident.[12] He returned in 1982 as the guest of honor, which was the same year that the Chicago Comicon merged with Panopticon West, a Doctor Who convention. Again because of overwhelming heat it was dubbed "Sweatcon II."[12]

The Comicon was expanding, and in 1983 the show moved to the larger venue, the Ramada O'Hare Hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, a northern suburb.[13] That location was the show's home until 1993 when it relocated to the Rosemont Convention Center (now known as the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center), where it has remained ever since.[12] During the mid-1980s, the show organizers hosted annual one-day "Minicons" every December.[14]

The 1985 program booklet celebrated Marvel Comics' 25th anniversary, followed by the 1987 program celebrating Chicago-based First Comics' 5th anniversary, 1988's booklet marking Eclipse Comics' 10th anniversary, and the 1989 program noted Kitchen Sink Press' 20th anniversary. The 1988 show featured the inaugural presentation of the Harvey Awards.[15][16] One-day admission for the 1988 comicon was $6.[17] The 1989 show focused on Batman, due to the popularity of Tim Burton's Batman movie. It also featured a panel on underground comics that included Harvey Pekar, Jay Lynch, Skip Williamson, and S. Clay Wilson. One-day tickets for the 1989 show were $7.[18]

The 1992 Chicago Comicon celebrated the "spirits of independence" which features the popularly selling group of creators behind Image Comics. Rob Liefeld held a 24-hour autograph session from Friday morning to Saturday morning.[19] The 1992 show featured 200 dealers, and attendees were charged $10 per person or $25 for a three-day pass.[19]

The 1994 show featured 50 publishers and 300 dealers;[20] it also hosted the Comics Arts Conference.

By 1995, the comics industry was in a slump, and attendance at the show was decreasing.[21] By then, the convention ownership included Charet,[13] while the main show organizer was Moondog Comics owner Gary Colabuono. The 1995 Comicon featured a Stan Lee roast,[22] and again hosted the Comics Arts Conference.

In 1996, the Chicago Comicon became the new home of the Wizard World Fan Awards, which were presented at the show every year until their discontinuation in 2006.[4]

Wizard World Chicago

[edit]
Wizard World Chicago logo (from the 2012 show)

Wizard Entertainment bought the Chicago Comicon from Charet and his partners in 1997.[23] By the 1997 show, attendance was topping out at 5,000;[21] Wizard's first order of business was to fire the previous convention organizers.[24]

With the 1998 show —out renamed Wizard World Chicago — attendance jumped to 25,000,[21] at a charge of $20 per day or $40 for three days.[25] The 1999 show featured 750 exhibitors.[21]

The 2001 show featured exhibitors like DC, Marvel, Hasbro, and Bandai, and charged attendees $20/day or $40 for the weekend.[26]

By 2006, Wizard World Chicago had expanded to four days and boasted a weekend attendance of over 58,000 people.[27] The 2009 show attracted 70,000 attendees,[3] but neither DC Comics nor Marvel Comics had an official presence at the show.

Disgraced former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich made an appearance at the 2010 Wizard World Chicago, conversing with and taking pictures with attendants. He charged $50 for an autograph and $80 for a photo. He also had a humorous televised meeting with Adam West; Blagojevich remarked that he considered The Joker to be the best Batman foil. Comic fandom website bleedingcool.com reported that Blagojevich was met with a mostly positive reception, while Time Out Chicago described it as mixed.[28][29]

The 2011 show charged $35 for a one-day pass and $60 for a four-day pass at the door.[30]

The 2020 show, scheduled for August 20–23, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next show was scheduled for June 24–27, 2021.[31] The convention was postponed to October 2021 due to COVID-19.[32]

Fan Expo Chicago

[edit]

Wizard Entertainment's conventions were sold to Informa's Fan Expo unit in August 2021, and rebranded accordingly beginning in 2022.[33][34]

Dates and locations

[edit]
Dates Location Attendance Official guests Notes
July 22–23, 1972[6] Pick-Congress Hotel, Chicago[6] Known as Nostalgia '72[6]
August 3–5, 1973[2] Pick-Congress Hotel[2]
August 6–8, 1976 Playboy Towers Hotel 2,100[12] Stan Lee, Jenette Kahn, Harvey Kurtzman, Mike Grell, and Tim Conrad First official Chicago Comicon
August 5–7, 1977[35] Pick-Congress Hotel, Chicago 3,000[12] Stan Lee, Jenette Kahn,[36] Chester Gould, and Howard Chaykin[37]
July 14–16, 1978 2,500[12] Guest of honor: Chester Gould;[36] other guests include Al Milgrom, Chris Claremont, Rudy Nebres, and Dale Messick Will Eisner was invited to be an "Extra Special Guest", but couldn't attend due to illness.[36]
July 20–22, 1979 2,000[38]
July 18-20, 1980 Pick-Congress Hotel Marv Wolfman Source: [39]
July 17–19, 1981 Pick-Congress Hotel Guest of honor: Will Eisner. New guests for 1981: Terry Beatty, Jim Engel, Chuck Fiala, Denis Kitchen, Bill Sienkiewicz, and Dean Mullaney. Returning guests: John Byrne, Howard Chaykin, Chris Claremont, Max Allan Collins, Mike Grell, Mike Friedrich, Roger Slifer, Paul Kupperberg, Marshall Rogers, Jim Shooter, Joe Staton, Roger Stern, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, and Cat Yronwode[40] Eisner unable to attend due to an accident.[12]
July 16–18, 1982 Americana-Congress Hotel Will Eisner
July 22–24, 1983 Americana-Congress Hotel The last Chicago Comicon to take place in Chicago (and the last at the Congress hotel)
July 6–8, 1984[41] Ramada O'Hare, Rosemont c. 12,000[41] Jack Kirby, Julius Schwartz[42] Program cover featuring Superman drawn by Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Jim Shooter.[42]
July 5–7, 1985 Ramada O'Hare Guest of honor: Sergio Aragonés Labeled the 10th anniversary show
July 4–6, 1986 Ramada O'Hare 5,000[43] Stan Lee (guest of honor), George Pérez (special guest), Doug Wildey
July 3–5, 1987 Ramada O'Hare c. 4,500[44]
July 1–3, 1988 Ramada O'Hare c. 5,000 Max Allan Collins and Dick Locher (special guests);[17] other guests: Bernie Wrightson, Michael Kaluta, Dave Stevens, and Chris Claremont[45]
June 30–July 2, 1989 Ramada O'Hare c. 5,000 Jim Aparo,[46] Stan Lee, Harvey Pekar, Jay Lynch, Skip Williamson, and S. Clay Wilson[18]
July 6–8, 1990 Ramada O'Hare 5,000+[47] Featured guests: Van Williams, Gerard Christopher, Harvey Kurtzman, and Erik Larsen. Other guests: Mark Gruenwald, Jim Starlin, Tom DeFalco, Len Strazewski, John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Chuck Fiala, P. Craig Russell, Charlie Athanas, Dick Locher, Max Allan Collins, Rick Obadiah, Howard Mackie, and Tony Caputo.[47]
June 21–23, 1991 Ramada O'Hare Jim Steranko, Kevin Eastman, and Chris Claremont[48]
July 4–6, 1992 Ramada O'Hare Image Comics crew: Rob Liefeld, Mark Silvestri, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Jim Valentino, and Whilce Portacio; Martin Nodell[49]
July 2–4, 1993 Rosemont Convention Center 20,000–30,000[3] Guest of honor: Neil Gaiman
July 3–5, 1994 Rosemont Convention Center 20,000+[50] Guest of honor: Harlan Ellison. Special guest: James O'Barr
June 30–July 2, 1995[51] Rosemont Convention Center 20,000[52] Guest of honor: Peter David. Special guests: Sal Buscema, Roy Thomas, John Romita Sr., Chris Claremont, Jim Shooter, and Julius Schwartz
June 21–23, 1996 Rosemont Convention Center 25,000[53] Guest of honor: Will Eisner; other guests: Harlan Ellison, Larry Marder, Heidi MacDonald, Mike Richardson, Kurt Busiek, Sergio Aragonés, Evan Dorkin, Paul Levitz, Julius Schwartz, Mercy Van Vlack, and George Pérez[54]
July 4–6, 1997 Rosemont Convention Center
July 17–19, 1998 Rosemont Convention Center 25,000 Guest of honor: Todd McFarlane. Special guests: David Prowse and Kenny Baker
July 9–11, 1999 Rosemont Convention Center
August 4–6, 2000 Rosemont Convention Center
August 17–19, 2001 Rosemont Convention Center 40,000+[55] Guest of honor: Alex Ross. Special guests: Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Gene Simmons, Peter Mayhew, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Kimmie Kappenberg from Survivor, James Marsters, and Juliet Landau[26][55]
July 5–7, 2002 Rosemont Convention Center
August 8–10, 2003 Rosemont Convention Center
August 13–15, 2004 Rosemont Convention Center
August 5–7, 2005
August 3–6, 2006 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont 58,000[27] Guest of honor: Jeph Loeb
August 9–12, 2007
June 26–29, 2008 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center c. 68,000 Guest of Honor: Warren Ellis. Special Guests: Todd McFarlane, Brian Michael Bendis, Alex Ross, Steve Sansweet World premiere of the new Batman animated movie Batman: Gotham Night
August 6–9, 2009 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 70,000[3] Guest of honor: Mark Millar. Special guest: Jeremy Dale
August 19–22, 2010 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center William Shatner, Linda Hamilton, James Marsters, Linda Blair, Nicholas Brendon, Clare Kramer, Claudia Christian, Richard Roundtree, Julia Jones, Joe Madureira, Michael Golden, Arthur Suydam, Brian Pulido, and David W. Mack Original date of August 12–15 moved so as to not compete with Star Wars Celebration V, taking place in Orlando, Florida;[56]
August 11-14, 2011 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Peter S. Beagle, Ian Boothby, Nicholas Brendon, Talent Caldwell, Jim Cheung, Gareth David-Lloyd, Felicia Day, Lou Ferrigno, Gil Gerard, Erin Gray, Chris Hardwick, Greg Horn, Jeff Lewis, Christopher Lloyd, Sean Maher, James Marsters, Peter Mayhew, Addy Miller, Cindy Morgan, Ray Park, Patrick Stewart, Mark Texeira, Billy Tucci Source: [57]
August 9–12, 2012 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
August 8–11, 2013 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
August 21–24, 2014 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Neal Adams, Bruce Campbell, Jim Cheung, Lou Ferrigno, Jason David Frank, Karen Gillan, Joel Hodgson, Greg Horn, Stan Lee, James Marsters, Leonard Nimoy, Cassandra Peterson, Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker, Marv Wolfman[58]
August 20–23, 2015 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Neal Adams, Adam Baldwin, Jon Bernthal, Bruce Campbell, Arthur Darvill, Larry Elmore, Nathan Fillion, Jason David Frank, Summer Glau, Greg Horn, Ernie Hudson, James O'Barr, Norman Reedus, Michael Rooker, Hideko Tamura Snider, Arthur Suydam, Scott Wilson[59]
August 24–27, 2016 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Gillian Anderson, John Barrowman, Bruce Campbell, John Cena, Tom Cook, Sam Ellis, Lou Ferrigno, Carrie Fisher, Michael J. Fox, Jason David Frank, Michael Golden, Mike Grell, Gene Ha, Greg Horn, Xander Jeanneret, Ken W. Kelly, Kurt Lehner, Christopher Lloyd, Jason Mewes, Trevor A. Mueller, Kate Mulgrew, Phil Ortiz, Humberto Ramos, Norman Reedus, Tim Seeley, Arthur Suydam, Lea Thompson, Cerina Vincent, Greg Weisman, Renee Witterstaetter [60]
August 24–27, 2017 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center John Barrowman, Steve Blum, Billy Boyd, Nicholas Brendon, Dean Cain, Charisma Carpenter, Jenna Coleman, Kevin Conroy, Tom Cook, John Cusack, Michelle Delecki, Colin Donnell, Charles Dunbar, Lou Ferrigno, Summer Glau, Mike Grell, Gene Ha, Elizabeth Henstridge, Alex Kingston, Kurt Lehner, Russell Lissau, Caleb McLaughlin, Vic Mignogna, Trevor A. Mueller, James O'Barr, Phil Ortiz, Michael Rooker, Tim Seeley, Kevin Sorbo, Jewel Staite, Catherine Tate, Ben Templesmith, Time Crash, Tim Vigil, Arryn Zech [61]
August 23–26, 2018 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Source:[62]
August 22–25, 2019 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Source:[63]
August 20–23, 2020 Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[31]
October 15—17, 2021 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center [33]
July 7–10, 2022 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
August 10–13, 2023 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Brandon Rogers, Richard Horvitz, Henry Winkler, Bonnie Wright, Steve Burns, Emily Swallow, Brent Spiner, Tom Wilson, Peter Weller, Gabriel Luna, Christopher Lloyd, Katee Sackhoff, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Chevy Chase, Sam Raimi, Zachary Levi, Danny Trejo, Christie Brinkley, Tyler Hoechlin, Bitsie Tulloch, Harvey Guillén, Randy Quaid, Dana Barron, Anthony Michael Hall, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Paul Walter Hauser, Andy Serkis, Garrett Hedlund, Todd Stashwick, Kiefer Sutherland, Dermot Mulroney, Jason Patric, Lou Diamond Phillips, Mira Sorvino, Susan Sarandon, Ivan Raimi, Felicia Day, Michelle Hurd, Barry Bostwick, Beverly D'Angelo
August 16-18, 2024 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center 75,000[1] Mark Hamill, Butch Hartman, Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Amir Talai, Erika Henningsen, Blake Roman, Gina Carano, Laurie Metcalf, Marisa Tomei, Matthew Lillard, William Shatner, Charlie Cox, Adam Savage, Morena Baccarin, Alan Tudyk, Linda Hamilton, Rose McGowan, Mario Lopez, Robert Patrick, Skeet Ulrich, Joonas Suotamo, Lance Henriksen, Shannen Doherty, Johnny Yong Bosch, Patrick Warburton, Wayne Knight, Phil Morris, Larry Thomas, Richard Dreyfuss, Sean Gunn, Eman Esfandi, Diana Lee Inosanto, Holly Marie Combs, Michael Biehn, Lee Waddell, Edward Furlong, Jamie Kennedy, Jim Cummings, Grey DeLisle, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen, Zach Aguilar, Justin Briner, Maile Flanagan, Kate Higgins, Ryan Colt Levy, Yuri Lowenthal, Christopher Sabat, Megan Shipman, Dave Wittenberg, Johnny Yong Bosch, Fred Tatasciore, Cameron Monaghan, Neil Newbon, Tara Platt, Roger Craig Smith, Patricia Summersett, Ella Purnell
August 15-17, 2025 Donald E. Stephens Convention Center Ewan McGregor, Orlando Bloom, Hayden Christensen, Jodie Whittaker, Alicia Silverstone, Ming-Na Wen, Grant Gustin, Manny Jacinto, Kellan Lutz, Peter Facinelli, Dante Bosco, Ashley Greene, Catherine Tate, Mandip Gill, Jackson Rathbone, Jennifer Beals, Ashley Eckstein, Brandon H. Lee, Brendan Fraser, Candice Patton, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Panabaker, Ernie Hudson, Levar Burton, Martin Kove, Patrick Luwis, Peggy the Dog, Rob Schneider, Tom Cavanagh, Richard Horvitz, Vivian Nixon Williams, Morgana Ignis, Bryce Pinkham, Keith David, Zach Tyler Eisen

Criticism and competition

[edit]

By 2009, criticism of Wizard World Chicago had been mounting for a while, particularly from those who resented the show's declining emphasis on the traditional comics market and more on things like professional wrestlers and old TV shows. In addition, local dealers resented the show's location outside of Chicago's city limits and its high exhibition prices. The 2009 show, for the first time, had no representation from major publishers like DC and Marvel. According to Deanna Isaacs of the Chicago Reader, those publishers opted instead to appear at the competitor convention Reed Exhibition's Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), which challenged Wizard World Chicago's position as Chicago's only major comic convention in 2010.[3][64]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Fan Expo Chicago

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Fan Expo Chicago is a three-day annual convention centered on comic books, , horror, , gaming, and , held at the in . The event originated as the Chicago Comic Con in 1972, organized by local collectibles dealer Nancy Warner as the first major comic convention in the Midwest, initially drawing around 2,000 attendees under the name Nostalgia '72. It later rebranded to Wizard World Chicago in 1998 before being acquired and integrated into the FAN EXPO portfolio by FAN EXPO HQ, the world's largest producer of comic conventions, which hosts events attracting over one million fans yearly across . Key attractions include appearances by celebrities from film, television, and comics—such as past guests , , and —along with interactive panels, autograph and photo opportunities, contests, artist sketch duels, family-oriented workshops, and an expansive shopping floor featuring vendors of comics, collectibles, and merchandise. Typically scheduled in mid-August, the convention draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, establishing it as a premier family-friendly pop culture gathering in the region with a legacy spanning over 50 years of fostering fan communities.

Historical Development

Origins in Nostalgia Conventions and Chicago Comicon (1976–2004)

The roots of Fan Expo Chicago lie in the Nostalgia conventions organized by Chicago-area collectibles dealer and school teacher Nancy Warner, who launched the inaugural event, Nostalgia '72, Chicago Comic Con, on July 22–23, 1972, at a local hotel banquet room, drawing about 2,000 attendees for comic dealers, artists, and film screenings focused on nostalgia and pop culture artifacts. This small-scale gathering emphasized comic books alongside vintage collectibles, setting a precedent for blending comics fandom with broader nostalgic appeal in the Midwest. Building directly on this foundation, the Chicago Comicon formalized the format with its debut edition on August 6–8, 1976, at the Playboy Towers Hotel in Chicago, , where organizers attracted high-profile guests including editor-in-chief and DC Comics publisher , alongside panels, dealer rooms, and artist appearances centered on and genre comics. Early iterations remained modest in scale, typically held over summer weekends with attendance in the low thousands, prioritizing comic creators, publishers, and fans over mass-market entertainment. By the early 1980s, the event had relocated to the Americana-Congress Hotel for the 1982 and 1983 editions—marking the last time it occurred within Chicago city limits—before shifting to suburban venues like the Ramada O'Hare in Rosemont for the July 6–8, 1984, show, which drew an estimated 12,000 visitors and reflected growing regional interest in comic art and memorabilia. Subsequent years saw annual iterations at Rosemont-area hotels and convention centers, maintaining a core programming of comic book signings, portfolio reviews, and awards for industry figures, while attendance stabilized around 5,000 by the mid-1990s under promoters including Mark Charet. In 1997, Wizard Entertainment acquired the Chicago Comicon from its founding promoters, rebranding it as Wizard World Chicago starting that year and introducing expanded media tie-ins, though the event retained its comics-centric identity through 2004 with ongoing emphasis on artist alleys, vendor exhibits of back issues and original art, and guest lineups featuring comic legends amid rising attendance that approached 50,000 by the early 2000s. This period solidified the convention's role as a key Midwestern hub for comic , evolving from Warner's nostalgia-driven origins into a structured annual showcase that influenced subsequent fan events despite shifts in ownership and format.

Wizard World Chicago Period (2005–2022)

The Wizard World Chicago convention, managed by Wizard Entertainment from 2005 to 2021, expanded on the earlier Chicago Comicon format by prioritizing celebrity appearances from , , and alongside traditional programming. Events occurred annually at the in , typically over three to four days in , attracting vendors, artists, and fans focused on pop culture genres including superheroes, sci-fi, and horror. Attendance surged during this period, reflecting broader interest in multimedia franchises; the 2006 edition alone reported over 58,000 visitors across its extended weekend schedule, establishing it as one of North America's larger conventions. Programming featured autograph sessions, Q&A panels with actors like those from and , artist alleys for independent creators, and competitive events that drew thousands of costumed participants. The emphasis on high-profile guests, such as and in later years, shifted the event toward mainstream entertainment appeal while maintaining core industry exhibits. By the late 2010s, Wizard World Chicago solidified its role as a major regional hub, with multi-day formats accommodating expanded floor space for merchandise booths and interactive displays tied to ongoing film and TV releases. In August 2021, Wizard Entertainment sold its portfolio of conventions, including Chicago, to Informa subsidiary Fan Expo HQ, concluding the Wizard era with the transaction applying to 2022 operations and leading to rebranding thereafter. This acquisition integrated the event into a larger network of fan expos, preserving its scale but altering its independent operator status.

Rebranding and Integration into Fan Expo HQ (2023–Present)

In 2023, Fan Expo Chicago continued operations as an integrated component of Fan Expo HQ's portfolio following the 2021 acquisition of Wizard World's key conventions by Informa Markets and the rebranding implemented for the 2022 event. Under Fan Expo HQ, the event standardized its format to emphasize expansive pop culture programming across , sci-fi, horror, , gaming, and , aligning with the parent company's model of multi-genre, family-accessible conventions that collectively draw over one million attendees annually across North American events. The 2023 iteration occurred from August 10 to 13 at the in , maintaining the venue's role as host since 2010 and attracting approximately 75,000 visitors focused on celebrity appearances, panels, and vendor exhibits. This scale persisted in subsequent years, with the 2024 event held August 16–18 and the 2025 edition scheduled for August 15–17, both at the same facility and projecting similar attendance figures amid Fan Expo HQ's emphasis on consistent production values and cross-promotion with sister events like . Integration into Fan Expo HQ has facilitated resource sharing, including centralized marketing and logistics, enabling the Chicago event to feature high-profile guests and programming without the operational disruptions reported in prior Wizard World iterations, though attendee feedback highlights ongoing challenges like crowd management at peak hours. The structure supports year-round planning, with post-event recaps and photo albums released via official channels to sustain engagement leading into future installments, such as the 2026 dates of August 14–16.

Chronology of Dates, Locations, and Key Milestones

The origins of Fan Expo Chicago trace to nostalgia-focused conventions beginning in 1972, with the inaugural Chicago Comicon held August 6–8, 1976, at the Playboy Towers Hotel in , , drawing approximately 2,100 attendees and featuring guests including and . Early editions remained in Chicago proper, such as at the Americana-Congress Hotel for the 1983 event (July 22–24), marking the final year before relocation. By 1984, the convention shifted to suburban , at venues like the O'Hare, reflecting growth in scale and logistics. In 1998, the event rebranded as Wizard World Chicago under Wizard Entertainment's acquisition and expansion model, emphasizing celebrity appearances and multi-genre appeal. From 2005, it consistently utilized the in Rosemont as its primary venue, with the 2005 edition occurring August 5–7. The format expanded to four days starting in 2006 to accommodate rising attendance and programming. A pivotal milestone came in August 2021, when Wizard Entertainment sold its portfolio—including the convention—to Fan Expo HQ, enabling rebranding and integration into a larger network of fan events; the 2022 edition (July 7–10 at the Stephens Center) operated under the new Fan Expo Chicago name and celebrated a 50th anniversary tied to 1972 origins. Subsequent iterations maintained the Rosemont location and late-summer timing, with four-day durations through 2023 before reverting to three days in 2024.
YearDatesLocationKey Milestones
1976August 6–8Playboy Towers Hotel, First Chicago Comicon; foundational comic-focused event.
1984July 6–8Ramada O'Hare, RosemontRelocation from downtown to suburbs for expanded capacity (approx. 12,000 attendees).
1998Varies (summer)Rosemont-area venuesRebranding to Wizard World , shifting toward celebrity-driven programming.
2005August 5–7, RosemontStandardization at Stephens Center; continued under Wizard ownership.
2021October 15–17, RosemontDelayed fall scheduling amid recovery; prelude to ownership change.
2022July 7–10, Rosemont to Fan Expo post-acquisition; 50th anniversary commemoration.
2023August 10–13, RosemontFirst full Fan Expo HQ production; four-day format.
2024August 16–18, RosemontReturn to three-day event; sustained growth in integrated programming.
2025August 15–17, RosemontOngoing annual hosting under Fan Expo HQ.

Event Format and Programming

Core Activities and Attractions

The core activities at Fan Expo Chicago revolve around interactive fan experiences in , sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming, emphasizing participation through , creative workshops, and gaming zones. is a central attraction, with attendees encouraged to dress as characters from popular media, participate in photo opportunities, and compete in contests judged on craftsmanship, accuracy, and presentation; these events foster a vibrant atmosphere on the convention floor. Gaming areas provide hands-on engagement, including free-play stations for retro and contemporary video games, arcade setups, and occasional tournaments, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in interactive entertainment tied to the event's pop culture themes. Workshops and demonstrations, such as "How To" sessions on skills like costume-making or , alongside live sketch duels by artists, offer practical learning and creative outlets for attendees of varying expertise levels. Additional attractions include community-driven displays, such as prop replicas (e.g., the DeLorean from Back to the Future) and booths from fan groups like the , which showcase costumes and promote charity initiatives within the sci-fi and Star Wars communities. These elements, held over the event's three-day span at the , draw hundreds of thousands by blending spectacle with hands-on involvement.

Celebrity Guests and Panels

Celebrity guests at Fan Expo Chicago, drawn predominantly from , fantasy, , and horror genres, participate in signings, paid photo opportunities, and moderated panel discussions that allow fans to engage directly with them on topics ranging from career anecdotes to upcoming projects. These panels, typically held in auditoriums, feature question-and-answer sessions and are scheduled across the event's days to accommodate varying attendance peaks. In the Wizard World Chicago era (2005–2022), guests often included high-profile actors from comic book adaptations and cult television series; for instance, in 2013, Michael Shannon of Man of Steel and Zachary Quinto appeared alongside frequent attendee Stan Lee, who headlined multiple years. Panels during this period emphasized franchise-specific discussions, such as those with Norman Reedus and David Boreanaz in 2014, focusing on The Walking Dead and Bones. By 2019, the lineup expanded to film icons like Jeff Goldblum and John Travolta, who joined panels with Zachary Levi and Henry Winkler to discuss pop culture crossovers. Post-rebranding under Fan Expo HQ in 2023, the event maintained a focus on ensemble casts and voice talent, with 2023 panels highlighting Andy Serkis on motion-capture techniques and a joint session featuring Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch from Superman & Lois. The 2024 edition drew Star Wars alumni including Mark Hamill, Hayden Christensen, and Rosario Dawson for themed panels on the franchise's legacy, alongside William Shatner and Kate Mulgrew discussing Star Trek evolutions. Special events like the 25th anniversary Lord of the Rings tour panel in subsequent years brought together Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Dominic Monaghan for reflections on the trilogy's production. These interactions underscore the event's emphasis on accessible celebrity access, though costs for autographs and photos vary by guest prominence—ranging from $100 for supporting actors to over $200 for leads—driving significant revenue streams beyond general admission. Panels remain a core draw, often live-streamed or recapped on , fostering community discussions on genre media developments.

Exhibitors, Vendors, and Artist Alley

The exhibit floor at Fan Expo Chicago features a mix of retailers, corporate exhibitors, and independent vendors, providing attendees with opportunities to purchase pop culture merchandise including , toys, collectibles, games, DVDs, books, apparel, , items, sci-fi props, gaming accessories, and horror memorabilia. Retailer booths are standardized at 10 feet by 10 feet, including an 8-foot table, two chairs, and two exhibitor passes, with applications targeted at stores and companies specializing in such goods. Artist Alley is a dedicated section for independent creators, where exhibitors sell original artwork, commissions, sculptures, jewelry, pins, and buttons, emphasizing handmade or custom rather than mass-produced items. Standard tables measure 6 feet by 5 feet and include a 6-foot skirted table, two chairs, and two exhibitor passes for $439, while feature booths expand to 10 feet by 10 feet for $1,148 with similar basic furnishings; premium end-cap spaces offer 5 feet by 12 feet configurations with two tables. Exhibitors in this area must adhere to operational guidelines, including badge access limited to two per table and restrictions on additional personnel. Examples from past events include retailers like Chicago Costume for themed apparel, GrahamCrackers Comics for graphic novels, and BYO Lightsaber for custom prop builds, alongside Artist Alley participants such as Carrillo Art Studios and McNoodle Crafts for custom illustrations and crafts. The positions these vendors to maximize attendee flow, with retailers and Artist Alley integrated into the main showroom for shopping convenience during the event's three-day run. In , these booths supported an of 75,000, filling the with diverse vendor offerings.

Special Events and Family-Oriented Features

FAN EXPO Chicago incorporates family-oriented programming to attract attendees with children, including a dedicated Kids' Zone offering games, crafts, and interactive workshops tailored for younger visitors. This zone features activities such as animation workshops and free craft sessions, designed to engage children while parents explore other event elements. Additionally, the event provides a Cosplay Photo Park and Kids' Cosplay Closet, allowing families to participate in themed and borrowing without additional cost beyond admission. A key family feature is the Kids' Cosplay Contest, held separately from the main adult competition to encourage participation from children aged 6-12, with categories emphasizing creativity and fun rather than professional-level craftsmanship. The Youngling Academy, a Star Wars-themed program for ages 6-16, offers training simulations and related activities, drawing on the franchise's appeal to multigenerational audiences. Royal Princess Parties in the Kids' Zone include themed events like the Classic Princess Ball on Fridays and additional music and game sessions on weekends, partnering with external providers for fairy-tale experiences. Special events extend family engagement through low-barrier entry points, such as the Kids' Red Carpet, which provides a stage for young participants to showcase outfits amid the convention's broader programming. Child admission rates, at $12 for ages 6-12 across all days, support accessibility, with wristbands enabling supervised access to family zones. These elements position the event as suitable for families, though the crowded exhibit hall may pose challenges for strollers and young children, as noted by attendee feedback.

Attendance, Scale, and Economic Impact

Historical and Recent Attendance Figures

The origins of Fan Expo Chicago trace back to the Chicago Comicon, which debuted in with an estimated attendance of 2,100 at the Playboy Towers Hotel. Attendance figures for subsequent Chicago Comicon events through the and early 1990s remain sparsely documented in public records, reflecting the smaller scale of early fan conventions focused primarily on comic creators and enthusiasts rather than mass celebrity-driven spectacles. Following Wizard Entertainment's acquisition and rebranding to Wizard World Chicago in the mid-1990s, attendance expanded significantly due to the addition of multi-genre programming and high-profile guests. The 2002 edition drew over 40,000 attendees across three days. By 2005, the four-day event attracted more than 56,000 participants at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Growth continued, with the 2006 show reporting over 58,000 attendees, and the 2009 iteration reaching 70,000, establishing it as one of North America's larger comic conventions at the time. Later years under Wizard saw estimates exceeding 100,000 by 2018, though the company ceased publishing detailed figures, leading to reliance on anecdotal industry reports. After Fan Expo HQ's acquisition in 2022 and rebranding, attendance stabilized at high levels. The 2024 event, held August 16–18, recorded at least 75,000 attendees, filling the . This marked a record for the rebranded show, corroborated by trade reports. The 2025 edition, August 15–17, similarly exceeded 75,000, maintaining the venue's capacity draw amid expanded family and programming. These figures, self-reported by organizers and echoed in event recaps, indicate a post-pandemic recovery but fall short of peak Wizard-era estimates, potentially due to competition from events like C2E2 and shifts in fan spending patterns.
YearEventReported Attendance
1976Chicago Comicon2,100
2002Wizard World Chicago>40,000
2005Wizard World Chicago>56,000
2006Wizard World Chicago>58,000
2009Wizard World Chicago70,000
2018Wizard World Chicago>100,000 (est.)
2024≥75,000
2025>75,000

Economic Contributions to Chicago Area

Fan Expo Chicago, hosted annually at the in —a suburb northwest of downtown —drives economic activity primarily through visitor spending on , dining, transportation, and retail in the local area. The event's scale, with tens of thousands of out-of-town attendees participating in activities like celebrity meet-and-greets, panels, and vendor purchases, supports hospitality businesses clustered around the venue, including hotels and restaurants that experience peak demand during the three-day weekend. In its 2025 edition, held August 15–17, Fan Expo achieved a record attendance exceeding 75,000, amplifying its role as a key revenue generator for Rosemont. This figure surpasses prior years under both the current Fan Expo branding (post-2023 rebranding from Wizard World) and the earlier Wizard World Chicago period, where combined series attendance often topped 70,000 across events by 2005, with as a flagship stop. Such crowds contribute to the convention center's broader footprint, which hosts over 100 events yearly and welcomes more than 1 million guests, sustaining jobs in event operations, security, and vendor services. The itself anchors Rosemont's economy, producing an estimated $800 million in annual impact from convention-related expenditures, including indirect effects like spending. Fan Expo's consistent draw—positioned as a major pop culture event rivaling others in the region—helps fill this , particularly benefiting the village's reliance on -driven revenue amid from downtown venues like . While specific per-event multipliers are not publicly detailed, the influx aligns with patterns observed in similar conventions, where attendee spending averages hundreds of dollars per person on non-ticket expenses.

Growth Metrics and Comparative Scale

Fan Expo Chicago's attendance reached approximately 75,000 in 2024, establishing a post-rebranding record and returning to levels last achieved in 2009 during its Wizard World era. This growth followed the 2021 acquisition of Wizard World events by Fan Expo HQ, which rebranded the Chicago show in 2022 and integrated it into a network producing nearly one million attendees across its annual portfolio. In comparative terms, Fan Expo Chicago trails the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), which reported over 85,000 attendees for its 2024 edition at the larger venue. Held at the more compact , Fan Expo achieves similar crowd densities but operates on a reduced physical scale, emphasizing a denser exhibitor and programming layout over expansive hall space. This positions it as Chicago's secondary major pop culture convention, capturing a substantial but subordinate share of the local market relative to C2E2's dominance.

Reception and Community Engagement

Positive Feedback and Achievements

Fan Expo Chicago achieved a record attendance of at least 75,000 enthusiasts over three days from –18, 2024, surpassing prior years and demonstrating strong fan draw. As Chicago's longest-running comic convention, originating in 1972, the event has sustained appeal through consistent programming emphasizing , with approximately 360 vendors—over half focused on —and around 470 artists in its Artist Alley. The convention has garnered praise for assembling high-profile celebrity guests, such as Academy Award winner , Star Wars alumni and , and wrestler-turned-actor , which enhance attendee engagement through panels and meet-and-greets. Past appearances by icons like and further underscore its legacy of attracting sought-after figures. Reviewers have highlighted the event's epic scale and family-friendly vibe, crediting improved organization under FAN EXPO HQ management for better crowd flow, diverse vendor innovations like exhibits, and a retained essence akin to the original Comic Con. elements receive particular acclaim, with red carpet showcases featuring creative, high-effort displays that enchant participants and spectators alike.

Criticisms of Organization and Execution

Attendees have reported significant issues with for autographs and photo opportunities, often citing disorganized queues and insufficient staffing. During the 2023 event, fans described "horror stories" of chaotic lines where early arrivals still faced hours-long waits due to poor coordination, with staff providing inconsistent instructions. Similar complaints persisted in subsequent years, including 2024, where overcrowding exacerbated delays, particularly on peak days like Saturdays. The convention floor layout has drawn repeated criticism for inadequate space planning, leading to cramped aisles and navigation challenges amid high attendance. A 2022 review highlighted this as the top vendor and fan grievance, with too many booths squeezed into limited areas, hindering movement and vendor accessibility. By 2024, reports indicated further constriction, as organizers packed more guests and exhibits into the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center without proportional expansion, resulting in bottlenecks around celebrity booths. Vendors, artists, and independent creators have voiced frustration over perceived deprioritization of their spaces in favor of high-profile areas, contributing to a sense of post-ticket-sale neglect. In 2023 accounts, participants argued that Fan Expo's focus on revenue from star attractions undermined support for non- elements, leaving exhibitors underserved. These operational shortcomings have led some longtime attendees to question the event's execution relative to its scale, though positive experiences with specific attractions often temper overall backlash.

Founder Snub and Fan Backlash

In December 2023, enthusiasts mobilized to support a co-founder of the original Comicon, the event that evolved into Fan Expo , after he was reportedly excluded from participation or recognition at the convention despite his foundational role in establishing it in 1972. The omission drew particular criticism amid the convention's 50th anniversary festivities in 2022, which Fan Expo marketed as commemorating five decades of the event's history under various names and ownerships, including its origins as a modest gathering focused on and . Fans characterized the exclusion as a deliberate snub by the current organizers, Fan Expo HQ—a subsidiary of —which has expanded the event into a multimillion-dollar production emphasizing celebrity appearances, , and broad pop culture appeal since acquiring the Wizard World portfolio in 2021. In response, supporters initiated efforts to provide direct aid to the pioneer, highlighting his contributions to Chicago's early convention scene at venues like the old Regency O'Hare and underscoring perceived ingratitude from corporate stewards prioritizing commercial scale over historical reverence. This incident fueled online discussions and calls for greater acknowledgment of the event's grassroots architects, reflecting broader community sentiments about the dilution of legacy in favor of profit-driven programming. The backlash remained localized but amplified frustrations among long-time attendees who view Fan Expo's evolution from the intimate Chicago Comicon—initially organized by a small group of local enthusiasts—as emblematic of tensions between fan-driven origins and modern corporate conventions. No official response from Fan Expo addressed the specific allegations, though the company's focus on high-profile guests and expanded attendance (exceeding 100,000 in recent years) suggests logistical priorities may have contributed to the oversight.

Market Position and Competition

Rivalry with C2E2 and Other Chicago Events

Fan Expo Chicago, as the successor to the long-running Chicago Comicon and Wizard World Chicago, has competed with the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2) for dominance in the local pop culture convention market since C2E2's debut in 2010. The established Chicago Comicon, tracing its origins to 1972, faced direct rivalry from C2E2, which positioned itself as a broader entertainment expo emphasizing comics, celebrities, and media tie-ins at the expansive McCormick Place convention center in downtown Chicago. This competition intensified in the early 2010s as both events vied for celebrity guests, exhibitors, and regional attendees, with C2E2's spring timing (typically April) contrasting the summer schedule of its predecessor, avoiding direct date overlaps but splitting the annual fan spending. In recent years, Fan Expo Chicago has maintained a comparable scale to C2E2, drawing over 75,000 attendees to the in suburban Rosemont during its August events, though the smaller venue—approximately half the floor space of —has led to reports of overcrowding and longer lines compared to C2E2's reported 100,000 attendees in 2025 at the larger downtown facility. C2E2 benefits from its central location and ReedPop organization, often highlighting record crowds and economic impacts exceeding $50 million, while Fan Expo emphasizes family-friendly features and multi-genre appeal in a more contained environment. The events compete for high-profile guests like actors from major franchises, with Fan Expo securing stars such as those from Star Wars and Marvel properties, though C2E2's scale allows for larger panels and publisher presence. Beyond C2E2, Fan Expo Chicago navigates a fragmented convention landscape including niche events like , which draws cosplay-focused crowds in May at the same Rosemont venue, and occasional smaller gatherings such as HorrorHound Weekend. These do not pose equivalent threats due to specialized themes, but the overall saturation contributes to divided attendance, with fans often choosing based on venue accessibility—downtown for C2E2 versus suburban parking ease for Fan Expo—and specific programming like wrestling or tracks. No formal conflicts over dates or resources have been reported, allowing coexistence, though post-pandemic recovery saw both events rebound with strong turnouts by 2022.

Broader Context in North American Comic Cons

North American comic book conventions trace their origins to the mid-1960s, with the first organized event held in in 1964, initially focused on comic creators, collectors, and fans. This model expanded rapidly in the 1970s, exemplified by 's inaugural edition in 1970, which evolved from a modest gathering into a multimedia spectacle emphasizing , , television, and gaming. By the , the proliferation of pop culture media spurred exponential growth, transforming conventions from niche hobbyist meetups into billion-dollar industries with turnstile attendance exceeding hundreds of thousands at flagship events like (over 200,000 in 2023) and (around 130,000 annually). The contemporary landscape features a tiered structure, with mega-conventions dominating national attention while regional events fill geographic gaps and cater to localized audiences. Organizers like Fan Expo HQ, the world's largest comic con producer, operate a network of over 16 events across , aggregating hundreds of thousands of attendees yearly through standardized programming heavy on celebrity appearances, artist alleys, and vendor halls. Fan Expo Chicago exemplifies this regional tier, drawing approximately 75,000 visitors to the , a scale that positions it below East Coast and West Coast giants but aligns with mid-sized counterparts like Fan Expo Denver or MegaCon Orlando. Fan Expo's strategy underscores a key trend in the sector: consolidation via acquisitions to scale operations without relying on singular blockbuster events. In 2021, Fan Expo HQ acquired six high-performing Wizard World conventions, including the Chicago show, enabling efficient resource allocation for consistent fan experiences amid market saturation. These regional cons play a vital economic role, injecting revenue into host cities through and local spending—similar to how larger events boost San Diego's economy—while offering more accessible alternatives to travel-intensive flagships, fostering sustained fan engagement in underserved markets like the Midwest.

Strategic Adaptations and Future Outlook

In response to the challenges faced by Wizard World, including financial difficulties exacerbated by the , Informa's Fan Expo HQ acquired six of its major U.S. events, including the convention, in August 2021, enabling a strategic rebranding and relaunch as Fan Expo Chicago in 2022. This move integrated the event into Fan Expo's broader portfolio, which spans multiple North American cities and emphasizes scaled operations, diverse programming such as celebrity panels, contests, and vendor expansions, while transitioning from Wizard World's celebrity-heavy model to a more comprehensive fan culture platform. The acquisition positioned Fan Expo as the world's largest comic con producer, leveraging Informa's resources for improved logistics and marketing to attract larger audiences post-pandemic shutdowns that had halted in-person gatherings in 2020 and limited 2021 events. Post-rebranding, Fan Expo Chicago adopted a three-day format at the , focusing on family-oriented activities, , gaming, and horror alongside to broaden appeal and mitigate risks from fluctuating attendance tied to single-genre draws. This adaptation included enhanced health protocols upon resuming full in-person operations in 2022, such as attendee capacity management informed by pandemic-era restrictions, though specific metrics on implementation remain tied to broader industry recoveries rather than unique innovations. Further strategic growth involved acquiring additional properties like in 2025, signaling diversification into digital creator events to hedge against traditional comic con market saturation. Looking ahead, Fan Expo Chicago is scheduled for August 14–16, 2026, with tickets available since September 2025, featuring high-profile additions like the "An Evening with the Hobbits" panel celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings films as part of an 11-city reunion tour. Organizers anticipate sustained growth through such marquee attractions and integration with Fan Expo's expanding network, though long-term viability depends on navigating competition from events like C2E2 and economic factors affecting discretionary spending on conventions. No major format overhauls have been announced, but the emphasis on anniversary tie-ins and multi-media programming suggests a continued pivot toward experiential, nostalgia-driven content to maintain relevance in a post-pandemic landscape.

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