Fandoms Far and Wide: C2E2
- Paulina Borowski
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
I was given the amazing opportunity to attend Chicago’s very own C2E2 on Saturday, March 28th as a press attendee. Let’s get into the overall experience!
What is C2E2?
C2E2, fully known as Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, is held at McCormick Place annually; it features comics, cosplay, gaming, wrestling, and more in an overall pop culture in a huge convention in the heart of Downtown Chicago.
Many celebrities, unique exhibitors, incredible comic artists, and literary authors come together to celebrate pop culture and the fandoms everyone loves. It’s a weekend of creativity and inclusiveness, created for fans, by fans, with both virtual and in-person events.
It was first held from April 16-18, 2010, with an estimated attendance of 20-30,000. The first one featured dozens of professional and amateur comic book artists, and prominently featured booths from the biggest comic book publishers. This year was the convention’s 16th year of hosting such a large expo.
C2E2 2026 was hosted March 27-29th from 10 am-7 pm.
C2E2 has grown into a must-attend convention that offers something for everyone, whether you’re passionate about comics, cosplay, gaming, or simply connecting with like-minded fans.
Venue:
C2E2 is located at McCormick Place South Building in Chicago, Illinois. McCormick Place has a helpful directions page on the C2E2 website.
When you walk into the front, you see a giant C2E2 banner.
As you go up the escalators, you will reach Will Call & Registration (North Hall) on the right. This new location is conveniently located in the same place as Security and the Queue Hall, so you can enter, pick up your badge, and either wait for the show to open (if you get here before 10:00 AM each morning) or walk right in (if you get here after 10:30 AM).
I was there early, so I got there right at 9:00 AM before the show floor opened. Getting the actual pass and completing pass registration were very easy.
Arriving early allows fans, such as myself, to settle in before the show floor opens, making the most of the day ahead. Overall, McCormick Place offers ample space and excellent facilities, perfectly suited to the diverse, vibrant energy of C2E2. It’s very welcoming!
Vendors:
On the C2E2 show floor, the atmosphere was electric: hundreds of exhibitors, from major publishers like Boom! Studios and indie presses such as Dead Sky Publishing and Bear Walker, as well as specialty sellers like Dice Dungeon and Tiny Onion. The floor offered an enormous variety of merchandise and experiences from these vendors
Artist Alley pulsed with creativity, showcasing creators such as James Tynion IV, Afua Richardson, Jill Thompson, and Kim-Joy.
Other vendors sold toys, figures, apparel, pins, and handmade crafts alongside tabletop and video-game gear (Dungeons & Dragons dice and classic consoles) and prop collectibles like battle-ready Star Wars lightsabers.
There were also countless cosplay makers and commission booths with nonstop excitement proving C2E2 once again one of the country’s most dynamic pop-culture celebrations.
The presence of cosplay makers, commission booths, and unique collectibles further enriched the atmosphere, making C2E2 a dynamic and immersive celebration that continues to stand out as a premier destination for fans and creators alike.
Panels/Celebrities:
At this year’s C2E2, there were countless opportunities to participate in amazing photo-ops and autograph sessions.
Highlights included major cast reunions such as the Daredevil team with Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Elden Henson, and Wilson Bethel, as well as WandaVision’s Elizabeth Olsen passionately sharing her love for the Scarlet Witch during engaging panels.
The event also featured appearances from beloved casts of The West Wing and Fantastic Four, bringing nostalgia and excitement to attendees.
Longtime fans were especially thrilled to meet childhood icons like Steve Burns of Blue's Clues and Tom Kenny, the voice behind SpongeBob Squarepants and Adventure Time, making the convention a truly memorable celebration of pop culture across generations.
My eldest brother (Kevin), an annual attendee of C2E2, got to meet Steven Burns of Blue's Clues at his Friday panel.
Possibly my personal favorite celebrity meetup was a smaller one featuring the original voice actors of Sonic, Knuckles, and Shadow from Sonic Adventure 2, in celebration of the game’s 25th Anniversary. I had the amazing opportunity to get David Humphrey’s (Shadow) autograph, considering he voiced one of my favorite video game characters. He was very sweet and very kind!
My other brother (Matthew) got to take a picture with all three of the voice actors!
C2E2 offers unforgettable moments with star-studded panels, nostalgic reunions, and intimate fan interactions that delighted attendees of all ages. From major cast reunions to cherished voice actor meet-and-greets, the event truly celebrated the diverse and enduring appeal of pop culture.
My Experience:
As my first every anime/comic expo, C2E2 was everything I could’ve ever loved about comics, fandoms, and community. McCormick Place was just buzzing with people gathered for the incredible panels and amazingly creative cosplays. It really showed why C2E2 is one of the largest pop culture destinations.
Wearing my Miles Morales Spider-Man costume attracted a lot of attention from fellow Spider-Man fans who shared my passion. I was pleasantly surprised and deeply touched by how many people asked to take pictures with me, showing just how much they loved the character and the moment. The most memorable moment was when a younger attendee asked for a picture with me, it made me feel like a celebrity or like the real Spider-Man for a minute.
Seeing all the other cosplayers at C2E2 was incredibly inspiring and truly one of the highlights of my entire experience. Witnessing fans bring to life some of my favorite fandoms with such dedication and creativity was awe-inspiring.
The level of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and passion evident in the costumes, from intricate armor to perfectly styled wigs, showcased the immense talent within the cosplay community. This celebration of creativity and fandom made that part of the event not only visually stunning but deeply meaningful, as it connected me with others who share the same love for the fandoms.
As a note, even though I didn’t catch such an event, the big and annual 2026 C2E2 Cosplay Awards was fierce and the creativity on display was truly exceptional.
The top honor, US National Champion, was awarded to Prince of Snark Cosplay for their stunning portrayal of Ulmo, Lord of Waters from The Silmarillion. First Place went to a Sazura cosplay, Second Place went to Tierza89, and Third Place went to a Rogue Heart cosplay.
These winners exemplified the incredible talent and dedication that make the C2E2 cosplay community so vibrant and inspiring.
Final Thoughts:
At C2E2 2026, beyond the vibrant show floor and panels, there were several interactive experiences that added to the immersive atmosphere of the event.
One standout was the themed tavern area, which provided a unique social space where attendees could relax, enjoy themed drinks, and engage with fellow fans in a lively, immersive setting inspired by popular fantasy and gaming worlds. This kind of interactive environment allowed fans to step deeper into their favorite fandoms beyond just viewing or purchasing merchandise.
Additionally, there were various hands-on activities and interactive booths, including gaming lounges where attendees could try new tabletop and video games, participate in tournaments, or join casual play sessions.
Workshops and maker spaces offered opportunities to learn cosplay crafting techniques, prop building, and other creative skills directly from experienced artists and professionals. These interactive elements helped foster a sense of community and engagement, making the convention experience more dynamic and memorable for attendees.C2E2 continues to be a vibrant and inclusive celebration of pop culture, bringing together fans, creators, and celebrities in an energetic and welcoming environment. With its diverse programming, expansive show floor, engaging panels, and immersive experiences, I recommend C2E2 to anyone interested in the creativity of fandoms across all genres and generations. Even as my first convention, it’ll catapult me into going again next year and to go to other conventions in the future. Much love to C2E2!
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