Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be Massive

If you’ve been to a UK con in the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the crowds getting bigger, the guest lists getting wilder, and venues scrambling to keep up. That trend isn’t slowing down.

2026 is already shaping up with some interesting patterns worth watching: MegaCon’s aggressive expansion across four cities, MCM holding down both spring and autumn London dates plus a Birmingham return, and anime events finally getting the venue upgrades they deserve. Whether you’re chasing voice actor autographs, competing in cosplay, or just hunting for that one obscure figure at the vendor hall, there’s something here for you.

Here’s everything announced so far, month by month.

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January 2026

MegaCon Live Dublin Dates: January 17–18 | Venue: RDS, Dublin, Ireland

Kicking off the year with a stacked voice actor lineup including Kari Wahlgren (Haruko in FLCL), Barbara Goodson (Rita Repulsa herself), and Anairis Quinones. If you’re into anime dubs, this is your first must-attend of the year. The guest list also includes Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant for the Doctor Who crowd—an interesting mix that suggests MegaCon is casting a wide net.

MegaCon Live London Dates: January 24–25 | Venue: ExCeL Convention Centre, London

Same week, different city. Many of the Dublin guests are doing double duty here, including the Iron Man comics legend Bob Layton. Worth noting: ExCeL is massive, which usually means better vendor variety but more walking. Plan accordingly.

Exeter Comic-Con Date: January 31 | Venue: Matford Centre, Exeter

Paul McGann (the Eighth Doctor) headlines alongside Colin Baker, making this a quiet gem for Who fans in the southwest. Ross Mullan—the man behind multiple White Walkers in Game of Thrones—rounds out a guest list that punches above its weight for a regional con.

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February 2026

AnimeCon Manchester Dates: February 28 – March 1 | Venue: Manchester Central Convention Complex

Three days including workshops, silent disco, and karaoke—plus Kaiji Tang and Zeno Robinson on the guest roster. The Lego and Minecraft zones make this more family-friendly than some anime events, if you’re planning to bring younger fans along.

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March 2026

Kaizoku-Con Dates: March 20–22 | Venue: University College Cork, Ireland

Student-run and proud of it. The name means “pirate” in Japanese, and the vibe matches—scrappier, more community-focused, with a cosplay competition and light show. Guests TBA, but worth watching if you’re in Ireland and want something different from the MegaCon circuit.

MegaCon Live Birmingham Dates: March 28–29 | Venue: The NEC Birmingham

The NEC is a beast of a venue—you could genuinely get lost in there. Guests TBA, but MegaCon’s track record suggests expect a mix of anime VAs, classic sci-fi actors, and comic creators. The kids zone makes this one of the better options for families.

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May 2026

MCM Comic Con London Dates: May 22–24 | Venue: ExCeL Convention Centre, London

The big one. MCM London is the UK’s flagship pop culture event, and if you can only make one con this year, this is usually the one to prioritise. Three days of gaming, anime, and pop culture—guests TBA at time of writing, but historically this is where you see major TV and film announcements, surprise appearances, and the most elaborate cosplay outside of Japan.

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June 2026

AnimeCon Birmingham Dates: June 12–14 | Venue: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham

David Matranga (Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia, among dozens of other roles) is confirmed. Same DNA as the Manchester event—workshops, panels, silent disco—but in the Midlands. The NEC location means excellent transport links if you’re coming from anywhere in England.

SunnyCon Anime Expo Dates: June 19–21 | Venue: St. James’ Park (Newcastle United Football Ground), Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Yes, that St. James’ Park. There’s something surreal about an anime expo in a Premier League stadium, and SunnyCon leans into the uniqueness. Cosplay guests Advent Dragon Creations and Bat and Blossom Cosplay are confirmed—worth following if you’re into costume crafting.

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July 2026

MegaCon Live Manchester Dates: July 25–26 | Venue: Manchester Central

MegaCon’s fourth UK city of the year. Guests TBA, but if the pattern holds, expect some crossover with their other 2026 events. Manchester Central is a solid mid-size venue—big enough for variety, small enough you won’t need GPS to navigate.

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August 2026

Tokonatsu Dates: August 6–10 | Venue: Boyd Memorial Camp Site & Activity Centre, Henlow, Bedfordshire

This one’s different. Five days of camping combined with anime, cosplay, and a matsuri (Japanese festival) atmosphere. If you’ve ever wanted to do a con that’s more “experience” than “event,” Tokonatsu is it. The Toko Arcade and tabletop gaming run late into the night. Not for everyone, but if it’s for you, it’s really for you.

MCM Comic Con Birmingham Dates: August 7–9 | Venue: NEC Birmingham

MCM’s Midlands return. Expect TV and film stars, independent creators, and strong UK cosplay presence. MCM describes it as having “all the little moments you just don’t get anywhere else”—which tracks. The Birmingham events tend to feel slightly more intimate than the London megashows while still pulling solid guests.

Kitacon Dates: August 14–16 | Venue: Warwick Arts Centre / University of Warwick, Coventry

University campus setting gives this one a different energy—more intimate, more community-driven. Covers the full geek spectrum: anime, video games, cosplay. Worth considering if you want something between a massive expo and a tiny local meetup.

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October 2026

MCM Comic Con London Dates: October 23–25 | Venue: ExCeL Convention Centre, London

MCM’s autumn return. If you missed the May event (or just can’t get enough), this is your second shot at the UK’s biggest pop culture gathering. Music, gaming, anime, comics—the full spread. October dates often pull different guests than spring, so it’s worth watching both announcements.

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September, November & December 2026

Nothing confirmed yet for these months, though several cons from previous years (Wales Comic Con, London Film & Comic Con) haven’t announced 2026 dates. We’ll update this guide as new events drop.

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What to Watch

A few things we’re keeping an eye on: MegaCon’s rapid expansion across four cities suggests they’re going for market dominance—interesting to see how that affects guest exclusivity. MCM holding firm with three major events (two London, one Birmingham) shows they’re not ceding ground. The voice actor lineups lean heavily American dub talent, which could be a sign of what’s selling tickets right now.

Guest lists and schedules will evolve throughout the year. Bookmark this page—we’ll update it as new reveals hit.

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