#FIRSTLOOK: FAN EXPO CANADA 30th EDITION HIGHLIGHTS

Marking its landmark 30th edition this August, FAN EXPO Canada returns with an explosive first wave of celebrity guests, unveiling a standout lineup for Canada’s biggest celebration of sci-fi, fantasy, horror, gaming and anime. Taking place from August 27-30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event closes the summer break with a bang before the return to school.

Attracting more than 130,000 fans annually, FAN EXPO Canada delivers four days packed with fandom-fuelled experiences. In addition to meeting their favourite celebrities, fans of all ages can dive into immersive attractions, explore over 1,000 exhibitors, attend star-studded panels, strike a pose on the Cosplay Red Carpet, wander through Artist Alley, and shop on the massive retail floor filled with exclusive collectibles and limited-edition merch.

“FAN EXPO Canada’s 30th show marks three decades of bringing fans together to celebrate everything they love—iconic franchises, unforgettable experiences and the stars who bring beloved characters to life,” said Andrew Moyes, Vice President, FAN EXPO HQ. “This year is about epic reunions, once-in-a-lifetime fan moments and celebrating fandom at its biggest scale yet.”

One of the marquee events at this year’s show is the once-in-a-generation reunion celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings. Fans can journey back to Middle-earth with cast members Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, David Wenham and John Rhys-Davies. The reunion includes An Evening with the Hobbits: In Celebration of 25 Years, along with exclusive photo opportunities and autograph sessions. Collectors can also pre-order exclusive The Lord of the Rings merchandise by Wētā Workshop now for pickup at FAN EXPO Canada.

This year’s star-studded lineup includes former WWE World Champion turned Hollywood superstar John Cena, acclaimed film and television veterans Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon, Mad Max), Alan Ritchson (Reacher), Dean Norris (Breaking Bad) and the sword-wielding Highlander immortal Christopher Lambert.

The nostalgia continues as Sean Astin joins his fellow treasure hunters from The Goonies, including Kerri Green, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Martha Plimpton and Corey Feldman. Feldman is also representing The Lost Boys along with his co-star Jamison Newlander, bringing the iconic Frog Brothers back together for fans of the cult vampire classic.

From mysterious islands to monsters lurking in the Upside Down, Lost fan-favourites Josh Holloway and Henry Ian Cusick make their FAN EXPO Canada debut, alongside returning actor and Hawkins’ coolest mom Cara Buono. Adding a touch of fairy-tale magic, Colin O’Donoghue will also sail back into Toronto.

The Mobile Infantry will redeploy at FAN EXPO Canada with Starship Troopers stars Denise Richards, Michael Ironside, Casper Van Dien, Dina Meyer and Jake Busey. More than 25 years after battling the Arachnids, fans can relive one of cinema’s most enduring cult sci-fi epics.

From there, the adventure blasts off to a galaxy far, far away. Stepping out from behind Din Djarin’s armour is Brendan Wayne, the fearless masked bounty hunter from The Mandalorian. He is joined by Alessandro Juliani from Battlestar Galactica and Matthew Wood from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Adding even more excitement to the Star Wars lineup are Sam Witwer (Maul), Vanessa Marshall (Rook Kast) and David W. Collins (B1 Battle Droid), who will also make their way to FAN EXPO Canada.

Bringing magic, mayhem and girl power to the show floor are Ji-Young Yoo, the voice of Zoey in the global smash hit KPop Demon Hunters, The Boys star Erin Moriarty and Broadway’s Wicked standout Lilli Cooper. Cooper is also joined by fellow Hazbin Hotel musical demon voice artists and two-time Tony winner Christian Borle (Something Rotten!), Joel Perez and Krystina Alabado.

Anime enthusiasts can meet legendary voice talent Maile Flanagan (Naruto), Sarah Natochenny (Pokémon), Christopher Sabat (One Piece), and the cast of Death Note celebrating a special 20th anniversary reunion. Joining from the Shinigami realm are Brad Swaile, Brian Drummond, Alessandro Juliani and Shannon Chan-Kent, alongside Mallorie Rodak, Frieren from Beyond Journey’s End.

Comic readers can connect with industry-defining creators including Frank Miller (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), Joe Quesada (Marvel Knights: The World to Come), Tom King (Wonder Woman, Supergirl), Steve McNiven (Daredevil, Spider-Man), Kaare Andrews, Mitch Gerads and more.

Meanwhile, gamers can witness the reunion of two iconic voices, Master Chief and Cortana of Halo. Steve Downes and Jen Taylor are headed to Toronto this August.

More celebrity guests, creators, attractions and programming will be announced in the coming weeks as FAN EXPO Canada gears up for its biggest show yet.

Tickets are available now at fanexpocanada.com.

FAN EXPO CANADA 2026 CELEBRITY GUESTS INCLUDE:

John Cena (Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad)

Mel Gibson (Lethal Weapon, Braveheart, Mad Max)

Elijah Wood (The Lord of the Rings, Happy Feet Two)

Alan Ritchson (Reacher, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings, The Goonies)

John Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones)

Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings)

Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings, Lost)

Erin Moriarty (The Boys)

Dean Norris (Breaking Bad, Total Recall, Under the Dome)

Colin O’Donoghue (Once Upon a Time)

Josh Holloway (Lost, Colony, Yellowstone)

Mike Colter (Luke Cage)

Henry Ian Cusick (Lost)

Christopher Lambert (Highlander, Mortal Kombat)

Corey Feldman (The Goonies, The Lost Boys)

Denise Richards (Starship Troopers)

Michael Ironside (Starship Troopers)

Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers)

Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers)

Jake Busey (Starship Troopers)

David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings, 300)

Cara Buono (Stranger Things)

Brendan Wayne (The Mandalorian)

Alessandro Juliani (Battlestar Galactica)

Matthew Wood (Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Kerri Green (The Goonies)

Robert Davi (The Goonies)

Joe Pantoliano (The Goonies, The Matrix)

Martha Plimpton (The Goonies)

Jamison Newlander (The Lost Boys)

FAN EXPO CANADA 2026 VOICE GUESTS INCLUDE:

Christopher Sabat (One Piece, My Hero Academia)

Brad Swaile (Death Note)

Ryan Colt Levy (Chainsaw Man)

Sarah Natochenny (Pokémon)

Trina Nishimura (Attack on Titan)

Ian Sinclair (One Piece)

Mallorie Rodak (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End)

Reagan Murdock (Chainsaw Man)

Ji-Young Yoo (KPop Demon Hunters)

Sam Witwer (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Vanessa Marshall (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Star Wars: Rebels)

Christian Borle (Something Rotten!, Falsettos, Hazbin Hotel)

Krystina Alabado (Hazbin Hotel)

Lilli Cooper (Wicked, Hazbin Hotel, Fraggle Rock)

Joel Perez (Broadway Star, Hazbin Hotel, Helluva Boss)

David W. Collins (Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, Star Wars: The Clone Wars)

Brian Drummond (Death Note, Sonic Prime)

Shannon Chan-Kent (Death Note, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sonic Prime)

Maile Flanagan (Naruto, Lab Rats)

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Attending the Show from outside of Toronto?
Round-trip GO Fare makes it easy for fans to get to the show in a Flash (get it?). FAN EXPO Canada has partnered with Metrolinx to get fans to and from the event safely. The GO Add-On Ticket includes round trip GO Transit fare from any GO Station to Union Station and ensures they don’t miss a minute of the action. The GO Add-On Ticket can be added during checkout when buying tickets to FAN EXPO Canada.

*Children 12 and under ride the GO for free.

For more details and to purchase a GO Add-On Ticket, please visit the link.

ABOUT FAN EXPO Canada
FAN EXPO Canada is the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Canada and the third-largest Pop Culture event in North America. The show has grown from a small comic book convention attracting 1,500 fans into a multi-faceted and multiple-day citywide event that attracts 130,000 people from around the world. Every year, FAN EXPO Canada offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned celebrities! Previous guests include Stan Lee, Patrick Stewart, Buzz Aldrin, William Shatner, Christopher Lloyd, Elijah Wood, Leonard Nimoy, Carrie Fisher, Gillian Anderson, and stars from hit television shows: The Walking Dead, Star Trek, The Vampire Diaries, Arrow, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Teen Wolf, Doctor Who, Gotham, Criminal Minds, Castle, and many, many more. The all-ages pop culture convention expects to host over 125,000 fans in 750,000 sq. ft. of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the four-day event.

ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ
FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively it hosts over one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO Vancouver, FAN EXPO Cleveland, MEGACON Orlando, Toronto Comicon, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO Anaheim: Special Edition, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Canada, FAN EXPO Dallas, VIDCON Anaheim, EDMONTON EXPO and Dallas FAN FESTIVAL. The latest schedule of events is available on the website, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.

Connect with FAN EXPO Canada on social:
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