FanExpo Toronto 2026 - First time goer, tips and questions!
Hi! This will be my first FanExpo. I've only been to NFCC a few times, and while it's crowded it's not the biggest/most crowded event I've been to but still expecting FanExpo to be chaotic!
Crowd wise, I've read that all days are now pretty much chaotic and busy, not just Saturdays. With John Cena being there on the Sunday, I'm expecting for Sunday to be as chaotic or worse than Saturday.
Questions:
- Thinking of attending Friday to shop around (looking to get a lightsaber), does Friday get so busy it would be recommended to get there when doors open and line up early (hour or two before doors open)? or can you arrive midday with no issues?
- Have some photo ops already purchased and possibly getting some there so I'm assuming that most of Saturday and Sunday will be spent in lines, although I've read that for photo ops having time slots, security only lets you line up 15 minutes before?
- At the con, are photo ops all cash? And how much do they increase the price compared to their prices online?
- Can you still buy the photo ops online the day off or before? Or as soon as the con starts on Thursday you can't buy online anymore and you'll have to do it in-person there that day?
- Are times for photo ops emailed to you? I'm assuming if they are, it's done very close to the start of the con? (Would like to plan and see what other photo ops I could buy)
- Food wise, it's sounding like bringing my own lunch/dinner might be the way to go? Planning on bringing snacks and water to have while in lines and walking around. Some suggest going to Simcoe Place across the street or to the food court in Union Station to save since the food options in the con are very limited and pricey but I've also read that switching between buildings when it's busy is a nightmare and there could be issues too with the building reaching fire capacity and not being let back in for a long time.
- I haven't been able to find a list of prohibited items on the website (I've possibly missed it) but wondering if I can bring a small tripod stool to sit on for when waiting in lines?
- Any good places to sit down and rest? Only have a 4-day pass, so can't access the lounge they have for VIP and Ultimate.
Tips I've gathered from other threads:
- Wear light clothes, gets hot with the amount of people in the con even with A/C
- Bring a portable fan
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Bring deodorant, extra shirt, body/wet wipes etc.
- Cheaper and more food options outside the con (Simcoe Place & Union Station or other food joints around the area)
- Bring snacks & water bottle (can refill at con)
- Can leave the con as many times as you want
- Keep in mind that previous years the buildings have hit fire capacity and have left people waiting outside for a while
- Can take a while to walk and switch between buildings, plan and keep switching to a minimal
- Do artist alley first/early as it gets extremely crowded to the point of can't move since space is very tight
- Bring a tote bag for shopping
- Keep valuables like phones in zipped pockets or strapped to you and in sight at all times, lots of pickpocketing happening
- Bring cash. Some vendors have Square to pay with card but wifi signal can be spotty
- Bring portable charger
- Have to activate your badges that are used to get in and out of the con, buildings and panels!
If haven't gotten shipping to get them delivered, you have to pick up your badges before (https://fanexpocanada1.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/53640470983059-How-do-I-pick-up-my-pre-purchased-ticket-s)
To activate, scan the QR code on the back of badge.
If it hasn't shipped to you on time before the con, you can get a replacement badge at the con at a fee.
Any other tips are very much appreciated, would like to be prepared! Thank you!