PopCon Indy is this weekend, meaning Hoosiers will have the chance to buy cool merch, show off their latest cosplay and possibly meet the celebrities and special guests scheduled to appear.
Sunday happens to be Mother’s Day. If you haven’t yet booked a brunch spot in Indianapolis, you could always try to get mom an autograph with Sean Astin — he carried the ring to Mordor, he can probably lift her spirits, too.
Here’s what we know so far about this year’s big event, a three-day convention catering to all things in the pop culture universe.
When is PopCon Indy 2026?
This year’s PopCon Indy happens May 8-10, 2026.
When is the vendor floor open for PopCon 2026?
A schedule for PopCon Indy shows vendor floor hours are as follows:
VIP ticket-holders can walk in 30 minutes ahead of the general public. Program hours Fri.-Sat. extend to 11 p.m.
How much are tickets to PopCon Indy 2026?
On Tuesday, May 4, three-day tickets to PopCon Indy were selling online for roughly $70. Day passes ranged from $41-$47. Children younger than 10 get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket. VIP tickets are also available.
You might be able to get them cheaper than that, however.
PopCon partners with local Indy businesses to offer discounted tickets
PopCon recently announced a new partnership program to support Indianapolis-area businesses that cater to the pop culture community.
Those who visit participating stores can get discounted tickets to PopCon at a rate you won’t find anywhere else, a news release said.
“PopCon has always been about community,” said Carl Doninger, founder and co-owner, in a news release. “These local stores are the backbone of that community — they’re where fandom lives every day, not just one weekend a year.”
How do you get discounted tickets to PopCon Indy 2026?
More than a dozen Indianapolis locations will feature PopCon Indy posters, flyers and handouts with special QR codes attendees can scan with their smartphones to get the discounted tickets.
Just by visiting these Indy shops, Doninger told IndyStar in an earlier message, attendees can save a little more than 30% off the entry fee.
“The Indy area has amazing infrastructure catering to pop-culture enthusiasts,” Doninger said. “We hope this draws more attention to what is readily accessible to them year-round.”
What Indy locations have the QR codes for PopCon 2026 tickets?
On Friday, Doninger said upwards of 14 locations were participating, with more possibly to follow. They include these Indianapolis-area stores:
What can you do at PopCon Indy?
Just like last year, there’s lots of things to do at PopCon Indy. Here are some of the familiar highlights:
What celebrity guests will be there?
You can find these and other celebrity guests, listed in alphabetical order, who are tentatively scheduled to appear at this year’s PopCon Indy. They include:
Note: PopCon Indy appearances were last retrieved from the organization’s website Monday afternoon, May 4, and are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts.
Autographs and pictures with many celebrities will happen Friday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. The cost of an autograph for each celebrity guest varies in price. Be sure to check PopCon Indy’s official website for the latest information.
Where is PopCon Indy 2026?
PopCon Indy takes place once again at the Indiana Convention Center at 100 S. Capitol Ave. in downtown Indianapolis.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at John.Tufts@IndyStar.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: PopCon Indy is this week. The schedule, celebrities, tickets and more
Reporting by John Tufts, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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