FAN EXPO Chicago 2025 was here from August 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. Saturday was the second day of a very long weekend.
Saturday was CROWDED, people were literally packed like sardines. If you wanted to make it from one end of the convention floor to the other, then you really had to plan some time to make it. I was trying to stash away a wagon for one of the cosplay contest competitors and I had to go from the lobby to the cosplay area. That would normally be a 5 minute journey, at most. It look me more than double that to make it there, and that is just running straight along the wall.No idea how long it would have taken if I had to go through the vendors.
Our past FAN EXPO CHICAGO cosplay coverage can be found here: 2022, 2023, 2024
Or Wizard World 2017-2021 Here
There were some definite differences to this years event and a few things were lacking. the most notable things missing from FAN EXPO this year was the lack of water. Normally there are several water bottles set up by the panel rooms, I did not find a single one. There was also no form of green room for the competitors in the big contest. They had no place to change or set up, in fact they were all confused and intermingled with one of the panel room lines until they were brought into the back hallway just prior to the contest.
The rest of our cosplay coverage for FAN EXPO CHICAGO 2025
Friday Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3
Saturday Pt.1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3 , Costume Contest (Pending)
Sunday Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Red Carpet (Pending)
I never made it onto the vendor floor on Saturday. The closest I ever got was the cosplay area, but being up there I did get some fantastic shots of cosplay and managed to catch some of the red carpet. For the official Red Carpet photos, they were taken by Moorcroft Photography, and can be found here
If you see yourself or a friend, let us know and we will tag the photo.
Show Hours:
Friday 4 PM – 9 PM*
Saturday 10 AM – 7 PM
Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM
There is a special Preview on Friday at 2 PM for VIP, Ultimate, and 3-Day pass holders who purchase in advance.
FAN EXPO Chicago is located at
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N River Rd.
Rosemont, IL 60018
For more information about the location, directions and parking click here.
ABOUT FAN EXPO
FAN EXPO Chicago is the ultimate go-to event for sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Chicago that attracts hundreds of thousands of people to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
FAN EXPO Chicago offers exciting family-friendly attractions, events, and world-renowned Celebrities! The show, which started as Chicago Comic Con in 1972 and became Wizard World Chicago in 1998, has featured celebrities and creators like Stan Lee, Michael J. Fox, John Travolta, Carrie Fisher, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, WWE® Superstar John Cena®, David Boreanaz and many more headliners.
Everyone is a fan of something, and FAN EXPO Chicago is a place to celebrate all things pop culture. Get an autograph or a photo with your favorite guest then get the inside scoop about your favorite movies and TV shows at our celebrity panels! Watch professional comic artists battle it out in our popular Sketch Duels, learn from our “How To” workshops, and take photos with your favorite costumed characters! It’s also a great place to buy a unique gift (or treat yourself!) with a huge show floor for shopping madness.
FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively, it hosts over one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Denver, CALGARY EXPO, FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Dallas, FAN EXPO Boston, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, EDMONTON EXPO, FAN EXPO San Francisco, Toronto Comicon, FAN EXPO Cleveland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO Vancouver, and Dallas FAN FESTIVAL. The latest schedule of events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.
To see what cosplay conventions are coming up
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!
