FAN EXPO Chicago 2025 was here from August 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center and it was a blast.
The crowds were a lot thinner and it was much easier to navigate today. The temperatures were cooler so everyone was also much much more comfortable in their cosplays. Everyone is exhausted from a long weekend, but it’s a happy exhaustion as we have had a great weekend with friends. This is also the day we bid goodbye to many that we won’t see until the next event.
Our past FAN EXPO CHICAGO cosplay coverage can be found here: 2022, 2023, 2024
Or Wizard World 2017-2021 Here
Sunday is also the day that I start listing out the pros and cons of the weekend. The big plus was that the Donald E Stephens Convention Center seems to have finally fixed their AC system. Yes, it was warm on Saturday, but that was a LOT of bodies and body heat. Last year even on Friday and Sunday we were dying of heat exhaustion, and that was without cosplays. The other improvement (or at least seemed to me) was that the vendor aisles were wider than last year.
The biggest negative was the removal of a service they have ALWAYS had until this year. Where were the water stations? Upstairs there has always been water stations and this year there was none. Water was hard to come by this year, and on Saturday it was definitely needed. The other missing service was a green room for the cosplay contestants, there was no place for them to strip off and store costuming, or even to stand and prep prior to the contest itself.
Other problems are pretty common for FAN EXPO( and many other cons) included over selling of auto and pho tickets, poor handling of lines, lack of signage, and bad scheduling.
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
Sunday Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt.3, Red Carpet
The final day and final batch my floor shots (I still have Sunday Red Carpet to edit).
As usual, if you make a comment on this page I will tag your photos. If you tag them on social media I will try to catch your photos and tag them.
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!
❤️ Thanks for the photos! We are mad max on Saturday’s pt 3 photos, and mars attacks on Sunday’s. Instagram is talicia1381 and Facebook Talicia Akers.
I updated Saturdays image with your tag, I did not find the Mars Attacks photo