C2E2 2026 ran March 28- 29 at the McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. It was a weekend for pop culture fans. Celebrity guests such as Elizabeth Olsen, Charlie Cox, and Christopher Eccleston drew massive crowds. The event also boasted the nation’s largest Artist Alley, where top names in the comics industry rubbed shoulders with the up and comings.
As always, Saturday was by far the busiest day of the convention, but it also seemed less busy than past years. I never experienced the log-jam that used to be quite common, and while the lobby was always busy, it never seemed unmanageable. While I made the decision to steer clear of Artist Alley that particular day, there was still a ton to capture my interest and fill up my day.
Besides spending part of my day in Family HQ and posing for cosplay photos of my own, two particular panels were a highlight of my Saturday. NBC100 Presents: The Cast of One Chicago was a live recording of the One Chicago podcast with four cast members from Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago PD in which they discussed things such as what they like most about living and working Chicago, the respect they’ve gained for the various professions they portray on television, and much more. Women Supporting Women: A Cross-Generational Cosplay Conversation was a panel hosted by @orangegofish and a host of female cosplayers in which they discussed what it truly looks like to be supportive of other women (both in cosplay and real life), how each generation has had different experiences while also having much in common, and how we can be a positive influence on the world around us.
The after-hours fun in the lobby of the Hyatt was as strong as usual, with some continuing the fun by either staying in their costumes or changing into yet another costume altogether. The best part of Saturday evening is when the Crown Championship lets out and the contestants make their way back to their rooms, and everyone stops to applaud them. It’s not about who wins and who doesn’t, but rather showing support for our fellow cosplayers and commending them on all the hard work it takes just to make it into the competition.
C2E2 2026 Cosplay Photos
Friday Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3
Saturday Pt. 1, Pt. 2, Pt. 3, Pt. 4
Sunday Pt. 1
The Backside of Cosplay
Previous Years Cosplay Coverage – 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Saturday was also the day with the strongest cosplay game. Whether they were in the Crown Championships of Cosplay or not, the cosplayers did not play around and showed off their best. Here are the photos I managed to capture!
To see what cosplay conventions are coming up
be sure to check out our Cosplay Convention List!
