Comic Con Africa 2026 in Johannesburg September 24-27: Four Days of Cosplay, Gaming and Celebrity Panels
Key Facts
- What. Comic Con Africa, the continent’s largest pop-culture and gaming convention.
- When. September 24 through 27, 2026.
- Where. Johannesburg Expo Centre, NASREC — not the Sandton Convention Centre, which some earlier listings had named.
- Tickets. Roughly R250 per day, or about R750 for a four-day pass, through Howler.
- What is there. Cosplay competitions, tabletop and video gaming, and celebrity guest panels across four days.
Comic Con Africa 2026 Johannesburg takes over the Johannesburg Expo Centre in NASREC from September 24 through 27, not the Sandton venue some earlier listings named, with day tickets from about R250 and a four-day pass around R750 through Howler.
The continent’s biggest pop-culture convention returns to Johannesburg this month, filling four days with cosplay, gaming and celebrity panels at its usual sprawling venue.
Comic Con Africa 2026 Johannesburg: Correcting the Venue
Comic Con Africa 2026 runs at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in NASREC from September 24 through 27, correcting earlier listings that had pointed attendees toward Sandton instead.
NASREC has hosted the convention in past years and offers the large hall space Comic Con Africa needs for its exhibitor floor, gaming zones and multiple panel stages.
Four Days of Programming
The convention’s four-day run mixes cosplay competitions, tabletop and video gaming areas, and a packed schedule of celebrity guest panels drawing fans from across the country and the wider region.
As Africa’s largest event of its kind, Comic Con Africa typically draws exhibitors and guests well beyond South Africa’s borders, giving it a genuinely continental scale.
Buying Tickets Through Howler
Single-day tickets run approximately R250, while a four-day pass covering the entire run costs around R750, both sold through Howler, the event’s official ticketing platform.
Given Comic Con Africa’s popularity, buying tickets in advance rather than at the door is the safer approach, particularly for weekend dates when attendance typically peaks.
Why the NASREC Location Matters
NASREC’s location in southern Johannesburg places it near other major venues the city uses for large-scale events, with established parking and transport infrastructure built around exactly this kind of high-attendance convention.
Visitors who had bookmarked Sandton-based directions from outdated listings should specifically re-check their route to NASREC instead, since the two locations are a meaningful distance apart within the city.
What Newcomers Can Expect
First-time attendees should expect an experience similar to major international comic conventions: extensive cosplay, a large vendor and artist floor, and panels featuring both regional and international guests.
The event’s continental scale means lines and crowds can build quickly at popular panels, so arriving early for high-demand sessions is worth planning for.
Getting to the Johannesburg Expo Centre
The venue sits in NASREC, reachable by car or rideshare from most parts of Johannesburg, with dedicated event parking typically available given the venue’s frequent use for large conventions.
Given the four-day run, visitors planning multiple days should factor in Johannesburg’s typical weekday versus weekend traffic patterns when timing their trips to NASREC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Comic Con Africa 2026 held?
The Johannesburg Expo Centre in NASREC, not the Sandton Convention Centre named in some earlier listings.
When does Comic Con Africa 2026 run?
September 24 through 27, 2026.
How much do tickets cost?
Roughly R250 per day, or about R750 for a four-day pass, through Howler.
What can visitors expect at Comic Con Africa?
Cosplay competitions, tabletop and video gaming areas, and celebrity guest panels across the four-day event.
Connected Coverage
Living in Johannesburg? See our expat guides to events, transit and daily life in the city.
Sources: Comic Con Africa, Howler (accessed September 2026).
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