If your idea of a perfect weekend involves superheroes, anime, gaming, comics, collectables and a little celebrity spotting, clear your diary for September.
Comic Con Africa with Capitec returns to the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 24 to 27 September 2026, bringing four days of pop-culture fandom, entertainment and experiences to the city. Around 70 000 fans are expected to attend, with plenty to keep both die-hard geeks and curious first-timers entertained.
Dress to impress
Cosplay is at the heart of Comic Con Africa, and the festival floor becomes a parade of superheroes, anime favourites, gaming icons and characters from film and television. Visitors can simply come dressed as their favourite character or enter one of the daily competitions.
For serious cosplayers, the Cosplay Championships offer an even bigger prize: the winner gets an expenses-paid trip to compete in the UK in 2027.
Shop, discover and play
Artist Alley brings together more than 200 artists and crafters, offering everything from original artwork and comics to collectables and memorabilia. It’s also a chance to meet creators and catch talks, sketch battles and industry sessions.
Gamers can get stuck into free-to-play zones, esports tournaments and competitions, while tech fans can browse the latest hardware and hunt for special offers.
And then there’s Otaku Town, dedicated to anime and Japanese pop culture. Expect merchandise, collectables, food and activities for fans of One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer, Bleach and more. Pokémon fans can also celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary with special activations.
Meet the stars
The celebrity line-up is another major draw. This year’s guests include Christopher Judge, the voice of Kratos in God of War, and Alison Sealy-Smith, the voice of Storm in X-Men.
Fans of Rick & Morty can meet Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden and Spencer Grammer, while The Rookie star Ricard T Jones and cast members from the live-action One Piece will also appear.
Guests will take part in live Q&As, with additional tickets available for photographs and autographs.
Bring the family
Comic Con isn’t just for adults. The KidsCon Zone offers more than 1 200 square metres of family entertainment, including crafts, gaming, dress-up and animation workshops.
Outside, there’s even more happening, from LARPing and lawn games to electric scooter tracks, precision driving and three food-truck villages. Outdoor stages will feature K-Pop performances and live music, making it easy to take a break from the crowds and soak up the Joburg spring sunshine.
Whether you’re coming for the cosplay, the comics, the gaming or simply the atmosphere, Comic Con Africa is four days of stepping into the worlds you love – and finding plenty of new ones along the way.
Essential details
Comic Con Africa with Capitec
24–27 September 2026
09h00–18h00 daily
Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec
