Calgary Expo 2026 Guide: Dates, Tickets, Tips

Calgary Expo 2026: the can’t-miss fandom weekend in Calgary

Calgary Expo 2026 is a four-day pop-culture convention at Stampede Park’s BMO Centre, bringing comics, sci-fi, anime, gaming, cosplay, panels, and celebrity guests together in one high-energy weekend. It runs April 23–26, 2026, right as Calgary starts leaning into spring—perfect timing for a big downtown-adjacent outing with friends or family.

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If you’ve never been, picture a place where you can shop a massive show floor, watch cosplay moments unfold in real time, and catch panels and workshops across the day. The event is designed for fans of all ages, with programming that ranges from celebrity Q&As to comic-creator features and interactive fandom meetups.

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Calgary Expo 2026 dates, hours, and location

Calgary Expo 2026 takes place April 23, 2026 to April 26, 2026 at Stampede Park in the BMO Centre (1410 Olympic Way SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2W1). Official event hours are Thursday 4:00 PM–9:00 PM, Friday 12:00 PM–8:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM, and Sunday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

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There are also special preview hours on Thursday starting at 2:00 PM for attendees with VIP, Ultimate Fan, or 4-Day passes. If you’re trying to avoid the busiest entry rush, those preview hours can be a game-changer—especially if your priority is shopping the show floor or lining up for a must-do activity early.

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Why Stampede Park is a great venue

Stampede Park is easy to recognize for most Calgarians, and the BMO Centre puts you right near the city’s core. That means you can pair Expo day plans with a pre-convention brunch, a post-panel dinner downtown, or a quick walk to stretch your legs between sessions.

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What to do at Calgary Expo 2026 (beyond shopping)

Calgary Expo isn’t just one thing—it’s multiple fandoms happening at the same time. The official Calgary Expo site highlights major content areas including celebrity programming, cosplay, comics, anime, and gaming, plus hands-on activities and community meetups.

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Here are the main experiences most attendees build their day around.

Celebrity guests, photo ops, and autographs

Calgary Expo programming includes celebrity guests, with options like professional photo ops and autograph sessions. The event explains that celebrity photo ops are done with a professional photographer and are a dedicated way to get an 8x10 glossy photo with a guest.

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If you’re planning to do a photo op, treat it like a timed appointment in your day. Build your schedule around it, then use the time before and after for shopping, panels, or grabbing a snack so you’re not sprinting across the venue.

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Panels, workshops, and the “learn something” side of fandom

One of the best ways to enjoy Calgary Expo is to balance the show floor with sessions that get you off your feet for a bit. Ticket descriptions for Calgary Expo admissions include access to panel rooms/theatre (noting access terms), so panels are a core part of the standard Expo experience—not an extra add-on you have to hunt for.

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Pro tip for first-timers: pick two “anchor” panels per day (one early, one later), and let the rest of your time be flexible. That way you get the depth of the event without feeling locked into a rigid itinerary.

Cosplay culture (even if you’re not dressing up)

Cosplay is one of the most visible parts of the weekend, and the event directly spotlights cosplay guests and cosplay-focused experiences. Even if you’re attending in jeans and sneakers, you’ll still get a front-row seat to creativity—hand-built props, incredible makeup, and group costumes that take over the halls.

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If you are dressing up, remember comfort matters in a venue this size. Comfortable footwear and a plan for carrying purchases will make your day feel twice as easy.

Comics, creators, and collecting

Calgary Expo keeps a strong focus on comics and creators, including legendary creators and hard-to-find comics as part of the draw. If you’re a collector, Thursday and Friday can be great days to browse before weekend crowds peak, especially if your goal is to find specific issues, prints, or artist alley items.

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Gaming and anime zones

The official site also promotes gaming booths and guests, as well as anime content. For groups with different interests, this is where Calgary Expo shines—someone can be in a gaming area while another person lines up for a panel, and you can meet back up for a photo op or a shopping lap.

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Tickets and entry planning for Calgary Expo 2026

Tickets are offered in multiple formats, including single-day options (Thursday through Sunday) and multi-day passes. The official ticket page lists the 2026 show dates as April 23–26 at Stampede Park and provides day-by-day admission times aligned with official show hours.

Choosing the right day to go

A simple way to choose:

• Thursday: Shorter hours (4 PM–9 PM), but can be a great “kickoff” evening; preview hours exist for some pass types.
• Friday: A solid full day without the peak Saturday rush, ideal for shopping and getting oriented.
• Saturday: Biggest energy, most crowds, and the classic “main event” feel.
• Sunday: Often a calmer pace for browsing and last-minute finds, with earlier closing.

How busy is Calgary Expo? (Attendance and crowd expectations)

Calgary Expo can be huge. CityNews Calgary reported that organizers estimated nearly 100,000 fans attended over four days in 2023, calling it the most well-attended event since 2015. That kind of turnout helps explain why planning matters—comfortable shoes, hydration, and a loose schedule make the day far more enjoyable.

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It also speaks to how much this event has become part of Calgary’s annual event calendar, right up there with the city’s other “everyone’s talking about it” weekends.

Local Calgary tips: getting the most out of Expo weekend

Calgary Expo is at Stampede Park, so think like a local and make the whole day smoother.

Build your day around Calgary landmarks

A few easy pairings:

• Start with a walk near the Bow River pathway earlier in the day, then head to Stampede Park for afternoon programming.
• Plan a post-Expo dinner downtown, especially if your day ends with a Friday night panel.
• If you’re coming from outside the core, arrive early and treat it like an all-day downtown outing rather than a quick in-and-out.

What to bring (so you don’t regret it later)

• A reusable water bottle and a small snack for long panel blocks.
• A tote or backpack for purchases and prints (your hands will thank you).
• A phone battery pack if you’re doing lots of photos, videos, and schedule-checking.

One simple first-timer strategy

If you’re new to Calgary Expo, don’t try to “do everything.” Start with:

• One celebrity or creator moment (photo op, autograph, or a creator table visit).
• One panel session (to experience the theatre rooms included with admission).
• One show-floor loop (shopping + surprises).

That mix gives you the full flavour of the weekend without feeling overwhelmed.

Plan your Calgary Expo 2026 weekend now

Calgary Expo 2026 runs April 23–26 at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, with clearly posted hours and a packed mix of celebrity, cosplay, comics, anime, and gaming experiences. If you want the best experience, choose your day, bookmark a couple of must-see panels, and plan one “anchor” activity like a photo op or creator visit—then leave room for spontaneous discoveries on the show floor.