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METROCON 2026

THE MIDWEST’S PREMIER POP CULTURE CONVENTION

JULY 18-20, 2026 • MIDWEST CONVENTION CENTER • CHICAGO, IL

THREE DAYS OF EPIC ENTERTAINMENT

Celebrity panels, cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, anime screenings, artist alley, and so much more.

🎬

Celebrity Guests

Meet your favorite stars from TV, film, anime, and gaming. Photo ops, autographs, and exclusive Q&A panels.

🎮

Gaming & Tournaments

Console freeplay, retro arcade, tabletop gaming, and competitive tournaments with cash prizes.

🎨

Artist Alley & Vendors

200+ vendors and artists selling exclusive prints, collectibles, comics, cosplay accessories, and handmade goods.

👗

Cosplay

Saturday night cosplay contest with over $5,000 in prizes. Cosplay repair station and photo meetup areas all weekend.

FEATURED GUESTS

More guests being announced every week! Follow us on social media for the latest reveals.

Alex Suarez
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Alex Suarez

Stunt

Gibran Robinson
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Cancelled

Gibran Robinson

Stunt

Kenneth Choi
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Kenneth Choi

9-1-1

Lea Cochet
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Lea Cochet

Stunt

Matt Cohen
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Matt Cohen

Host

Oliver Stark
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Oliver Stark

Evan “Buck” Buckley from 9-1-1

Ryan Guzman
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Ryan Guzman

Eddie Diaz from 9-1-1

Shanon Fitzpatrick
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Shanon Fitzpatrick

Stunt

SCHEDULE

Friday, March 20, 2026

2:00 PM

Vendors set-up/Vendors only

Lakeshore Vendors
4:30 AM

VIP & Gold

Grand Foyer Registration
4:30 PM

VIP & Gold

Grand Foyer Registration
4:30 PM

Vendors room open

Lakeshore Vendors
4:45 PM

Silver, plus Gold

Grand Foyer Registration
5:00 PM

Copper, plus Gold & Silver

Grand Foyer Registration
5:15 PM

GA Wknd + Gold, Silver,Copper

Grand Foyer Registration
5:30 PM

Registration open for all

Grand Foyer Registration
7:00 PM

Registration closed

Grand Foyer Registration
7:00 PM

Vendors room closed

Lakeshore Vendors

Saturday, March 21, 2026

10:00 AM

VIP – Matt Cohen

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division Matt Cohen VIP
10:15 AM

M&G – LaRoyce Hawkins

Streeter Meet & Greet
10:30 AM

Theater Open

Grand Ballroom
10:45 AM

M&G – Nick Wechsler

State Meet & Greet
11:15 AM

WELCOME with Matt Cohen

Grand Ballroom Matt Cohen Programming
11:30 AM

LaRoyce Hawkins Q&A

Kevin Atwater, Chicago P.D. & Fire
Grand Ballroom Programming
12:15 PM

Matt Cohen Q&A

Grand Ballroom Matt Cohen Programming
12:15 PM

M&G – Patrick John Flueger

Streeter Meet & Greet
12:15 PM

Selfie – Nick Wechsler – $50

South Foyer Selfie
12:45 PM

Intermission/ Karaoke Sign-Ups

The Karaoke Party is free for everyone! You do not need any convention ticket in order to attend the Karaoke. We do, however, have a few criteria to submit a song request: 1. Karaoke Party is free for all to attend, but if you want to submit a song request, you must have an attendee pass for that day. 2. First and Last names are required for sign-up 3. One Entry per person (whether a group or solo) 4. Two people max on any entry and full names of each person must be written on the slip 5. Upbeat songs are suggested!
Grand Ballroom Programming
12:45 PM

Nick Wechsler – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:45 PM

VIP – LaRoyce Hawkins

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
12:55 PM

LaRoyce Hawkins – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:00 PM

P.D.: Patrick, LaRoyce, Nick & Benjamin – $305

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:05 PM

Benjamin Levy Aguilar – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:10 PM

Patrick John Flueger – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:15 PM

Matt Cohen – $50

LaSalle B&C Matt Cohen Photo Ops
1:15 PM

Selfie – Benjamin Levy Aguilar – $50

South Foyer Selfie
1:20 PM

VIP – Nick Wechsler

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
1:30 PM

Nick Wechsler Q&A

Kenny Rixton, Chicago P.D.
Grand Ballroom Programming
1:30 PM

Selfie – LaRoyce Hawkins – $50

South Foyer Selfie
2:00 PM

Paint Party "Thin Blue Line" $99

This painting is an homage to the first responders and is perfect for autographs or gifting. We’ll guide you through this painting step-by-step, with all supplies (and a policeman stencil) included.
LaSalle A Special Event
2:15 PM

Cosplay Contest

Just be present in the room to participate
Grand Ballroom Programming
2:15 PM

Auto- LaRoyce Hawkins Tix $60

Grand Ballroom Autographs
2:15 PM

Selfie- Patrick John Flueger – $50

South Foyer Selfie
2:30 PM

M&G – Benjamin Levy Aguilar

State Meet & Greet
2:30 PM

Introduction to Film Fighting – $100

Léa Cochet will conduct a 45-minute workshop to teach how to fight on film, including punching, blocking, kicking, footwork, stunt falls, reactions & fight choreography. Limited to 15 people (DAY: SATURDAY)
Streeter Lea Cochet Special Event
3:00 PM

Patrick John Flueger Q&A

ADAM RUZEK, CHICAGO PD & MED
Grand Ballroom Programming
3:45 PM

Benjamin Levy Aguilar Q&A

Dante Torres, Chicago P.D.
Grand Ballroom Programming
4:30 PM

Day Programming Ends

Grand Ballroom Programming
4:30 PM

Auto- Nick Wechsler Tix $60

Grand Ballroom Autographs
4:45 PM

Autos- Patrick John Flueger – G/S/Tix $60

Grand Ballroom Autographs
4:45 PM

Registration closed

Grand Foyer Registration
4:45 PM

Vendors room closed

Lakeshore Vendors
4:45 PM

Roadhouse Room Closes

LaSalle A Activity Room
5:00 PM

Auto- Benjamin Levy Aguilar – G/S/T $60

Grand Ballroom Autographs
7:50 PM

Doors Open- Stunt Show

A la carte Stunt show ticket holders can go to registration during the day to get your event wristband.
Grand Ballroom Programming
8:00 PM

Saturday Night Stunt Show

starring Lea Cochet, Shannon Fitzpatrick, Alex Suarez & Gibran Robinson! Comp for Gold, Silver & Copper – Tix $35
8:45 PM

FREE Karaoke Party

Make sure to sign up during the mid-day session! There will be no sign-ups at the party.
Grand Ballroom Programming
9:00 AM

Paint Party "Into the Fire"

With 20 years in the Navy, Ed loves his firefighters! This painting is an homage to the men and women who head into the flames and is perfect for autographs or gifting. We’ll guide you through this painting step-by-step, with all supplies (and a firefighter stencil) included.
LaSalle A Special Event
9:00 AM

Roadhouse room open

We’re your fun first responder fan-themed creative activity room. For a flat daily rate ($25/day, or $40/2 days) you get come and go access to all our daytime activities, including: – Unlimited digital green screen photos and videos, with props. The photos are sent digitally to your phone, so there’s nothing to print, 10+ Backgrounds change daily! – 8×10 Canvas board painting stations with themed stencils to help with your creativity. – Themed jewelry making, including bracelets and keychains, and daily special themed necklaces. Custom created charms are also included. – Photo mat and autograph board decorating with lots of themed embellishments. – Just want a quiet space to get away? We have games and coloring pages to pass time between panels.
LaSalle A Activity Room
9:15 AM

Vendors set-up/Vendors only

Lakeshore Vendors
9:30 AM

Registration open for all

Grand Foyer Registration
9:30 AM

Vendors room open

Lakeshore Vendors

Sunday, March 22, 2026

10:00 AM

Exclusive Gold Panel w/ Taylor Kinney, Jessy Shram & Jocelyn Hudon

Grand Ballroom Programming
10:30 AM

Theatre open for all

Grand Ballroom Programming
10:30 AM

VIP – Oliver Stark

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division Oliver Stark VIP
10:30 AM

Taylor & Hanako – $175

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
10:30 AM

Selfie- Hanako Greensmith – $50

South Foyer Selfie
10:35 AM

Taylor & Jocelyn – $175

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
10:40 AM

VIP – Jessy Schram

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
10:40 AM

Taylor Kinney – $100

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
10:50 AM

VIP – Jocelyn Hudon

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
10:55 AM

WELCOME! w/ Matt Cohen

Grand Ballroom Matt Cohen Programming
10:55 AM

Ryan & Kenneth – $160

LaSalle B&C Ryan Guzman, Kenneth Choi Photo Ops
11:00 AM

HANAKO GREENSMITH & JOCELYN HUDON Q&A

Violet Makami & Lizzy Novak, Chicago Fire
Grand Ballroom Programming
11:00 AM

Kenneth Choi – $80

LaSalle B&C Kenneth Choi Photo Ops
11:00 AM

Selfie- Taylor Kinney – $75

South Foyer Selfie
11:00 AM

M&G – Oliver Stark #1

State Oliver Stark Meet & Greet
11:00 AM

M&G – Jessy Schram

Streeter Meet & Greet
11:05 AM

Oliver & Kenneth – $179

LaSalle B&C Kenneth Choi, Oliver Stark Photo Ops
11:15 AM

Ryan Guzman – $80

LaSalle B&C Ryan Guzman Photo Ops
11:45 AM

OLIVER STARK, KENNETH CHOI & RYAN GUZMAN

Evan Buckley, Howie Han & Eddie Diaz, 9-1-1
Grand Ballroom Ryan Guzman, Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi Programming
11:45 AM

VIP – Hanako Greensmith

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
11:50 AM

Jocelyn Hudon – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
11:55 AM

Michael & Jocelyn – $150

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:00 PM

Jocelyn & Hanako

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:05 PM

Hanako Greensmith – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:30 PM

Nick G & Jessy – $155

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:30 PM

Selfie- Jocelyn Hudon – $50

South Foyer Selfie
12:35 PM

Jessy Schram – $75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:45 PM

INTERMISSION

Grand Ballroom Programming
12:45 PM

Med: Nick, Darren, Jocelyn & Jessy -$300

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
12:45 PM

Seflie – Michael Bradway – $50

South Foyer Selfie
12:45 PM

Autos – Kenneth Choi – G/S/T $60

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Kenneth Choi Autographs
12:45 PM

M&G – Alyssa Diaz (Streeter)

Streeter Meet & Greet
12:45 PM

M&G – Ryan Guzman

State Ryan Guzman Meet & Greet
1:00 PM

AUCTION & HOTEL DRAWING

No Minimum Bid auction, Just be present in the theater!
Grand Ballroom Programming
1:00 PM

Fire: Hanako, Michael, Jocelyn – $225

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:00 PM

Selfies – Jessy Schram – $50

South Foyer Selfie
1:05 PM

Quad: Taylor, Hanako, Michael, Jocelyn – $325

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:10 PM

Darren Barnet – $70

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:15 PM

VIP -Alyssa Diaz

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
1:15 PM

Nick Gehlfuss & Darren Barnet – $150

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:15 PM

Autos- Jocelyn Hudon – Tix $60

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Autographs
1:15 PM

Auots – Hanako Greensmith – Tix $60

Grand Ballroom Autographs
1:15 PM

Autos- Oliver Stark – Tix $80

Grand Ballroom Oliver Stark Autographs
1:15 PM

Autos – Ryan Guzman – Tix $60

Grand Ballroom Ryan Guzman Autographs
1:20 PM

Nick Gehlfuss – $80

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:25 PM

VIP – Darren Barnet

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
1:25 PM

Alyssa Diaz – $80

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
1:30 PM

Selfie – Nick Gehlfuss – $70

South Foyer Selfie
1:30 PM

M&G – Taylor Kinney

State Meet & Greet
1:30 PM

M&G – Michael Bradway

Streeter Meet & Greet
1:45 PM

ALYSSA DIAZ Q&A

Angela Lopez, The Rookie
Grand Ballroom Programming
1:45 PM

Selfie – Darren Barnet – $50

South Foyer Selfie
2:00 PM

VIP – Michael Bradway

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
2:00 PM

Selfie – Ryan Guzman – $60

South Foyer Ryan Guzman Selfie
2:15 PM

DARREN BARNET & NICK GEHLFUSS Q&A

Dr. John Frost & Will Halstead, Chicago Med
Grand Ballroom Programming
2:15 PM

Michael Bradway -$75

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
2:15 PM

Selfies – Alyssa Diaz – $60

South Foyer Selfie
2:15 PM

M&G – Oliver Stark # 2

Streeter Oliver Stark Meet & Greet
2:25 PM

Taylor & Michael – $175

LaSalle B&C Photo Ops
2:30 PM

Matt Cohen – $50

LaSalle B&C Matt Cohen Photo Ops
2:45 PM

VIP – Kenneth Choi

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division Kenneth Choi VIP
2:55 PM

VIP – Ryan Guzman

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division Ryan Guzman VIP
3:00 PM

Autos – Alyssa Diaz – Tix $60

Grand Ballroom Autographs
3:05 PM

VIP -Taylor Kinney

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
3:15 PM

JESSY SCHRAM Q&A

Hannah Asher, Chicago Med
Grand Ballroom Programming
3:15 PM

M&G – Nick Gehlfuss

State Meet & Greet
3:45 PM

VIP – Nick Gehlfuss

Exclusive for our 10 VIP winners
Division VIP
4:00 PM

TAYLOR KINNEY & MICHAEL BRADWAY Q&A

Kelly Severide & Jack Damon, Chicago Fire
Grand Ballroom Programming
4:30 PM

M&G – Darren Barnet

State Meet & Greet
5:00 PM

Day Programming Ends

Grand Ballroom Programming
5:00 PM

Autos – Jessy Schram – Tix $60

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Autographs
5:00 PM

Autos – Nick Gehlfuss – Tix $60

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Autographs
5:15 PM

Registration closed

Grand Foyer Registration
5:15 PM

Vendors room closed

Lakeshore Vendors
5:15 PM

Roadhouse Closes

LaSalle A Activity Room
5:15 PM

Autos- Michael Bradway – G/S/T $60

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Autographs
5:15 PM

Autos – Darren Barnet – Tix $50

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Autographs
5:15 PM

Autos – Taylor Kinney – Tix $80

Please be seated in the theater until your row/ticket is called
Grand Ballroom Autographs
5:15 PM

M&G – Matt Cohen

Streeter Matt Cohen Meet & Greet
8:45 AM

Vendors set-up/Vendors only

Lakeshore Vendors
9:00 AM

Registration open for ALL

Grand Foyer Registration
9:00 AM

Vendors room open

Lakeshore Vendors
9:00 AM

Roadhouse room open

LaSalle A Activity Room
9:00 AM

Ryan & Oliver – $179

LaSalle B&C Ryan Guzman, Oliver Stark Photo Ops
9:00 AM

M&G – Kenneth Choi

State Kenneth Choi Meet & Greet
9:00 AM

FX Makeup Workshop w/ Victoria – $50

Have you ever wondered how your favorite stars stitch a wound up on set? Or how they get in a fight and have a bloody lip on the show? Victoria is our makeup artist in residence who has recently been the head of the makeup department on Matt Cohen’s film, Exes! An action packed FBI independent drama. She has also worked with most of the Supernatural cast, transforming them into White Walkers, Wolverine, Two-Face, the Joker, zombies, and more! Now she’s coming to the RescueVerse to show you how special effects makeup can not only make vampires and creatures, but also bruises, cuts, gunshot wounds, and gashes! She is joining us in the road in 2026 doing a brand new Special Effects makeup class! Whether you’re an aspiring effect makeup artist or just want to know how movie magic happens, join her for a fun, interactive, and sometimes bloody time!
Schiller Special Event
9:30 AM

Core: Ryan, Oliver, Kenneth – $259

LaSalle B&C Ryan Guzman, Oliver Stark, Kenneth Choi Photo Ops
9:30 AM

M&G – Hanako Greensmith (State)

State Meet & Greet
9:30 AM

M&G – Jocelyn Hudon

Streeter Meet & Greet
9:35 AM

Oliver Stark – $99

LaSalle B&C Oliver Stark Photo Ops
9:45 AM

Theatre open for Gold

Open exclusively for Gold Patrons
Grand Ballroom Programming
9:45 AM

Selfie- Kenneth Choi – $60

South Foyer Kenneth Choi Selfie

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

SINGLE DAY

$45

Access to all panels, exhibit hall, gaming, and events for one day of your choice.

BEST VALUE

3-DAY PASS

$99

Full weekend access to everything MetroCon has to offer. Save $36 vs buying individual days!

VIP PASS

$249

3-day access plus priority seating, exclusive VIP lounge, swag bag, and early entry each day.

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