Anticipation is already building around Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), which will return to ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from April 24 – 26, 2026. Now, the region’s largest and most celebrated pop culture festival has unveiled a series of major announcements including its first celebrity guest, ticket sales dates and fan competition details.
Loy Pinheiro, Show Director, Middle East Film & Comic Con, said:“After welcoming a record-breaking 46,000+ visitors in 2025, Middle East Film & Comic Con continues to strengthen its role as a hub for pop culture in the region. MEFCC is where community, passion and fandom are celebrated without limits, and for 2026 we’re putting that community at the heart of everything we’re building, from the show floor experiences to the meaningful connections fans share with each other and the worlds they love. What we’re creating is deeply personal, and it reflects how powerful this space has become in the region.”
A-Listers Assemble
The moment fans have all been waiting for: MEFCC has revealed its first celebrity guest! Widely recognised as the voice and performance behind Kratos in God of War, Christopher Judge sets the tone for a truly blockbuster lineup – with several more stars to be announced in the coming weeks.
Alongside legendary celebrities, English and Japanese Voice Actors , fans can also expect to meet the world’s most talented comic artists. The first of which to be released is Alan Quah, the Malaysian artist who has illustrated over 400 comic covers including iconic titles such as The Marvels, Wolverine, Star Wars, Nightwingand Green Lantern. A testament to MEFCC’s ongoing commitment to championing talent, artistry and fandom across the region and beyond.
Experience the Hype
Following overwhelming demand, Super Early Bird tickets for MEFCC sold out in just three days, with all Early Bird allocations now officially sold out. Fans can purchase Standard tickets which dropped today,January 21 from AED 160.
For those seeking the most immersive and elevated MEFCC experience, there is a limited number of VIP ticketsavailable, featuring swag bags, Meet the Star vouchers and added fast-track benefits. Three premium tiers include: VIP (AED 1,300), Super VIP (AED 2,730) and Ultimate VIP (AED 5,880).
Fan Competitions
Dust off your sewing machine and cue the dramatic theme music, because registrations for MEFCC’s Cosplay Competition are now open. Judged on costume, craftsmanship and performance, cosplayers of all levels are invited to battle it out on the region’s largest pop culture stage. And that’s not all: the winner will be chosen to represent the UAE at the World Cosplay Summit (WCS) Finals in Nagoya, Japan!
If you’re looking to connect with the community before MEFCC, don’t miss the Cosplay Workshop at Rove, City Centre, Deira on January, 31 and find out more about cosplaying at MEFCC all the prep work for the WCS from last year’s winners.
If cinema is more your thing, MEFCC ignites imaginations and empowers storytelling through its annual Short Film Competition. Emerging and established filmmakers across the Middle East are invited to direct original work around this year’s theme of ‘Dreams’ – with submissions due before February 6.
MEFCC is organised by Informa in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and brings together the worlds of film, television, gaming, anime, comics and cosplayin one immersive experience. The three-day extravaganza showcases the depth and diversity of pop culture in all its forms, from Artist Alley to Gaming Zones, Otaku District and Celebrity Panels.
If last year’s line-up featuring Andrew Garfield, Charlie Cox and Natalia Dyer is anything to go by, then 2026 promises a thrilling reunion of stars. Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements and stay connected via www.mefcc.comand @mefcc.
