PopCon Indy is this weekend, meaning Hoosiers will have the chance to buy cool merch, show off their latest cosplay and possibly meet the celebrities and special guests scheduled to appear.
Sunday happens to be Mother’s Day. If you haven’t yet booked a brunch spot in Indianapolis, you could always try to get mom an autograph with Sean Astin — he carried the ring to Mordor, he can probably lift her spirits, too.
Here’s what we know so far about this year’s big event, a three-day convention catering to all things in the pop culture universe.
When is PopCon Indy 2026?
This year’s PopCon Indy happens May 8-10, 2026.
When is the vendor floor open for PopCon 2026?
A schedule for PopCon Indy shows vendor floor hours are as follows:
Saturday, May 9: 10:30 a.m.-7 pm.
Sunday, May 10: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
VIP ticket-holders can walk in 30 minutes ahead of the general public. Program hours Fri.-Sat. extend to 11 p.m.
How much are tickets to PopCon Indy 2026?
On Tuesday, May 4, three-day tickets to PopCon Indy were selling online for roughly $70. Day passes ranged from $41-$47. Children younger than 10 get in free with the purchase of an adult ticket. VIP tickets are also available.
You might be able to get them cheaper than that, however.
PopCon partners with local Indy businesses to offer discounted tickets
PopCon recently announced a new partnership program to support Indianapolis-area businesses that cater to the pop culture community.
Those who visit participating stores can get discounted tickets to PopCon at a rate you won’t find anywhere else, a news release said.
“PopCon has always been about community,” said Carl Doninger, founder and co-owner, in a news release. “These local stores are the backbone of that community — they’re where fandom lives every day, not just one weekend a year.”
How do you get discounted tickets to PopCon Indy 2026?
More than a dozen Indianapolis locations will feature PopCon Indy posters, flyers and handouts with special QR codes attendees can scan with their smartphones to get the discounted tickets.
Just by visiting these Indy shops, Doninger told IndyStar in an earlier message, attendees can save a little more than 30% off the entry fee.
“The Indy area has amazing infrastructure catering to pop-culture enthusiasts,” Doninger said. “We hope this draws more attention to what is readily accessible to them year-round.”
What Indy locations have the QR codes for PopCon 2026 tickets?
On Friday, Doninger said upwards of 14 locations were participating, with more possibly to follow. They include these Indianapolis-area stores:
Atomic Planet
8906 E. 96th St., Fishers
Downtown Comics
11 E. Market St., Indianapolis
5767 E. 86th St., Indianapolis
Elf ‘N Moon
1354 Shelby St., Indianapolis
Family Time Games
8796 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Faraday Toys
350 S. Madison Ave., Greenwood
Grandmaster Games
4200 S. East St. #20, Indianapolis
Gray Gauntlet
7998 Centerpoint Drive #750, Indianapolis
HobbyTown
8326 Castleton Corner Drive, Indianapolis
Hot Spot Collectibles
650 Dale Schrier Drive, Brownsburg
Oldschool Outpost
5215 E. Thompson Road, Indianapolis
Paradigm Games
2479 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis
Tappers Arcade Bar
501 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis
The Game Preserve
Fashion Mall Commons: 8487 Union Chapel Road Suite 660, Indianapolis
Greenwood: 1551 E. Stop 12 Road, Suite B, Indianapolis
Bloomington: 2652 E. 3rd St., Bloomington (The Bloomington store has moved from the Simon mall to Eastland Plaza just across the street).
Valkyrie’s Vault
1044 E. Main St., Brownsburg
What can you do at PopCon Indy?
Just like last year, there’s lots of things to do at PopCon Indy. Here are some of the familiar highlights:
What celebrity guests will be there?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 01: (L-R) Christine Harrell and Sean Astin, President, SAG-AFTRA attend the 32nd Annual Actor Awards at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on March 01, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
You can find these and other celebrity guests, listed in alphabetical order, who are tentatively scheduled to appear at this year’s PopCon Indy. They include:
Sean Astin, Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Diedrich Bader, Rex in “Napoleon Dynamite” and Lawrence in”Office Space.”
Dee Bradley Baker, voice actor of Captain Rex / Commander Cody/ Clonetroopers in “Star Wars” animated TV and video games.
Leah Clark, voice actor of Toga in “My Hero Academia.”
Noshir Dalal, voice actor of Charles Smith in “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Caitlin Glass, voice actor of Winry Rockbell in “Full Metal Alchemist.”
Mara Junot, voice actor of Lisa Minci in “Genshin Impact.”
Gabe Kunda, voice actor of Lock Lock in “My Hero Academia.”
Lauren Landa, voice actor of Sailor Neptune in “Sailor Moon.”
Kristen McGuire, voice actor of Kachina in “Genshin Impact” and Milim Nava in “That Time I got Reincarnated as a Slime,” as well as Senko in “The Helpful Fox Senko-san.”
Monica Rial, voice actor of Bulma in “Dragon Ball Super.”
Allisyn Snyder, Zora Lancaster in “Sonny with a Chance” and Heather in “A.P. Bio.”
Dylan Snyder, director and cinematographer, also Milton Krupnick in “Kickin’ It.”
Alyson Stoner, voice of Isabella Garica-Shapiro in “Phineas & Ferb”
Patrick Warburton, voice actor of Joe Swanson in “Family Guy” and Kronk in “The Emperor’s New Groove.”
Note: PopCon Indy appearances were last retrieved from the organization’s website Monday afternoon, May 4, and are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts.
Autographs and pictures with many celebrities will happen Friday through Sunday at the Indiana Convention Center. The cost of an autograph for each celebrity guest varies in price. Be sure to check PopCon Indy’s official website for the latest information.
Where is PopCon Indy 2026?
PopCon Indy takes place once again at the Indiana Convention Center at 100 S. Capitol Ave. in downtown Indianapolis.
John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at John.Tufts@IndyStar.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: PopCon Indy 2026 tickets, celebrity guests, and schedule