Volunteer registration opens in early spring. Crew positions run from badge pick-up to panel rooms to the show floor, with a pass and a shirt for the hours you give.

How do I exhibit or join Artist Alley?

Applications open in the fall for the next show. Exhibitor, Artist Alley, Cultural Arts Avenue and fan group tables are each their own form under Get involved.

What accommodations are available?

The convention center is fully accessible. ADA badge pick-up, companion passes, accessible seating at panels, quiet spaces and service animal guidance are on the ADA page. Write ahead if you need something specific.

What are the cosplay rules?

Costumes are welcome and celebrated. Prop weapons must be inspected and peace-bonded at the entrance; no functional weapons, no metal blades, no projectiles. Footwear is required. The full policy is in the Code of Conduct.

Do panels cost extra?

No. Panels are included with every pass. Rooms fill on a first come basis, and some headline panels clear the room between sessions.

Yes. Guests appear subject to their professional commitments. If a guest cancels, pre-purchased autographs and photo ops for that guest are refunded.

What do Speed Passes and VIP do for autographs?

They put you in the VIP line for the panel, the autograph and the photo op of the guests they cover. They do not include the autograph or the photo itself.

How do autographs and photo ops work?

Autographs and photo ops are separate purchases, not included in any pass. Buy them online in advance (prices are posted per guest) or at the guest's table while supplies last. Each has a scheduled time; the app tells you when your line opens.

Do I need a physical printout?

No. We scan the QR code from your phone or tablet. A printout works too.

How do I pick up my badge?

Pre-ordered badges can be picked up at early badge pick-up locations in the weeks before the show (announced here), or at Will Call at the convention center on the day. Anyone with your confirmation QR code can pick up your badge.

Does the VIP pass include general admission?

Yes. VIP is a general admission weekend pass with the VIP perks on top: the badge and lanyard, early admittance, VIP line access, the VIP lounge and the Friday Night Bash section.

Can I swap or upgrade my pass?

Yes. A day pass, a weekend pass or a specialty pass can be swapped for other days or upgraded to VIP or a Speed Pass; you pay the difference. Upgrades happen through the link in your confirmation email.

Buying before the show is always cheaper than buying at the door. A 20% military discount is available at the door with ID. There is no student discount; school groups can write to info@comicpalooza.com.

What is the difference between a ticket, a pass, a badge and a wristband?

Tickets and passes mean the same thing. Buy a pass online and you get a confirmation email with a QR code; bring it (printed or on your phone) and exchange it for a badge at Registration. Speed Pass and VIP holders also get a wristband on site, to be worn all weekend.

Can I buy passes through other websites?

Passes are sold only through our official registration links, shared on this site and our social channels. Anything else is not ours and may not be honored.

What are the 2027 show hours?

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 28 to 30, 2027. Hours are posted here and in the app as soon as they are set.

Where is Comicpalooza?

The George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Houston, Texas 77010.

The 2027 issue · Page 4

Activities and attractions

The things that are not panels: the contests, the shows, the parties, the robots, the cars and the rooms you walk into by accident and stay in for an hour.

Special attractions

On the floor

Robotica

Combat robots behind the glass, matches on the hour, the crowd three deep.

Itasha Showdown

Anime-wrapped cars and bikes on the plaza, judged Saturday afternoon, voted on by you.

The art cars

Houston's art car legends park inside the hall for the weekend.

Texas All Star Wrestling

A real ring, real matches, Saturday evening on the floor.

The Neon Room

The black-light photo room. Bring the costume that glows.

Retro gaming lounge

Cabinets and consoles from every decade, free play all weekend.

Saturday, Main Stage

The Cosplay Contest

The main event of the cosplay weekend: craftsmanship, performance and a crowd that will not let it end. Pre-registration opens in the spring; categories for novice, journeyman and master, and a Kids Cosplay Contest on Sunday where every entrant walks the stage.

Saturday's schedule Prop and costume rules

Dusk and after dark

The Bash and the Rave

Friday night opens with the Bash: DJs, the VIP section and private bar, cosplay encouraged. Saturday night is the Rave. Both 18 and up, both included with a weekend pass, both loud.

Friday night

Gaming

Free play, tournaments, tabletop

The electronic gaming arena with free play and the Comicpalooza Fight Club bracket; the tabletop hall with open tables, learn-to-play demos and the Play to Win library; the retro lounge in between.

Arena

Fight Club

Bracket play Friday through Sunday. Sign up at the arena desk; finals on the big screen.

Tabletop hall

Play to Win

Borrow a game from the library, play it at an open table, and enter to take it home.

Lounge

Retro

Cabinets and consoles from every decade. Free play, no tokens.

Kidtopia

For the young fans

Crafts, story time, character meet-ups, the Kids Cosplay Contest and room to run, all in one corner of the hall with its own stage. Kids 12 and under are free with a paying adult.

The family track

CP365

The rest of the year

Comicpalooza runs events around Houston all year: anime screenings at Alamo Drafthouse with Sentai Filmworks, trivia nights, haunted house takeovers and pop-ups. They land in the news and in the app.

Passes Get the app