Ultimate guide to Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024: Everything to know about the downtown event
Phoenix Fan Fusion, the annual pop culture convention and comic con, is returning to downtown on Memorial Day weekend 2024. There will be celebrity guests, game tournaments, fan panels, cosplay contests, fandom meetups and much more Friday through Sunday, May 24-26.
Some of the biggest names in geek and pop culture will be on hand, including:
"Mary Poppins" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" star Dick Van Dyke.
"MythBusters" host Adam Savage.
Shameik Moore, the Spider-Verse's own Miles Morales.
Simu Liu, of "Barbie" and the MCU's "Shang-Chi."
Dante Basco, the voice of Prince Zuko in Nickelodeon's hit show "Avatar: The Last Airbender."
No matter if this is your first comic con or your hundredth, here's everything you need to know about Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024.
Is there a comic con in Phoenix?
Yes. The Phoenix version of a comic con is called Fan Fusion.
Fan Fusion is Phoenix's "local, fan and geek driven, large scale, multi-genre, pop-culture convention ... with the silly, quirky name" according to phoenixfanfusion.com.
When is Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024?
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 will take place May 24-26 with a weekend filled with your favorite fandoms, cosplayers, celebrity guest panels, meet and greets and much more.
Where is Phoenix Fan Fusion being held?
Phoenix Fan Fusion is held at the Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St.
There are three entrances to Fan Fusion at the convention center: Second and Adams streets, Third and Monroe streets and Third and Washington streets.
What time is Phoenix Fan Fusion happening?
Here are the days and times the doors will be open for Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024:
Friday, May 24: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 25: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 26: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hours for events in ballrooms 120 and 301 and meeting rooms 101-232 are:
Friday, May 24: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 25: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 26: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 tickets
Fan Fusion tickets, or memberships as they're marketed as, can be purchased at phoenixfanfusion.com.
Here's the full breakdown of Fan Fusion ticket prices for 2024:
Weekend pass: $89.
Friday pass: $39.
Saturday pass: $59.
Sunday pass: $39.
VIP weekend pass: $395.
Kids 12 and younger: Free.
VIP passes include a $100 voucher for the merch booth, early access to celebrity panels, a special line for most celebrity autographs, a VIP lounge and more.
Phoenix Fan Fusion parking
There are parking garages, lots and street parking within walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center. Costs vary; expect to pay $20-$30 per day.
These parking garages are closest to the convention center:
Convention Center East Garage: Fifth and Washington streets.
Heritage Garage: Fifth and Monroe streets.
Convention Center North Garage: Fifth and Monroe streets.
Convention Center West Garage: Third and Washington streets.
Hyatt Regency Garage: Second and Washington/Adams streets.
You can reserve a parking spot at space.aceparking.com.
Public transportation to Fan Fusion
If you want to take mass transit, Valley Metro light rail costs $4 for an all-day pass or $2 for a single ride. You can pay at the kiosk at each light rail stop or purchase your fare in advance at valleymetro.org. Here are the stops closest to the convention center:
Third and Washington streets.
Washington Street and Central Avenue.
Phoenix Fan Fusion/Phoenix Convention Center bag policy
You won't have to run out to get a certain size bag that's clear to enter Fan Fusion. The bag policy for Fan Fusion at the Phoenix Convention Center is pretty straightforward:
Oversized rolling suitcases are not allowed.
Camera bags without a press badge are not permitted.
All other bags are subject to search by security.
To see the full list of prohibited items, visit www.phoenixfanfusion.com/attend.
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 schedule
To say there's a lot happening over the three days of Fan Fusion would be an understatement. Here's just a handful of the offerings:
Padawan Lightsaber Training: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday at the West 106ABC Activities Room. For ages seven and up, young padawans can train with Jedi masters from the Phoenix Saber Academy.
"Supernatural: A Neighborhood Comedy Theatre Mashup": 1:30-2:30 p.m. Friday at North 224AB Fantasy. With all new dialog and sound effects created live by the cast of the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre, it's "Supernatural" like you've never seen it before.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday at the North 120A Reactor Room. Cheer on the final four as they battle it out playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Quidditch with the ASU Sun Devil Team: 3-4 p.m. Saturday at the West 106ABC Activities Room. Meet the ASU Quidditch team and learn how to play the classic Harry Potter sport in real life.
"The Office" Trivia: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Sunday at West 211AB Special Events. Test your knowledge of the hit comedy show "The Office" and its characters.
One Skit to Rule Them All: Noon-1 p.m. Sunday at North 231ABC Special Events. Cosplayers will act out scenes in character and put their skills to the test in this competition.
The full schedule is at phoenixfanfusion.com.
2024 Phoenix Fan Fusion guests
Some of the biggest names in geek and pop culture will be at Phoenix Fan Fusion, signing autographs and participating in panels.
Autographs and photo ops will take place in the Lower Level Exhibit Halls 1-6, which will be open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
Here are just a few of the celebrity guests:
Adam Savage: Best-selling author, Emmy-nominated producer, YouTube creator and host of the hit show "MythBusters."
Cherami Leigh: Known for her voice work for over 150 characters, including Lucy in "Fairy Tail," Asuna in "Sword Art Online" and Sailor Venus in "Sailor Moon."
Dante Basco: His big break was playing Rufio, the head of the Lost Boys, in Steven Spielberg's movie "Hook" alongside Robin Williams. Basco went on to voice the titular character in Disney's animated series "American Dragon: Jake Long" and Prince Zuko in Nickelodeon's hit series "Avatar: The Last Airbender."
Dee Bradley Baker: Known best as the voice of Klaus the Goldfish on the Emmy-nominated series "American Dad," Squilliam on "SpongeBob SquarePants" and Captain Rex on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."
Dick Van Dyke: Famous for his 1960s TV show "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and starring roles in the original "Mary Poppins" alongside Julie Andrews and the cult classic film "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang."
Grey DeLisle: One of the most prolific voice actresses in American animation history, DeLisle has performed over 1,500 cartoon voices since 1996 including Vicky from Nickelodeon's "The Fairly Odd Parents" and Daphne Blake in the "Scooby-Doo" cartoons since 2000.
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee: Known for starring in the Netflix/CBC comedy series "Kim's Convenience," as well as recurring roles on "The Mandalorian," "The Book of Boba Fett" and "Ahsoka" on Disney+.
Shameik Moore: An actor, singer and rapper, Moore is best known as the voice of Miles Morales/Spider-Man in the "Spider-Verse" movies.
Simu Liu: He made history as the star of the first Asian-fronted movie in the MCU in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and is also known for his work in "Kim's Convenience," "Fresh Off the Boat" and 2023's blockbuster hit "Barbie."
Soman Chainani: Author best known for his debut series "The School for Good and Evil," which has been adapted into a movie by Netflix.
Veronica Roth: The author of the best-selling "Divergent" series.
What do you wear to Phoenix Fan Fusion?
If you're looking to keep it casual at Fan Fusion, you can stick to fandom tees and jeans, but a lot of the fun of comic cons is dressing the part.
While professional cosplayers will be in attendance, any and everyone is encouraged to wear their fandom proud, whether that's with official merch or a DIY costume.
What is the golden rule of cosplay? The unspoken etiquette of asking for photos
These items are prohibited at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024
Don't worry, you're allowed to bring your sonic screwdrivers, fake sword, wand and lightsaber.
You are not allowed to bring any real, replicated or simulated explosive weapons or devices of any kind, excessively noisy props like airhorns, glass or stone props, slingshots, cast-iron skillets and more.
To see the full list of items that are allowed and prohibited at Fan Fusion, visit phoenixfanfusion.com.
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 hotels
Here are a few of the closest hotels to the convention center:
Hyatt Regency Phoenix: Across the street from the convention center at 122 N. Second St., rooms start at $142 a night, valet parking is $39 and self-parking is $29 per day. hyatt.com.
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown: Two blocks from the convention center at 50 E. Adams St., rooms start at $159 a night, valet parking is $39, no self-parking. marriott.com.
Sheraton Downtown Phoenix: Two blocks from the convention center at 340 N. Third St., rooms start at $159 a night, valet parking is $44 and self-parking is $32. marriott.com.
Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown: Three blocks from the convention center at 77 E. Polk St., rooms start at $149 a night, valet parking is $42, no self-parking. hilton.com.
Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown: Three blocks from the convention center at 15 E. Monroe St., rooms start at $143 a night, valet parking is $38, no self-parking. hilton.com.
Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024
When: 8:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, May 24-25; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 26.
Where: Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St.
Admission: $39-$395, plus tax and fees; free for age 12 and younger.
Details: phoenixfanfusion.com.
Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter: @meredithgwhite, and email her at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024: Ultimate guide to Phoenix's comic con
