Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) concluded its jam-packed weekend-long celebration of fandom as 100,000 fans – a new attendance record for the event – made their way through McCormick Place from April 11 through April 13 for the Midwest’s largest pop culture convention to see their favorite celebrities and comic creators. Rounding out their 16th year, this weekend’s C2E2 is projected to have generated an estimated economic impact of nearly $17 million for Chicago, according to the city’s official tourism bureau Choose Chicago. 

“Witnessing C2E2’s remarkable journey over 16 years, right here in the vibrant core of Chicago’s pop culture scene, has been truly astounding and we are incredibly proud to confirm that this was our biggest C2E2 yet with 100,000 attendees over three days,” said Kristina Rogers, VP of ReedPop US Comics Portfolio and Star Wars Celebration. “We love creating engaging experiences where cherished celebrities, emerging and established comic creators, and passionate fans get the chance to come together to celebrate fandom and community.”

At this year’s C2E2, fans got their fill of award-winning comic artists, anime creators, and their favorite TV and film stars, all while celebrating pop culture.  Among the stand-out guests at this year’s show, highlights included major reunions from iconic casts like The Breakfast Club co-stars Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson, and Ally Sheedy, who reunited for the first time ever to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary, as well as Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and John Rhys-Davies from The Lord of The Rings Outlander’s Sam Heughan, David Berry, and Charles Vandervaart and Futurama’s Billy West, Phil LaMarr, John DiMaggio, and Katey Sagal. Panel rooms were also packed for special appearances from Star Warsactor and film producer John Boyega, best-selling author of Children of Blood and Bone, Tomi Adeyemi, cast members from Robocop and Starship Troopers, and others. 

New this year, C2E2 introduced its first comedy programming track, featuring laugh-out-loud stand-up shows, improv troupes, and celebrity comedians, including comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, Chicago’s own Second City,  and the beloved stage show, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, which celebrated its 20th anniversary. 

The Show Floor stayed busy with con-goers looking to dive into the latest merch representing their comic and entertainment favorites, through rows of top-notch exhibitors like BandaiPro Wrestling Tees, the Chicago White Sox, Dragonsteel, Anderson’s Bookshop, and more.This year’sC2E2 boasted the largest Artist Alley in the United States, with over 500 artists showcasing their work including comic greats Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-Men; New Mutants), Denys Cowan (Black Panther; Dominique Laveau), Frank Cho (Liberty Meadows), Steenz (Archival Quality), and many others for con-goers to enjoy. 

Unique and awe-inspiring cosplay took center stage at the Cosplay Central Crown Championships, one of the biggest masters-level competitions for cosplay, where cosplayers from around the world competed for the crown with their intricate creations. This year, finalists came from Australia, South Africa, across Europe, and USA.  The event drew scores of fans to watch as judges Casey Renee Cosplay, Matthew Barry, and Trine K.N., selected Henchandscrap as the winner for their cosplay as Halsin from Baldur’s Gate 3. 

C2E2 2025 took place at McCormick Place in Chicago from April 26 through April 28. The show will return to Chicago next year on March 27-29, 2026. You can check out highlights of C2E2 news at C2E2.com, and their FacebookInstagram, and Twitter, in addition to pop culture news site, Popverse.  

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