US Anime & Gaming Conventions 2027: Dates, Hotels & Travel Guide
Quick answer: The biggest US anime convention is Anime Expo in Los Angeles every July, with over 400,000 turnstile entries in 2026. For gaming, the big ones are PAX East (Boston, April), PAX West (Seattle, Labor Day weekend) and MAGFest (National Harbor, MD, January). For the overall fan experience, Dragon Con (Atlanta, Labor Day) and San Diego Comic-Con (July) are the giants. This guide lists the major 2027 dates, how hard each one is to get into, and where to stay.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. We check dates against each convention’s official site, and dates marked “TBA” haven’t been announced yet. Always confirm on the official site before you book anything non-refundable.
2027 US anime & gaming convention calendar
| Convention | 2027 dates | City | Focus | Hotel difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super MAGFest | Jan 7–10 | National Harbor, MD | Gaming + game music, 24-hour | Very high (lottery) |
| Katsucon | Feb 12–14 | National Harbor, MD | Anime, cosplay | High |
| Sakura-Con | Late March (TBA) | Seattle, WA | Anime | Medium |
| PAX East | Apr 22–25 | Boston, MA | Video and tabletop gaming | High |
| Anime Central (ACen) | May 14–16 | Rosemont, IL | Anime | Medium-high |
| MomoCon | May 27–30 | Atlanta, GA | Anime + gaming | Medium |
| Fanime | May 28–31 | San Jose, CA | Anime, fan-run | Medium-high |
| Anime Expo | Jul 2–5 | Los Angeles, CA | Anime, the largest in North America | Very high |
| San Diego Comic-Con | Jul 22–25 | San Diego, CA | Pop culture | Extreme (hotel lottery) |
| Otakon | Aug 6–8 | Washington, DC | Anime, Asian pop culture | Medium-high |
| MAGWest | August (TBA) | San Jose, CA | MAGFest’s West Coast sibling | Low-medium |
| Dragon Con | Sep 2–6 | Atlanta, GA | Pop culture, cosplay, parade | Very high |
| PAX West | Sep 3–6 | Seattle, WA | Gaming | High |
| New York Comic Con / Anime NYC | Fall (TBA) | New York, NY | Pop culture / anime | High (NYC prices) |
| Anime Frontier | Early December (TBA) | Fort Worth, TX | Anime | Medium |
| Holiday Matsuri | Mid December (TBA) | Orlando, FL | Anime, resort-style | Medium |
Which convention should you pick?
- Your first big anime con: Anime Expo, if you want the full spectacle, the premieres and the industry booths. Otakon or ACen if you want something big but manageable.
- Gaming above all: PAX East or PAX West for publisher booths and demos. MAGFest if you’d rather play than wait in line: hundreds of free-play cabinets and consoles, open 24 hours.
- Cosplay and photoshoots: Katsucon (the Gaylord atrium is famous for photos), Dragon Con and Holiday Matsuri.
- Cheapest overall: MAGWest, MomoCon and Anime Frontier. Hotels are easier to get and badges cost less.
- A con plus a vacation: Holiday Matsuri (Orlando parks), Fanime and MAGWest (the Bay Area) and Comic-Con (San Diego beaches).
How to get a hotel for a big convention
- Find out when housing opens. The big cons (Comic-Con, Anime Expo, Dragon Con, PAX, MAGFest) release discounted blocks through a portal or lottery, and those blocks can sell out in minutes. Follow the convention’s social accounts and newsletter.
- Book a refundable backup on day one. As soon as dates are announced, reserve a free-cancellation room nearby. You can cancel it if you win the block. Search hotels and flights here.
- Look one transit stop out. Hotels one light-rail or Metro stop away are often half the price, and you still won’t need a car.
- Split rooms with friends. Four people in a double-queen is the standard con setup and cuts the cost per person a lot. Check the hotel’s occupancy limit.
- Never buy a “transferred” block room from a stranger. Most conventions ban transfers, and you could end up locked out.
When to book flights
For domestic US flights, book 1–3 months ahead. Holiday-adjacent conventions (MAGFest in early January, Dragon Con and PAX West on Labor Day weekend) get expensive early, so book those 2–4 months out. Look at nearby airports too: BWI and IAD for DC-area cons, Oakland for San Jose, Burbank and Long Beach for LA. Compare fares across airports.
Convention packing checklist
- Your badge, plus a backup screenshot of your registration
- A portable battery and a short charging cable
- Comfortable shoes. You’ll walk 15,000+ steps a day.
- A refillable water bottle and snacks (con food is expensive)
- A card and some cash. Some venues are cashless, but many artists still prefer cash.
- A poster tube or folder if you’ll be shopping in Artist Alley
- For cosplayers: a repair kit (safety pins, glue, tape) and a bag for your regular clothes
The 3-2-1 con rule
Experienced con-goers aim for 3 hours of sleep, 2 meals and 1 shower every day. That’s the bare minimum. Most people will be happier with more of each, especially at 24-hour events like MAGFest.
Convention guides
- MAGFest 2027 first-timer’s guide: badges, hotel lottery, where to stay
- Deep dives: Anime Expo, Otakon & Katsucon, PAX East vs PAX West, MAGWest, getting a hotel at a sold-out con and what a con weekend costs.
FAQ
What is the biggest anime convention in the US?
Anime Expo in Los Angeles is the largest anime convention in North America. It reported over 400,000 turnstile entries in 2026.
What is the biggest gaming convention in the US?
The PAX shows (PAX East in Boston and PAX West in Seattle) are the biggest consumer gaming conventions. MAGFest is the biggest gaming-and-music festival and runs 24 hours a day.
How far ahead should I book a hotel for a convention?
Book a refundable room as soon as the dates are announced, often 6–12 months ahead, and then try for the convention’s discounted hotel block when housing opens.
Are anime conventions expensive?
A typical weekend costs $500–1,000+ per person for the badge, a shared hotel room, travel and food. Splitting a room four ways and picking a regional con instead of a mega-con can cut that roughly in half.