METROCON — Florida's Largest Anime Convention

METROCON is scheduled to return to downtown Tampa from July 31 to August 2, 2026, with the City of Tampa listing the event at the Tampa Convention Center on South Franklin Street. The city’s event calendar describes it as Florida’s largest anime convention and says the weekend will include stage shows, vendors, panelists and interactive events. The official METROCON site says the 2026 edition will run for three days in Tampa and is marketing tickets, hotel rooms and programming in advance. ### When and where is METROCON happening? The City of Tampa calendar lists METROCON from 12 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, through 7 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa. The same dates appear on the convention’s official website, which calls the event “Florida’s Premier Anime Convention.” Tampa Convention Center’s own event calendar also shows METROCON on those dates, placing it on the venue schedule between other summer conventions in late July and early August. (tampa.gov) ### What does the event say attendees can expect? METROCON’s official materials say the convention will feature anime, video games, comics and cosplay across the three-day event. The City of Tampa description says programming includes stage shows, unique vendors, panelists and interactive events throughout the weekend. (tampa.gov) The official “Shows and Events” page lists branded attractions including The Masquerade, a fire show, DREAM/fight LIVE! and Kaiju Big Battel. (tampa.gov) The city listing separately highlights the Anime Human Chess Match, describing it as a signature attraction in which characters from anime and video games “battle it out for the fate of the world.” ### Who is expected to appear? METROCON’s guest page says the 2026 lineup includes industry guests, cosplay guests, entertainment guests and content creators. (tampa.gov) The site says the guest roster will receive “frequent updates” leading up to the event and names Anairis Quinones among the listed industry guests. The convention’s homepage also points attendees to exhibitor and merchant pages, indicating that hundreds of exhibitors and attending merchants are part of the event’s draw. (metroconventions.com) ### How do tickets and entry work? METROCON’s ticket page says registration will be on the second-floor mezzanine of the Tampa Convention Center. The page says attendees can buy passes online in advance or at the event, and the City of Tampa listing says tickets may be purchased online or onsite. (metroconventions.com) The City of Tampa page says all onsite ticket sales will be cashless. METROCON’s ticket page also says preregistration allows attendees to pick up passes early on Thursday night before the Friday opening. (metroconventions.com) ### What planning details are already available? METROCON’s homepage links to a full schedule, convention policies, maps, ADA support, FAQs and contact information for attendees planning the trip. (metroconventions.com) The site also promotes hotel booking through discounted room blocks and says Tampa-area lodging information is available through its hotel page. The hotel page lists room options including Hotel Tampa Riverwalk, with rates starting at $169 per night, while noting planned work at that property between March 2026 and November 2026 may affect some amenities. (tampa.gov) ### What comes next before opening day? April 28, 2026, is one of the latest dated updates shown on METROCON’s homepage, which posted information about VIP perks for the 2026 event. (metroconventions.com) An earlier update on April 3, 2026, addressed AI policies, art and internal use, according to the same page. July 31, 2026, is the next fixed milestone on the public schedule, when the convention opens in Tampa at noon, according to the City of Tampa calendar. (metroconventions.com) Until then, METROCON’s official pages say attendees can track guest additions, buy tickets, reserve hotel rooms and review the full event schedule online. (tampa.gov) (metroconventions.com)