Comic Con Africa 2026 Lowdown #ComicConAfrica

Hi Guys, 

Comic Con Africa with Capitec is the continent’s ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, returning in 2026 from 24 to 27 September for its 7th edition at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. Over four fun-packed days, 70,000 con-goers converge at the festival to celebrate and enjoy all their favourite pop culture fandoms, including cosplay, comics, art and artists both local and international, gaming, tech shopping, anime, licensed merchandise and collectibles, board games and tabletop RPGs, the opportunity to meet international celebs from TV and film, family fun, experience interactions with brands, and create unique memories with their friends and families. With specifics of the activities emerging over the coming weeks, here’s a very quick lowdown on the festival’s main features.

Cosplay

Cosplayers create and wear perfect replicas of their favourite characters from pop culture. Think Marvel and DC superheroes like Spider-Man or Wonder Woman, X-Men’s Wolverine, Star Wars Stormtroopers, anime characters from shows like One Piece and Dragon Ball Z, gaming characters like God of War’s Kratos, or film and series characters like the Addams Family, Sarah Connor, Deadpool, and more. Cosplayers get to enter exciting daily competitions with awesome prizes, or compete in the Cosplay Championships – the winner gets an expenses-paid trip to compete in the UK in 2027! Comic Con Africa is where professional and casual cosplayers get together to show off their cosplays and connect with their people.

Comics and Art

Comic Con Africa brings together 200+ local artists, international artists, and crafters in the festival’s Artist Alley. Here festival-goers can meet artists, buy artworks, and have their comic memorabilia signed by international comic artists who attend the con to meet and interact with their fans. It’s an incredible opportunity to see what’s popping with art in South Africa. Artist Alley has a stage that shares exciting talks on breaking into the art industry, tips on improving skills, and character development, and showcases fun sketch battles with professional artists. Spotlight artists include comic artists Mike Rooth, Mostafa Moussa, Sean Izaakse and others, and street artists Moe Lycaen and Alaster. Comic writer Sam Humphries will also be in Artist Alley.

Gaming and Tech

The convention is the place to experience the latest gaming consoles, watch epic esports tournaments and finales with huge prize pools from the likes of Telkom VS Gaming, support esports players, play the latest games in free-to-play zones, and learn more about beloved gaming brands. Daily free-to-enter competitions and championships from Red Bull, Toyota, and more enable fans to walk away with cash and product prizes. And on top of it all, huge names in computing come to the con to drop incredible tech specials and sell computing hardware.

Anime and Otaku Culture

Anime is HUGE in South Africa. Comic Con Africa is where fans can celebrate Anime and meet other fans of shows like One Piece, Naruto, Demon Slayer, and Bleach, or remember classic Anime films like Ghost In The Shell, and cosplay as their favourite characters. Comic Con Africa has the Otaku Town area, which is packed with Japanese retailers and exciting activities focussed on Anime. Here is where fans can find first-to-country merchandise and collectibles, enjoy Japanese food, and immerse themselves in Otaku culture. There are also activations to celebrate 30 years of Pokémon, which is happening now in 2026.

Shopping and Collectibles

An abundance of licensed merchandise and collectibles are for sale at Comic Con Africa. Here is where collectors of pop culture can grow their collections with unique and rare collectibles like figurines, clothing, comics, manga, art, Funko Pops, posters, and more. Top tip for serious collectors: the Capitec Super Fan Pass gets festival-goers access to the show floor half an hour early to snap up the incredible deals and show specials found all over the festival. There are tons of vendors offering unseen products, merchandise never seen before in South Africa, board games, rare comics, and more – and many are show special deals that will make jaws drop.

Boardgames and RPGs

Board games and tabletop role-playing games are growing in South Africa – in an age where screen time dominates, board games and tabletop RPGs are all about re-connecting in real life and face-to-face. They are known for inspiring imagination, encouraging creativity, creating communities, and deepening friendships. Learn about RPG dice games like Dungeons and Dragons and strategy boardgames like Catan from Solarpop and UnplugYourself teachers at the con – no previous experience whatsoever is required. Shop games, grow your collections, and meet up with fellow enthusiasts at Comic Con Africa.

Family Fun with KidsCon and More

There is loads for families to see and do at Comic Con Africa. It’s a completely unique weekend activities for little ones and teens. Craft activities, dress-up, kid-friendly gaming, fun activations, and art and animation workshops abound. The KidsCon Zone brings over 1,200sqm of activates and its own stage to the con. Favourite characters like Mario & Luigi and other well-knowns roam the halls, ready to take snaps with excited young fans. Co-located with Comic Con Africa is the CTIAF (Cape Town International Animation Festival) which brings young folk 12+ the opportunity to learn how to get into animation as a career with educational hands-on workshops.

Film and Series Celebs

Comic Con Africa bring international celebs to the Highveld. This year the show brings the voices behind Rick, Morty, and Summer from the cult-classic animation Rick & Morty – Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden, and Spencer Grammer. Christopher Judge, the voice actor behind the game God of War’s character Kratos will be in attendance, alongside Alison Sealy-Smith who voices X-Men’s Storm. For TV series fans, The Rookie’s Ricard T Jones, AKA Wade Grey, will be at the con. Stars from the live action of One Piece like Jazzara Jasslyn (Miss Valentine), Nahum Hughes (Bartolomeo), and Martial T Batchamen (Brook) and Steven John Ward (Dracule Mihawk) will be attending the con. These titans of film and TV will take part in live Q&A sessions on the con’s Main Stage which all con-goers can attend. For big fans, additional ticket purchases can be made for them to take photos with, or have memorabilia signed by, these stars.

Experiences With Brands

Comic Con Africa brings together big brands to interact with. Capitec brings an immersive and exciting interactive activation to the show in 2026 which will see fans taking place in activities to win great prizes. Disney brings exciting daily quizzes to the Main Stage. Burger King has something exciting on their burners, and Kellogg’s and Sea Harvest have fun plans up their sleeves. Fanta, Red Bull, Toyota, Incredible Connection, and Telkom are also at the festival – and too many more to mention.

Immaculate Outdoor Vibes

The outdoor festival vibes at Comic Con Africa are immaculate. There is a World War Two LARPing re-enactment zone, axe-throwing (don’t panic – it’s safe!), and outdoor precision driving track from Toyota, two electric scooter tracks from both Xiaomi and Incredible Connection, and lawn games. Three Food Truck Villages offer delicious meals all day long. Outdoor stages feature K-Pop performances and singers, and loads of comfy outdoor seating areas offers places for friends and families to take in the festival while enjoying the Joburg sunlight.

So Much To Enjoy

There is so much to experience at Comic Con Africa. Keep an eye out on the show’s social media and in the press for more information on the specifics of this one-of-a-kind, must-attend festival. In 2026 it takes place 24 to 27 September from 09h00 to 18h00 daily at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec. It’s your happy place, and it’s absolutely unmissable.

About Comic Con Africa

Comic Con Africa is the ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, offering fans a four-day experience of cosplay, international celebrities, autograph and photograph opportunities, gaming and tech, shopping, eSports tournaments, fandom-focused merch, tabletop gaming, trading card games and collectibles, anime, manga, interactive sessions, screenings, activations, KidsCon, and more. At Comic Con Africa, there is something for everyone from casual fans to bona fide geeks. Tickets are available on Howler. For press enquiries, please email press@comicconafrica.co.za. Visit www.comicconafrica.co.za.

Event Details

24 to 27 September 2026 from 09h00 to 18h00 daily

Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec

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This Long Weekend @ComicConAfrica Brings you a MASSIVE Gaming Experience #ComicConAfrica

Hi Guys, 

In recent years, the gaming scene in Africa has seen remarkable growth, and is expected to grow by roughly 12% between 2018 and 2028* - this trend is realising each year at Comic Con Africa’s gaming experience. This long weekend, gaming enthusiasts from all walks of life will converge at Comic Con Africa where the worlds of gaming and pop culture will collide in spectacular fashion.

This is what gamers can expect from the Comic Con Africa gaming experience:

The Toyota Gaming Engine (TTGE) and Nintendo Partner Up!

The Toyota Gaming Engine is home to all Toyota esports action from South Africa, the world and beyond. For Comic Con Africa this weekend, TTGE has partnered with Nintendo to bring attendees an immersive Mario Kart experience and a chance to win a trip to Chicago for C2E2.

More than the partnership, Nintendo will also have the biggest Nintendo title of the year, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, playable on their stand at Comic Con Africa before its official release next month!

Telkom VS Gaming Next-Gen Gaming Village

This exciting partnership between Telkom VS Gaming and Comic Con Africa promises an unforgettable blend of gaming and pop culture for Comic-Con enthusiasts. Whether you're a dedicated gamer or a casual fan, this area on the gaming floor offers a unique opportunity to join like-minded individuals in a legendary gathering.

The Telkom VS Gaming Next-Gen Village offers fans the opportunity to win exciting prizes and get the opportunity to meet renowned South African gamers such as Okay Wasabi, Sibu Mpanza, Julia "Bish" Robson, and Pippa Tshabalala.

Throughout the year, VS Gaming runs online leagues for various gaming titles and those competing in this year’s finals, which is hosted at Comic Con Africa, stand to win their share of over R600 000. Fans can expect an exciting line-up of esports tournaments at Comic Con Africa 2023, including the VS Gaming Masters and other of South Africa's top esports leagues.

Fans can also participate in thrilling challenges, showcase their gaming skills, and explore epic loot while enjoying a cutting-edge gaming experience with state-of-the-art setups and technology.

Doritos Crunch Cup, powered by Comic Con Africa

The Doritos Crunch Cup, in partnership with Comic Con Africa, is back in Johannesburg for its third iteration which will see gamers of all levels go head-to-head for cash prizes this long weekend. This section of the con floor boasts free-to-play tournaments each day for a different game. With a wide array of genres that fans can compete in, the titles are:

• Friday, 22 September – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II,
• Saturday, 23 September – FIFA 23,
• Sunday, 24 September – Street Fighter 6, and
• Monday, 25 September (public holiday) – Fortnite

To participate in the Doritos Crunch Cup, players can simply register on-site at Comic Con Africa starting from 9:00 AM at the Doritos Crunch Zone in Hall 5 on the morning they wish to compete. Beyond the mainline daily tournaments, the Doritos Crunch Cup provides festivalgoers with a unique opportunity to "Beat the Pro" each day. This feature allows fans to showcase their skills against a professional player in each title, with the chance to win R1000 if they emerge victorious in the head-to-head battle.

Red Bull

Red Bull will be hosting a leg of the Red Bull Campus Clutch, an open tournament exclusively for college and university students across the world, in the popular game Valorant – a team-based 5 vs. 5 shooters, where communication and teamwork are essential.

Comic Con Africa will host the Red Bull Campus Clutch national finals, with the winner being sent to compete internationally at the global finals against teams from around the world, which takes place in Istanbul, Turkey.

Carry1st Valorant Tournament

Following Riot Games’ announcement of Valorant servers coming to South Africa, The Carry1st Valorant Tournament also promises thrilling gameplay. Carry1st will host Valorant in-person activations at Comic Con this long weekend. During the event, players can learn about Valorant, participate in tournaments, and win exclusive giveaways.

Get info on some of the latest and upcoming games

In addition to Nintendo offering fans the opportunity to experience Super Mario Bros. Wonder, fans can also expect an activation from the recently released Mortal Kombat 1 as well as an exclusive preview of the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Mirage - presented by GLITCHED.

School gaming is serious gaming!

RGB Gaming will also attend Comic Con Africa, a proud sponsor of the initiative, and will bring daily school tournaments to the gaming hall across titles such as Minecraft, Splatoon, Apex Legends, and FIFA. This area of the show floor is proud to welcome 30 primary schools and 10 university teams; be sure not to miss this electrifying clash of young talents and future gaming legends as they showcase their skills on the big stage.

Fans at the show will also be able to experience a variety of tech, gaming products, and peripherals from KooDoo, as well as other vendors.

Coming this long weekend at Nasrec, Comic Con Africa 2023 is shaping up to be a not-to-be-missed festival, Saturday General Access tickets and Four Day Passes are already sold out and will not be available at the gate. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets for R200 through Howler here: https://bit.ly/CCA2023_tickets

* A reminder from the organisers that only tickets purchased from Howler will grant admission to the festival. The organisers wish to remind fans that the authenticity of tickets purchased from a third party cannot be guaranteed. The only source of official tickets from the organisers are found on Howler.

** Please note that all programming is subject to change without notice.

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Till next time...Aashish
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@AcerAfrica #RedBullMediaHouse Continue #eSports Content Partnership @RedBullza

Hi Friends,

Acer and Red Bull Media House announced the renewal of their content partnership. Having worked together for over 12 months already, the two companies will continue to bring the most exciting and interesting stories of the emerging gaming and eSports world.

The collaboration began last year in May with a joint goal to offer gaming fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the personalities, places, and technologies in the fascinating world of eSports.

With documentaries such as ‘eSports Unfold’ and ‘Part of the Game’, the content has reached millions of viewers since the launch.

“Forming powerful partnerships is an important part of our gaming strategy. Acer and Red Bull Media House share a deep commitment to supporting eSports fans and gaming communities with premium and authentic content. By combining Acer’s expertise in gaming through its state-of-the-art Predator products and Red Bull Media House’s immersive storytelling capabilities, we see a natural fit in offering the best-in-class product and viewing experience,” says Hajo Blingen, Vice President, EMEA Marketing, Acer Europe, Middle East, and Africa. “We look forward to continuing the successful team play with Red Bull Media House to further enhance brand premium synergies with high relevance.”

For the upcoming year, Acer and Red Bull Media House have finalized exciting new content ideas to continue building and engaging the gaming community. ‘Prism’ is set to launch which will go behind the scenes to explore what drives people to love eSports. A second installment of ‘Part of the Game’ also returns, that captures the influence of gaming culture in four more cities across the world. For all stories and a recap of content, click HERE

 

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Blazing Lineup for @RedBullZA Beat Battle of the Year 2015

Hi Guys,

With less than a month to go, preparations and rehearsals are well under way as the countdown to Red Bull Beat Battle: The Final Move begins. On the 21st of November 2015, eight illustrious dance crews will own the stage at Walter Sisulu Square in Soweto ready, as ever, to showcase some of the finest talent the country has to offer. They’re joined by a throng of hot local music acts, including Stilo Magolide, Kid X, Thebe, Twins on Decks and DJ Speedsta - a lineup sure to make it a night for the books. 

Last year's winners Freeze Frame are back to battle – Credit: Kolesky/Nikon/Red Bull Content Pool

The fifth edition of the competition also sees a change in the judging panel as acclaimed dancer, choreographer and actress Lorcia Cooper joins the remarkable trio of Lorna Maseko, Somizi Mhlongo and esteemed South African B-boy Vouks on the judging panel.

Cooper remarked how honored she is to be joining the panel this year: “I have wanted to work on Red Bull Beat Battle since its inception! This kind of competition is really close to my heart because I started my career in a dance crew.”

“I think it’s awesome that Red Bull has given a platform for the recognition of Street Dance and I’m hoping the crews take us on a journey and leave us begging for more,” said Cooper. 

Red Bull Beat Battle takes place at Walter Sisulu Square, on 21 November – credit: Luke Daniel / Red Bull Content Pool

As D-day draws near, Vouks Nojokes will spend the next few weeks with the crews in their various hometowns and practice spaces. This is to mentor and provide expert advice to assist crews in perfecting their choreography and honing their timing and execution. The time spent behind the scenes through these mentorship sessions will ultimately psych the crews up and prepare them for the final battle.

The effervescent Scoop Makhathini will host the evening as Red Bull Beat Battle’s MC and DJ Switch will hold it down on the decks once again. Early Bird tickets for the event are R100 at Computicket for redbullbeatbattle.co.za. Check out more info at - http://www.redbull.com/za/

Revelers at this year’s Red Bull Beat Battle will have a host of entertainment to look forward to come on 21 November. Not only will they witness South Africa’s best dancers go toe-to-toe in the ultimate clash of crews, they’ll also get to take in performances by Kid X, Thebe, DJ Speedsta and more. Get ready to see some amazing dance steps and choreography by these amazing people. All the best!

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