FAN EXPO New Orleans 2026: dates, guests, hours, what to know

TL;DR:

FAN EXPO New Orleans runs Jan 9–11, 2026 at the Morial Center.
Show hours are Fri 3–8 pm, Sat 10–7, Sun 10–5.
Headliners include John Cena and Hayden Christensen, plus LOTR cast.
Over 150 panels fill the weekend, schedule now live.
Plan photo ops, autographs, and premium experiences in advance.

FAN EXPO New Orleans returns Friday, January 9 through Sunday, January 11, 2026. The show takes place at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Show hours are Friday 3 pm to 8 pm, Saturday 10 am to 7 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. VIP, Ultimate, and 3-Day pass holders who buy in advance get a special Friday preview at 1 pm.

As of today, January 6, 2026, the event is locked for this weekend with a full programming slate and confirmed celebrity guests.

The headline guests that move tickets

The 2026 lineup brings star power across film, TV, and wrestling. The official guest list features John Cena, Hayden Christensen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Helen Hunt, Bonnie Wright, and Christopher Lloyd.

ScreenRant highlights 15 standout names for this year, led by Cena and the Lord of the Rings quartet, a reunion that anchors several weekend experiences.

FAN EXPO is also selling focused offerings. Look for photo ops and autograph sessions for major guests, including curated packages. These sell out, so buy early.

Panels and special events

Organizers released the panel schedule, topping 150 sessions across three days. Expect celebrity spotlights, fandom meetups, creator Q&As, cosplay showcases, and themed late-night programming.

One marquee session is “An Evening with Hayden Christensen,” set for Friday, January 9 at 8:30 pm in the Main Theater. Gold and Silver tiers offer priority seating, while general admission seating is free and first come.

More theater spotlights and franchise panels roll through Saturday and Sunday. Use the schedule and the mobile app to build a plan that avoids conflicts.

Quick reference

Item	Details
Dates	Friday, January 9 to Sunday, January 11, 2026
Venue	New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Hours	Fri 3–8 pm, Sat 10–7, Sun 10–5, VIP preview Fri 1 pm
Headliners	John Cena, Hayden Christensen, LOTR cast, and more
Big panel	“An Evening with Hayden Christensen,” Fri 8:30 pm
Tickets	Day, 3-Day, and premium experiences available now
Photo ops	Offered for many guests, limited inventory
App	Schedule live, plan sessions now

Sources for the table: official show pages and current local coverage.

What first-time attendees should do

Arrive early on Saturday. The floor fills fast by late morning. Lines for headliners can span multiple aisles.

If you have a 3-Day or VIP pass, use the Friday preview window to scout the floor, check the theater location, and grab easy photo op slots.

Build a schedule with backups. Panels can hit capacity, especially theater spotlights. When a room is full, move to your Plan B panel to keep momentum.

Book premium experiences now. Photo ops and paid theater packages show limited capacities and can sell out.

Check guest appearance notes the morning of your session. Some guests post day-of timing shifts on the official site or social channels.

Ticketing, seating, and lines

The show uses tiered seating for select theater events. For Hayden Christensen’s evening session, Gold and Silver tiers guarantee seating priority, while general seating is first come. Arrive 45 to 60 minutes early for general entry.

Photo ops and autograph sessions are run by a professional team and have strict time windows. Bring your printed or digital QR codes ready. Check the app for exact locations.

Cosplay and the show floor

Cosplay is welcome all weekend. Follow prop and costume rules posted on the show site. Check the Cosplay Craftsmanship Cup details if you plan to compete, and confirm call times on the schedule.

Artist Alley and vendor aisles are busiest mid-day Saturday. If you want original art or limited prints, shop Friday evening or early Sunday. Many creators attend all three days.

Travel and hotels

FAN EXPO partners with nearby hotels and suggests staying within walking distance to avoid rideshare surges after close. Use the official booking links for show rates.

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sits near the Warehouse District, with food options within a short walk. NewOrleans.com maintains updated travel and dining guides for the weekend.

Background, last year’s momentum

Last January, FAN EXPO New Orleans drew national attention with a Back to the Future reunion featuring Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and cast. That weekend set a high bar for theater programming and fan energy.

Organizers are leaning into that momentum in 2026, with marquee names across film, TV, and wrestling, and a dense panel grid published ahead of opening day.

Smart planning checklist

Buy tickets and premium experiences before Friday morning.
Screenshot barcodes for photo ops and theater sessions.
Arrive 60 minutes early for free, high-demand theater events.
Build a Plan A and Plan B for each time block.
Shop Artist Alley Friday evening or early Sunday.
Pack a portable charger and a rigid top-loader for autographs.
Review cosplay and prop rules before you arrive.
Use official hotel blocks to keep transit simple.

Why it matters

This show opens the 2026 convention season with bankable stars and a clear schedule. Fans get rare reunions and an arena-level wrestling name in Cena, plus a Friday night theater event that feels like a headline panel. Planning now helps you see more, skip lines, and stretch your budget.

What happens next

Expect late guest adds and minor time tweaks through Thursday and Friday. Keep notifications on for the official site and social feeds, and recheck the app the morning you attend.