Anime Expo 2026 Sets New Attendance Record with 422,000 Visitors from 65 Countries

Anime Expo 2026 closed its 35th anniversary edition with a record-breaking turnstile attendance of over 422,000 fans across four days at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The sold-out event, held July 2-5, drew visitors from more than 65 countries.

Record Numbers Across the Board

The 422,000 turnstile figure marks a notable jump from the 410,000 recorded in 2025, continuing the convention's upward trajectory as the largest dedicated anime and manga event in North America. Turnstile attendance counts each daily entry separately, meaning fans who attended multiple days are counted more than once. Unique attendee figures were not disclosed.

The convention's estimated economic impact on the Los Angeles area surpassed $115 million, up from roughly $110 million the previous year. That spending flowed through hotels, restaurants, and businesses surrounding the convention center and the broader L.A. LIVE entertainment district.

1,400 Hours of Programming

Organizers packed more than 1,400 hours of programming into the four-day schedule, spanning world premieres, exclusive screenings, live concerts, cosplay showcases, and panel discussions. The event expanded beyond the convention center itself, utilizing Crypto.com Arena, The Novo, Peacock Place, and sections of Figueroa Street to accommodate the growing crowd.

Major industry partners contributing to the programming slate included Aniplex of America, MAPPA, Crunchyroll, KADOKAWA, Bandai Namco, VIZ, Square Enix, HoYoverse, ATLUS/SEGA, Hulu, and CD PROJEKT RED, among others. The breadth of participants reflected anime and gaming culture's increasingly mainstream crossover appeal.

SPJA Leadership Reflects on 35 Years

Ray Chiang, CEO of the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), which organizes Anime Expo, highlighted the community spirit driving the event's continued growth. "It's been a privilege to see Anime Expo continue to inspire and bring together a wonderful community of talented artists, creatives and fans," Chiang stated.

The SPJA has operated Anime Expo since its inception, and the 35th anniversary edition underscored just how far the convention - and the broader North American anime fandom - has come since its early days.

International Reach Continues to Expand

The presence of fans from over 65 countries reinforces Anime Expo's status as a truly international gathering rather than a purely domestic convention. Industry exhibitors from Japan, South Korea, and China maintained a significant footprint on the show floor, with publishers and studios using the event to announce global licensing deals, premiere new trailers, and engage directly with their English-speaking audiences.

Looking Ahead to 2027

Anime Expo 2027 is already locked in for July 2-5 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, shifting to a Friday-through-Monday format. Credential sales are expected to open in early 2027. Given the pace of growth - from 410,000 to 422,000 in a single year - the event appears poised to test the venue's capacity limits once again.