Here's Your Guide to Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023 in Downtown Phoenix

Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023 is upon us. Grab a Phoenix Down, your best cosplay attire, and get ready to nerd out. 

Fan Fusion occurs Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Downtown Phoenix. 

This year, high-profile guests include Marvel’s own Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner; Hocus Pocus’ Mary Sanderson, Kathy Najimy; and James & Oliver Phelps, best known as the mischievous Fred and George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series. 

Voice actors, comic creators, local artists, tabletop teams, and epic cosplayers will also assemble this Fan Fusion weekend. If you are one of the more than 100,000 attendees at this three-day convention, we have all the fantastic highlights and how-tos for you below. 

Fun for the whole family! The Incredibles cosplay at Phoenix Fan Fusion in 2019. (Photo: Taylor Costello).

Tickets

Phoenix Fan Fusion ticket prices vary as it gets closer to the event, but for now, a full event pass costs $110, VIP passes are $395, and daily passes range from $50-$60, depending on the day.  Kids age 3 to 12 can get a $20 “sidekick” pass, and children under 3 are free with paid adult admission. Event hours are Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Badges

Once you’ve got your ticket, head to a Badge Redemption Station to receive a badge and colored lanyard to get in-and-out access. 

Badge Redemption stations are located outside each secured entrance: 

1. Adams and 2nd Street 
2. Monroe and 3rd Street 
3. Washington and 3rd Street 

You can redeem your badge Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

How to get there

If you’re driving, several parking garages are conveniently located near the Phoenix Convention Center. Click here for a map. Beat the crowd by riding Valley Metro’s light rail, which drops you off in front of the Convention Center and costs $4 for a full-day pass. 

If you’re using rideshare, use the address: 33 South 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. You’ll be dropped off at the 3rd Street pullout in front of the South building, across from Fan Fusion’s south entrance. 

The DTPHX Ambassadors are an Enhanced Municipal Service delivered to the Downtown Core by Downtown Phoenix Inc. The mission of the Ambassadors is to make a person’s visit to Downtown Phoenix safe, enjoyable and memorable. (Photo: David Wallace)

Need help? DTPHX Ambassadors are Here!

If you get lost or have questions, look for our Downtown Phoenix Ambassadors‘ orange shirts; you can almost always find an Ambassador on a corner nearby. They can help you locate your parking garage, find a Phoenix Fan Fusion entry point, or guide you toward an excellent lunch or dinner spot.  

Things To Do

There are four floors of Fan Fusion fun! The lower level (exhibit halls 1-6) is where you’ll find more than 600 vendors, artists, and creators. This is also where you meet and greet celebrity guests. 

North and West buildings will host events, panels, and workshops. The Expanded Gaming Hall is located in Ballroom 120BCD, which holds dozens of playable console and arcade games, board games, tabletop and e-gaming. Pro Tip: It’s also a good place to take a break from all the festivities. 

Click here for the entire Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023 Schedule.

Game of Thrones cosplay at Phoenix Fan Fusion in 2019. (Photo: Taylor Costello).

Who’s Going to be There?

Every year Phoenix Fan Fusion features a lineup of voice actors, comic book creators, professional cosplayers, and celebrity actors. 

These special guests are available for autographs or photo ops, and many participate in panels throughout the weekend. You can purchase passes to get photos and autographs when you buy your tickets and get those burning questions answered! 

The Fan Fusion 2023 Celebrity Lineup Includes:

• Katee Sackhoff – The Mandalorian, Star Wars Clone Wars. 
• Stephen Amell – Arrow, TMNT, Code 8. 
• Jeremy Renner – The Avengers, Hawkeye, Mayor of Kingstown. Guest panel Friday 1:30-2:30 p.m. in West 301 
• Grant Gustin – The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Glee. Guest panel Saturday 11:45-12:45 a.m. in West 301.
• James & Oliver Phelps – The Harry Potter Film Series. Guest panel Sunday 1:30-2:30 p.m. in West 301.
• Paul Bettany – The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Wandavision, Legion. Guest panel Saturday 1:30-2:30 p.m. in West 301.
• Tom Cavanagh – The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow. Guest panel Saturday 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. in West 301. 
• William Shatner – Captain James T. Kirk on Star Trek. Guest panel Sunday 12-1 p.m. in West 301. 
• Sonequa Martin-Green – Star Trek Discover, The Walking Dead. Guest panel Saturday 3:15-4:15 p.m. in West 301. 
• Walter Koenig – Pavel Chekov on Star Trek. Guest panel Friday 2:15-3:15 p.m. in West 301.
• Kathy Najimy – Hocus Pocus, Sister Act, Descendants. Guest panel Saturday 3-4 p.m. in West 301A. 

Harry Potter cosplay at Phoenix Fan Fusion in 2022. (Photo: Taylor Costello).

Voice Actors

• Ashley Eckstein – Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars. Guest panel Friday 3 p.m. in West 301. 
• Bryce Papenbrook – Eren Yeager in Attack on Titan, Inosuke Hashibira in Demon Slayer. Guest panel Friday 12-1 p.m. in West 301 
• Christine Marie Cabanos – Azusa Nakano in K-ON! 
• Erika Harlacher – Ann Takamaki in Persona 5, Venti in Genshin Impact, Kyrie in FF VII Remake. Guest panel Saturday 10:45-11:45 a.m. in West 301A 
• James Arnold Taylor – Johnny Test, FFX Tidus, Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi. Guest panel Friday 3 p.m. in West 301. 
• Ken Page – Oogie Boogie in The Nightmare Before Christmas. Guest panel Sunday 12-1 p.m. in West 301. 

Authors & Comic Book Creators

• Caroline Kepnes – Author of “You,” adapted into a hit series on Netflix. 
• Evely Skye – Author of “Damsel,” which will also be adapted into a Netflix film. 
• Kalynn Bayron – Author of “Cinderella is Dead,” “This Wicked Fate,” and “This Poison Heart.” 
• Jim Lee – World-renowned comic book artist and current Chief Creative Officer of DC. Guest panel Saturday 12:15-1:15 p.m. in West 301A. 
• Brian Pulido – Founder and publisher of Coffin Comics. 
• Yvonne Wan – Creator of Focus Comics, which features one of the world’s first autistic superheroes. 

Cosplayers & Nonprofit Groups

Heartless Aquarius, Courtney Leigh, Sparkinson, Ryann Kay, Umbrella Corporation Arizona Hive, The Arizona Avengers, Mos Eisley Base, Jinx, and more. 

The Dos and Don’ts  

• Don’t bring outside food. The Convention Center has a selection of food and beverages at the PHX Kitchens Downtown Food Hall​ and exhibit hall concessions. 
• Do try some of the many restaurants in Downtown Phoenix. Your badge allows re-entry. 
• Do stay hydrated! Empty refillable water containers are allowed. 
• Do find extra seating in the main level Ballroom 120CD, in the Lower Level Exhibitor Hall, and Hall of Heroes. 
• Do bring lightsabers and wands. 
• Don’t bring real or replica firearms of any kind, nor metal or wood swords and other sharp-edged weapons.
• Don’t bring tripods, monopods, “selfie sticks”, and cameras with a lens longer than 6 inches. 
• Do bring sunscreen to protect those areas not protected by your costume. 

The time is near, and we can’t wait to see you in all your cosplay gear! Happy Fan Fusion Weekend!