Dust off your superhero outfits, because Comic Con Africa, South Africa’s ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, is returning to the Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec), 28 to 31 August 2025.

The event is set to captivate fans once again, bringing together enthusiasts from across the country and beyond for a celebration of all things geeky, from comics and gaming to movies and television.

Here are 10 things to expect from Comic Con Africa 2025:

KIDSCON ZONE IN POP-CULTURE HALL

A dedicated space just for kids? Absolutely. Packed with activities, workshops, gaming, and entertainment tailored for younger con-goers, the KidsCon Zone, held in partnership with Toys R Us, is where the next generation of geeks and creatives gets to shine. Toys R Us is setting up a pop-up shopping experience, offering a wide selection of top brands, toys, and merchandise. RGB Gaming returns with youth-focussed tournaments through their Premier School League, featuring primary and high school players in Fortnite and Minecraft battles, with a massive free-to-play area adding to the action. Interactive activities from Solarpop include Freak Marbles racing, a Slushie Bar, and the Scarlet & Violet Pokémon Training Academy. LUSH will feature with the limited-edition Hello Kitty & Friends range exclusively at Comic Con Africa. Visits from Doctor Squish and Spy Guy are scheduled, while kids’ characters Mario and Luigi, Noodle and Bun, and Geoffrey the Giraffe are in the mix all four days of the con, meeting and greeting superheroes big and small.

THE BIGGEST ARTIST ALLEY TO DATE

Comic Con Africa brings over 135 talented artists together in its largest Artist Alley yet. There’s something to catch every eye in this sprawling space, from one-of-a-kind artworks, signed limited edition prints, and pop culture art pieces – and, a range of new artistic styles to discover. You can even commission your very own piece. Renowned international artists in attendance include Carola Borelli, Cian Torney, Eleonora Carlini, Declan Shalvey, and Elisabetta D’Amico. Homegrown heroes include Anand Ramcheron, Jason Masters, and Sean Izaakse. Plus, con-goers can pay homage to the late, great Karl Mostert at a stand created to remember and honour his artistry.

LEVEL UP YOUR GAMING EXPERIENCE

Comic Con Africa offers a gaming haven for all levels – from casual players to seasoned pros. Discover a variety of free-to-play games, thrilling tournaments, and South Africa’s top esports spectacles. VS Gaming returns with epic finals and exciting free-to-play zones. The Doritos Crunch Arena turns up the heat with an intense Tekken 8 tournament and additional free-to-play zones featuring various titles. The Toyota Gaming Engine delivers four days of nonstop free-to-play action, with Brawl Stars, Street Fighter 6, and Gran Turismo 7 challenges. Red Bull Gaming amps up the excitement on the Con floor with an EAFC tournament.

Explore an incredible lineup of gaming accessories and gear from MSI, Astrum, Incredible Connection, Syntech, Checkers, PC Builder and more.

LEVEL UP YOUR IMAGINATION

Step away from the screen as you immerse yourself in the realm of imagination and creativity. From free-to-play campaigns for traditional titles like Dungeons & Dragons, Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG, Star Wars Unlimited presented by Unplugyourself. To get access to this area you would need a separate ticket which is available here.

A HAVEN FOR COSPLAYERS

Join us for a celebration of self-expression, creativity, and community with Cosplay. As a welcoming and inclusive space for cosplayers of all levels, Comic Con Africa is the perfect stage on which to strut your stuff. Showcase your talent and stand a chance to win fun prizes in our daily Casual Competitions, which open the playing field for newbies or those who just want to say they walked the same Main Stage as their heroes. Meet international cosplay guests Yuji Koi and Majed Cosplay and learn from the best in the industry. Step into the spotlight by participating in the Comic Con Africa Championships of Cosplay, where the winner earns the chance to represent South Africa on the global stage at MCM London. Did you know two of our previous regional winners went on to snag the international crown? Telkom’s Next Gen Cosplay Showdown has a prize of R17,500 up for grabs, with judges Randall Abrahams, Jax Cosplay, and the artist behind the Next Gen trio, Afro Tokyo, weighing up the contestants’ merits.

YOUR ULTIMATE SHOPPING DESTINATION

Get ready to unleash your inner shopaholic at Comic Con Africa! Our dedicated shopping area offers a vast array of merchandise to satisfy your every desire. Discover a treasure trove of original artwork, comics, and merchandise. Explore a wide range of official and fan-made merchandise, including apparel, toys, accessories, and more. Hunt for rare and limited-edition collectibles that will be the envy of your friends. Get your own personalized items made on the spot by talented artisans. Check the exhibitor list here!

CELEBS, PANELS, & WORKSHOPS

Experience the thrill of meeting the international celebs behind your favourite TV shows, movies, and web series. Comic Con Africa has a breathtaking celebrity line-up including Jessie T. Usher, best known as A-Train from The Boys, Misha Collins, the beloved Castiel from Supernatural, and Dan Fogler, who plays Jacob Kowalski in the Fantastic Beasts film series. Babylon 5’s Julie Caitlin Brown is lined up alongside Joburg local actress Chioma Umeala. You can purchase tickets to get their autographs on your merch or have a photo taken with them, and catch them on the Main Stage in live Q&As, sharing behind-the-scenes stories straight from the source. Comic Con Africa offers a jam-packed programme celebrating all things pop culture. Take part in interactive quizzes, Bob-Shop Auction, attend Q&A sessions and creative workshops, and dive into discussions covering everything from comic book writing and illustration to cosplay creation. Check out the programme here!

RECHARGE AND REFUEL FOR MORE CON ADVENTURES!

Comic Con Africa isn’t just happening inside – this vibrant festival offers plenty to explore outdoors too. With three food truck villages, a vibey outdoor stage, and outdoor activations that include Weapons on Wheels, lawn games, a rage room, the School of Rock, and a WWII reenactment. Fans can take a break from the hustle and bustle indoors and enjoy the festive atmosphere and grab a bite to eat or a drink while they soak up the energy and enjoy the outdoor stage fun with family or friends both old and new.

ENGAGE & PLAY

Comic Con Africa is dialled up with a bunch of exciting activations from some of the biggest names in entertainment. The M-Net Fan Favourites makes a stop at the con, alongside a massive and immersive experience form Disney+ that will take fans through the platform’s top series and films. AXE offers a wild journey through taste, smell, and touch inside the AXE Experience. Help Sea Harvest celebrate the Year of the Fish Finger with the larger-than-life characters Omega Mind and Captain Crisp getting up to mischief in the halls, and power up your morning with the Kellogg’s Power Breakfast Mission. Nintendo brings classic gaming to life with MarioKart, while Mew makes their debut appearance at Comic Con Africa. The ZURU X-Shot Challenge, team up to guarantee the action for the younger fans.

BOOK NOOK IS HERE!

Bookworms rejoice: welcome to the all-new Book Nook, a brand-new zone at Comic Con Africa curated especially for book lovers and aspiring writers. This vibrant space offers a variety of engaging activities, including the Indie Author Circle, where you can meet and discover new stories from local authors. Dress up as your favourite literary characters with Hollywood Costumes and the Magicon photobooth and face painting. Daily Fan Meet-Ups and themed quizzes are a chance to hang out with fellow fans. Participate in a Daily Treasure Hunt for a chance to win cool prizes, and snap pics with your favourite characters in the Insta-worthy, themed zones. Enter the experiential activation based on the novel Katabasis with fast-paced puzzles for fans to solve. The Book Nook is your first chapter in discovering new stories and making literary-loving friends.

Book your tickets here.