Fan Expo Portland was originally founded in 2013 under the name Wizard World Portland. It was managed by Wizard World, later known as Wizard Entertainment, a former publishing company that transitioned to organizing multi-genre fan conventions across North America.
Wizard Entertainment faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic that broke out in 2020, resulting in the cancellation of most conventions that year. In 2021, only six in-person events were held: in Chicago, Cleveland, New Orleans, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and Portland. In August 2021, Wizard Entertainment made the difficult decision to sell its remaining conventions, including the Portland event, to Fan Expo.
In 2022, Fan Expo rebranded the six conventions it acquired from Wizard Entertainment, creating Fan Expo Portland. Held at the Oregon Convention Center, which boasts approximately 1 million square feet of floor area and 255,000 square feet of exhibit space, the event has become a premier destination in Portland for fans of science fiction, fantasy, horror, anime, video games, and all things pop culture.
Of course, celebrity events (panels, Q&A sessions, autograph signings, photo ops) are one of the main attractions at Fan Expo Portland. Convention guests include actors and voice actors, creators, comic book writers and artists, gaming stars, and cosplayers.
For example, the 2025 lineup included Jared Padalecki (Supernatural), Grant Gustin (Arrowverse), Tom Welling (Smallville), Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf, Superman & Lois), Catherine Tate (Doctor Who), John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings, Indiana Jones), Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Doom Patrol), Bitsie Tulloch (Grimm, Superman & Lois), Tom Cavanagh (Arrowverse), James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and many more.
The convention also features engaging activities for cosplayers and cosplay fans, including cosplay showcases, contests, panels, workshops, and photo ops. Comic book fans can meet creators, attend panels, and explore Artist Alley, while anime fans can enjoy voice actor meet-and-greets, themed events like Anime HQ, and performances at IdolFest. Gaming attractions include tournaments and interactions with voice actors.
Other highlights include events for sci-fi, fantasy and horror fans, karaoke, family-friendly activities in the Kids’ Zone, fan gatherings in the Community Zone, Comics and Cocktails, Drink and Draw, movie screenings, after-parties, and a merchandise marketplace. With so much to offer, the convention promises to be an unforgettable experience for every attendee.
By the way, Fan Expo Portland is not the only pop culture convention in Portland. There’s also Rose City Comic Con, which takes place every September. It is produced by LeftField Media, a division of Clarison Events, which also produces Anime Frontier in Fort Worth, Texas, Anime NYC in New York City, and Awesome Con in Washington, D.C.
