The Most Popular Convention, Ranked

Choose the convention you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:33
In a world filled with multitudes of conventions spanning every interest and industry, identifying the crowd favorites can often feel like finding a needle in a haystack. People frequently ask for recommendations on which events offer the most engaging experiences and valuable networking opportunities. A consolidated ranking, driven by community votes, can simplify this quest by highlighting the most celebrated gatherings according to public opinion. This dynamic list allows you to see real-time shifts in popularity and preferences within the community. By casting your vote, you contribute to a larger narrative of which conventions resonate the most with attendees globally. Your participation ensures that the rankings reflect a current and accurate depiction of what events are making the biggest impact. So, cast your vote and see where your favorite conventions stand!

What Is the Most Popular Convention?

  1. 1
    42
    votes
    Held annually in San Diego, California, Comic-Con International is the largest comic book and popular arts convention in the world. It attracts over 130,000 attendees each year and features celebrity guests, panel discussions, and exclusive merchandise.
    Comic-Con International is a popular multi-genre entertainment and comic book convention held annually in San Diego, California. It brings together a diverse community of fans, artists, writers, industry professionals, and companies from the worlds of comics, movies, television, gaming, and more. The convention provides a platform for celebrating and promoting various forms of popular culture, including comics, graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, animation, and collectibles.
    • Location: San Diego, California
    • Year Started: 1970
    • Duration: 4 days
    • Attendees: Over 135,000 in recent years
    • Exhibitors: Over 700
    Comic-Con International in other rankings
  2. 2
    18
    votes
    Held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, CES is the largest consumer electronics trade show in the world. It showcases the latest technology products and innovations from major companies and start-ups.
    The CES, also known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is an annual trade show that showcases the latest innovations and advancements in consumer electronics and technology. It is considered one of the most popular conventions in the technology industry, attracting thousands of industry professionals, journalists, and enthusiasts from around the world.
    • Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
    • Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) and other nearby locations
    • Founded: 1967
    • Frequency: Annual
    • Exhibitors: Over 4,500 companies
  3. 3
    32
    votes
    Held annually in Los Angeles, California, E3 is the premier trade show for the video game industry. It features major announcements, hands-on demos, and press conferences from major publishers and developers.
    The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is the largest annual trade fair and convention for the video game industry. It serves as a platform for game developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers, and enthusiasts to showcase and discover upcoming video game titles, hardware innovations, and related technologies.
    • Event Type: Trade Fair/Convention
    • Year of Establishment: 1995
    • Frequency: Yearly
    • Venue: Los Angeles Convention Center
    • Duration: 3-4 Days
  4. 4
    24
    votes
    Held annually in Atlanta, Georgia, Dragon Con is a popular multi-genre convention that features a mix of science fiction, fantasy, and pop culture events. It has grown to become one of the largest conventions in the United States, attracting over 85,000 attendees each year.
    Dragon Con is one of the most popular annual multi-genre conventions held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It was first organized in 1987 by a group of science fiction and gaming enthusiasts who wanted to create a convention that focused on multiple fandoms and genres.
    • Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
    • Year Established: 1987
    • Frequency: Annual
    • Genres: Science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, and more
    • Attendance: Over 85,000 in recent years
    Dragon Con in other rankings
  5. 5
    22
    votes

    Gen Con

    Gary Gygax and others
    Held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana, Gen Con is the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America. It features a wide range of events and activities, including board games, card games, role-playing games, and miniatures games.
    Gen Con is the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America. It brings together tens of thousands of gaming enthusiasts, industry professionals, and game creators each year. Gen Con offers a wide range of activities, including gaming tournaments, panel discussions, workshops, and demonstrations of new games.
    • Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
    • First Event: 1968
    • Annual Attendance: Over 70,000
    • Game Categories: Tabletop, role-playing, card, board, and miniatures games
    • Exhibit Hall Size: Over 500,000 sq ft
  6. 6
    6
    votes
    Held annually in Austin, Texas, SXSW is a series of conferences and festivals that cover a wide range of topics, including music, film, interactive media, and technology. It attracts over 400,000 attendees each year and is known for its innovative programming and networking opportunities.
    SXSW (South by Southwest) is an annual conglomerate of film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences held in Austin, Texas. It combines conferences, exhibitions, networking events, and live performances, attracting professionals and enthusiasts from various industries.
    • Year of Inception: 1987
    • Duration: 10 days
    • Attendance: Over 400,000 attendees
    • Events: Film screenings, music showcases, interactive exhibitions, conferences, and panel discussions
    • Scope: Covers film, music, technology, gaming, and various interactive media
  7. 7
    7
    votes
    Held annually in New York City, New York Comic Con is the largest pop culture convention on the East Coast. It features celebrity guests, panel discussions, and exclusive merchandise from major entertainment companies.
    The New York Comic Con is one of the most popular fan conventions in the world, specifically focused on comic books, anime, manga, and pop culture. Held annually in New York City, it provides a platform for fans and industry professionals to come together and celebrate their love for comics and related entertainment.
    • Location: New York City
    • Year First Held: 2006
    • Duration: 4 days
    • Attendance: Over 200,000
    • Exhibitors: Over 700
    New York Comic Con in other rankings
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    Held annually in several cities across North America, PAX is a series of gaming conventions that feature panels, tournaments, and exhibits from major game developers and publishers. It attracts tens of thousands of attendees each year.
    PAX (Penny Arcade Expo) is one of the most popular gaming conventions in the world. Originating in 2004 in Bellevue, Washington, it was created by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, the authors of the webcomic Penny Arcade. PAX provides a platform for gamers, game developers, and industry professionals to come together and celebrate their passion for gaming. The convention features a wide range of activities, including panels, exhibits, tournaments, and concerts, catering to a diverse audience of all ages and gaming interests.
    • Year of Origin: 2004
    • Location: Bellevue, Washington
    • Focus: Gaming
    • Target Audience: Gamers and industry professionals
    • Activities: Panels, exhibits, tournaments, concerts
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    Held biennially in various cities around the world, Star Wars Celebration is a fan convention that celebrates the Star Wars franchise. It features celebrity guests, panel discussions, and exclusive merchandise, and attracts tens of thousands of attendees.
    Star Wars Celebration is an annual convention dedicated to the Star Wars franchise, where fans come together to celebrate and immerse themselves in the world of Star Wars. It offers a wide range of activities, including panel discussions, exclusive merchandise, autograph sessions, cosplay contests, film screenings, and interactive experiences. Star Wars Celebration provides a unique opportunity for fans to meet their favorite Star Wars actors, directors, and creators, and to connect with like-minded enthusiasts from around the world.
    • Frequency: Annual
    • First Celebration: 1999 in Denver, Colorado
    • Official Website: https://www.starwarscelebration.com/
    • Duration: 4-5 days
    • Location: Different cities each year
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Held annually in Anaheim, California, BlizzCon is a fan convention that celebrates the video games and franchises of Blizzard Entertainment, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo. It features major announcements, tournaments, and exhibits from the company.
    BlizzCon is an annual gaming convention and one of the most popular events in the gaming industry. It is organized by Blizzard Entertainment as a celebration of their various video game franchises.
    • Location: Anaheim, California, United States
    • First Held: October 28-29, 2005
    • Frequency: Annually
    • Attendees: Over 40,000 (as of 2019)
    • Focus: Blizzard Entertainment's video game franchises (e.g., Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, Overwatch, etc.)

Missing your favorite convention?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular convention

  1. Attendance numbers
    The number of attendees is a significant factor in determining the popularity of a convention. Higher attendance numbers often indicate a more popular event, drawing larger crowds each year.
  2. Social media presence/engagement
    A strong and active social media presence and high levels of engagement typically indicate a popular convention, as it has managed to garner interest and attention from a larger audience.
  3. Industry or fan reputation
    The reputation of a convention among industry professionals or fans serves as a key factor in popularity. A convention with a good, or even iconic, reputation is one that people are more likely to attend and recommend to others.
  4. Guest list or lineup of speakers/panelists
    The caliber and relevance of the guests, speakers, or panelists invited to a convention can greatly impact its popularity. High-profile or sought-after guests can attract larger audiences and boost the convention's prominence.
  5. Programming and events
    The quality, variety, and appeal of the programming and events offered at a convention are essential in determining its popularity. Conventions that offer engaging and diverse options for attendees to experience are more likely to be well-received and well-attended.
  6. Frequency and longevity
    The frequency and longevity of a convention play a role in its overall popularity. Conventions that occur regularly and have a long history of success often become highly anticipated events that see increased attendance and interest year after year.
  7. Location and accessibility
    The location and accessibility of a convention can factor into its popularity, as some regions may have a larger target audience or be more accessible to attendees. Conventions held in popular destinations or easily accessible locations can attract larger, more diverse crowds.
  8. Media coverage
    The amount of media coverage a convention receives, both leading up to and during the event, can indicate its popularity. More popular conventions are likely to generate more interest from media outlets, which in turn can increase overall attendance and awareness of the event.
  9. Sponsorship and support
    The level of sponsorship and support a convention receives can be an indicator of its popularity, as popular events are more likely to attract larger and more influential sponsors.
  10. Community involvement and inclusiveness
    A convention's level of community involvement and inclusiveness can be key in determining its popularity. Events that foster a welcoming environment and encourage broad participation from diverse groups are more likely to be popular and well-attended.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular convention. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or convention is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2491 views
  • 163 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each convention once every 24 hours. The rank of each convention is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular convention

Conventions are events where people with similar interests gather to celebrate and share their passions. From comic books and video games to music and food, there's a convention for just about everything. In recent years, the popularity of conventions has skyrocketed, with new ones popping up all the time. But which convention is the most popular? It's a tough question to answer, as it depends on a variety of factors such as location, size, and content. However, by looking at attendance numbers and online buzz, we can get a pretty good idea of which conventions are currently leading the pack. Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular conventions and what makes them so special.

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