Fans gearing up for this year’s Middle East Film & Comic Con will need to hit pause on their plans for now.

Organisers have officially announced that the region’s biggest pop culture festival has now been postponed from April to September 2026, with new dates set for September 11–13 at the ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi.

Why the change?

Originally scheduled for April 24–26, the event has been moved to give organisers more time to deliver an even bigger experience.

According to the official announcement, the new dates will allow for:

• A stronger celebrity guest lineup
• More comic creators and exhibitors
• Expanded performances, competitions, and fan experiences

In short, the delay could mean a larger and more exciting event for fans across the region.

For the uninitiated, MEFCC is basically a dream weekend for pop culture lovers. Each year, it brings together fans of comics, movies and TV, gaming, anime and cosplay.

Expect everything from celebrity meet-and-greets and panel talks to cosplay competitions, artist alleys, and exclusive merch drops.

What about tickets?

Good news if you’ve already booked:

• All existing tickets remain valid for the September dates
• No need to rebook or make changes

If your plans have changed:

• Refunds are available through the ticketing partner
• Support is also being offered for hotel bookings made via HotelMaps

Big names headed for festival 

The star power for this year’s Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) is continuing to grow, with organisers confirming several high-profile additions to the 2026 guest line-up.

Among the biggest announcements is Simu Liu, best known for playing Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and his role within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans attending the event will have the chance to meet him in person, take photos, and get autographs during the convention.

Joining Liu is acclaimed voice actor Christopher Judge, widely recognised for his work as Kratos in the God of War franchise. His appearance marks one of the convention’s major voice-acting highlights for 2026.

Comic book fans also have plenty to look forward to, with Marvel artist Federico Vicentini set to attend, bringing his work from the pages of Marvel comics directly to fans in the region.

Rounding out the latest announcements is veteran comic artist Brett Breeding, whose career spans nearly five decades. Breeding is known for his work inking legendary storylines featuring characters such as Superman, Spider-Man and Thor.

With more celebrity announcements expected in the coming months, the 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the convention’s most star-studded yet.

The postponement may have caught some fans by surprise, especially those with travel plans, but many of them are taking it in stride. The general mood? If the extra time means bigger stars, better experiences, and a more packed event, it might just be worth the wait.

Organisers have promised more announcements in the coming months, including guest reveals and event updates as the countdown to September begins.