Frequently Asked Questions

C2E2 stands for the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo. It’s the largest pop culture convention in the Midwest. C2E2 espouses that all nerds need a place to call home. Whether you’re a fan of comic books, cosplay, video games, anime, TV shows, movies, books, wrestling, comedy, or anything else – C2E2 is your home for good and geeky times.

C2E2 will take place April 26-28, 2024 in the South Building at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago.

The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2024 will be held in the South Building at McCormick Place located at 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois.

GENERAL SHOW

• Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

WILL CALL (FANS, PRESS, PRO, PANELIST): 

• Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM 
• Friday: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM 
• Saturday: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM 
• Sunday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM 

WILL CALL (EXHIBITOR):

• Wednesday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM 
• Friday: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Saturday: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Sunday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

PANELS  

• Friday 10:30 AM - 10:30 PM
• Saturday 10:30 AM - 12:00 AM
• Sunday 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM

AFTER DARK PANELS AND EVENTS 

• Friday: 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM 
• Saturday: 7:00 PM – 12:00 AM 

GAMING HOURS:

• Friday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM
  Show Floor gaming ends at 7:00 PM. Gaming on Level 5 in the South Hall ends at 10:30 PM.
• Saturday: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
  Show Floor gaming ends at 7:00 PM. Gaming on Level 5 in the South Hall ends at 12:00 AM.
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

WILL CALL (FANS, PRESS, PRO, PANELIST): 

• Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM 
• Friday: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM 
• Saturday: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM 
• Sunday: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM 

WILL CALL (EXHIBITOR):

• Wednesday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM 
• Friday, March 3: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Saturday, March 4: 8:00 AM-7:00 PM
• Sunday, March 5: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Whether you're flying (by plane, broom or cape), driving or sitting on a train, a full list of directions are available on our  Parking & Getting to C2E2 page.

There are several parking options available.

We've negotiated travel discounts and secured a limited number of reduced-rate hotel rooms to make your trip to Chicago affordable. Through the travel experts at Connections Housing, rooms at the group rate are limited and available on a first come, first-served basis. The secure online housing website is available 24/7, and offers real-time availability with full hotel descriptions, amenity listings, distances from each hotel to the venue, maps, and other information to help make your decision easier. Also, reservation acknowledgements are emailed to you within seconds of confirming the reservation.

We will not have shuttles available for C2E2 2024, but check out our travel page for more ways to get to the show!

If you don’t have your badge: head to Will Call located in Ballroom S100 located right near the main doors to McCormick South. Ballroom S100 is located across from the entrance to the Hyatt Regency and the fountains. Look for the giant C2E2 banner!

Once you have your badge: Head on up to level 3 of McCormick South for security screening and the queue hall to get right on to the show floor. You’ll be in C2E2 heaven in no time!

Tickets to C2E2 vary in price. You can see details on the types, prices, and perks of each ticket on our ticket info page here.

Tickets are on sale now! Head to our ticket page for more info on packages and perks.

All attendees six-years-old and up need a ticket to enter C2E2. Kids 6-12 or their parents must purchase a C2E2 Kids ticket to attend C2E2. Kids tickets are only valid for children ages 6-12. For those 13 and over, purchase of an adult ticket is required. Please be prepared to show proof of age onsite. Please note: all minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian.

The ticket mailing deadline is our cutoff for when you can order tickets to have them delivered to your home. The Ticket Mailing Deadline was Sunday, March 3. All tickets and merch will now be picked up at Will Call during the show.

Once you buy your C2E2 Ticket, it's yours to have and to hold forever… or at least until C2E2 2024. We do not offer refunds or exchanges for tickets purchased for C2E2.

Any use of the C2E2 logo on printed or digital materials MUST be approved by the C2E2 Team prior to being printed or promoted. Please email us a sample of how you plan to use the logo and we will provide feedback quickly.

While some vendors might accept credit cards, many do not. There are ATMs located at McCormick Place; however, to avoid an extra line at C2E2 we suggest you stop at the ATM before arriving at the show. Cash is usually the only form of payment accepted in our autographing area. If you want to buy photo ops during the show instead of ahead of time, please be prepared by bringing cash for this as well, just in case Epic Photo Ops does not take cards.

The buying and selling of counterfeit/knock-off/unlicensed materials is not tolerated at C2E2. The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo is a celebration of the best of popular culture, and bootlegs have no place in the show. Violation of this rule will result in one and only one warning. A second violation and you'll be removed from the show.

The safety and security of our staff, exhibitors and attendees is our priority. We work closely with the venue, corporate security, state, local and federal law enforcement authorities to identify risks, assess them and develop security plans for our events.
Everyone attending  C2E2 should be aware or the following security measures:

• Security will be onsite at all times to assist you during all aspects of C2E2
• Everyone must wear their C2E2 Badge at all times. This includes exhibitors, vendors, attendees, guests (speakers, talent, artists), professionals, press, staff, and crew.
• A fully operational security team following our vetted procedures is in place during C2E2. Bag checks may occur at C2E2
• Walkthrough or hand held scanners may be used at C2E2
• Any CCTV in operation at C2E2 is monitored and recorded
• Uniformed and undercover security may be in attendance at C2E2
• Uniformed and undercover Police may be in attendance at C2E2
• Canine Security and Detection may be used in or around C2E2

Everyone attending C2E2 is requested to:

• Keep personal property with you at all times and do not leave any items unattended  
• If you see something, say something.  Report anything that looks unusual, suspicious, or out of place to C2E2 Staff or Security immediately
• Remain patient and courteous during security checks and follow the instructions of C2E2 Staff and Security at all times
• Properly dispose of your C2E2 Badge inside the venue or keep it as a souvenir – please do not sell it to scalpers or throw it away in trash cans outside the venue where it could be picked up
• Carry a valid form of photo ID at all times

If you're hurt, please reach out to C2E2 Staff and we'll get you help. You can also choose to head to First Aid depending on the severity of your injuries, located in the South Building Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse nearby the FedEx Office. A wheelchair-accessible first aid station staffed by EMS and EMTs will be available in McCormick Place. In addition, two hospitals are situated within minutes of McCormick Place. City ambulances will be called to transport patients when needed.

Harassment of any kind, including stalking, deliberate intimidation, unwelcome physical attention, physical assault and battery, will not be tolerated at C2E2. If it's illegal outside the convention center, it's illegal inside the convention center. Harassment is grounds for removal from the convention without refund as well as potential legal action. We want C2E2 to be a safe, open and accepting environment for all fans, and if you find yourself victim of harassment at the convention please come immediately to the Security Office in Room N226, or report the harassment via the C2E2 App and someone will assist you as soon as possible.

At the discretion of C2E2 Security onsite, the following may be allowed:

• Plastic and Metal Shields
• Lightweight Plastic/PVC Props/Light Sabers
• Toy guns as long as they do not look like real ones, cannot function or shoot projectiles and have an orange tip on the barrel.  The barrel of all prop firearms must be covered with brightly-colored caps. Prop bows will be allowed providing all arrows have soft tips made of foam or cardboard.

If any of the above items are deemed unsafe by C2E2 Security, they will not be allowed inside the building. They will only be allowed as long as they are deemed safe and will not cause harm onsite.

If you're bringing, buying or selling something that could maim, damage or cause bodily harm, we're going to take issue.

The following items are forbidden at C2E2:

• Functional firearms (including air soft guns, BB guns, cap guns, paintball guns and pellet guns)
• Realistic replica firearms (including reproduction, fake or toy guns that can be confused for functional firearms)
• Functional projectile weapons (including blow guns, crossbows, long bows, silly string, slingshots, water balloons and water guns)
• Sharpened metal-bladed weapons (including axes, daggers, hatches, knives, kunai, shuriken, swords, sword canes and switch blades)
• Explosives (including firecrackers and fireworks)
• Chemical weapons (including mace and pepper spray)
• Blunt weapons (including brass knuckles, clubs and nunchaku)
• Hard prop weapons (including props made of metal, fiberglass, PVC, wood and glass)
• Instruments that cause excessive noise levels like vuvuzelas, grenade whistles and grenade horns
• Whips
• Aerosol mustard
• Drones
• Selfie sticks

You as a fan are able to help us improve event security, fan safety and the overall happiness of everyone at or near C2E2. While everyone attending C2E2 knows about costumes and props, the citizens of Chicago may be unaware of C2E2 and mistake prop weapons for real weaponry. If you have a weapon or prop that might intimidate or scare people, please be mindful of it as you carry it throughout the city streets and on public transit. If you have a weapon that might be misconstrued as a real weapon, please keep it concealed and do not carry it out in the open as you travel through Chicago. We would hate to cause unnecessary panic, upset, or unwarranted calls to 911. We really appreciate you being mindful of this and using common sense when it comes to props and costuming!

Management shall have sole discretion in any matter that it believes may affect public safety or be important to protect the integrity of the event.

Find C2E2 Staff or Security and we will help you locate your missing party. We suggest that when you arrive at C2E2, you and your party pick a location to meet in case anyone does get lost.

Wheelchairs, scooters, information booths, designated parking, TDD telephones and other services are available for visitors with disabilities. For wheelchair/electric scooter rental contact our service partner Scootaround, Inc. at 888-441-7575 or by visiting their website at www.scootaround.com/rentals/m/mccormickplace to reserve in advance. Onsite rental may be available, depending on event schedules.

No. The only animals permitted in the Convention Center are service animals. We love animals as much as you, but you are going to have to leave your pets at home. Please feel free to send any cute pics of your animals to the C2E2 Facebook page. It's highly encouraged!

The entire C2E2 Team is committed to making sure that all of our fans have an amazing experience. Please take inventory of your needs as they pertain to attending the show. Depending on what you need, our Medical Assistance Program may be for you. ReedPop Shows provide medical assistance wristbands to individuals who may have mobility, physical, vision, hearing, cognitive, psychological, invisible or other types of disabilities.

You can pick up  your ADA Stickers at the ADA Desk at Registration or at any of the Info Booths around the show.

If you have any questions or require additional accommodations, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Yes! C2E2 has a Quiet Room for those who need a break from the Show Floor, due to personal preservation, social anxiety or health issues. Strict volume levels will be enforced, as this is for resting, not socializing. The Quiet Room is located in N131.

Yes! The family room is a dedicated area, with some tables and chairs, where parents and their small children can hang out. The Family Room is located in N130.

There are several all-gender bathrooms onsite at C2E2, please review our map for locations.

Yes! Cosplay Central has Cosplay Changing Rooms.

The Show Office is located in Room N426AB.

Nursing Room is located on Level 2.5, across from Starbucks.

Yes, it’s located on Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse nearby the FedEx Office.

Due to fire code, and the short breaks between programming, C2E2 does not clear rooms between sessions. You are allowed to stay in the same room for multiple sessions. Because C2E2 does not clear rooms, we suggest you plan accordingly and arrive early to the panels you'd like to see.

Due to supply and demand and the limited number of seats available, unfortunately not everyone will get to see all the panels. That's why C2E2 has overfill rooms that will be live-streaming some of our bigger panels so you can still take part in the fun! Check back before the show for exact room locations that will be hosting live streaming. You can also check out our C2E2 Fan Memberships which comes with a digital ticket to all of our shows. It gives you VOD access for up to 30 days so you can watch any panels you may have missed after the show!

For the most part, you're welcome to take still pictures and video at C2E2; however, please note that all photography and recording is prohibited during screenings and concerts. Also, please understand that guests may or may not pose for photographs with fans. Guests have a right to their privacy, and if they ask not to have their picture taken, please respect their wishes.

C2E2 will attract local, national and international press. In purchasing this ticket and in consideration for being admitted to the event, the holder consents to being recorded (by audio, visual and/or other means) for exhibition and exploitation by any means in all media now known or hereafter devised worldwide in perpetuity. Holder also hereby: (1) releases Reed Exhibitions from any liability for loss or damage to persons or property, infringement of any right or any other claim or course of action of any kind; (2) authorizes and permits Reed Exhibitions and its designees which include but are not limited to all sponsors, exhibitors and contractors to use and authorize the use of his/her name, voice, likeness and all reproductions thereof by any means and in all media now and hereafter know for all purposes worldwide in perpetuity; and (3) agrees to comply with all rules and regulations of the event. Holder agrees not to make any recordings of any kind at designated activities without the express written permission of Reed Exhibitions. We reserve the right to deny entry or remove from the event facilities any person who in our sole and absolute discretion is behaving or threatening to behave in a manner which we reasonably consider to be disruptive of the event.

Yup! McCormick Place operates a Coat Check open to all exhibitors and fans. It's located on Level 1 near the main entrance of the South Building in Room 102ABCD. There is a separate Coat Check for VIP Package Holders in their Lounges.

If you plan to bring a stroller, that's fine as long as it is not an oversized stroller. An oversized stroller is one that is a double wide one intended for 2 children.

There are a few reasons this could be happening. Here are a few troubleshooting tips for you!

Always check your spam folder. Always. And triple check your privacy settings! Whether your email service provider automatically filtered ReedPop emails out or you wanted to take a break, make sure you're set up to receive our incoming newsletters again. 

Have you unsubscribed from ReedPop newsletters in the past 2 years? If yes, we promise not to hold it against you. Just subscribe again! When our team adds new subscribers to our database, your email will be added. If not, you can reach out to our customer service team to get you back on track.

Please note: not all email service providers are created equally. If you are having trouble receiving our emails you may need to update your email or the service provider you use.

Fans are welcome to bring gifts for guests. However, we do have some guidelines. Guests will not be able to accept any gifts in Photo Ops. Fans can bring gifts to the Autographing Table where it can be given to the guest or passed along to the guest's handler for the guest to receive later. Guests will not accept food or drink items and outside alcohol is not allowed in the building. For all other gifts, our standard safety policies apply. When working on a gift for a guest, please remember that guests travel to events and are limited with what they can bring back with them. Any big or oversized gifts will most likely be left behind. 

Tickets and/or badges ("Tickets") for the event ("Event") are non-refundable and non-transferable and cannot be reproduced, resold or upgraded. The unauthorized resale or attempted resale of the Ticket is prohibited and will constitute a forfeiture of the Ticket without compensation. Each Ticket must be used by the same person (the "Attendee") for each day of the Event. The Event's operating hours, schedules, guests and speakers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Each Ticket is a revocable license to attend the Event. All panels, autographing, photo ops, special events, show features and performances are subject to availability and access is not guaranteed and/or may require an additional fee. ReedPOP is not responsible for lost or stolen Tickets. There are hazards and risks of physical injury or illness to Attendees of the Event and that not all such hazards or risks can be fully eliminated. By accepting this Ticket (at time of purchase) and attending the Event, the Attendee freely and voluntarily agrees to assume the full risk of bodily injury or property damage, regardless of severity, or death that Attendee may sustain as a result of attending the Event, whether or not caused by the negligence or gross negligence of ReedPOP.