This weekend will be the 2026 Fan Expo Portland show, and for the Canadian-side cousin, Vancouver, the tour is certainly focussed on Lord of the Rings and the Turtles. From An Evening with the Hobbits to original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with a splash of Goonies, both are slightly different from one another for good reason, availability. The State-side show is said to be roomier with room to navigate around, but that needs to be verified. Also, Gates McFadden and Walter Koenig will be appearing.
As with other Fan Expo events, some programming is placed behind additional ticketed access, a practical decision given how limited certain convention spaces can be. Even in Seattle, expansion required the construction of an entirely new building to accommodate demand. For attendees on the fence about premium panels, such as discussions with the Lord of the Rings cast reflecting on Peter Jackson’s epic productions, there is no waitlist alternative once those sessions sell out.
At present, this particular event does not offer livestreaming options for remote viewers, a point of contrast with Emerald City Comic Con. It’s a bigger show and is a place where annoucements can happen. When scouring news, it’s rare to discover what’s on the slate with guests at Fan Expo. According to Andrew Moyes, the emphasis remains on preserving the in-person experience rather than distributing content online. Even footage caught on video camera for in-room screens is not archived for later viewing, reinforcing that philosophy.
As the brand continues to expand its footprint, the differences between Portland and Vancouver highlight how availability, venue scale, and regional logistics shape each event. Certain experiences remain intentionally exclusive to attendees on site, reinforcing the value placed on physical presence over remote access. How this balance evolves will depend on infrastructure, audience expectations, and the increasing complexity of large-scale fan conventions. For now, both shows reflect the same overarching approach, adapted to the realities of their respective cities.
Vancouver also benefits from its deep ties to television production, which keeps the door open for live-action appearances tied to shows filmed locally. While nothing has been announced yet, anticipation remains around Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender, with season two expected for release this year. Every show has contingency for closer to showtime should cancellations occur. However, the real measure will be how the floor feels once fans are through the doors, not just what’s printed on the guest list.
Guests appearing only at
Portland’s 2026 Fan Expo
- Jonathan Frakes – Star Trek: The Next Generation
- Josh Holloway – Lost, Colony
- Bonnie Wright – Harry Potter
- Gates McFadden – Star Trek, Mad About You
- Walter Koenig – Star Trek, Babylon 5
- Christopher Judge – Stargate SG-1
- Cassandra Peterson – Elvira: Mistress of the Dark
Guests appearing only at
Vancouver’s 2026 Fan Expo
- Tom Welling – Smallville
- Ron Perlman – Hellboy, Sons of Anarchy
- James Marsters – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- Dean Norris – Breaking Bad
- Kristin Kreuk – Smallville
- Alessandro Juliani – Battlestar Galactica
Discover more from Otaku no Culture
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.