We get it: our hours can be confusing as we have different aspects of the show that operate with different hours from each other. To help you get the most out of your membership purchase and to make sure you don't miss anything, here's how our hours work (and you'll find this is similarly true at other conventions like ours should you travel elsewhere).
PICK UP YOUR BADGE FIRST
Memberships are only sold online, so make sure to purchase from your phone, tablet, or computer prior to arriving or as you are walking up. As you arrive, head to the Badge Redemption Stations located just outside our secured entrances. The Badge Redemption Stations open first, prior to everything else, and stay open right until we close at night. We'll scan your completed purchase barcode and provide you with your badge and lanyard. Once you have your badge, you won't need to worry about going through Badge Redemption again.
BADGE REDEMPTION STATION HOURS
FRIDAY 8AM-11:30PM
SATURDAY 8AM-11:30PM
SUNDAY 9AM-5PM
THEN HEAD THROUGH SECURITY
With your badge in hand (or more accurately: Around your neck on your lanyard!), you'll head through one of our three Secured Entrances. These consist of metal detectors, bag check, and prop check. These open slightly later than the Badge Redemption Stations, so please note the time difference if arriving early in the morning. Secured Entrances stay open until we close.
With your badge you'll have IN-AND-OUT ACCESS to the convention for the specific day or full weekend you purchase, so you'll be able to head back and forth from your car, hotel room, or local area restaurants and bars.
SECURED ENTRANCE HOURS
FRIDAY 8:30AM-11:30PM
SATURDAY 8:30AM-11:30PM
SUNDAY 9AM-5PM
ONCE INSIDE THE SECURED PERIMETER...
you'll be able to enter the Phoenix Convention Center itself. Programming rooms, Food Court, Lobbies, and Hallways open first and allow you to get your panel seats for those initial panels or be first in line for when the Exhibitor Hall & Hall of Heroes open.
THE EXHIBIT HALL & HALL OF HEROES HAVE SET HOURS
These areas are located on the LOWER LEVEL (Halls 1-6) of the Convention Center and contain all the vendors, artists, costuming groups, comic book creators, authors, and celebrity actors who attend our event. You'll have in-and-out access with your badge.
Hours for these halls open later than Badge Redemption and Secured Entrances and close earlier than those areas. Yes, our vendors, artists, and guests need time for dinner and rest themselves.
LOWER LEVEL EXHIBIT HALL & HALL OF HEROES (Halls 1-6) HOURS
FRIDAY 10AM-7PM
SATURDAY 10AM-7PM
SUNDAY 10AM-5PM
COME EARLY AND STAY LATE
We run over 1,000 hours of Programming Events and Activities throughout the weekend. Make sure to check our Programming Schedule on our website and pick up a Program Guide onsite for specific event times and locations.
Our Programming Schedule is built in blocks beginning January until May 1. Keep checking it as we build the schedule bit by bit.
Our Programming begins at 10:30AM and runs until we close at 11:30PM**. With your badge you'll have access to our entire Programming schedule* including Celebrity Panels, Signature Events, Spectacular Spectacle Showcases, the Gaming Hall, and After Dark Parties.
PROGRAMMING EVENTS HOURS
FRIDAY 10:30AM-11:30PM
SATURDAY 10:30AM-11:30PM
SUNDAY 10:30AM-5PM
*Seating is not guaranteed at any specific event due to room capacity limits; we do not clear panel rooms between events. A few workshops, charity fundraisers, or special events do require a separate paid admission.
**Some events may run later in the night. Those events will be noted on our website and will require you to be at the event by 11:30PM to stay later.