FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs: GENERAL | BADGE | GUEST  & PROGRAMMING | OTHER

ANIME NYC TAKES PLACE AUGUST 20 – 23, 2026!

REGISTRATION HOURS

(Doors open when Registration opens. Hours are for Fan Registration and Professional Registration)
 
WEDNESDAY
AUGUST 19
TBA		 THURSDAY
AUGUST 20
11AM – 8PM		 FRIDAY
AUGUST 21
8AM – 7PM		 SATURDAY
AUGUST 22
8AM – 7PM		 SUNDAY
AUGUST 23
8AM – 4PM

SHOW HOURS

(includes Panels, Screenings, Gaming, Destination Cosplay, and Special Events)
 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
4PM – 10PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21*
10AM – 10PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22*
10AM – 10PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23*
10AM – 4PM

*Programming starts at 10:30 AM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

EXHIBIT HALL HOURS

(includes Artist Alley)
 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
1PM – 8PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
10AM – 7PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
10AM – 7PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
10AM – 4PM

AUTOGRAPHING HOURS

(*NEW!* Autographing will now be in Hall C)
 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
4PM – 8PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
11:30AM – 7:30PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
11:30AM – 7:30PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
11AM – 3:30PM

All hours subject to change. Links to Maps coming later.

REGISTRATION HOURS

(Doors open when Registration opens. Hours are for Fan Registration and Professional Registration)
 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19
TBA

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
11AM – 8PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
8AM – 7PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
8AM – 7PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
8AM – 4PM

SHOW HOURS

(includes Panels, Screenings, Gaming, Destination Cosplay, and Special Events)
 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
4PM – 10PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21*
10AM – 10PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22*
10AM – 10PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23*
10AM – 4PM

*Programming starts at 10:30 AM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

EXHIBIT HALL HOURS

(includes Artist Alley)
 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
1PM – 8PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
10AM – 7PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
10AM – 7PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
10AM – 4PM

AUTOGRAPHING HOURS

(*NEW!* Autographing will now be in Hall C)
 

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20
4PM – 8PM

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21
11:30AM – 7:30PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
11:30AM – 7:30PM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23
11AM – 3:30PM

All hours subject to change. Links to Maps coming later.

General FAQs

Anime NYC is New York City’s anime convention! A showcase of the best of Japanese pop culture in the biggest city in America, Anime NYC brings anime fans and publishers together for three days of unique exhibits, exclusive screenings, extensive panels, and appearances by some of the biggest creators in Japan. Join us for a celebration of Japanese animation, manga, and cosplay in the heart of NYC!

Anime NYC is a creation of LeftField Media, a boutique event company made up of dedicated fans and experienced convention organizers. LeftField Media is behind shows such as Anime Frontier, Awesome Con, Rose City Comic Con, and Romancing Portland.

Anime NYC takes place in the Javits Center on Manhattan’s West Side. Located at 445 11th Ave, the Javits is just blocks from Times Square, Grand Central, and Penn Station. The 7 Train’s Hudson Yards station is right across the street!

Badge FAQs

All attendees 6-years-old and up need a badge to take part in Anime NYC. Children 5-years-old and under are welcome without a badge.

Badges for Anime NYC can be purchased online here.

Yes! You can opt to have your fan badge mailed to you. The exceptions are if you opt for retailer pickup, or have an International shipping address or one outside the contiguous US. Badges will not ship Internationally, which includes Canada and Mexico, or to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

Badges will start shipping in early/mid July. The mailing schedule can be found here. If you do not receive them within two weeks of the show, please contact us at [email protected]

With the exception of non-attendee badges (Press, Guest, Content Creator, Pro), international orders, and fans outside the contiguous US (AK, HI, PR) we will not have on-site pickup.

Yes, you can upgrade or swap your badge BEFORE the Mailing Deadline (as long as the badge type you want is still available)! Here’s how:

  1. Go to Leap Conventions
  2. Click on the CUSTOMER LOGIN button on the page
  3. Click on CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP (If you don’t already have an account, if you already have an account, go to step 5)
  4. Create a new account using the same email address you used to purchase your tickets
  5. Verify your email address and sign in to your account
  6. Click on your name in the top right
  7. Select MY ORDERS
  8. From there you will see the option to Upgrade, Swap, or edit your personal information.

Please note that any price difference will not be refunded. If you have any issues, please contact [email protected]

Fan badges are 100% transferable. All you need to do is pass the physical badge or badge confirmation on to the new party. (Please note if you had the badge shipped to you or you already picked up your badge, the physical badge must be passed on to the person you are transferring the badge to.) To update the name and email assigned to the badge, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit Leap Conventions
  2. Click on the CUSTOMER LOGIN on the page
  3. Click CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP (If you don’t already have an account, if you already have an account, go to step 5)
  4. Create an account using the same email address you used to purchase your badges
  5. Verify your email address and sign in to your account
  6. Click on your name located at the top right
  7. Click MY ORDERS
  8. Click on the order you want to update

Badges that are lost, stolen or damaged cannot be replaced. A new badge (subject to availability) will need to be purchased. Please take care of your badge—it is your only valid entry into the event.

We’re sorry, but a badge is required for entry. If you are unable to return home to retrieve your badge, a re-issue fee (up to full price for the badge) will be charged.

Information on press registration can be found on our press page.

Information on pro badge registration can be found on our pro badge page.

Guest & Programming FAQs

Celebrity and creator guests from North America and Japan are announced regularly! For more info, check out the guest page.

Please check our guest page for specific days a guest will appear.

The autograph schedule will be released closer to the event.

Pricing will vary by guest and will need to be confirmed at their table.

Many guests will take cash or credit, but this will also need to be confirmed at their table.

Please be aware that not all guests will be hosting autographing sessions.

Typically our guests will have headshots, included in the cost of the autograph, to be signed at their table.

Typically, yes, but not always. The signing of personal items is done at the guests’ discretion and may require an additional charge at their booth. Guests will sign one item per autograph ticket, if you want more than one item signed, additional autograph tickets will need to be purchased.

It is up to each guest whether they will take a selfie or not.

Other FAQs

We do have a crew program! You can find out more about it here.

The link to our exhibitor form can be found here and the link to our Artist Alley application can be found here.

We recommend all children under 18 attend with an adult, and all children 10 and under must have an adult with them while attending the event.

Anime NYC is very happy to accommodate fans with special, medical, and mobility needs, and you may pick up an accessibility bracelet onsite to assist in your enjoyment of the event. Please click here for full accessibility bracelet information.

Service Animals are welcome provided they are leashed or under similar control as appropriate.

More information will be provided closer to the show.

Absolutely! Anime NYC encourages costumes and cosplay. Please make sure, your costume follows our costume and cosplay policy, which can be found in full here. Attendees who do not follow these guidelines may be required to modify their costumes, refused entry, or asked to leave.

Anime NYC is committed to fostering an atmosphere where attendees can count on a safe, inclusive, and rewarding experience, and harassment is the opposite of the community we want to create. If you feel harassed or see harassment, please report it to a member of our security team. Harassment of any kind is unwelcome at Anime NYC. You can find our full policy here.

Outside food and drink is not permitted inside the Javits, but if you need to keep some snacks or water (no glass bottles) on you for medical reasons, that’s okay.

We do not restrict the type of bag you can bring to the show. All bags will be subject to a check by security before entry.

Yes, the Javits Center operates multiple coat checks. It is $4* per coat or bag.

*Pricing subject to change

Yes you can!

Yes! The Javits Center has both free and paid wifi options depending on whether you need to just check your email or stream Crunchyroll in HD.

The Javits Center is smoke free. Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vape pens are prohibited anywhere on Javits Center property, including its inner roadway and sidewalks.

Yup! If you’re coming to Anime NYC from out of town, we’ll have special rates with a number of local hotels. Please check out our travel page for more information.

We’re happy to chat! Please email [email protected].