Fan Expo Chicago
Fan Expo Chicago (formerly Wizard World Chicago Comic Con, and commonly known as the Chicago Comicon), is a comic book convention held during the summer in Rosemont, Illinois, United States, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. It was traditionally a three-day event (Friday through Sunday), but in 2006, it expanded to four days (Thursday through Sunday). It was founded in 1972 as Nostalgia '72, Chicago Comic Con and later as the Chicago Comic and Nostalgia Convention by a local dealer (and school teacher) named Nancy Warner.
| Fan Expo Chicago | |
|---|---|
Wizard World Chicago logo used in 2012 | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Speculative fiction |
| Venue | Donald E. Stephens Convention Center |
| Location(s) | Rosemont, Illinois |
| Coordinates | 41°58′45″N 87°51′35″W |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | July 22, 1972 |
| Most recent | August 10, 2023 |
| Next event | August 16, 2024 |
| Attendance | 70,000 in 2009 |
| Organized by | Fan Expo |
| Website | fanexpohq |
Acquired by Wizard Entertainment in 1997, and Informa's Fan Expo unit in 2021, Fan Expo Chicago is among the larger comic book conventions in the United States, in third place for overall attendance at a single event.
Originally showcasing comic books and related popular arts, the convention has expanded over the years to include a larger range of pop culture elements, such as professional wrestling, science fiction/fantasy, film and television, horror, animation, anime, manga, toys, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels. From 1995 to 2006, it was also the home of the Wizard World Fan Awards.