We made it everyone. We are just days ways from Phoenix Fan Fusion 2023, with the event kicking off this Friday. Below you will find what I think is everything you need to know. Let’s see if I am right.

When and Where: Phoenix Fan Fusion returns to the Phoenix Convention Center Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 4. The hours are as follows:
Badge Pickup
Friday & Saturday: 8AM – 11:30PM
Sunday: 9AM – 5PM

Secured Entrances
Friday & Saturday: 8AM – 11:30PM
Sunday: 9AM – 5PM

Exhibitor Hall
Friday & Saturday: 10AM – 7PM
Sunday: 10AM – 5PM

Programming & Events
Friday & Saturday: 10:30AM – 11:30PM
Sunday: 10:30AM – 5PM

Badges: Badges for Fan Fusion are currently are on sale but a few notes. If you haven’t purchased your badge(s) yet, the ability to have it shipped has ended, you’ll have to pick up on site. The second important note, if you plan on buying day of, you’ll still need to order online, you won’t be able to walk up and pay for a badge.

Shopping: The Exhibit hall is on the bottom floor of the convention center spanning Halls 1 – 6 and will feature artists, creators, and vendors. For a full list of who and where, plus links to their web site/socials, you can find it right here.

Fan Fusion will also have its own official merchandise on sale in the lobby just outside of the exhibit hall. To check out what will be on sale, you can click on this article I just recently published.

Panels: With over 900 panels, programming and events, there will be a ton to see and do. Specifically for panels, a ton of different fandoms and topics are represented this year. From guest panels with William Shatner and Jeremy Renner, to genetics in Game of Thrones, Sailor Moon, and WWE Jeopardy, if you belong to a fandom, there’s probably a panel for it. For the full list, broken down by either day, topic, guest, or room, click here.

Guests: A very strong line up of guests from different medias have been gathered. I’ll put a few highlights from each category of guests but you can look through the whole list here.
Cosplay: Amber Skies, Little Sparkz, Reignweaver, Heartless Aquarius
Authors: Caroline Kepnes, Evelyn Skye, John Whitman, Kalynn Bayron
Comics: Adam Kubert, Alan Davis, Babs Tarr, Brianna Garcia, Jim Lee, Mog Park, Tom King
Film, TV, Voice: Ashley Eckstein, Grant Gustin, Jeremy Renner, Judith Hoag, Kathy Najimy, Sonequa Martin-Gren

For Guest Photo Ops/Autograph info, I have a breakdown of it.

Programming and Events: Going to start sounding like a broken record again, a lot of cool different options this year. The expanded gaming area will console gaming, arcades, tournaments, tabletop gaming and more. Escape rooms, youth arts and crafts, laser tag, maid cafe, and a silent disco are just the tip of some of the programming and events offered. Two links of interest here, the first is an article I created with events specifically at night in and around the convention center. The other link is the official events guide from Fan Fusion.

Cosplay: One of the best parts of Fan Fusion is the amount of cosplay that is on display from all of the talented people. For a full list of cosplay and prop rules, follow this link and click on Costume and Prop rules. There is a cosplay lounge for you to escape the crowds and relax or even make a repair on your costume. The cosplay can be located at room North 229AB (map down below). The masquerade will be held Saturday night at 8PM at West 301BCD which is always a fun event. I have also put together a list of cosplay meetups that I have been able to find so far, I will keep updating this article as necessary up to the day of the convention.

To reiterate the zero tolerance policy of Phoenix Fan Fusion:
“Phoenix Fan Fusion will always encourage fan convention costume enthusiasts (aka “cosplayers”) to SPEAK OUT against the inappropriate social behavior of a sexual and/or stereotypical nature toward themselves and fellow fans.

Phoenix Fan Fusion has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment and discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to:

  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Physical assault and/or battery
  • Sexually offensive actions or comments
  • Stalking
  • Intimidation
  • Non-consensual photography or recording
  • Constant disruption of panels, photo opportunities, and other events

Discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to:

  • Race & Ethnic Background
  • Age
  • Sex & Gender identity
  • Religion
  • Sexual preferences & orientation
  • Physical Appearance

Violation of this code of conduct will result in revocation of one’s badge and removal from the convention. 

Should you feel unsafe: please speak to any member wearing a Phoenix Fan Fusion CREW badge, any security personnel in a Yellow or Blue polo shirt, or Police Officers stationed throughout the event.  

Parking: At the time of publication, all days at all garages are available with the exception of Saturday at the Phoenix Convention Center North garage. Most of the pre-paid parking is $20 a day, with one location coming in at $15 a day. You can still purchasing your parking ahead of time (which will be helpful as there are events going on in Downtown Phoenix all weekend) at this link here.

If driving is not your thing, then I’d recommend taking the Valley Metro Rail to Downtown Phoenix. Which has stops right next to the convention center. In some years, the stops right next to the convention center have been closed but the next stop is just a block away.

Food: So no food or beverages will be allowed to be brought into the convention center. They do say reasonable accommodations will be made for parents or individuals with health concerns. You will also be allowed to bring in an empty to be able to use at the various water stations. The convention center does have a food court but it gets PACKED. Out in front, between the North and West buildings, will usually have a handful of food stations serving various different foods. You will be able to leave the “campus” to get food and re-enter thru security. For a map of what is near the convention, plus a few recommendations of my own, you can check out this map I created.

Mobile App: The Fan Fusion app has returned for both iOS and Android! Create your own schedule, access the map (which is shown below), access the list of exhibitors and the gaming schedule.

Maps: Here are a couple of maps Phoenix Fan Fusion has put together to help you get around easier!