All You Need To Know About Comic Con Cape Town 2025

Pop culture fans, gamers, and cosplay enthusiasts – get ready. Comic Con Cape Town 2025 is set to take over at Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2) from 1 to 4 May, bringing four days of entertainment, creativity, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re into gaming, comics, or dressing up as your favourite character, this event is a must-visit.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

SHOP On The Ground Floor – The Hub of All Things Pop Culture

The Ground Floor is the hub of all things pop culture and the place for fans looking to immerse themselves fully in pop culture.

Main Stage
Fans can participate in Q&As with local and international film and series celebs, and enjoy both fun and educational panels. One of the highlights of the Main Stage programme is the daily Cosplay competitions and the announcement of the Cosplay Champs winner. There is also a second, smaller pop content stage on the Ground Floor this year, which is because there’s so much to learn about and have fun with that it couldn’t all fit a single stage. Celeb guests include Ian McDiarmid from the Star Wars film franchise, Michael Trucco from the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, and Zach Aguilar, an American voiceover actor who has appeared in the English dubbed versions of One Punch Man, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and more.

Artist Alley
The undisputed heartbeat of any Comic Con is its Artist Alley, and in 2025 Comic Con Cape Town’s Artist Alley is one to remember. In conjunction with FanCon, Comic Con Cape Town has secured an incredible line-up of local and international artists in the comic scene. At the Artist Alley Stage, fans can watch renowned local and international comic artists participate in sketch battles, live draws, panels, interactive Q&As, industry talks, and more.

Featuring artists include Adam Kubert, Jim Cheung, Lara Braga, Rob Levi, Stephanie Lavaud, Warren Louw, Sean Izaakse, Anand Ramcheron, Bushy Wop, Johnny Allison, Keith Vlahakis and Sanele Qwabe.

Cosplay Central
Cosplay Central is a visual spectacle, where local Cosplayers can interact with their international counterparts and show off their Cosplays. This is also where fans can enter the daily Casual Cosplay Competitions. Popular cosplayers Yuji Koi and Mayo Cosplay will be there.

Food Truck Village
Fans can enjoy beverages and meals in the popular and vibe-filled Food Truck Village, with food prepared by gourmet and artisanal food trucks.

PLAY on Level One – The Festival of Tabletop Gaming

Step away from the screen and into the world of tabletop gaming. Whether you’re a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, looking for exclusive deals on the latest expansions, or want to join free-to-play campaigns, this is your chance to experience unplugged gaming at its finest.

Dungeons and Dragons
The Dungeons and Dragons playing field is always packed. This popular feature of tabletop gaming at Comic Con Cape Town gives you options. Quick Encounters are short to play, while three-hour sessions with more detailed gameplay will captivate players with their imaginative and detailed campaigns.

Learn to Play
Tutors will be on hand to teach novices – or upskill more experienced players – in a variety of trading card games. Fans can expect to play and learn more about Pokémon, Yu Gi Oh, Magic the Gathering, Altered, One Piece, and Star Wars Unlimited.

Boardgame Library
Fan feedback from 2024 showed festival organisers that players were hungry for access to a greater variety of boardgames. Answering the call, Unplug Yourself is bringing loads of boardgames to their Boardgame Library, all of which are available to be played at the con. With plenty of space available, players can grab a table and get stuck in. Boardgames in the library include Catan Prize War, Project L, LEGO’s Monkey Palace, Quoridor PAC-MAN, Flame Craft, and Worm Span.

Industry EducationFans can learn how to conceptualise and publish their own boardgames courtesy of three published boardgame designers who will be speaking to fans. With demos, talks, and Q&A sessions, fans can get a look at the behind-the- scenes of the boardgame industry and boardgames design.

EXPERIENCE on Level Two – Gaming Champs, Activations, and Free Play

The gaming offering at Comic Con will satisfy the gaming itch of avid, competitive, and casual gamers. On Level Two fans can immerse themselves in gaming like never before. With free-to-play zones and tournament and South Africa’s top Esports spectacles, the gaming offering at Comic Con Cape Town is unparalleled.

Telkom VS Gaming
Telkom VS Gaming brings you epic tournaments, thrilling competitions, and unbeatable challenges. Whether fans are into professional Esports action, schools battling it out, or casual play, there’s something for everyone. Telkom VS Gaming promises unforgettable moments, daily prizes, and the chance to meet gaming legends.

The Toyota Gaming Engine
Whether new to gaming or a seasoned veteran, fans play their favourite titles at TTGE’s Engine Room at Comic Con Cape Town. Featuring four days days of free-to-play challenges, with each day putting a different gaming title in the spotlight. Two surprise influencers will also be coming to the TTGE Engine Room to rev up the vibes.

Free-to-Play Zones
Free-to-play zones give fans the opportunity to play the latest equipment and games. There are free-to-play zones soda around the hall.

Red Bull Golden Letters
Fans are challenged to bring up the heat with Red Bull. Golden Letters in the electrifying Tekken 8 tournament that will separate the button mashers from the true legends.

RGB Gaming
RGB gaming activities are a hub of excitement, offering a range of thrilling adventures and friendly competitions for young gamers that foster both camaraderie and skill development among.

Meet Dricus du Plessis with Checkers Sixty60
Checkers Sixty60 is bringing Dricus Du Plessis, the MMA UFC Champion, on Saturday to meet with fans. This is an incredible opportunity to meet a living legend.

Netflix Squid Games 3
Netflix is bringing Squid Games 3 to life to Comic Con Cape Town. This is a fully immersive experience featuring brand new games, a Squid Mart, interactive stalls, and so much more. Can you survive the experience?

Afternoon Public Play and Open Tournaments
Free-to-play public activities feature spot prizes valued up to R10,000! Minecraft Build Challenge | Open Apex Legends Tournament | Custom Fortnite Matches.

KidsCon Zone – The Ultimate Family Day Out

Comic Con Cape Town is a super fun day out for the whole family, with features and activations for fans of all ages. The KidsCon Zone presented by Toys R Us will be the hub for the whole family. Younger fans and their families will be keen to congregate in this zone on the ground floor of the festival.

Shopping with Toys R Us
Kids and parents can immerse themselves in an unparalleled shopping adventure at Toys R Us. The Toys R Us activation offers a wide selection of top brands, toys, and merchandise to explore, all tailored for younger fans. Kids shouldn’t miss out on this ultimate Toys R Us shopping experience, where they will be able to purchase many of the fun toys and games they will have experienced at the festival. Toys R Us will be selling exclusive games and merch from brands like LEGO, Funko, Marvel, Hot Wheels, Jada, Barbie, and Zuru.

Freak Marbles Racing Championship
Freak Marbles, the latest wave of playable, collectible, and tradable marbles, will have a Freak Marbles Racing Championship in the KidsCon Zone. Kids will be able to race multiple times in the Championship, and the top competitors’ points and names will be displayed on a leaderboard in the area. The ultimate winner with the fastest lap time will take home all the glory and some great prizes.

Daily Kids Cosplay Competition
Cosplay encourages self-expression and creativity. The KidsCon Zone has a dedicated Casual Cosplay Competition held daily on the prestigious Comic Con Cape Town Main Stage, where young fans can dress up as their favourite characters and stand to win prizes. Cosplays from the intricate to the store-bought are allowed, and it’s always a delight to see the unique creations of the young minds at the festival. Registration is on the day, and there are two competitions a day.

Learning Pokémon with the Scarlet & Violet Academy
The Scarlet & Violet Academy is a kid-friendly space with Pokémon Professors, dressed in their finest outfits, ready to teach kids and parents how to play the ever popular Pokémon trading card game. Players, known as Trainers, can test their strategies against fellow Trainers in thrilling matches, and explore the world of Pokémon with a host of themed activities.

Character Meet and Greets
Kids can meet some of their favourite characters. Pop culture’s most famous plumbers Mario & Luigi, The Smurfs, Toys R Us’ official mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe, and YouTube sensations Noodle & Bun will be all be making their appearances at the con, ready to say hi and take photos.

Star Wars Day
Star Wars Day on Sunday May the 4th is going to be just as much of a blast for the kids as for the adults. Brands at Toys R Us will be selling exclusive Star Wars merch, and the Kids Cosplay Competition will have a Star Wars theme. Kids are encouraged to dress up as their favourite Star Wars characters. Let’s see Comic Con Cape Town and the KidsCon Zone stanning on Star Wars Day, and make this one of Cape Town’s biggest Star Wars Day celebrations ever!

Minecraft x Lush
Mincecraft and cosmetic retailer Lush are bridging the digital and physical world by creating a range of products inspired by the blocks, mobs, and tools of Minecraft’s Overworld and beyond. These products will be available exclusively at Comic Con Cape Town and are sure to appeal to kids and parents alike.

With loads more exciting activities in the KidsCon Zone, such as the Slush Puppie bar and launch of the first ever at-home Slush Puppie machine, kids will be blown away at the activities in their very own feature area at Comic Con Cape Town 2025.

Cost: Prices vary | From R190 (One-Day Pass: Full-day access to all areas & Full access)

When: Thursday 1 May to Sunday 4 May 2025
Where: CTICC 2, Corner of Heerengracht & Rua Bartholomeu Dias, Heerengracht St, Foreshore, Cape Town