Con Report: Connecticon 2026

From Thursday, July 16 to Sunday, July 19, 2026 fans began to descend upon Hartford, Connecticut for Connecticon XXIII. For those unaware, it is the longest running pop culture convention in Connecticut featuring various talents across mediums. However, in recent years it is generally a place to meet several voice acting talents and to cosplay. Although, other interesting events and activities include different types of gaming areas, plus musical acts. 

Now, this recent Connecticon was Hero-Club’s first outing to this convention in particular as both attendees and press. For those wondering, our team consisted of Fighterxaos, Demonwolf, Demonwolf’s friend Len, and myself (Wheelchair21). So, we did not know what to expect at the actual show, besides meeting announced guests and some panels. Interestingly, we were told that Connecticon is a fairly small con from past attendees. However, when our staff arrived it was seemingly larger than we expected, mostly for its volume of attendees. For example, even with wide aisles between guest signings or in dealers areas, it could be clogged with people.

Also, with the amount of traffic within the building services like escalators and elevators required some occasional maintenance. Although, that inconvenience was only noticeable when going to the highest floor, and because I require elevator access for mobility. Additionally, to make things worse some of the city maintained elevators were out of service. As a result, I had to find interesting ways to navigate myself just to get to the courtyard areas. Especially, since most cosplayers gather in the main lobby and the outdoor courtyards for photoshoots. Sadly, Saturday featured several rain showers, so people were moving to alternate areas to avoid ruining their costumes. Furthermore, I am getting too ahead of myself regarding some of Saturday’s antics.

First, the convention began on Thursday as pre-registration, and as such not much was happening. Like attendees were getting their badges, people were already cosplaying, and fan-run panels occurred. However, we did not get to participate in those activities since we were searching for our press badges. Surprisingly, Hero-Club arrived early enough where staff was still getting things together, and uncertain where things were. So, we went on an adventure meeting several Connecticon staff members till we got our badges. Thankfully, that actually helped us learn where most of the elevators were, and how to access the parking garage. Additionally, during that time we got to know the people in Connecticon’s press department and trade convention “war stories.” Furthermore, the Connecticon press department prepped us for Friday’s big interview with Steve Blum. Afterwards we returned to our hotel to rest, and I excessively needed it having recently recovered from an infection. Whereas, Demonwolf was tired from all the driving and xaos was relieved from no longer being trapped at a station.

Anyway, Friday was our big day since the priority was making sure the Steve Blum interview happened. Interestingly the biggest problem was just trying to find a parking space to get into the show. Unfortunately, we had to park on the roof of the parking garage where it roasted my vehicle. Also, even though we arrived early, parking cost us most of our early access to the convention. Thankfully, it did not affect our plans as we mostly talked to attendees, and checked out the gaming area. Eventually, around 12:30 pm our group split into teams, with xaos and I leaving for the interview. Whereas, Demonwolf and Len went around the Dealers Room and checked other floors. Meanwhile, the Steve Blum interview went well and we networked with the other outlets participating in the media scrum. Additionally, that interview should be available on the site and our YouTube channel within a few days.

After the interview our party reconvened and headed to the top floor to check out some panels. Interestingly, we found several vendors selling retro goods, and the various cosplay guests on that floor. Also, we were originally unaware that there was an entire bar in the back, which we somewhat avoided. However, our party did find ourselves going to the Pokémon 30th Anniversary/ 4Kids Panel to meet up with other online friends. Whereas, the panel itself was very funny as the Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh! alumni discussed each shows’ history. Additionally, the panel would get sidetracked by “personal interests/ fan interactive” questions like “Star Wars vs. Star Trek.” Then following the panel we somewhat tagged along with the guest as they returned to their booths. Once we arrived at the booths, xaos and I got autographs from Dan Green and Eric Stuart. Eventually, after meeting with several former 4Kids talents we decided to hop onto Steve Blum’s line. Hilariously, Steve’s manager/ handler recognized us from the interview when asked us what we wanted to purchase. Personally, I had one of my wheelcovers signed, while xaos got a double-signed print including Mary Elizabeth McGlynn’s signature. Once having met Steve again, we decided to end our Friday at Connecticon and return to the hotel.

The next day started off pretty awful, as we discovered that the convention’s parking garage oversells the weekend passes. Additionally, the weekend parking passes do not guarantee access to the garage, so it is a free-for-all. As a result, the garage was full just before 10 am with traffic heavily building up. So, being tourists to the area we tried asking one of the traffic officers for advice, and he blew us off. Thankfully, a quick Google search directed us to another garage around the block with surprisingly low fees. Whereas, the path to the convention was easy, having to take the overhead walkways. Interestingly, the city elevators were out of order too, so we had to enter via the convention center’s cafe area. Coincidentally, once we got inside Connecticon we began to hear how other attendees and dealers hated the parking arrangements. Specifically, one Connecticon regular mentioned if they do not have the conjoint hotel booked, they try parking at 8 am. Furthermore, one of the dealers had a sign up at the booth joking about the ongoing parking issues. Overall, it seemed that many at the event agreed it was a terrible situation Connecticon could have avoided.

Then the biggest standout for our time at Connecticon on Saturday was Demonwolf, who was in full cosplay. During the first half of Saturday, Demonwolf was dressed up in the Zamuza Armor from Monster Hunter Frontier Z. Interestingly, many people knew that Demonwolf was wearing “Monster Hunter armor,” but they could not name the set. However, there were at least two other attendees that made a guessing game out of it. So, they would come up to ask Demonwolf, fail, leave, and find us again later to make another attempt. Coincidentally, several Connecticon staff members kept asking Demonwolf if he would enter the Cosplay Contest. As a result, Demonwolf just kept telling people he just cosplays for the love of the game. Although around lunchtime Demonwolf left to change out of his armor because the suit wore him out. Also, it was around that time rain began hitting the area, which made it hard to buy food. Especially, since most of the convention’s food came from a huge tour of food trucks. Personally, it was annoying for me since I did not want my chair getting soaked, so I stayed inside mostly.

Following the lunch break our group ventured all over the convention again, from top to bottom. Here, we got more photos of other cosplayers and checked out some of the panels. However, unlike the Pokémon 30th Anniversary Panel we just popped in briefly to see what they were about. Additionally, we met with more guests like Billy West, Barbara Goodson, Jon St. John, and Cal Dodd. For xaos, he was delighted to meet Billy West and Jon St. John, but glad to finally see Barbara Goodson. Specifically, since I have met Barbara countless times at Power Morphicon, and told him how wonderful she is. Surprisingly, having been unable to schedule an interview at Connecticon with Jon, he accepted our invitation for a later date. As a result, we are currently trying to schedule one with Jon St. John in the foreseeable future. Although it is still uncertain if that interview can be arranged given Jon’s schedule. Ultimately, the biggest surprise was when Cal Dodd signed my electric wheelchair after he saw the other signatures on it. 

At some point during Saturday, we took in the convention’s free wrestling show featuring local indi-talent. Here, at Connecticon the wrestling event is called Cosplay Championship Wrestling, where the talent cosplays various characters. Interestingly, several of the matches were multi-man extravaganzas filled mostly with high-spots. Coincidentally, xaos and I assumed it is because these wrestlers had to do multiple matches per show and day. So, these wrestlers have to make their moments due to the allotted time and try to avoid injuries if possible. Unfortunately, unlike previous years these shows did not include wrestlers from TNA or AEW. Then following the wrestling show, it was almost the end of the day for the main part of the convention. As a result, we used that time to take more photos of the Dealers Room, and talk with the vendors. During that time I made my only non-autograph purchase, which was a set of gaming dice from It’s Getting Dicey. Whereas, xaos and Demonwolf made really solid purchases from K0g_Gunpla who had an amazing variety of Gundam kits on sale. Finally, as the halls were closing down we hung out in the lobby where various cosplay dance parties were occurring. 

Eventually, we left that night to return to our hotels and prepare for our return trips home. As a result, we were unable to attend Sunday even though we wanted to return for more kits from K0g_Gunpla. Thankfully, xaos trip home to Springfield, MA was better than his trip to Hartford. Whereas Demonwolf and Len hit some rough traffic as they returned to New Jersey. Meanwhile, my trip was fun, as I managed to stop for ice cream on the way back into New York. So, everyone did arrive home safe, but we quickly got hit with convention withdrawal. Immediately, we missed being able to hang out in person like we had been doing for the past 3 days.

Overall, Connecticon is a really good convention that people in the North East should visit at least once. Coincidentally, its main issues seem to be a high volume of attendees, and its parking garage problems. Like the volume of attendees is not too terrible, but causes for congestion when moving about the area. Personally, I think it might be too much for some people who deal with claustrophobia. Also, its ADA is pretty decent with staff helping people like myself get access to guests quickly. However, it seems to be a case by case situation when guests’ lines become too large.

Whereas, any critique towards Connecticon’s press department would be having better allotted deadlines for submitting interview requests. Especially, since after submitting some names with press applications and being accepted only then we could ask for more. Although by that time the guest relations department cut off access somewhat earlier than usual. Additionally, we learned from other outlets that some were vetted out by certain agencies due to social media followings. So, for Hero-Club getting the opportunity to interview Steve Blum was seemingly a godsend compared to our peers. Personally, having met members of Connecticon’s press department I know they fought hard for several outlets’ inclusion. Like they truly understood what it means to be journalists, and how followings do not always equal professionalism. Ultimately, we are grateful to have received the opportunity to cover Connecticon, and hope we get to again someday.

Anyways, we hope everyone enjoyed Hero-Club’s coverage of Connecticon XXIII. Also, to see all of our photos from the event we suggest people check out the FaceBook gallery. Furthermore, we look forward to seeing everyone at the next convention we cover, which possibly will be Power Morphicon. Nevertheless, to keep up to date with Hero-Club, we suggest that people should follow us across social media using @HeroClub4Life!