eeks of metro Phoenix, prepare yourself for three days of nerdy bliss. Phoenix Fan Fusion, the largest pop culture and comic con in Arizona, returns this week and will be packed with activities. The three-day event from Friday to Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center will celebrate a multitude of fandoms, including cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, gaming, horror and anime. Thousands of programming events will also take place. More than 100 special guests, ranging from authors and comic book creatives to actors and actresses, will appear. There will also be a massive exhib- itor hall, countless cosplayers and myriad nerdy activities throughout the weekend. Want to make the most of Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024? We’ve put together an insid- er’s guide to the event with everything local geeks will need to know. When is Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024? Phoenix Fan Fusion 2024 is from May 24 to 26. How much are tickets? Tickets to Fan Fusion are available at phoe- nixfanfusion.com/buy. Prices are as follows and don’t include taxes and fees: • Weekend full event passes: $89 per person • Friday, May 24 only: $39 per person • Saturday, May 25 only: $59 per person • Sunday, May 26 only: $39 per person • VIP weekend full event pass: $495 per person • Kids 12 and younger: Free. Where can I park? The following parking structures and lots are within walking distance of Phoenix Convention Center: • Adams Street Garage: 325 W. Monroe St., 602-252-1020. Daily rate is $30 • Convention Center East Garage: 601 E. Washington St., 602-307-5096. Daily rate is $30. • Convention Center North Garage: 475 E. Monroe St., 855-223-7275. Daily rate is $30. • Convention Center West Garage: Third and Washington streets. • Heritage Garage: 123 N. Fifth St., 602-258-0048. Daily rate is $30. • Hyatt Regency Garage: 40 N. Second St., 855-223-7275. Daily rate is $30. • Second Avenue Garage: 303 N. Second Ave., 602-378-7355. Daily rate is $30. • 305 Garage: 305 W. Washington St., 602-534-6200. Daily rate is $20. • Plaza Garage: 100 W. Washington St., 602-351-2215. Daily rate is $20. Street parking in downtown Phoenix Several thousand metered street parking spaces are located throughout downtown Phoenix, but availability can be hit-or- miss. Spaces are $1.50 per hour and meters are enforced 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays. You can use the Parkmobile app to reserve and pay for individual parking spaces. Ride-sharing A pickup and dropoff point for ride- sharing services like Uber, Lyft and Waymo will be located at 33 S. Third St. across the street from Fan Fusion’s south entrance. Public transit Valley Metro Rail is one of the easiest ways to get to Fan Fusion. Fares are $2 for a single ride or $4 for an all-day pass. A pair of stations are located within walking distance of Phoenix Convention Center. • Third and Washington streets (near Fan Fusion’s south entrance) • Washington Street and Central Avenue (near Fan Fusion’s First Avenue/Adams Street entrance) Entrances to Phoenix Fan Fusion Secured entrances are located at Second and Adams streets, Third and Monroe streets and Third and Washington streets. Where do I pick up my badge? Badge redemption stations are located outside each secured entrance. What’s the schedule? Different areas of the event, like its entrances or exhibitor hall, will have separate schedules. Here’s a rundown of when everything is operating: Secured entrances Friday, May 24: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25: 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Badge redemption stations Friday, May 24: 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25: 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit hall Friday, May 24: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Programming and events Friday, May 24: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. What should I bring? Comfortable shoes are a must. There is a lot of ground to cover during Phoenix Fan Fusion, so you will need them. You’ll also want to bring both cash and a debit/credit card (as some vendors An insider’s guide to Phoenix Fan Fusion, the Valley’s geekiest event of the year. BY BENJAMIN LEATHERMAN >> p 14 Phoenix Fan Fusion’s Masquerade Costume Contest is one of the highlights of the event. (Photo by Benjamin Leatherman) Phoenix Fan Fusion is Arizona’s biggest pop culture and comic con. (Photo by Benjamin Leatherman)
