Postponement
WasabiCon NOLA will be back in 2027
You can read the original announcement here. Here are the latest updates:
- MAY 16, 2026: WasabiCon will be hosting a free Anime × Idol Community Fest at the The Howlin Wolf New Orleans prior to the Club Kaiju party on May 23rd. It will feature a cosplay showcase and live Kaigai Idol musical performances. You can register for FREE tickets here: https://www.tixr.com/groups/wasabicon/events/wasabicon-anime-x-idol-community-fest-190740
- MAY 12, 2026: Press Release — WasabiCon NOLA postponed until 2027
- MAY 12, 2026: Alejandra Saab has confirmed his appearance for new dates.
- MAY 8, 2026: The new dates are confirmed and contracted with the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville. March 26-28, 2027.
- MAY 5, 2026: Club Kaiji will host a party at The Howlin Wolf New Orleans on Saturday, May 23rd. Tickets are on sale: https://www.clubkaiju.net/events/clubkaijuneworleans523
- MAY 1, 2026: Green Mustard Entertainment announced that WasabiCon NOLA would be postponed until 2027.
You can now apply to transfer to the new dates or request a refund. Please fill out the appropriate form:
Original Announcement: WasabiCon NOLA is postponed. The event will now take place March 26-28, 2027 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
We are working with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans to make this transition happen as smoothly as possible and have a weekend tentatively on hold next spring. Additionally, we are already in discussions to rebook this year’s guest for the new dates. While WasabiCon NOLA 2026 will not take place, we are working on a series of standalone events scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in and around the city. Details will be announced soon.
In the coming weeks, we will reach out with options, including transferring your ticket(s) and/or Exhibitor Space (Artist Alley/Vendors) to the new dates or, if you are unable to attend, requesting a full refund.
What happened? The postponement is not the result of a single issue, but rather a combination of factors that led to this decision.
Dates. Our first two years were held on the same weekend (Mother’s Day). When we began discussions to renew with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans, that weekend was no longer available. We were hesitant about the alternative dates, as they placed us alongside several larger, established events—most notably MomoCon. However, we chose to take the risk in an effort to build consistency for our newest WasabiCon convention. In the months following our agreement, more than seventeen (17) anime and pop culture conventions were announced for Memorial Day weekend across the United States.
Venue. Our overall rental commitment with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans increased by 27% from 2025 to 2026.
Exhibitors. While Artist Alley registrations increased compared to last year, vendor sales declined significantly. This resulted in a noticeable gap in the Exhibitor Hall. This appears to be driven by the current economic climate, combined with the saturation of events taking place on the same weekend.
Guests. WasabiCon strives to offer a unique guest lineup in each market. However, since announcing the NOLA event in 2023, several other conventions have entered the area. Combined with the crowded Memorial Day weekend schedule, many of our preferred guests were unavailable for 2026. We are already in discussions with several voice actors for 2027 and are hopeful that Alejandro Saab and Yaya Han will be able to join us on the new dates.
Despite these challenges, one key metric stood out: ticket pre-sales were higher than last year. This is why we chose to postpone rather than cancel: to ensure anime, cosplay, and gaming fans in New Orleans have the memorable experience they deserve.
We are working as quickly as possible to finalize next steps and appreciate your patience as we navigate this transition. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact us at nola@wasabicon.com