Postponement

WasabiCon NOLA is postponed until 2027. The new dates will be announced next week.

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