From the minds behind The Hub Productions, and the original founders of Oz Comic Con, METRO COMIC CON is a new vision of pop culture in Australia.

With over 40 years combined experience in the event space, the creators of Metro Comic Con have previously brought Australia guests of the calibre of Jason Momoa, Benedict Cumberbatch, Orlando Bloom, Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Karl Urban, William Shatner, Robert Englund, Richard Dean Anderson, Patrick Stewart & Stan Lee, and now they’re bringing a new town to YOUR town – a metropolis of excitement and wonder.

Once a year only, a destination and a pop culture extravaganza, you can’t afford to miss what we’re bringing to you!

July 13th & 14th, 2024
Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC, Australia

Saturday: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Note: Special, separately ticketed functions & workshops will be held outside normal event hours on Friday 12^th July or the evening of Saturday 13^th July. Times for these events will be advised in the ticket details.

METRO COMIC CON 2024 will be held at the Melbourne Showgrounds, utilising the Exhibition, and Victoria Pavilions plus the Royal Block, turning it into Metro City for the weekend!

Interested in visiting from out of state? Learn more about Victoria, Australia here.

Located just 7km from Melbourne CBD and 15 minutes from Melbourne Airport, the Melbourne Showgrounds are easily accessible by public transport or car.
The Metro Trains will be running every 20 minutes to the showground over the weekend.

Access for people arriving by train is via gate 10A.

Access for people arriving on foot is gate 1A

Access for people arriving via car will be gate 7. From 7am

Parking will be available onsite at $20 per vehicle via Gate 7 .

Find more information on Public Transport and accessibility here.

Once you enter METRO CITY, you will have access to all the awesome experiences Metro Comic Con has to offer.

DOWNTOWN you will find the Comic District, home to our publishing artists and special guests; the Market Hub and Creative Circle where you can check out all our artisans showcasing their hand-crafted wares; plus Metro’s very own special Retro Road, for those vintage pop culture enthusiasts!

METRO HALL and the MIDTOWN THEATRE is the place to be for all the excitement of our special guest panels. Join in the fun of hearing unique  ‘behind the scenes’ anecdotes, and have the opportunity to ask a question or two of your favourite star.
It is also where Metro’s COSPLAY competitions will be taking place. Whether you’re an amateur or professional, there is a place and space for everyone to be involved!

It’s only a short stroll down the BOULEVARD, absorbing the action of cosplay artists and immersive photo opportunities, as you make your way into CITY CENTRAL. The heart of Metro City is full of the hustle and bustle of a thriving pop culture Metropolis.

Make unforgettable memories to share with your friends by purchasing a token to have your photo taken with an amazing celebrity at the Photo Precinct, or have an item signed by them in Autograph Alley.

The City Central neighbourhood is also full of vendors selling every type of pop culture item you could dream of; food and drinks for those who need a recharge; plus plenty of free fun activities for the whole family including gaming stations, Lego activations, interactive experiences and chill out zones.

Be sure to keep an eye on our socials pages and website as we announce more of our special guests and experiences at Metro Comic Con 2024.

Metro Comic Con is run by DCA Enterprises.

For general queries not already answered in the FAQ below, please email us at: info@metrocomiccon.com.au

All media enquiries can be directed to NIXCO:

info@nixco.com.au

+61 (2) 8399 0626

Melbourne Showgrounds is a fully accessible venue providing inclusive access for people with disabilities to buildings and facilities, equipment, information and trained staff, addressing the needs of all patrons of the venue.

Accessible features of Melbourne Showgrounds:

• Accessible designated car parking and drop off points
• Accessible and clear pathways from car parking to the site and facilities
• Clear paths from outdoor to indoor areas
• Clear external and internal signage including use of symbols
• Wheelchair accessible seating at various locations at the venue
• Storage space for mobility aids
• Slip resistant floor and ground surfaces
• Access for assistance and guide dogs including provision of water if required
• Lift access to venue areas with audio information and Braille buttons
• Designated, accessible toilet facilities, with sign-posted directions
• Changing Places toilet facility, for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. These facilities are designed to meet the needs of people with complex disabilities and their carers, and include an adult sized change table, ceiling hoist, a peninsular toilet, privacy screen and additional circulation space. Patrons using this facility will have their own personal MLAK key which allows nationwide access to Changing Places facilities.

Please see the Melbourne Showgrounds Website for more information.

Metro Comic Con tickets are on sale NOW for our July 2024 event.

PURCHASE HERE

We proudly use Humanitix for all our online ticket and token sales, and are happy to be supporting a registered charity that donates 100% of their profits to social impact projects for disadvantaged kids.

If Metro Comic Con tickets have not sold out prior to the event, you will also be able to purchase them at the door on the day. Please follow our socials and website to see if there are still tickets available on the weekend of the 13th and 14th July 2024.

Standard Entry Tickets allow access to all areas of Metro Comic Con, from 9am to 6pm Saturday, or 9am to 5pm Sunday, on the day  of your choice.

Once you have an entry ticket you can choose if you would like to purchase tokens to get autographs from or photographs with any of our awesome guests.

Specialty Ticket packages will also be available which offer additional perks and experiences like meet & greets, dinners, workshops, priority queuing, screenings and more, not otherwise accessible to standard ticket holders.

Tickets are on sale NOW. All Ticket Prices include ALL Booking fees and GST.

STANDARD ENTRY TICKETS:

Saturday Adult Pass* – $42.50
Saturday Childs Pass – $21.75

Sunday Adults Pass* – $42.50
Sunday Childs Pass – $21.75

Weekend Adult Pass* – $73.75
Weekend Childs Pass – $37.25

*Every paid Standard Entry adult ticket is eligible to receive one child’s ticket (ages 5 to 12 inclusive) of the same type for free.

Children under the age of 5 are free

SPECIALTY TICKETS:

The Metro Xpress Pass – $250

• Weekend admission to Metro Comic Con
• Early access to Metro Comic Con (half-an-hour before doors open)
• Xpress queuing at the Tokens Booth to purchase photo & autograph tokens
• Xpress queuing for autographs
• Xpress queuing for photographs
• Xpress seating in any open guest panel
• Collectible Metro Xpress Pass
• Free cloaking in the Metro City Cloak Room (up to 2 items at a time)

Each paid adult ticket allows complimentary entry for one child aged 12 and under. Any additional children between the ages of 5 & 12 require a paid child’s ticket for entry. Any child under 5 years of age may enter complimentary as long as they are accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket.

We sure do! There is no additional charge to have a companion join you at Metro Comic Con. You can still purchase your ticket online prior to the event, but please present your companion card at the ticketing area when you enter the venue and your carer or companion will be given a wristband allowing them complimentary entry to accompany you throughout Metro City.
Please note: Under the complimentary entry scheme, companions are not entitled to have or purchase photo or autograph tokens unless they also purchase their own entry ticket. For specialty tickets that include additional activities, please contact us at info@metrocomiccon.com if you have any queries about carer or companion access. Each Companion Card entitles you to one complimentary carer or companion pass.

Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We do ask that you please ensure you are able to look after all the children in your care.

Children aged 15 and over are able to attend by themselves, although we suggest parents and guardians have a way of getting in touch with their child in case of emergency.

We do not have a child-minding service on-site.

Upon purchasing your ticket you will be given a unique QR code that you can save to your mobile device or print out and bring with you on the day.

At the Metro City Gates you will have your ticket / QR code scanned, and be issued with a wristband that aligns with your choice of ticket. All attendees must wear their wristband at all times inside the venue.

If you are found to be without a wristband you may be asked to leave the convention.

If you lose your QR code prior to the event please contact Humanitix.

If you lose your wristband on the day, please head immediately to the information desk for assistance.

If you have already purchased a ticket and decide you wish to upgrade to a higher priced ticket type, we can help make this happen for you (provided there are still tickets available to purchase, of course!)

We can also assist if you wish to change your ticket from a Saturday to Sunday entry or vice versa.

Please contact us at info@metrocomiccon.com.au for assistance with your ticket upgrade.

Metro Comic Con tickets are non-refundable. For further details please see the Tickets section of the event Terms & Conditions.

This information is not made public. Instead, ticket holders for special activities outside the main event will receive venue information via email in the week leading up to the event.

The only area in which you may take a photo of a celebrity is when they are on stage during their panel per the directions of the MC. there are very strict rules about taking photos of our special guests outside of these zones.

If you want to create a lasting memory with one of the celebrities, you can purchase a photograph token to be redeemed in the Photo Precinct, or an autograph token to be redeemed in Autograph Alley.

Some kinds of specialty tickets include a meet and greet event, which will allow you the opportunity to have a conversation with your favourite guest.

Each of our celebrity guests have at least one time slot allocated per day within the Photo Precinct, where you can have a professional photo taken of yourself with them.

Photo opportunities tend to sell out fast, and when they go on sale you will need to purchase Photo Tokens with any guests you wish to have a photo with. You will need to select a date for each token when you purchase it. For some guests you may also need to choose a specific time slot upon purchase.

One token needs to be purchased for each photo you wish to have taken, but in general you may have up to two adults & two children (aged 12 and under) in one photo. Some guests may have different limits in each photo. In such cases, this will be advised in the details of the photo tokens.

Photo time slots will be included for all guests when the Metro Comic Con schedule is released, the week of the event. It’s your responsibility to ensure you’re at the Photo Precinct prior to your allocated time slot. See below regarding what happens if you miss your time slot.

Metro Comic Con’s professional photographers will be taking your photo in our studio style photo booth and as you leave the booth you will be handed a receipt with a QR code. Scan the QR code on your phone or computer and download the high quality digital copy of your image. This image remains online for 12 months after the event and for privacy reasons is only able to be accessed by you, with your QR code.

If you love to display your memories, you can also visit the Metro Print Shop (located near the photo booths) and for an additional $10 each, purchase a high quality 8″x12″ photographic print of your image to frame or use at your autograph session with your favourite guest.

Please note: Photo ops are not to be confused with a meet and greet. If you wish to have a quick conversation with your favourite guest, we suggest that you do so in Autograph Alley where there may be more time to do so, or during a ticketed meet & greet event.

Yes! But only a maximum of two adults & two children (aged 12 and under) in one photo.
If you wish to have 3 or 4 adults in the one photo, you would need to purchase and hand over 2 tokens.
Some guests may have different limits in each photo. In such cases, this will be advised in the details of the photo tokens.

Yes! Within reason…

Photo ops are very quick as the guests are on a limited time schedule. Some guests will be happy to pose, others may not be. Our recommendation is to come into the photo space with a quick and clear suggestion (or photo/sketch) of what you are thinking. Please run this idea past the Metro team member before you enter, so you are not disappointed if your plans have to change.

Above all else, please respect our guests’ personal space and their decisions. Guests are people and it is their call whether or not they are comfortable with any pose or prop you would like in your photo. Similarly, the level of physical contact each guest is comfortable with is at their discretion and must be respected. Any form of inappropriate contact may result in you being removed from the event.

If you miss your allocated photograph time, please make your way to the Photo Precinct as soon as possible and speak to one of our friendly staff members. Based on the tight scheduling of the day, we may not be able to accommodate having the photo taken at a later time; however we will do our best to achieve this.

Missed photograph sessions are unable to be refunded.

If you would like to get the signature of a special guest, you will need to purchase an Autograph Token.

Our special guests have several time slots throughout the weekend where they will be ready to meet you in Autograph Alley. These time slots will be found in the Metro Comic Con schedule which is released closer to the event.

You do not need to choose a specific time slot as your token can be redeemed at any scheduled autograph time by simply joining the queue; however, we recommend not leaving your signing until the final session as autograph lines can become full and we don’t want you to miss out!

One token = one autograph. Unused autograph tokens are unable to be refunded.

You are more than welcome to bring your own item to be signed by the guest. It will need to be approved by Metro Comic Con staff in the guest’s area prior to being signed, as guests will not sign anything inappropriate or counterfeit.

If you don’t have something to be signed, no problem! We also provide a selection of complimentary 8×10″ prints at each guest’s signing table, so you may choose one to be signed and take home with you.

Please be aware that different guests have different rules for what they will and won’t write during the autograph session. Some guests will be happy to personalise your item as part of the token purchase, others will only sign their autograph.

Yes, you certainly can! You can purchase a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for any autographs that have been acquired at Metro Comic Con 2024.

COA’s may be obtained at the Metro Comic Con Token booth. We are only able to provide COA’s for Autographs you have had on that day, and you will need to provide proof of Autograph Token purchase.

You can find out more information about COAs here.

All Metro Comic Con entry tickets give our attendees the opportunity to listen to our special guests speak, and each guest will have a panel held in either Metro Hall or the Midtown Theatre. All guests will have a panel on both Saturday & Sunday unless otherwise advised in their bio page.

If you’d like to get some insight into their professional working life or hear some great stories about being on set or in the studio, then this is one experience not to miss out on!

Panels normally run around 50 minutes in length and the times can be found in our event schedule released in the weeks leading up to the show.

Some guests will even allow you the opportunity to ask a question, and if you wish to do so, be sure to come prepared with a good one!

Every now and then a circumstance may arise that means one of our special guests can no longer attend our show. Whilst this is upsetting for both fans and ourselves, we appreciate that work, family or health will always come first for our guests.

If a guest cancellation should occur, any tokens sold for that specific guest’s photo or auto ops will be refunded. If the guest was part of a guest specific ticket package, those tickets might also be partially or fully refunded.

Entry tickets are unable to be refunded due to a guest cancellation.

For sure! Metro Comic Con will have Absentee Packs available for purchase, where you can snag an autograph from your favourite celebrity and we will mail it to you if you cannot attend. These are available for purchase from the Hub Authentics store, as long as autograph tokens for the guest/s in question have not already sold out.

You can find all the info you need about Absentee Packs here.

Welcome convention rookies! How exciting that Metro Comic Con will be your first adventure in this exciting world of pop culture!

Comic conventions are exciting events. You should definitely expect large crowds – Metro Comic Con will be full of thousands of like-minded people –  and it will be a rush on your senses with all the colourful things to see and do.

Don’t be afraid to chat to the person next to you or the vendors and artists that you meet. Remember everyone is there for their love of some form of pop culture and our main endeavour is to make Metro Comic Con a happy and safe place for all to visit!

• COMFY SHOES?
  This is a must! There is so much to see, you will likely want to travel to every square inch of Metro City before the day is finished.
• TO BE, OR NOT TO BE, IN COSPLAY?
  Store bought costume? Home-made costume? Go for it! This is the one place you can wear what you want and fit in.
  No costume, no worries! Come in your favourite fandom merch or simply come as yourself. No judgements here. Just make sure to familiarise yourself with the cosplay rules, particularly those relating to props, as dangerous props & costumes aren’t permitted at the event.
• REMEMBER THIS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT
  Costumes that are a little too risque, or props that are dangerous, are not welcome. Please ensure you read our Cosplay section for more rules and info on this.

• YOUR TICKETS
  Don’t forget these! Either in physical or digital format, you will need a copy of your tickets ticket/s to get into Metro City.
• WATER
  The excitement of conventions can leave you feeling really thirsty. Remember to stay hydrated and feel free to bring your own water bottle from home that you can refill from a drinking station.
• SNACKS
  There are plenty of catering outlets at the venue to purchase food and drinks, but we suggest bringing a snack or two in case you get peckish.
• PHONE & PORTABLE CHARGER
  There is so much to see we are sure you are going to want to take photos. If you’re the type of person who is likely to take a LOT of photos, don’t forget to bring a portable charger.
• DEODORANT & BREATH MINTS
  The last thing you want during a day of hustle and bustle is to meet your favourite celebrity smelling … not so sweet! No need to drown yourself, but a little deodorant can go a long way in making close quarters enjoyable for all patrons.

• Check out the map of Metro City and the online programme for Metro Comic Con before you arrive and make a basic plan for what you’d like to see and do.
• Create a schedule and set alarms on your phone for the most important panels and events like photo ops and autos that you don’t want to miss, and to make sure you are in the right place at the right time.
• Going alone? Keep an eye out on our social media channels ahead of the show and do a call out for a buddy that has the same interests as you!
• Respect the other guests and attendees. Cosplayers are generally more than happy to pose for a photo with you but please ask them first.
• Have a good read through all the other FAQ so you know exactly what to expect.
• Above all else – ENJOY YOURSELF!

Handbags and Backpacks are allowed, however large bags, luggage on wheels or oversized strollers will not be allowed onto the show floor.

Yes. The location for the cloak room will be shown on the event floor plan.

If you lose something at the show, please head to the Information desk and give us your details. That way if the item is found we can easily contact you.

If you find something at the show, please do the right thing and hand it in to the Information desk – we are positive the owner will be eternally grateful.

Any items still missing an owner by the end of the weekend will be left and retained at the Melbourne Royal administrative office for six months. After this date, usable items will be donated to a local opportunity store and any items of value such as mobile phones, smart watches etc, will be given to the Flemington Police Station for their follow up.

We always aim to have a quiet space at our events, if possible. The location of this area will be announced closer to the show.

Strict volume levels will be enforced in the Metro Quiet Room and you will be asked to leave if you are socialising in this space.

Sadly no, please leave your pets at home.

Only registered service and assistance animals are permitted entrance to the Melbourne Showgrounds. If you are unsure whether your animal qualifies in this regard, please contact the Showgrounds for further information on 03 9281 7444 or via email at info@melbourneshowgrounds.com.

For the most part, you are very welcome to take pictures and video at Metro Comic Con; however, please ensure you have express verbal consent from all individuals you photograph.

Please note the following regarding recording of our special guests:

• There is to be no flash photography or video recording of panels, concerts or screenings.
• Photos are allowed for the first five minutes at the start of each panel. After this time we will advise you to please put your cameras away for the enjoyment of all. This rule is strictly monitored by our Metro staff.
• Unauthorised photography, sound or video recording is not permitted in the Photo Precinct or Autograph Alley.
• Cameras are not to be taken to any of the special event functions, per the rules associated with such special tickets.

It is quite possible you will be! We will have our roving photographers capturing all the action on the Metro City floor and in the panels. There will also be local and international press and media outlets covering our event. By attending Metro Comic Con, you are consenting to be recorded by & for the event. Full details regarding this can be found in our terms & conditions.

Yes! Store bought costumes… Hand-made costumes… There is a place at Metro Comic Con for all types of cosplay!

Regardless of whether you are entering one of our cosplay competitions, or just showing off your favourite costume, it is important that you familiarise yourself with our Cosplay Guidelines and Weapons Policy, as this will explain to you what is considered acceptable at our event.

Please read all policies and guidelines thoroughly, as ignorance of the rules & regulations does not warrant exemption from them.

If you require clarification for anything you can contact us at info@metrocomiccon.com.au.

Absolutely! Saturday, 13^th July is our Parade Day at Metro Comic Con. Cosplay is a huge part of the Comic Con culture and we want you to be a part of it! The parade is open for all ages, levels and abilities, from beginners all the way through to experts. It is a fun low stress event that allows cosplayers with no experience to get up in front of an audience and strut their stuff, and of course features a special kids only runway!

Struggling to think of costume ideas? Why not draw inspiration from books and comics, anime and manga, film and television or video game characters?

Check out our INFO HERE

Yes. For those who are serious about their art, on Sunday, 14^th July we will be introducing the first ever Metro Comic Con Cosplay Competition! In addition to a great prize, our Grand Winner will not only become the reigning champion, but also the Metro City Cosplay Ambassador for 2024-2025.

Here is the selection of categories we will be judging on are:

• Best prop
• Best fabrication
• Best armour
• Best group
• Best makeup
• Best original design
• Best under 15
• Best in show

For all Information you need CLICK HERE.

Registration is required on the day at the Cosplay Circuit.

Please CLICK HERE for all info you require.

You will find everything you need at the COSPLAY CIRCUIT. This is where you can come and meet the incredible Metro Comic Con cosplay guests, have a chat to our amazing cosplay team, sign in for your competition or check into the COSPITAL if you need repairs.

Why, it is a hospital for cosplay of course!! Metro city has it’s very own Cospital, stocked with the tools of the trade and some helpful volunteers who will assist in patching you up, should your amazing costume start to unravel or fall apart from all the excitement!

We will have some wonderful cosplay photographers with us over the weekend in the COSPLAY CIRCUIT STUDIO who will be willing and ready to take a professional photograph of you in all your glory. This is a complimentary service, and we ask that you support the amazing photographers who have come to volunteer their services for the day.

Gotham City, Star City, Argo City… every town needs its heroes and Metro City is no different. We are looking for volunteers to join the CITY SQUAD, a hand-picked selection of fun and friendly individuals who will assist in helping Metro Comic Con run smoothly. If this sounds like your true calling, please fill out the online volunteer application here.

Squad members will be assigned shifts to volunteer in different areas of Metro Comic Con; however when you are on break from your shift you are free to enjoy the convention like a regular attendee. While you cannot specifically choose the area you wish to work in, we will ask a variety of questions on the application form that will help us determine which area may suit you best.

Yes. You must be at least 16 years of age at the time of the event to be one of our City Squad volunteers.

While we are so grateful to everyone who wishes to volunteer, there are only a limited number of spots on the City Squad and we will be unable to accept every application that is submitted for this event. However, Metro Comic Con is here to stay and we encourage you to re-apply for future events!

Metro Comic Con has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. This policy applies to everyone who attends the event. You can find the full Anti-Harassment Policy here.

If at any time you believe any Metro Comic Con codes or rules have been broken, or are made to feel unsafe in any way, please inform a Metro Comic Con volunteer or staff member immediately. The health & safety of everyone at the event is paramount, and any report will be fully investigated and acted upon appropriately.

Alcohol and Illegal substances are not permitted at Metro Comic Con. Anyone caught buying, using or dealing illegal substances at the event will be removed from Metro Comic Con and may face further consequences, such as bans from future events & referral to the police. Anyone under the influence of legal or prescription drugs who is behaving in a way that contravenes the Code of Conduct or any other rules or regulations of the event will be isolated in a quiet, safe place until they are able to behave appropriately, and/or removed from the event if they are not able to follow the event rules & regulations.

Theft & any other action deemed criminal by the state of Victoria or the Commonwealth of Australia, will not be tolerated at Metro Comic Con. Anyone caught stealing, whether from an individual, exhibitor, vendor, or any other person or organisation at Metro Comic Con, will be removed from the event and may face further consequences, such as bans from future events & referral to the police. Anyone committing a crime not specifically listed in this Code of Conduct or other Metro Comic Con rules or regulations will still face consequences such as removal from the event, bans from future events & referral to the police.

Metro Comic Con has a strict set of rules in place regarding Cosplay, in order to maintain a safe experience for everyone who attends. Please read our Cosplay Guidelines & Weapons Policy here. 

Metro Comic Con reserves the right to request anyone in attendance to remove any face or head covering if necessary for the purposes of identification, except in the case of headwear or other clothing of a religious nature.

Inappropriate signage or displays, including on costumes and other apparel, are not permitted. Any such item must be covered, modified or removed from Metro Comic Con. Such items include, but are not limited to, crude language, hate speech or symbols, soliciting or advertising businesses or services that have not been authorised by Metro Comic Con organisers in writing and “free hugs” or similar signs. Failure to comply with the instructions of event staff in such matters is grounds for removal from the event.

Metro Comic Con reserves the right to change elements of the Code of Conduct & any other rules, regulations, policies or guidelines. Metro Comic Con is the sole arbiter of said codes, rules, regulations, policies, or guidelines and of any disputes thereof, and any interpretation of these is at the discretion of Metro Comic Con organisers.