UwU Con 2025 in Mesa: Your guide to tickets, guests and more

When UwU Con 2025 takes place this weekend, the annual geek event will boast plenty of fresh changes. The Arizona pop-culture and anime convention from Oct. 17 to 19 will invade the Mesa Convention Center and include new attractions like a TCG area.

Co-founder Preston Stetzer promises the event still packs celebrity guests, cosplay, vendors and other nerdy attractions into a single weekend. UwU Con 2025’s celebrity lineup includes “SpongeBob SquarePants” voice actor Tom Kenny and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman. Fans of beloved anime “Cowboy Bebop” and the hit Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” can meet cast members from both shows at the con.

Other highlights will include the return of UwU Con’s food vendor lineup curated by chef Justin Park of Mesa restaurant Drunken Tiger.

Curious about what else awaits? Here’s your complete guide to UwU Con 2025.

When and where is UwU Con?

UwU Con 2025 is Friday. Oct. 17, to Sunday, Oct. 19, at Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St. in Mesa. Activities will also take place at Delta Hotels Phoenix Mesa, 200 N. Centennial Way.

What time is UwU Con 2025?

UwU Con’s official hours are as follows:

• Friday, Oct. 17: noon to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 18: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 19: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Early entry to the vendor hall is available an hour prior to opening for VIP badge holders.

UwU Con ticket prices

UwU Con badges can be purchased in advance at uwu.com/badges or at the event. (Prices will increase by $10 for each admission option when purchased onsite.) Here’s a full breakdown of advance admission prices for UwU Con 2025:

• Single-day admission (ages 11 and up): $30
• Weekend full event (ages 11 and up): $50
• VIP admission (ages 11 and up): $90
• Squad pack (with admission for four people): $150
• Children ages 10 and under: Free with a paid adult

VIP admission includes early entry into the vendor hall, access to express signature lines and an exclusive UwU Con shirt and swag bag.

UwU Con 2025 guests

UwU Con will feature a dozen voice actors and multiple comic book artists. Here’s a complete list of special guests at UwU Con 2024:

• Tom Kenny (voice actor, “SpongeBob SquarePants”)
• Steve Blum (voice actor, “Cowboy Bebop”)
• Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
• Wendee Lee (voice actress, “Robotech”)
• Beau Billingslea (voice actor, “Cowboy Bebop”)
• Melissa Fahn (voice actress, “Invader Zim”)
• Ted Lewis (voice actor, “Kirby: Right Back at Ya!”)
• Kyle Hebert (voice actor, “Bleach”)
• Aaron Dismuke (voice actor, “Fullmetal Alchemist”)
• Ricco Fajardo (voice actor, “My Hero Academia”)
• SungWon Cho (voice actor, “KPop Demon Hunters”)
• Clifford Chapin (voice actor, “Unbreakable Machine-Doll”)
• Andrew Choi (singer, “KPop Demon Hunters”)
• Danny Chung (singer, “KPop Demon Hunters”)
• Ben Bishop (comic book artist, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin”)

How much are autographs and selfies at UwU Con?

Autograph and photo costs vary per guest. Prices range from $20 to $250 for autographs and from $20 to $200 for selfies.

Parking at Mesa Convention Center

It’s free to park at Mesa Convention Center. Hundreds of spaces are available.

Vendors and artists at UwU Con

Stetzer says 50-plus vendors will be at this year’s event. The UwU Con 2025 vendor lineup includes retailers, artisans and anime-focused merch companies. An artist alley will feature 100 different artists from Arizona and elsewhere.

Cosplay at UwU Con

Cosplay activities like meetups, workshops and showcases will take place each day at UwU Con 2025. Local costuming groups will also have booths in the vendor hall. UwU Con’s cosplay contest and skit showcase will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday on the main stage in Mesa Convention Center’s Building B. Competitors will be judged on their craftsmanship and performances. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in multiple categories. Details are available here.

Gaming at UwU Con

Joystick junkies and tabletop gamers can satisfy their fix at the event. UwU Con 2025 will offer board, card, TCG and video games all three days. More info is available here.

Food and drink

UwU Con’s selection of food and drink options includes the following vendors:

• Let’s Toast
• Myungrang Hotdogs
• Jerk Island AZ
• Hungrywolf Bakery
• Drunken Tiger x Twisted Munchies collab
• Wiki-Licious
• Hot Bamboo
• Taiwan Mama
• KaDa Vietnamese Coffee & Tea
• Wabeebee

UwU Con prop and cosplay rules

Planning to wear a costume to the event? UwU Con has the following rules regarding cosplay and props:

• Cosplayers must abide by all state and local decency laws.
• Shoes are required at all times.
• Males in bodysuits or tight-fitting costumes must wear dance belts.
• Shoes will pointed heels or tips (including stilettos and stilts) aren’t allowed.
• Prop weapons will be peace-tied by security and cannot be brandished.
• Prop guns are allowed, but must have orange tips and cannot fire projectiles or be pointed at others.
• Replica pistols must be kept in a holster. Replica rifles need to be slung.
• Swords, axes, spears and pikes must be made from wood, PVC, foam, plastic, cardboard or paper. Metal weapons aren’t allowed.
• Paddles of any variety (including yaoi paddles) aren’t allowed.
• Exotic weapons will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by security.

UwU Con bag policy

The convention doesn’t allow oversized bags or backpacks. All other bags are subject to search by security.

What else isn’t allowed at UwU Con?

The convention doesn’t allow any of the following items:

• Drugs or illegal substances
• Hoverboards, skateboards, drones, carts, wagons, Segways or non-ADA scooters
• Laser pointers
• Fireworks, sparklers or other incendiary devices or flammable liquids
• Coolers
• Helium or Mylar balloons
• Confetti or glitter