VidCon Anaheim 2026 guide: what's new, dates, passes

If you're a creator who wants better collabs, smarter brand deals, and an excuse to network without feeling weird about it, mark your calendar. The internet's favorite IRL creator festival is back - with new tricks, new tickets, and a clear signal that live creator events are leveling up again.

Fast Facts (Because You're Busy)

When: June 25, 2026
Where: Anaheim Convention Center, California
What: The 15th edition of the flagship creator gathering
Organizer: Informa (global events group). This is their second Anaheim edition since acquiring the series from Paramount Global.
Tickets: On sale now via the official event site
New ticket structure:
- VidCon Pass: For the general public and fans
- Creator Pass: For active creators looking to learn, level up, and network
- Pro Pass: Full access to industry sessions and business-focused programming
Programming upgrades: Expanded Gaming Zone, a new Sports Court, and a Live Podcast Studio with creators recording in front of fans
Featured Creators (so far): Names include short-form standouts like Emmy Combs and Jasmin & James, with more added as the event approaches
Press: Credential applications available via the official site

What's Actually New in 2026

VidCon is ditching the old "tracks" terminology and moving to a clearer three-pass system. Translation: fewer acronyms, more signal. If you're a creator trying to turn views into revenue, the Creator or Pro Pass will put you where the panels, workshops, and brand people live.

On the show floor, expect more doing and less doomscrolling: a bigger Gaming Zone (last year's on-site "Roblox Hunt" clearly hit a nerve), a Sports Court for the competitive among us, and a Live Podcast Studio so fans can watch creators record episodes right in front of them. Yes, that means your favorite creator's hot takes - unedited and with crowd energy.

Featured Creators & Programming

Short-form is still the main character. Expect prominent TikTok and YouTube Shorts makers, beauty and lifestyle creators like Emmy Combs, and creator couples like Jasmin & James. The full roster typically evolves through spring, so assume more big names will drop closer to June.

Beyond meet-and-greets, you can bank on creator keynotes, panels on monetization, community growth, and platform strategy, plus plenty of brand activations looking for fresh faces and smart pitches.

Context You Should Actually Care About

New era of management: Informa - one of the world's largest events organizers - now steers the ship. Expect tighter operations, smarter programming layers, and a stronger industry presence.
Market reality check: The creator economy keeps expanding. Major analysts have projected continued growth in creator-driven advertising, commerce, and IP. Translation: there's deal flow if you show up prepared.
Lessons learned: Not everything scales. An East Coast edition was shuttered after a single year, and the pandemic forced multiple cancellations. Anaheim, however, remains the reliable centerpiece with tens of thousands of attendees when it runs.

Bottom line: If you want signal over noise - IRL learning, real meetings, and audience energy - Anaheim is still the mothership.

Which Pass Should You Get?

VidCon Pass: You're a fan, a casual creator, or bringing your crew for the vibes. You want the expo floor, stages, and Featured Creators on the main footprints.
Creator Pass: You actively post, you're hunting for tactics, and you want workshops, education, and networking with other creators.
Pro Pass: You're a full-time creator, manager, marketer, or brand. You want industry sessions, deal-making opportunities, and a place to talk CPMs without whispering.

How to Win VidCon as a Creator (No, "Just Vibe" Isn't a Strategy)

Define your goal now: Partnerships? Collabs? Representation? Pick one primary outcome.
Prep your one-sheet: Audience, formats, past brand work, rates, and verticals. Keep it scannable.
Book meetings in advance: Don't wait for serendipity - DM potential collabs and brand contacts by early June.
Optimize your pitch: Lead with audience outcomes (conversions, watch time, community fit), not follower counts.
Plan your content capture: Batch record, scout locations, and slot time for collab filming so you don't leave with zero drafts.
Attend at least two sessions outside your niche: Cross-pollination leads to better ideas and better monetization.
Take care of your voice and energy: Hydration, sleep, and a backup battery. You're not interesting if you're exhausted.

What to Expect Onsite

Gaming Zone (expanded): Playable demos, creator tournaments, and hands-on experiences
Sports Court: IRL competitions (yes, there will be sweat)
Live Podcast Studio: Watch creators record episodes live with fan Q&A vibes
Meet-and-Greets: Staged and scheduled - plan ahead if certain creators are non-negotiable

Anaheim Logistics (Creator Edition)

Location: The convention center sits near Disneyland Resort. Translation: hotels book fast and food lines can test your patience. Plan early.
Budget: Build in costs for rideshares, meals, merch, and last-minute add-ons. Your future credit card statement will thank you.
Gear: Keep your kit lean: phone, mic, compact light, battery bank, media badge pouch, and a backup SD card if you're running camera.

Key Dates & To-Do List

Now: Grab your pass on the official site, book hotel/flights, and start outreach
Early June: Lock meetings and collabs, finalize your one-sheet and media kit
Event week (June 25, 2026): Arrive early, check badge pickup windows, scout your filming spots, and hydrate like a pro

FAQs (Short, Sweet, Honest)

Are tickets on sale? Yes - available now on the official event site.
Can press apply? Yes - credential info is provided by the organizers.
Is the creator roster final? No - expect updates as June approaches.
What's the best pass for collabs and brand deals? Creator Pass for education and peer networking; Pro Pass if you want industry access and deal-making.

Why This Year Matters

With veteran organizers in charge, a clearer pass system, and programming that reflects how creators actually work (hello, live podcasts and playable experiences), 2026 is shaped for both fans and builders. If you want to turn attention into opportunity, this is one of the few rooms where the internet shows up in person - and where your next big break might be five feet away, holding a matcha and a gimbal.

Show up with a plan. Leave with momentum.

Editor's Note on Accuracy

Details such as dates, passes, and programming reflect the latest information publicly provided by the event organizers. Creator rosters, schedules, and on-site features can change. For the most current updates, check the official event site.