Fan Expo Canada 2024 brought together fans from all corners of the pop culture universe for an unforgettable weekend in Toronto. Spanning four days, the event showcased a dynamic mix of celebrity panels, cosplay competitions, and exclusive merchandise. With a record-breaking attendance, this year’s expo offered something for everyone, from seasoned con-goers to first-time visitors. The energy was electric, and the sense of community was stronger than ever.
This year marked a unique milestone in our eight-year journey with Fan Expo Canada, as we brought our kids along for the first time. Navigating the bustling convention floor with little ones in tow was a new challenge. Despite our familiarity with the venue, accessibility proved to be a significant struggle. While some kind staff members allowed us to slide into elevators, the overall experience highlighted areas where the event could improve in accommodating families.
However, the kids' excitement was infectious. They were thrilled by the vibrant cosplays and gravitated towards the booths catering to younger audiences. Seeing the expo through their eyes added a new layer of enjoyment, making the challenges worth it.
Jazwares Brings Squishmallows to Life
One of the standout brands at Fan Expo Canada 2024 was Jazwares, featuring their immensely popular Squishmallows. Their booth was a hit, especially with the younger crowd, thanks to a fun and interactive claw machine game. Guests eagerly lined up for a chance to win adorable Squishmallow-themed surprises, adding an extra layer of excitement to the experience. The booth captured the playful spirit of the event, with the vibrant and soft Squishmallows being a perfect match for fans of all ages. It was a delightful stop that brought joy to both kids and adults alike.
LEGO: A Galaxy of Star Wars Creations
LEGO once again captivated fans at Fan Expo Canada 2024 with their incredible Star Wars-themed display. The booth featured awe-inspiring life-sized builds of iconic characters like Yoda and R2D2, drawing in crowds with their impressive detail and scale. Beyond just viewing, guests had the chance to get hands-on with LEGO by building their own mini-Yoda figures. The best part? They got to take their creations home as a special souvenir. The combination of stunning displays and interactive fun made the LEGO booth a must-visit for fans of all ages.
Mini Verse: Crafting Tiny Worlds
Mini Verse made a memorable impact at Fan Expo Canada 2024 by offering guests the opportunity to dive into a world of creativity. Their booth allowed attendees to craft their own unique Mini Verse creations, providing all the materials needed to bring these tiny worlds to life. The hands-on experience was a hit, especially with fans who enjoy blending art and imagination. Each creation became a personalized keepsake, making the Mini Verse booth a delightful and engaging stop for those looking to take a piece of the expo home with them.
Paramount+ Returns with THE LODGE: A Multiverse of Fan Experiences
For the second consecutive year, Paramount’s The Lodge returned to Fan Expo Canada, offering an immersive experience with every room dedicated to a different universe. Fans were welcomed by a cozy Paramount fireplace, setting the stage for themed activations featuring iconic franchises. A standout this year was the debut of the STAR TREK Menagerie, showcasing creatures from across renowned STAR TREK properties, including STRANGE NEW WORLDS and DISCOVERY.
Another highlight was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles experience, where guests could pose with the four turtle brothers in a den beneath the streets of New York City, and get hands-on with the upcoming game, Mutants Unleashed. Developed by Outright Games in collaboration with Paramount Game Studios, the game is based on the film Mutant Mayhem and is set to launch on October 18, 2024.
The game features an original story where the turtles face a new mutant threat while pursuing their dreams of attending a regular high school. Playable in single-player and two-player co-op modes, the game lets you control Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo in a sprawling New York City. The gameplay emphasizes teamwork, with players able to enhance each turtle’s skills using a skill tree.
From the short demo I played, filled with action and co-op fun, Mutants Unleashed is set to be a hit when it launches this October. Other attractions at The Lodge included a SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS 25th Anniversary mini golf experience and the HALO Artifact display, showcasing a star map left behind by the Forerunners from the Halo series.
Xbox Booth: Action-Packed Gaming and Iconic Experiences
The Xbox Canada booth at Fan Expo Canada 2024 was a hub of excitement, with Game Pass taking center stage. Fans had the opportunity to explore a variety of games and challenge professional gamers in the Xbox PC Game Pass Arena, which featured a stage for competitors and large screens to watch the action unfold.
Two highly anticipated games, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, offered thrilling photo opportunities. At the Indiana Jones photo op, attendees could pose with iconic props like the hat, whip, and jacket. The booth also included a Star Wars Outlaws claw machine, where fans could win prizes like a plushie of Nix. Additionally, Toronto-based Brazilian artist Christiano De Araujo was live-painting an oversized Call of Duty: Black Ops 6-themed Xbox Series S, creating a captivating and inspiring spectacle for everyone who stopped by.
Disney+: Step into the World of Agatha All Along
Disney+ created a spellbinding experience at Fan Expo Canada 2024 with their Agatha All Along booth, a preview of Marvel Studios' upcoming series. Attendees were invited to journey down the Witches Road, immersing themselves in the eerie and magical world of Agatha Harkness. The booth offered a sneak peek ahead of the series premiere on September 18, drawing fans into Agatha's dark and enchanting universe. The exclusive early access for accredited guests made it a must-visit stop, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the show's debut on Disney+.
Amazon Prime Video: Enter Middle-Earth with The Rings of Power
Amazon Prime Video’s booth at Fan Expo Canada 2024 transported fans straight to Middle-Earth with a focus on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. With the return of the dark and formidable Sauron in Season Two, the booth offered an immersive experience for attendees. Throughout the weekend, guests aged 8 and up could participate in a ring-making workshop led by local Toronto resin artist Jessica Rysyk, creating their own rings of power. Additionally, an interactive photo opportunity let fans capture epic moments inspired by the series. As Season Two promises to deepen the darkness and high-stakes drama, the booth perfectly set the stage for fans to engage with the magic and conflict of Middle-Earth.
Bell Esports Challenge Canada: Gaming Thrills on the Big Stage
Bell returned to Fan Expo Canada 2024 with the exciting Bell Esports Challenge Canada, powered by Google Pixel. The stage was set for intense competition across popular titles like Overwatch 2, Call of Duty, and Valorant. Gamers and spectators alike flocked to witness the high-energy matches and showcase their skills in these top esports titles. The event highlighted Bell’s commitment to the gaming community and offered fans a thrilling arena to engage with the latest in competitive gaming.
The Princess Margaret Quest to Conquer Cancer X AMD: Gaming for a Cause
Fan Expo Canada 2024 featured The Princess Margaret Quest to Conquer Cancer X AMD, where gaming met philanthropy in an immersive arcade experience. Attendees could play arcade games while supporting life-saving cancer research, with every credit purchased going directly to The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Beyond the good cause, participants also had the chance to win incredible prizes, making it a booth that combined fun, generosity, and the fight against cancer in a truly meaningful way.
Focus Entertainment: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Demo
Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive brought Warhammer fans an exclusive look at Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 at Fan Expo Canada 2024. Attendees had the chance to step into the boots of a Space Marine, experiencing a demo of the upcoming game set to release on September 9, 2024. The game features a 12-hour single-player campaign with an original story, as well as a cooperative mode for up to three players. Fans could choose from six different classes and customize their Space Marines with various cosmetic options and skills. The demo showcased the intense combat and stunning visuals that stay true to the Warhammer universe, leaving fans eager for the full game’s launch.
Samsung Odyssey: Gaming Excellence on Display
Samsung made a powerful impression at Fan Expo Canada 2024 with their Odyssey gaming booth, showcasing their latest gaming monitors and SSDs. Attendees, including myself, were blown away by the Odyssey Neo G9 gaming monitor, a 57″ curved beauty with DUHD resolution (7680 x 2160), a 240Hz refresh rate, and a 1ms response time. Paired with Samsung’s SSD 990 PRO NVME 4.0 M.2 internal solid-state drive, games like Fortnite loaded instantly and played smoothly, highlighting the booth's cutting-edge technology.
Samsung also displayed the Odyssey Ark Gaming Monitor G970, a massive 55″ 4K monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, and an innovative Cockpit mode that allows for vertical rotation. Another highlight was the 27″ Odyssey OLED G6 G60SD Gaming Monitor, featuring a stunning OLED screen with QHD resolution, a 360Hz refresh rate, and a lightning-fast 0.03ms response time. Fans also got to meet pro gamer Nathan ‘KarQ’ Chan and challenge him in Street Fighter 6, adding to the booth's excitement and appeal.
Fan Expo Canada 2024: A Weekend to Remember
FAN EXPO Canada 2024 was an exhilarating celebration of pop culture, where fans of all ages came together to revel in the worlds of film, comics, anime, and video games. The atmosphere was electric, with each booth offering unique and immersive experiences that kept the excitement high throughout the event. From incredible cosplays to hands-on demos and interactive exhibits, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
As we wandered through the bustling aisles, it was impossible not to feel the shared enthusiasm and passion of fellow fans. The weekend was a perfect blend of nostalgia and new discoveries, reminding me why FAN EXPO Canada is such a special event. Whether you were there to explore new fandoms or reconnect with old favorites, this year’s expo was a celebration of everything we love. I had an absolute blast, and I hope everyone who attended did too. If you were there, I’d love to hear about your favorite moments—feel free to share them in the comments below!
