There's a con for everyone: what fandom conventions reveal about the experience economy

The experience economy is often associated with travel, concerts, sporting events, and festivals, but fandom has increasingly earned a place on that list. Around the world, consumers are spending time and money on immersive experiences centered on the things they love, whether that's anime, gaming, science fiction, or any other fandom with a passionate following.

The scale of today's conventions reflects that shift. Anime Expo 2026 welcomed more than 422,000 turnstile visits from attendees representing over 65 countries, while generating an estimated $115 million in economic impact for Los Angeles businesses. Meanwhile, across the globe, Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 attracted more than 105,000 fans from 125 countries, making it the largest international edition of the event to date.

Gaming fandom has seen similar growth, as evidenced by gamescom 2025, which drew 357,000 visitors from 128 countries and 1,568 exhibitors from 72 countries, highlighting the global reach of gaming communities both on and off the show floor. In the tabletop gaming world, Gen Con 2026 welcomed more than 74,000 attendees from over 45 countries, featured nearly 800 vendors, and generated an estimated $83.5 million in economic impact for Indianapolis.

What's particularly notable is that these events are no longer centered on simply consuming entertainment. Fans attend panel discussions, watch live performances, meet creators, participate in competitions, buy exclusive merchandise, and connect with people who share their interests. The convention itself becomes the experience.

As consumers continue to prioritize memorable experiences over traditional purchases, fandom conventions exemplify how personal interests can evolve into thriving ecosystems that drive spending across entertainment, retail, dining, travel, and community-driven activities. They are no longer niche gatherings for enthusiasts but increasingly powerful examples of the experience economy in action.

Community is becoming a bigger driver of consumer spending

The scale of today's conventions helps explain their growing influence, but size alone doesn't attract attendees. At their core, fandom events succeed by creating opportunities for people to connect with others who share their interests.

This reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior. Eventbrite's event trends research found that consumers continue to prioritize experiences over material purchases and increasingly value opportunities to build connection and community through live events.

For many fans, conventions offer something online communities cannot fully replicate. They provide a chance to meet creators, participate in discussions, discover new interests, and engage with like-minded people in person. What may begin as a favorite game, film franchise, comic series, or hobby often evolves into a shared experience centered on belonging and participation.

This emphasis on connection is central to the experience economy's continued growth. Consumers increasingly seek experiences that feel personal, memorable, and community-driven. Whether they're meeting fellow enthusiasts, exploring a new fandom, or engaging directly with creators, attendees invest in experiences that deepen their connection to the interests and communities that matter most.

There really is a convention for everyone

The success of today's fandom conventions isn't driven by a single community or interest. Instead, it reflects a broader shift in how consumers spend their time and money. Increasingly, people are seeking experiences that align with their personal interests, identities, and passions.

While events like Anime Expo, gamescom, Star Wars Celebration, and Gen Con attract headlines for their size, they represent only a fraction of today's convention landscape. Across the world, fans can find events dedicated to virtually any interest, including:

• Anime and manga (Anime Expo, Otakon, Anime NYC)
• Video gaming and esports (gamescom, PAX West)
• Sports fandom (Fanatics Fest, The National Sports Collectors Convention)
• Tabletop gaming (Gen Con, Essen Spiel, UK Games Expo)
• Science fiction and fantasy (Worldcon, Dragon Con)
• Comics and graphic novels (San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic Con)
• Film and television franchises (Star Wars Celebration, Gallifrey One {Doctor Who}, Trek to Vegas)
• Cosplay and costume design (Dragon Con, Cosplay America)
• Collectibles and memorabilia (Collect-A-Con, Toy Fair)
• Content creators and streaming personalities (VidCon, TwitchCon)
• Pop culture and entertainment (CCXP, FAN EXPO, Dragon Con)

This diversity is part of what makes fandom conventions such a powerful example of the experience economy. Rather than simply consuming entertainment, consumers are increasingly seeking experiences that reflect their interests, foster a sense of belonging, and create opportunities to connect with like-minded communities. Whether their passion is anime, sports, gaming, science fiction, or creator culture, there is now an experience built around that interest, and for many consumers, that's exactly what makes these events so appealing.

Why seamless payments matter in the experience economy

As fandom conventions continue to grow, so do the transactions that support them. From event tickets and travel bookings to merchandise, food and beverage purchases, and exclusive fan experiences, attendees interact with multiple touchpoints before, during, and after an event.

For businesses operating in the experience economy, every transaction is part of the customer journey. A complicated checkout, limited payment options, or unnecessary friction can detract from an otherwise memorable experience. Consumers increasingly expect payments to be as seamless as the events they attend.

That's where Paysafe can help. By enabling businesses to offer consumers their preferred payment methods and supporting secure, convenient transactions, Paysafe helps create smoother purchasing experiences. As experiences become a bigger driver of consumer spending, making payments simple and frictionless is increasingly important to the overall customer experience.

FAQs

Why are fandom conventions becoming more popular?

Fandom conventions blend entertainment, community, and participation, offering attendees opportunities to connect with like-minded people and engage more deeply with their interests.

How does Paysafe support businesses in the experience economy?

Paysafe helps businesses deliver smoother purchasing experiences through secure payments and consumer-preferred payment methods.

What can businesses learn from the growth of fandom conventions?

The success of fandom conventions shows that consumers increasingly value experiences that are personal, immersive, and community-driven.