Raptor Con returns to downtown Evansville on September 12–13, 2026, bringing celebrity panels, cosplay, tabletop gaming, vendors, photo opportunities, and fan-led sessions to Old National Events Plaza. The useful question is not simply whether to go. It is which day and ticket fit the parts of the convention you actually want to see.
The convention runs 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday at 715 Locust Street. The organizer says Celebrity Row and the vendor floor will be open throughout both days, while panels and photo opportunities follow a timed schedule.
Choose Saturday or Sunday by the schedule
Saturday carries the longer day and the main cosplay contest. The current schedule includes cast panels connected to The Sandlot and The Mighty Ducks, plus panels featuring Kevin Nash, Noel MacNeal, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey. The cosplay contest is listed for 5:45 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday's current lineup includes panels featuring Rob Paulsen and Paul Walter Hauser, a Terrifier cast panel, cosplay programming, and additional fan sessions. Both days also include tabletop, board, role-playing, and card games in a gaming room that the organizer says will remain open all weekend.
Start with the official Raptor Con schedule, mark two or three priorities, and leave space between them. Celebrity panels, photographs, shopping, and meals all compete for the same hours. A short priority list is more useful than trying to move through every room.
Compare the 2026 ticket options
As of August 13, the official ticket page lists these prices with taxes and ticket fees included:
| Ticket | Listed price | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Two-day pass | $30 | Visitors who want panels on both days or a less compressed weekend |
| Saturday pass | $25 | Fans prioritizing the longer day and cosplay contest |
| Sunday pass | $25 | Fans whose preferred guests or panels appear Sunday |
| Four-person friends pack | $100 | Four adults attending both days together |
Children age 10 and younger are admitted free with an adult, up to two free child tickets per adult. The organizer lists additional child tickets at $5 at the door. Its home page also says active or retired military members, firefighters, EMTs, and sworn police officers receive free admission with valid proof of status.
VIP tiers add early entry and merchandise or photo-related benefits, but they do not include free celebrity autographs or photos. Professional photo opportunities are separate add-ons and are not admission tickets. Read the exact inclusions on the official 2026 ticket page before paying; ticket sales are listed as final.
Plan panels, photos, and cosplay separately
General admission includes the scheduled celebrity panels. Autographed photos, booth selfies, and professional photo opportunities are separate purchases, so build those costs into the day rather than treating the admission price as the total convention budget.
Cosplayers should read both the convention rules and the contest rules. The contest currently has beginner, pro/intermediate, store-bought, best-in-show, and child categories. Entrants must hold a convention badge, participants younger than 18 need a parent or legal guardian present to sign a waiver, and Saturday's mandatory pre-meet time is still listed as to be announced.
Prop weapons must be checked, and the contest bans projectiles, pyrotechnics, live animals, liquids, glitter, and other effects that could create a hazard or mess. Review the 2026 cosplay contest rules again during event week because the organizer says they may change.
Parking, bags, and accessibility at the venue
Old National Events Plaza says its adjacent main lot at Locust and Ninth Streets has 1,100 free spaces. ADA-accessible parking is available along Ninth Street, with additional limited accessible spaces on Locust Street and near the Civic Center. The venue advises allowing extra time for pedestrian traffic and notes that street spaces may have time limits.
The venue's current bag limit is 12 by 6 by 12 inches. Its general security policy prohibits weapons, outside food and drinks, large bags, detachable-lens cameras, laptops, tablets, and several other items. Raptor Con has additional rules for costumes and props, so check both the venue security policy and the convention rules before packing.
Venue-operated points of sale are cashless and accept major cards and digital payments. Individual vendors and food trucks may set their own payment rules. That means carrying a card remains useful even though Raptor Con says door admission can be paid in cash.
Guests who need accommodations can review the venue's accessibility information. The page lists automatic entry doors, accessible parking and restrooms, assistive listening devices, and a Locust Street drop-off area. It asks guests seeking certain accommodations to contact the box office in advance.
Make the stay fit the convention, not the other way around
Raptor Con is downtown, so compare lodging by the route to Old National Events Plaza rather than by a broad “Evansville area” label. A visitor attending both days may value a kitchen, separate sleeping space, and room for costumes or purchases more than a one-night attendee does.
EVV Housing's Evansville furnished rental guide explains the local options, while the regional furnished-property listings let you compare available homes. If you are deciding among Evansville, Newburgh, Henderson, and Owensboro, use the regional stay-location guide before booking.
Verify before you go
Guest appearances, panel times, activities, and photo opportunities can change. The organizer explicitly warns that guests and attractions are subject to cancellation or schedule changes. Recheck the Raptor Con home page, schedule, ticket terms, and venue policies during event week, then check once more on the morning you attend.
This guide was checked on August 13, 2026.
