KadabraCon brings its anime and gaming convention to Austin the weekend of September 25-27, 2026, and for trading card game players it is one of the most TCG-friendly events on the city's fall calendar. KadabraCon centers its programming on gaming culture — including dedicated card game tournaments, casual play space, and vendors carrying Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, and more — alongside the anime, cosplay, and artist programming you would expect from a fan convention. For collectors and players who want to combine a weekend of competition and trading with a full convention experience, KadabraCon is a natural fit.
The dealer and vendor area typically features Pokémon singles and sealed product, One Piece, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, and Dragon Ball Z, along with graded slabs, anime figures, manga, and collectibles. While the floor skews toward TCG and anime merchandise rather than vintage sports, general collectibles booths often carry MLB, NBA, NFL, and soccer cards as well. The real draw for many attendees is the organized gaming: sanctioned and unsanctioned card tournaments, learn-to-play sessions for newcomers, and open table space where pickup games and side trading happen all weekend long. Bring a binder of extras and you will rarely struggle to find a trade.
As a multi-day convention, KadabraCon runs Friday through Sunday, with programming and the vendor hall generally opening late morning and running into the evening on Friday and Saturday, and a shorter Sunday schedule. Badges are sold as full-weekend passes with single-day options usually available; pricing varies by tier and typically rises closer to the event, so buying early saves money. Confirm the exact hours, venue address, badge tiers, and the tournament and event schedule on the official KadabraCon site, since those details are finalized as the date approaches.
Who should attend? TCG players who want a weekend of tournaments and casual play, Pokémon and One Piece collectors hunting singles and sealed, anime and gaming fans, cosplayers, and families looking for an accessible, all-ages convention. Card collectors focused strictly on vintage sports may find the floor lighter on their niche than a dedicated card show, but the trading community and gaming programming make this a standout for the TCG crowd.
To get the most out of the weekend, buy badges early and review the tournament schedule in advance so you can register for the events you care about and arrive in time for deck checks. Bring cash for vendor-hall and trade transactions, with Venmo and Zelle as backups, and pack a trade binder of TCG extras plus sleeves, top loaders, and a slab case for any pickups. Plan your schedule around must-see panels or tournaments, and stay hydrated since gaming days run long. For confirmed dates, hours, badge links, and the full event schedule, check kadabracon.com and follow the convention on social media.