Planet Comicon returns to the Kansas City Convention Center from Friday, April 2 through Sunday, April 4, 2027. It is the largest pop culture convention in the region and one of the biggest in the Midwest, and while it is not a card show in the traditional sense, the collectibles floor has become a serious destination for trading card collectors — enough that it belongs on any Kansas City collector's calendar.
The exhibitor hall at Bartle Hall spans hundreds of vendors. Trading card dealers bring Pokemon singles and sealed product, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Lorcana and Dragon Ball Z in real depth, and non-sport card sets tied to comics, film and television are far better represented here than at a standard card show. Sports card dealers set up too, with MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL inventory including graded slabs. Beyond cards you will find comics from golden age through current, original art, Funko Pops, statues, toys, cosplay supplies and independent creators. Celebrity guests sign autographs, and voice actors, artists and writers appear on panels throughout the weekend.
Hours are Friday, April 2 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday afternoon is by far the calmest and the best time to actually shop the vendor floor. Saturday is the peak day for guests, panels and cosplay, and it is crowded. Sunday afternoon is when vendors discount to avoid packing inventory.
Ticketing is handled through planetcomicon.com. Planet Comicon has historically offered single-day passes, three-day weekend passes and premium tiers with early entry and additional perks, along with reduced pricing for children. Pricing for 2027 had not been published at the time this listing was written — check the official site for current rates, and expect advance purchase to be cheaper than at-the-door.
The Kansas City Convention Center is at 301 West 13th Street in downtown Kansas City. Paid parking is available in the attached Barney Allis Plaza garage and in numerous surface lots and garages within a few blocks; the venue publishes a parking map each year. The convention center is fully accessible. Downtown, the Power and Light District and the Crossroads Arts District put hundreds of restaurants within walking distance.
This event is built for families and casual fans as much as for collectors, and it is one of the few places where a card collector, a comics reader and a cosplayer can all have a good weekend in the same building. First-timers should expect a spectacle rather than a quiet buying environment. Serious card buyers should treat Friday as their shopping day.
Tips: buy tickets in advance and arrive early to skip the badge line. Bring cash for vendors even though most accept cards, since cash still moves prices. Bring a want list and a bag with structure so purchases do not get crushed in a crowd. Wear comfortable shoes; Bartle Hall is enormous. Check the panel schedule in advance and plan your shopping around anything you want to attend. And walk the entire collectibles section before buying — with this many vendors, identical items vary widely in price.
Guest announcements, ticket sales, exhibitor lists and the full programming schedule are published at planetcomicon.com.
