This comprehensive audit provides a deep-dive analysis of the global anthropomorphic ("furry") convention landscape for the 2026 calendar year. Commissioned to evaluate the operational readiness, thematic cohesion, and market positioning of key industry events, this document serves as a primary logistical roadmap for everyone from event organizers and hospitality management firms to large-scale vendors and community leadership bodies.
The analysis is bifurcated into two primary tiers:
The operational objective of this report is to identify Temporal Congestion Clusters (periods of high event density), Thematic Isomorphism (convergent narrative trends), and Infrastructure Stress Points (venue capacity vs. projected growth) to facilitate informed decision-making for the 2026 fiscal cycle.
The 2026 fiscal year represents a watershed moment for the anthropomorphic events industry. Following the stabilization period of 2024–2025, 2026 is characterized by aggressive venue expansion and calendar saturation. The data indicates a decisive shift away from the traditional "hotel-centric" model toward "convention center" operations for Tier 1 events, necessitated by attendance figures that now routinely breach the 15,000-person threshold for market leaders.
A critical finding of this audit is the identification of the "April Congestion Corridor," a thirty-day window hosting no fewer than six significant conventions across three continents. This unprecedented density presents a high risk of "vendor fatigue" and attendee wallet fragmentation. Conversely, the thematic landscape demonstrates a fascinating convergence toward "Frontier Narratives" (Western themes) and "High-Concept Sci-Fi," suggesting a collective cultural shift toward immersive, story-driven event experiences over generic celebrations.
This section dissects the "Titans" of the industry. These events function as the primary economic engines of the fandom, dictating product release cycles for vendors and travel schedules for the global community.
Eurofurence stands as the European market hegemon. The 2026 iteration, designated Eurofurence 30, represents a monumental milestone. The convention's return to late August (August 19–23) aligns with traditional European summer holidays, maximizing youth and academic attendance. The venue, Congress Center Hamburg (CCH), is one of the few facilities in Europe capable of handling the event's scale, which saw 6,712 attendees in 2025.
The theme "Fantastic Furry Festival" indicates a departure from the specific genre-based themes of previous years (e.g., "Black Magic," "Cyberpunk") in favor of a meta-celebration of the convention's own three-decade legacy. This branding strategy is calculated to trigger nostalgia, likely resulting in a surge of "alumni" attendees—older members of the fandom returning specifically for the anniversary.
The "30th Anniversary" factor cannot be overstated. It acts as a massive gravitational well, pulling international attendees who might typically skip a year. This poses a direct threat to concurrent North American events, specifically Megaplex and Furrydelphia, which may see a reduction in European visitors and high-tier vendors who prioritize the prestige of EF30. Logistics coordinators should anticipate extreme pressure on Hamburg's hotel inventory, likely necessitating overflow blocks extending 20–30 minutes via the S-Bahn network.
Midwest FurFest serves as the global "season finale." Consistently ranking as the world's largest furry convention (often trading the title with Anthrocon), MFF's operational footprint effectively consumes the entire village of Rosemont. While specific 2026 contract dates were not explicitly released in the provided dataset, the convention's rigid adherence to the post-Thanksgiving weekend (typically the first full weekend of December) allows for a high-confidence projection of December 3–6, 2026.
MFF's utilization of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center is no longer optional; the event has long outgrown hotel-only confines. The primary friction point for MFF remains vertical transport (elevators) within the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, a notorious bottleneck that defines the attendee experience.
MFF acts as an "Anchor Event." Its date stability allows the entire global circuit to organize around it. Virtually no other convention attempts to schedule in December to avoid being crushed by MFF's gravity. For vendors, MFF represents the fiscal year-end; inventory management strategies for 2026 will revolve around liquidating stock or debuting winter lines at this event.
Furry Weekend Atlanta has secured the dates of May 7–10, 2026. The convention is famous for its "Infinite Loop" atmosphere within the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, whose iconic atrium architecture is integral to the event's identity. The 2026 theme, "Nowhere Inn Between," is a brilliant utilization of this architectural asset. It alludes to "liminal spaces" (a popular internet aesthetic regarding empty, transitional locations) or a metaphysical hotel concept.
This theme choice suggests a focus on atmospheric storytelling and Alternate Reality Games (ARGs), which FWA has successfully deployed in the past. The event's consistent ranking in the top 3 global conventions by attendance necessitates rigorous crowd control, particularly in the Dealer's Den and Artist Alley, which are prone to overcrowding.
FWA sits at the tail end of the "Spring Rush." By May 7, many attendees may be suffering from travel fatigue if they attended the April cluster of events (LVFC, etc.). However, FWA's brand loyalty is exceptionally strong. The "Liminal" theme provides unique merchandising opportunities for vendors specializing in surrealist or vaporwave aesthetics.
Texas Furry Fiesta continues to dominate the Q1 North American sector. The 2026 event will take place March 26–29 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The Sheraton boasts over 220,000 square feet of meeting space, providing ample room for TFF's rapid growth.
The theme "StarPeet" is a clear homage to Star Trek (Starfleet) combined with "Peet," likely a reference to a mascot or a community-specific meme. This signals a Space Opera / Sci-Fi aesthetic for 2026. This contrasts effectively with the "Western" themes seen later in the year, allowing TFF to capture the sci-fi demographic early.
TFF serves as the "season opener" for many North American attendees who skip the winter events. Its positioning in late March is strategically sound, avoiding the bitter cold of northern conventions and the intense heat of the Texan summer. The Space Opera theme suggests a heavy emphasis on technology-focused panels, bridge simulator games, and futuristic fursuit designs.
Megaplex has ascended to Tier 1 status, ranking #4 in attendance in 2025. The confirmed dates of August 21–23, 2026, place it squarely in the late-summer corridor. Orlando provides a massive local infrastructure advantage due to its tourism ecosystem, allowing Megaplex to absorb thousands of attendees with relative ease regarding lodging and dining.
The August Clash: The most critical strategic insight for Megaplex in 2026 is its direct temporal conflict with Eurofurence 30 (Aug 19–23). While the overlap is partial, the "main days" (Saturday/Sunday) coincide. This forces a split in the vendor community. Large-scale makers who typically travel internationally will likely choose Eurofurence due to the 30th-anniversary prestige, potentially leaving openings for regional vendors to capitalize on the Megaplex market.
ConFuzzled remains the premier event for the UK and a major hub for European furs. The 2026 theme, "Musicals," is highly conducive to the convention's culture, which places a heavy emphasis on stage performance, puppetry, and "Main Stage" events. The Hilton Birmingham Metropole is a confirmed venue, though the convention's registration team typically employs a lottery system for hotel rooms due to extreme demand—a trend expected to continue.
ConFuzzled shares its weekend (May 22–26) with Furlandia (USA) and AnthrOhio (USA). While this does not impact attendee crossover, it does strain digital participation and remote guest appearances. The "Musicals" theme is likely to drive high engagement in the Fursuit Dance Competition and the Pawpet Show, key marketing pillars for the convention.
NordicFuzzCon anchors the European winter season. Taking place in February, it embraces the Scandinavian winter aesthetic. The Malmö Live venue is modern and centrally located, offering excellent connectivity to Copenhagen Airport (CPH), which facilitates high international attendance.
NFC has established a reputation for high production values and distinct "story-driven" themes. While the 2026 theme is not yet released, the convention's growth trajectory suggests it is closing the gap with Eurofurence in terms of production quality, if not raw numbers. It serves as the primary Q1 destination for European vendors.
This section analyzes conventions that, while perhaps smaller in raw numbers than the Tier 1 giants, exert massive regional influence or are currently disrupting the status quo through strategic scheduling or thematic pivoting.
Analysis of the 2026 calendar reveals a critical anomaly in April. The density of events during this month is unprecedented, creating a high-risk environment for market saturation.
| Convention | Dates (2026) | Location | Theme | Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas Fur Con | Apr 2–5 | Las Vegas, NV | Medieval Chivalry | Direct conflict with Bewhiskered & PAWCon. |
| Bewhiskered | Apr 2–5 | Durham, NC | Whisker World Arcade | East Coast alternative to LVFC. |
| PAWCon | Apr 3–5 | San Jose, CA | N/A | Strategic Shift: Moved from Nov to Apr. |
| Furcationland | Apr 9–12 | Portland, ME | N/A | Dominates New England market. |
| Ainmhícon | Apr 11–12 | Dublin, IE | Debut Event | New market entrant in Ireland. |
| Furry Down Under | Apr 17–19 | Surfers Paradise, AU | Beach Adventure | Key Oceania event. |
| Furgeddaboutit | Apr 23–26 | Fairfield, NJ | 1980s | Retro theme appeals to older demographic. |
| Wild Nights | Apr 23–28 | Wilburton, OK | Camping | Niche "outdoor" appeal mitigates conflict. |
Strategic Warning: The weekend of April 2–5 is a "Kill Zone." Las Vegas Fur Con, Bewhiskered, and the newly relocated PAWCon are all operating simultaneously. This creates a West Coast fracture (Vegas vs. San Jose) and a continental split (West vs. East). Vendors cannot be in three places at once; inventory shortages are likely at the smaller of these events as primary stock goes to LVFC.
Analysis: AWU has selected a highly marketable theme: "PAWsific Rim" (a play on Pacific Rim), focusing on Mechs and Kaiju. This theme naturally appeals to two vibrant sub-communities: the "Macro/Micro" fandom and the "Tech/Protogen" community. By scheduling in the gap between Anthrocon (early July) and the late August block, AWU secures a clean operational window.
Analysis: Confuror has solidified its position as the premier Latin American convention. Its late October dates align with Día de los Muertos, adding significant cultural value to the travel experience for international guests. The theme "Sombras del Oeste" (Shadows of the West) aligns with the Western Narrative Axis identified in Furlandia, suggesting a global trend toward cowboy/frontier aesthetics in 2026.
Analysis: Furry Migration capitalizes on the "Shoulder Season" of September. The theme "Be Kind Rewind" explicitly references the VHS era and 90s nostalgia. This targets the "Millennial" and "Gen X" demographic of the fandom, known for higher disposable income. The theme synergizes with Furgeddaboutit's "1980s" theme, confirming a Retro/Nostalgia trend vector for 2026.
Analysis: Furlandia's "Wild Wild Furry West" theme is the primary North American anchor for the 2026 Western trend. Its overlap with ConFuzzled (UK) is noted but geographically distinct enough to be negligible. However, regional competition with Anthro Northwest (Seattle, Jan) and Furvana (Ocean Shores, Sept) keeps the Pacific Northwest market competitive.
Analysis: Furry Siesta functions as the summer counterpart to TFF. The 2026 theme "Beacons of Pride" and the June dates are a direct alignment with Pride Month. This positioning allows the convention to market itself not just as a furry event, but as a LGBTQ+ celebration, potentially widening its attendee base to the broader queer community in Dallas.
Analysis: Furrydelphia occupies the dangerous "Post-Anthrocon" slot. Occurring roughly one month after the massive Pittsburgh event, it must fight for attendee budget. However, its distance from Megaplex (late August) allows it to serve as the primary Northeast regional event for late summer.
Analysis: Major Strategic Shift: PAWCon has moved from its historical November slot to April. This places it in direct competition with Las Vegas Fur Con. This move suggests PAWCon is attempting to capture the Bay Area market that finds Vegas too expensive or distant, but it risks fracturing the West Coast attendee base.
Analysis: FurryJoA remains a volatility point. While listed as "Feb 2026?" in planning documents, confirmed details are scarce compared to JMoF. FurryJoA serves as a critical bridge for the Korean furry community, but details for 2026 are still finalizing. Travelers should treat this as a tentative plan until dates are solidified. Vendors should treat this event as "High Risk/High Reward" for vending due to language barriers and logistical opacity compared to Japan.
Analysis: Kemocon traditionally operates in November. It is smaller and more exclusive than JMoF, often focusing on suit-acting and craftsmanship. With JMoF dominating January, Kemocon acts as the year-end bookend for the Japanese circuit.
Analysis: ACFI dominates the San Antonio market. Its October dates place it well ahead of Confuror (late Oct) and after Furry Migration (Sept), giving it a clean window in the South Central US.
Analysis: FurDU leverages the "Gold Coast" destination appeal. Occurring in April (Australian Autumn), the weather is ideal for a "Beach" theme. It avoids the direct conflict of the "April 2-5" cluster, allowing it to breathe, though international travelers might struggle to justify the trip if they just attended LVFC.
Analysis: Located in the far Northeast, Furcationland is insulated from the Las Vegas/NC conflict by geography. It captures the New England market that prefers a cozier, boutique convention experience over the chaos of larger events.
A significant restructuring of the Asian market has occurred. Research indicates that FurMIT (Furry Meeting in Taiwan) has been discontinued. This event was a staple of the Taiwanese circuit. However, the market vacuum is being immediately filled. The event is rebranding/succeeded by UTFG (Unforgettable Taiwan Furry Gathering).
Strategic Implication: Vendors and travelers targeting the "Asian Circuit" must update their databases. The Taiwan market remains vibrant despite the branding turbulence. The transition to UTFG likely represents an internal organizational pivot rather than a collapse of demand.
Analysis: JMoF is the undisputed king of the Asian convention circuit for international accessibility. The 2026 theme, "Ocean's Furteen," implies a casino/heist aesthetic (playing on Ocean's Eleven). This is a sophisticated theme that allows for "formal wear" events, casino nights, and high-production stage shows. JMoF kicks off the global 2026 calendar, setting the bar for production quality.
A cross-analysis of declared themes for 2026 reveals three distinct "Narrative Vectors" driving the creative direction of the fandom.
Two major conventions on different continents have independently converged on the "Western" genre.
Insight: This synchronization suggests a resurgence of interest in rustic Americana, cowboy aesthetics, and "weird west" folklore. Vendors producing leatherwork, western wear, and rustic art will find a dual market in 2026, allowing them to reuse inventory across borders.
Insight: Science fiction remains a pillar of the community. However, the move is away from "generic sci-fi" toward specific sub-genres. AWU's focus on Pacific Rim-style mechs targets the "protogen" and "synth" sub-species demographic specifically.
Insight: The cycle of nostalgia has moved firmly into the late 80s and 90s. This appeals to the organizers (often Gen X/Millennials) and the demographic with the highest disposable income. Expect vaporwave aesthetics, CRT filters in marketing, and "arcade" style game rooms.
The following matrix synthesizes the confirmed data points for all requested conventions.
| Dates | Convention | Location | Venue | Theme | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 9–11 | JMoF | Toyohashi, JP | Loisir Hotel | Ocean's Furteen | Confirmed |
| Feb (TBA) | FurryJoA | Korea | TBA | TBA | Tentative |
| Feb 18–22 | NordicFuzzCon | Malmö, SE | Clarion Malmö | TBA | Confirmed |
| Mar 26–29 | Texas Furry Fiesta | Dallas, TX | Sheraton Dallas | StarPeet | Confirmed |
| Apr 2–5 | Las Vegas Fur Con | Las Vegas, NV | Alexis Park | Medieval Chivalry | Confirmed |
| Apr 2–5 | Bewhiskered | Durham, NC | Durham Conv. Ctr | Whisker World | Confirmed |
| Apr 3–5 | PAWCon | San Jose, CA | Hyatt Regency SFO | N/A | MOVED |
| Apr 9–12 | Furcationland | Portland, ME | Holiday Inn | N/A | Confirmed |
| Apr 11–12 | Ainmhícon | Dublin, IE | Clayton Hotel | Debut | Confirmed |
| Apr 17–19 | FurDU | Gold Coast, AU | Crowne Plaza | Beach Adventure | Confirmed |
| Apr 23–26 | Furgeddaboutit | Fairfield, NJ | DoubleTree | 1980s | Confirmed |
| May 7–10 | Furry Weekend Atlanta | Atlanta, GA | Marriott Marquis | Nowhere Inn Between | Confirmed |
| May 22–24 | Furlandia | Portland, OR | Hyatt Regency | Wild Wild West | Confirmed |
| May 22–26 | ConFuzzled | Birmingham, UK | Hilton Metropole | Musicals | Confirmed |
| Jun 19–21 | Furry Siesta | Dallas, TX | Hyatt Regency | Beacons of Pride | Confirmed |
| Jul 2–5 | Anthrocon | Pittsburgh, PA | DLCC | N/A | Confirmed |
| Jul 31–Aug 2 | Anthro Weekend Utah | Salt Lake City, UT | Davis Conf. Ctr | PAWsific Rim | Confirmed |
| Aug 7–9 | Furrydelphia | Philadelphia, PA | TBA | N/A | Confirmed |
| Aug 19–23 | Eurofurence 30 | Hamburg, DE | CCH | Fantastic Furry Fest | Confirmed |
| Aug 21–23 | Megaplex | Orlando, FL | Hyatt Regency | TBA | Confirmed |
| Sep 11–13 | Furry Migration | Minneapolis, MN | Hyatt Regency | Be Kind Rewind | Confirmed |
| Oct 1–4 | ACFI | San Antonio, TX | TBA | N/A | Confirmed |
| Oct 29–Nov 1 | Confuror | Guadalajara, MX | Expo Guadalajara | Sombras del Oeste | Confirmed |
| Nov (TBA) | Kemocon | Gotemba, JP | Toki no Sumika | TBA | Projected |
| Dec 3–6 | Midwest FurFest | Rosemont, IL | Stephens Ctr | TBA | Projected |
The 2026 operational landscape is defined by saturation and specialization. The days of the "general interest" convention are waning. Success in 2026 will depend on thematic commitment (e.g., JMoF's casino theme) and logistical precision.
Browse our complete calendar with dates, locations, and details for every upcoming furry convention.
View Full CalendarReport Compiled By: Senior Event Logistics Analyst Date: December 21, 2025