MEFCC 2026 will now take place from 11 to 13 September 2026.
John Cena, Joonas Suotamom and Mackenyu Quah will join the event.
Tickets to Middle East Film & Comic Con are now live, so grab your passes now.
Partner Content: Expect celebrity sightings, comics, cosplay and more at Middle East Film & Comic Con 2026.
Prepare for an unforgettable pop culture weekend as the Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) returns to Abu Dhabi. With a star-studded lineup of celebrities, voice actors, and comic creators, the event takes place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Originally scheduled for April, MEFCC 2026 will now take place from 11 to 13 September 2026. So, if you want to spot the stars, here are the celebrities attending the event. More names are expected to be announced soon.
John Cena
John Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor and entertainer, best known for his legendary career in WWE and his successful transition to Hollywood. A wrestling world champion, Cena has become one of wrestling’s most recognisable and beloved figures, while also making his mark on the big screen with major roles in The Suicide Squad, Barbie, Fast X, Bumblebee and the hit streaming series Peacemaker. With his larger-than-life personality, iconic catchphrases and decades-long career, John Cena remains a global pop-culture powerhouse, and now, he’s heading to Abu Dhabi for MEFCC 2026, where fans will get the chance to see the superstar up close.
Arden Cho
KPop Demon Hunter Arden Cho is joining the star-studded lineup for Middle East Film and Comic Con 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The American actor arrives with credits spanning Pretty Little Liars, Teen Wolf and Avatar: The Last Airbender. More recently, Cho voiced Rumi in Netflix’s animated phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, which became the platform’s most-watched animated film, surpassed 600 million views and won two Oscars in 2026. Away from acting, Cho is also a singer-songwriter, with acoustic covers and independent releases attracting millions of views online. Her talents extend even further. She holds a black belt in taekwondo, and has modelled for brands including Clinique and Nike.
Charithra Chandran
British actress Charithra Chandran has joined the celebrity lineup for Middle East Film & Comic Con 2026. Chandran rose to international attention as Edwina Sharma in the second season of Netflix’s Bridgerton, before expanding her screen credits with appearances in Alex Rider as Sabina Pleasance and Dune: Prophecy as the younger Francesca. More recently, she entered another major fandom as Nefertari Vivi, also known as Miss Wednesday, in Netflix’s live-action One Piece, a role she will reprise for its third season. Her film credits include How to Date Billy Walsh and the Josh Hartnett action thriller Fight or Flight.
Jacob Romero
One Piece fans have another reason to head to Abu Dhabi this September. Jacob Romero, who plays Usopp in Netflix’s live-action adaptation, is joining co-star Mackenyu at Middle East Film and Comic Con 2026. The American actor will appear at ADNEC Centre, giving fans the chance to meet one of the Straw Hat Pirates in person. Romero has won praise for capturing Usopp’s humour, nervous energy and larger-than-life personality while keeping the character grounded. Before sailing into the Grand Line, he appeared in Greenleaf, Grey’s Anatomy, All Rise and The Resident, alongside theatre and independent film projects. At MEFCC, Romero will join the Meet the Stars lineup for photographs, autographs and fan encounters.
Joonas Suotamo
Joonas Suotamo is a Finnish actor best known for bringing the iconic character Chewbacca to life in the Star Wars franchise. He has appeared in major films including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, Solo: A Star Wars Story and The Rise of Skywalker, as well as the Disney+ series The Acolyte, in which he portrayed Kelnacca. A familiar face to Star Wars fans around the world, Joonas Suotamo has become a beloved figure in the franchise, and his appearance is sure to be a highlight of MEFCC 2026.
Mackenyu Quah
Mackenyu is a Japanese actor internationally recognised for his standout performances in film and television. He has starred in major live-action adaptations and global productions, including One Piece, Knights of the Zodiac, Rurouni Kenshin: The Final, and Pacific Rim: Uprising. Widely celebrated for bringing iconic characters to life, Mackenyu has become one of Japan’s most prominent actors on the international stage, and now he’s all set to head to MEFCC 2026.
Pom Klementieff
Pom Klementieff is heading back to Abu Dhabi for Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) 2026, returning to the event two years after her first appearance in the capital. The French actress will meet fans at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on 11 and 12 September, as part of the convention’s growing celebrity line-up. Klementieff is best known for playing the lovable empath Mantis in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. She also swapped superheroes for espionage as Paris in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, starring opposite Tom Cruise.
Beyond the glitz and glamour of celebrity sightings, Middle East Film & Comic Con 2026 is shaping up to be the ultimate haven for all things fandom. MEFCC’s Comic Creators Club and Artist Alley put the spotlight on the artists and illustrators behind some of pop culture’s biggest stories. Fans can meet names including Ken Lashley, whose credits include Black Panther and X-Men; Dexter Soy, known for Nightwing and Green Lantern; Brett Breeding, the artist behind The Death of Superman; Jim Cheung, co-creator of Marvel’s Young Avengers; and Federico Vicentini, whose work includes Amazing Spider-Man and Wolverine. Artist Alley also showcases local and regional talent, with original artwork and commissions available.
At Cosplay Central, fans can meet professional cosplayers, join the Cosplay Catwalk and Parade, and enter the MEFCC Cosplay Competition. The competition offers an AED 60,000 prize pool, with the UAE winner earning the chance to compete at the World Cosplay Summit in Japan.
Elsewhere, the Otaku District celebrates anime, K-pop and Asian pop culture with performances, karaoke and random play dances, while the Gaming Zone, TCG Arena and Tabletop Zone offer tournaments and interactive experiences. Collectors can browse rare comics and memorabilia at the Collectors Gallery, while more than 400 brands, exhibitors, retailers and artists fill the show floor with merchandise, artwork and exclusives.
Where: MEFCC, ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi
When: 11 to 13 September 2026
Contact: http://platinumlist.net