FanimeCon 2026 Forums

Here are your updated instructions for 2026 and the foreseeable future!

To answer your first question:

Yes, we are still using the forums space for pre-planning before and after this year's Cosplay Gatherings Scheduling Request Forms go live. Using the forums is a great way to coordinate Gatherings Hosts all in one place and helps the department ensure fast and accurate scheduling.

Procedure (the full, "How To")

• Check the forums posts under the Cosplay! subtopic to see if anyone else is already requesting the Gathering you'd like to lead this year: https://forums.fanime.com/index.php/board,30.0.html (https://forums.fanime.com/index.php/board,30.0.html)
  
  • Is someone already planning to host your gathering? Consider reaching out to see if they're interested in co-hosting, or for the larger events, consider whether it would make sense to host a second gathering on a different day.
• Create your own post stating your intention to host a gathering. Instructions for what to include in your post are here: How Do You Make an Official Cosplay Gathering Thread? (https://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,22316.0.html)
  
  • Note: You will need an account to post on the forums! Make sure you read all the directions– don't autoclick through the part that looks like a cell phone user agreement or you'll miss instructions for how to complete your account setup. There is a test at the end! (not joking, and I get emails constantly asking for the answer. You have to read the sign up screen)
  • Need help with your forums account? Email [email protected] ([email protected]) and [email protected] ([email protected]).
• Check back in on your post regularly to see if you have any important comments and to bump your post so people know you're still intending to host.
• Once the form goes live, submit your Gathering Official Form.
  Link (when it's live): https://apps.fanime.com/2026/gathering/ (https://apps.fanime.com/2026/gathering/)
• Watch your email for an important announcement about Scheduling Day.
  
  • First round scheduling typically happens the day after the forms move to "Waitlist" mode. It is done in one large batch and we will need your input before the first batch is finalized and confirmations are sent out.
• Wait for your tentative confirmation email and confirm your date and timeslot. Let us know immediately if any mistakes were made with your schedule.
  
  • A "mistake" would be your application stating that you can only host on Saturday and we scheduled you for Sunday. If we need to make any changes to times or locations you've requested, we will email you on scheduling day to confirm those changes.
  • Why do we say "tentative" even after you've confirmed there are no mistakes to your schedule? Because every year there are a few adjustments that we need to make to that first schedule draft, and we may reach out to you to see if you're interested in adjusting your slot so that we can fix any mistakes found. Thank you for your help!
• Interested in Hosting more gatherings, but Scheduling Day has passed? Go ahead and follow the steps as normal and your gathering request will be put in the waitlisted folder so we can try to slot you into one of the remaining timeslots.
• Take a deep breath and get that cosplay ready!

Information About the Gathering Official Form
Link (when it's live): https://apps.fanime.com/2026/gathering/ (https://apps.fanime.com/2026/gathering/)

What does the Gathering Official Form do for me?

• Request a location, time, and date for your event at FanimeCon.
• FanimeCon advertises your event before and at FanimeCon.

What information will I need to prepare to fill out the form?

• Ideal days and times for your event based on your schedule
• Contact information for all hosts
• Estimated attendance
• Background information about the event
• A link to your forum thread
• A link to your social media event (if applicable) or other platforms where attendees can reach you if they have questions
• A short advertisement for your event, to be posted to our page on fanime.com (https://www.fanime.com/events/cosplay-gatherings-listing/) (optional)

Brand new to hosting at FanimeCon and need more guidance?

Check our other instructional threads, written just for information you'll need to complete the forms and thread:
🌟 How Do You Make an Official Cosplay Gathering Thread? https://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,22316.0.html
🌟 You've Made a Gathering Thread, Now– How Do You Submit a Request Form? https://forums.fanime.com/index.php/topic,22315.0.html

Have further questions? Email [email protected] ([email protected])