Calling all cosplayers, anime fans, VTubers, and tabletop gamers! CarrierCon 2026 is coming to the USS Hornet Sea, Air, and Space Museum on March 21-22, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special guests include V-Tuber stars Pipkin Pippa and Maid Mint, CWF (Cosplay Wrestling Federation), Drachinifel and Ryan Szimanski (Navy historians), and more.
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“We welcome all fandoms to not only enjoy one of the most unique conventions in the United States but to discover the USS Hornet in a way entirely unique to them,” the CarrierCon 2026 [2] webpage states. And for those who are traveling from out of town for the event, Executive Inn & Suites (Embarcadero Cove) is offering special CarrierCon rates [3].
Last year’s event was a huge success. More than 2,000 people participated in CarrierCon 2025 [4], which featured cosplay meetups and photo opportunities on the flight deck, artist and vendor booths in the hangar bay, and tabletop gaming in the decks below. VFleet, developed by the USS Hornet Marketing Manager Gabriel Cherry, was especially popular. As Alameda Post writer Jean Chen reported [5], those VTubers “each have their own personality and look, which reflects their ship or jet. Ali-60 [6], for example, represents the USS Alabama battleship and streams herself playing video games like League of Legends while also dabbling in karaoke.”
CarrierCon 2026 will include:
- Cosplay contest – All cosplayers who come aboard for CarrierCon are invited to sign up for the contest, between the Hangar Bay 3 Stage. The winner will receive $300 and the two runner-ups will win $100 each.
- Cosplay meetups – Flight Deck.
- Photo Track – Routes that take you into areas the public usually may not access, including the Captain’s Bridge, Combat Information Center, the ship’s jail, a Bomb Assembly area, and even unrestored and creepy passageways.
- Vendors – Hangar Deck.
- Artist Alley – Hangar Deck.
- Panels – Hangar Bay 3 Stage/Wardroom/CPO Lounge
- Open gaming – Second Deck.
- Special guests.
Ticket information
The best way to get tickets is to purchase online in advance [7].
General admission day pass to CarrierCon 2026 is $40 for one day (Saturday or Sunday) or $75 for both days. These prices are for pre-registration. Otherwise, tickets are $45 per day at the door.
Youth age 17 and under admission is $30 for one day (Saturday or Sunday), or $55 for both days ($35 per day at the door). Please note that anyone under 14 must have an attending adult chaperone.
The day pass includes:
- Admission to the USS Hornet (allows you to go on any available guided tours and all areas that are lit and open), including the Flight Deck.
- Access to the Photo Track.
- Access to all CarrierCon 2026 amenities.
Please note that Museum members get $5 off admission. Be sure to check your Member emails for the discount code or contact [email protected] [8].
Stay overnight on the ship
Want to stay overnight on the aircraft carrier? Spend Saturday night—all night—in one of the historic ship’s many bunks! Accommodations are similar to a hostel with group sleeping quarters and toilets down the hall. There’s plenty of space to stow gear (cosplay or otherwise). The overnight add-on is $80, which includes dinner and either a historic or ghost tour of the ship. This overnight experience is available for pre-registration only.