Johannesburg, 17 September 2026 – The continent’s biggest pop-culture and gaming festival, Comic Con Africa, is back in Johannesburg this September, bringing four full days of pure fandom energy to the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, from 24 to 27 September, 09:00 to 18:00 daily. More than 70,000 fans will assemble to celebrate everything from comics and cosplay to gaming, anime, tech, collectibles, film, series and the world’s most iconic characters and creators.

And this year, you can unlock the power of 5FM right in the heart of the Con.

Fresh off the hype of an EPIC Comic Con Cape Town in April, driven by sister station Good Hope FM, 5FM now levels up the Joburg edition with live broadcasts, massive energy and a full weekend of youth-culture vibe.

You can showcase your Cosplay at the 5FM AMPLI5’ed Zone at Comic Con Africa, where 5FM will be broadcasting live, bringing you all the action straight from the show floor with red-hot shows:

· Top 40 on 5 with Harrison Mkhize – Saturday, 10:00 to 14:00

· Smash Afrika Weekends – Saturday, 14:00 to 18:00

· The Sunday Social Club on 5 with Harrison Mkhize – Sunday, 10:00 to 14:00

· Smash Afrika Weekends – Sunday, 14:00 to 18:00

Expect chats with some of your favourite 5FM presenters, celeb interviews, fan moments and the most banging tunes in the multiverse. Plus, the 5FM stand will feature awesome activations for Comic Con goers to launch themselves into, along with cool merch.

Comic Con Africa is absolutely packed with experiences this year:

· Cosplay Battles & Championships Daily competitions, pro-level costumes and the chance to see SA’s best cosplayers go head-to-head for glory.

· Artist Alley Over 200 local and international artists showcasing comics, prints, sketches, merch and live sketch battles.

· Gaming & Esports Free-to-play zones, massive tournaments, tech specials and high-stakes finals.

· Anime & Otaku Town First-to-country merch, Japanese food, screenings and fandom culture from One Piece to Naruto to Demon Slayer.

· Shopping & Collectibles Rare finds, exclusive merch, figurines, Funko Pops, manga, apparel and show-only specials.

· Outdoor Festival Vibes Food trucks, K-Pop performances, scooter tracks, lawn games and immersive brand activations.

And of course, the big-ticket international stars:

Christopher Judge (God of War, Stargate SG-1) Richard T Jones (The Rookie) Ian Cardoni, Harry Belden, Spencer Grammer (Rick & Morty) Alison Sealy-Smith (X-Men’s Storm) Steven John Ward, Alexander Maniatis, Jazzara Jasslyn, Nahum Hughes, Martial T Batchamen (Netflix’s One Piece)

Also appearing at Comic Con Africa is Yugoro, an internationally acclaimed cosplayer from Estonia, known for her high-craftsmanship builds, bold character interpretations and visually striking costume work.

Masi Mdingane, Business Manager for 5FM and Good Hope FM, says, “Comic Con Africa is one of the biggest global pop-culture events to hit South African shores, and gaming, cosplay and fandom culture are deeply rooted in youth identity here at home. Wherever Mzansi’s youth find something cool, you can bet 5FM will be there, bringing the action, the interviews, the hype and the hottest music. We’re proud to power Comic Con Africa across the airwaves and bring fans an experience that turns fantasy into crystal clear reality.”

To make sure you’re always in on the hottest international gigs to take Mzansi by storm, download 5FM App and stay locked to 5FM on-air, online at 5fm.co.za and across all our socials.