Fantasy Basel (Comic Con) – Switzerland 2026

Background & History

Fantasy Basel – The Swiss Comic Con, launched in 2015 by Zurich-based organizer FantasyCon AG under founder Martin Schorno, was created to fill a gap in Switzerland’s pop culture landscape by uniting fans of comics, film, gaming, anime, and cosplay in Basel’s tri-border region, drawing 20,000 attendees in its debut year across 15,000 m² at Messe Basel. By 2016, it doubled in size to 30,000 m² and 40,000 visitors, expanding to 60,000 m² by 2018 and reaching 97,000 in 2025, generating CHF 5–7 million (€5.2–7.3 million) annually for Basel’s economy through tourism, local exhibitors, and hospitality, while positioning the city as a European hub for fantasy and sci-fi amid its UNESCO Old Town and Rhine River allure. The event’s significance lies in its role as Switzerland’s largest pop culture convention—one of Europe’s most diverse—fostering community through family-friendly programming and inclusivity, with 40%+ female/non-binary participants in cosplay since 2019, aligning with Basel’s creative industries and EU cultural funding.

Over 11 editions (virtual in 2020 due to COVID, hybrid 2021 with 50,000+ online), Fantasy Basel has featured 500+ guests, from comic legends like Stan Lee (2017) to gaming icons and K-pop stars, evolving from comic-focused to a multifaceted “universe” with e-sports, VR, and tattoo art. The 2026 edition (12th, May 14–16) continues this growth, emphasizing “WE CARE” values of respect and anti-discrimination via awareness teams, while committing to sustainability (reusable cups since 2018, 80% waste reduction). As Basel’s answer to Comic-Con International, it blends Swiss precision with fantastical escape, boosting the Rhine Valley’s creative economy.

Event Highlights

Fantasy Basel 2026, the 12th edition from May 14–16 (Thursday–Saturday over Ascension), will span 100,000+ m² at Messe Basel for 100,000+ attendees, uniting comics, film, gaming, anime, cosplay, and e-sports in a three-day pop culture odyssey with panels, workshops, and star encounters.

Main activities or performances: Daily 10am–7pm: Comic & Art Zone for signings (past guests like Stan Lee, expected 2026 Marvel/DC creators); Gaming Hall with e-sports tournaments (free entry, €50 prizes); Cosplay Catwalk (Sat 3pm, 500+ participants in themed parades). Off-stage: Panels on high fantasy (e.g., “Tolkien in the Alps,” €10, Fri 2pm); workshops (K-pop dance €15, origami €10, daily 11am); film props exhibits (Star Wars replicas, €5). 2026 highlights: New Community Hall for fan meetups; VR zones with 20+ demos (free, ages 8+).

Special traditions or features: Cosplay rules checkpoint (ribbon-marked props); Family Day (Thu, reduced kids’ entry); “WE CARE” awareness (respect code, security for harassment, report via contact@fantasybasel.ch). Sustainability: No single-use plastics, public transport push (free Mobility tickets with hotels). 2026 adds Ascension holiday tie-ins with themed “High Mountains & High Fantasy” panels.

Unique attractions for visitors: 100,000 m² “adventure world” with walking acts (superheroes roaming halls); Asian street food market (bubble tea €5, sweet potato ice €4); tattoo art zone (live sessions €50–100). 2026 speculative: Expanded e-sports with Swiss qualifiers, blending Basel’s tech scene.

Date & Duration

Dates: May 14 – 16, 2026 (Thursday to Saturday; Ascension holiday weekend) Duration: 3 days (10am–7pm daily)

Venue / Location

Fantasy Basel 2026 takes place at Messe Basel, a modern exhibition complex (Messeplatz 10) in Basel’s city center, spanning 100,000+ m² across halls for exhibits, stages, and zones, with Rhine River views and easy tri-border access (Switzerland/Germany/France). Layout: Main halls for comics/gaming (50,000 m²); outdoor areas for cosplay parades; family zones. Public transport: Tram 1/2/8/10/15/17 from Basel SBB (€3.20, 10 min to Messeplatz stop, every 5–10 min); free Mobility ticket with hotels. Eco: Bike racks (500 spots, €2/day); 70% attendees use public transport.

Google Maps Address: Messe Basel, Messeplatz 10, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.

Ticket Information

Tickets via Ticketcorner (fantasybasel.ch/tickets), with day CHF 35–45 (early/standard, presale Sep 1, 2025); Festival Pass CHF 90–110 (3-day); Afternoon (3pm entry) CHF 25–30. Kids under 9 free; under-16 CHF 20–25 reduced; under-14 with adult. No refunds, resale via platform. Disability: Reduced CHF 25 + companion free, ramps/rest areas—apply contact@fantasybasel.ch 4 weeks prior. 2025 sold 97,000; 2026 presale Sep 2025.

Ticket Pricing (USD, based on 2025 CHF rates, 1 CHF ≈ $1.18):

• Minimum: Kids under 9 ~$0 USD (free).
• Maximum: Festival Pass ~$130 USD. Day CHF 35–45 ~$41–$53 USD; Afternoon CHF 25–30 ~$30–$35 USD; under-16 day CHF 20–25 ~$24–$30 USD.

Special Seating or VIP Options: VIP CHF 150 (priority entry, lounge, meet & greets); accessible rest areas/wheelchair zones (free with application, assistance dogs with proof). Family: Kids’ zones with seating.

Contact Information

Email: contact@fantasybasel.ch (general inquiries/tickets/cosplay); press@fantasybasel.ch (media); accessibility@fantasybasel.ch (needs). Key Staff: Martin Schorno (Founder); FantasyCon AG team. Phone: +41 (0)44 350 05 16 (English/German/French, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm). Website: https://fantasybasel.ch/en/; https://www.ticketcorner.ch (tickets). Social Media: @fantasybasel (Instagram/Facebook/TikTok, 24k+ followers); @FantasyBasel (X/Twitter). Press/Volunteers: Press via press@fantasybasel.ch; volunteers (setup/info, CHF 15/hour) via fantasybasel.ch (apply Q1 2026). Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; multilingual.

Cultural Experience

Fantasy Basel 2026 immerses 100,000+ in Switzerland’s tri-border wonderland, where Messe Basel’s halls morph into a pop culture cosmos—attendees in cosplay finery (superheroes, anime icons) navigate 100,000 m² of exhibits, evoking Basel’s Rhine-crossing heritage fused with global fantasy escape. The three-day ritual fosters kinship: Cosplayers parade in ribbon-marked props, blending Swiss precision (LED-lit portadas) with communal joy—panels like “Tolkien in the Alps” (€10) spark dialogues on high fantasy amid Wörthersee echoes. Inclusivity thrives: Family Day (Thu, reduced kids), 40%+ female/non-binary cosplayers, WE CARE awareness (respect code, harassment reporting via security/volunteers).

Evenings under hall lights pulse with K-pop dances (€15 workshops) and e-sports finals, tying to Basel’s UNESCO Textile City roots in costume design. For globals, it’s transformative—learning calligraphy (€10) or tasting Asian street food (€5 bubble tea), celebrating Fantasy Basel’s role as Europe’s diverse con where imagination bridges cultures in the Rhine Valley’s creative crossroads.

Food & Drinks

Fantasy Basel’s markets highlight Swiss-international fusion across 30+ stalls, CHF 5–15 (~$5.90–$17.70) items with local/sustainable sourcing (Rhine fish, alpine cheeses) for CHF 2 million+ impact. Must-tries: Raclette melts (€8, melted cheese on potatoes); fondue dips (€10, Emmental with bread); vegan käsespätzle alternative (€9, nut-based). Global: Japanese sweet potato soft ice (€5), bubble tea (€4). Drinks: Rivella soda (€3, Swiss rhubarb); craft beers from Brauerei Locher (€5/pint); non-alc elderflower spritz (€4). Intolerances: 40% vegan/gluten-free zones. Eco: Reusable cups (CHF 1 deposit, 85% return), compostable plates. Late-night: Käsekrainer sausages (€6).

Getting There

By Air: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL), 7 km north, EU/Swiss flights (e.g., easyJet London, 1.5 hours, CHF 50+). From BSL: Bus 50/60 (€4.20, 15 min to Messeplatz, every 10 min). Zurich (ZRH, 80 km): SBB train to Basel SBB (€30, 1 hour) + tram 1/2 (€3.20, 10 min). By Train: Basel SBB (TGV Paris, 3 hours, €50; ICE Frankfurt, 3 hours, €40); tram 1/2/8/10 to Messeplatz (€3.20, every 5 min, 10 min walk). Public Transport: VBZ day pass (CHF 10 ~$11.80, unlimited trams/buses); Line 1/2 from SBB (stop “Messeplatz”). Bike: PubliBike rentals (CHF 4/hour ~$4.70, 50+ stations, racks at site). Parking: Messe lots/garages (CHF 15–25/day ~$17.70–$29.50, 2,000 spots, pre-book parkleitsystem-basel.ch); Badischer Bahnhof garage (€15/day, 5-min walk). Eco-Tip: Free hotel Mobility tickets for all public transport; e-bikes CHF 5/hour ~$5.90; 70% attendees use trams (2025 data).

Accommodation Options

Book 6–9 months ahead for May peak. Budget: Ibis Basel Bahnhof (~CHF 80/night ~$94 USD, near SBB, breakfast); Youth Hostel Basel (~CHF 50 ~$59 USD, dorms, 15-min tram). Mid-Range: Hotel Stadthof (~CHF 120 ~$142 USD, Kleinbasel views). Boutique: Krafft (~CHF 150 ~$177 USD, Rhine riverside). Splurge: Hotel Krafft (~CHF 250 ~$295 USD, 4-star). Apartments: Airbnb Messeplatz (~CHF 100 ~$118 USD/night, kitchen). Via Booking.com/basel.com; many include free Mobility tickets (unlimited transport during stay).