Gilbert resident Yajaira Eve shows off her Starfire cosplay from DC Comics outside the Phoenix Convention Center during Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026 on Friday, June 5.
Benjamin Leatherman
The costumes at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026 are just as epic as you’d expect.
Arizona geeks packed the annual pop culture convention at the Phoenix Convention Center on Friday, many dressed as their favorite characters from comics, movies, TV shows, anime and video games.
Fantastical and phenomenal outfits were everywhere. Alongside convention staples like Mandalorians, Deadpools and characters from “Hazbin Hotel,” this year’s Fan Fusion featured cosplayers who went all out with unique and memorable creations.
Phoenix Fan Fusion is Arizona’s largest celebration of geek culture, drawing tens of thousands of fans, artists, creators and celebrity guests to downtown Phoenix each year. For many attendees, cosplay is as much a part of the convention experience as celebrity panels, comic books and collectibles.
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Chris Cuccurello of Mesa cosplaying a Firelord Oazi from “Avatar: The Last Airbender” at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026.
Some costumes were inspired by beloved fandoms. We spotted characters from “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” DC Comics, Marvel Comics and video games roaming the convention center and nearby streets. Others were entirely unexpected, including a giant Sony Walkman straight out of “Guardians of the Galaxy” rolling through the downstairs exhibitor hall.
Outside, superheroes, anime characters and fantasy creations gathered along Third Street between the convention center’s North and West buildings for photos and meetups. Inside, elaborate armor builds, handmade props and meticulously crafted outfits turned heads throughout the event.
Here are some of the best cosplayers we spotted at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026, which continues through Sunday.
Connor Hinz of Phoenix built a giant-sized version of the Sony Walkman from “Guardians of the Galaxy” that he slow-rolled through the exhibitor hall.
Ty McDowell of Queen Creek stomped around Phoenix Fan Fusion’s exhibitor hall in a massive Knight Lord armor from “Warhammer 40,000.”
A trio of Phoenix Fan Fusion attendees as Rosetta, Silvermist and Tinkerbell from the Disney game “Pixie Hollow.”
Peoria resident Shane Vacca dressed up as Taskmaster from Marvel Comics at Phoenix Fan Fusion on Friday, June 5.
Cosplaying Gambit and Rogue from “X-Men” at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026.
Local cosplay Corvus Moon came to Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026 as a Magikarp from “Pokémon.”
Valley cosplayers ThatGirlKrash, right, Jory Blaine, center, and Elfy Aubrie dressed up as characters from “Blue’s Clues” in honor of Steve Burns appearing at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026.
Houston Griffin of as Pure Vessel from the “Hollow Knight” at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026.
Brothers Chad Water, left, and Joel Walter, right, as the spies from MAD Magazine’s classic “Spy vs. Spy” cartoons.
A Valley family dressed as characters from “South Park” at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026.
An amazing-looking Freddy Fazbear costume made from 3-D-printed materials at Phoenix Fan Fusion 2026.
Local cosplayer Jake McCormick as a human version of PBS star Wishbone.
This cosplayer’s Macho Moth Man was a mashup of the cryptid and the late Randy Savage.
Cosplaying Storm from “X-Men.”
These friends dressed up as Marge and Sideshow Bob from “The Simpsons.”
This cosplay of the Lord of Darkness from 1985’s “Legend” is both spectacular and scary.
Lilith Lucy created an epic Sarentu Na’vi costume from the “Avatar” films for Phoenix Fan Fusion.
This local cosplayer took several months to bedazzle her Mandalorian armor with more than 6,000 sparkling beads.
This He-Man cosplayer has the power of Grayskull.
Arizona cosplayers as Red Guardian, left, Squirrel Girl, center, and Ultron from Marvel Comics.
Cosplaying Large Marge from 1985’s “Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.”
Fan Fusion attendees as characters from “Super Mario Sunshine.”
You’re already familiar with Iron Man from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But have you met Mexican Iron Man?
These friends cosplayed that one lizard meme.
Cosplaying the late Jim Henson, complete with Kermit the Frog.
Skeletor and He-Man are the best of friends and the worst of enemies.
An armored-up Batman at the Phoenix Fan Fusion costume masquerade.
Glen Brown, center left, and Sylvia Flanagan, center right, won the Best in Show award at Fan Fusion 2026’s costume masquerade for the cosplay of Cloud Strife and Aerith Gainsborough from “Final Fantasy VII.”