FACTS Spring 2026: Belgium's Largest Comic Con Returns to Flanders Expo Ghent

Every spring, something remarkable happens at Flanders Expo Ghent. The sprawling exhibition complex fills up with superheroes, Jedi knights, anime characters, cosplayers of extraordinary creativity, artists from Marvel and DC, actors from films and series you have been watching for years, and tens of thousands of people who are simply, unapologetically, gloriously enthusiastic about the things they love.

FACTS Spring 2026 takes place on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026 at Flanders Expo, Maaltekouter 1, 9051 Ghent — and it is the biggest, most comprehensive pop culture event in Belgium, and one of the most important Comic Con festivals in the whole of the Benelux region.

Confirmed celebrity guests for 2026 include Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester from Supernatural) and Doug Jones (Pale Man and Fauno from Pan's Labyrinth, Abe Sapien from Hellboy, What We Do in the Shadows, Star Trek: Discovery). Tickets are available now at facts.be — children under 11 enter completely free.

What Is FACTS? Belgium's Answer to San Diego Comic-Con

FACTS — Fantasy, Animation, Comics, Toys & Sci-fi — has been Belgium's home for pop culture fandom for well over a decade, running two editions per year (spring and autumn) at Flanders Expo Ghent. The event has grown steadily into one of the largest conventions of its kind in continental Europe, drawing visitors from across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and further afield.

The name says it perfectly: Fantasy, Animation, Comics, Toys and Sci-fi — the full universe of geek culture, assembled in one place for a weekend. If you love films, series, video games, board games, cosplay, superheroes, anime, manga, tabletop roleplaying, or any combination of the above, FACTS is designed specifically for you.

The Spring 2026 edition follows the same beloved format that has made the event such a fixture on the Belgian cultural calendar, with a Guest Hall full of celebrity appearances, an Artist Alley packed with the world's greatest comic artists, a Geek Market with hundreds of exhibitors, a dedicated Cosplay Hall, and a Fan Village where the most dedicated fan communities gather.

The Guest Hall: Meet the Actors Who Made the Characters You Love

Jared Padalecki — Sam Winchester from Supernatural

The most immediately recognisable celebrity guest confirmed for FACTS Spring 2026 is Jared Padalecki, known to millions as Sam Winchester from the record-breaking American fantasy horror series Supernatural. The show ran for 15 seasons from 2005 to 2020 — making it the longest-running North American live-action fantasy TV series in history — and built one of the most devoted fandoms in the history of television.

Padalecki's presence at FACTS Spring 2026 is the kind of booking that sends the Supernatural fan community into genuine excitement. The opportunity to meet an actor whose character defined a generation of genre television, in an intimate convention setting where signing sessions and photo opportunities are available, is one that many fans of the show will travel across borders to attend.

Doug Jones — The Man Behind the Masks

The second major confirmed guest is Doug Jones — and for fans of genre cinema and television, his name carries enormous weight. Jones is one of the most prolific and celebrated creature performers in the history of cinema, a physical actor of extraordinary skill who brings emotional depth and humanity to characters portrayed entirely under prosthetic makeup and creature suits.

His credits include:

• Pan's Labyrinth (as both the Pale Man and the Fauno) — Guillermo del Toro's masterpiece
• Hellboy (as Abe Sapien, across multiple films) — the fan favourite amphibian psychic
• What We Do in the Shadows (as the vampire Colin Robinson in the TV series)
• Star Trek: Discovery (as Commander Saru)
• Hocus Pocus (as Billy Butcherson)
• Fantastic Four (as The Silver Surfer)
• And dozens of other genre films and series

Meeting Doug Jones in person — and understanding that the terrifying Pale Man shuffling through the underground labyrinth, the gentle Fauno in the forest, and the fish-man Abe Sapien are all the same extraordinarily gifted physical performer — is one of those convention experiences that changes how you watch films.

The Full Guest List

FACTS announces guests on a rolling basis throughout the months before the event. Beyond Padalecki and Jones, the 2026 Spring edition will feature additional celebrity guests from film, television, and the broader entertainment world — check facts.be/guests for the complete and continuously updated list.

The Artist Alley: Marvel, DC, Disney, and the World's Greatest Comic Artists

One of the genuinely extraordinary aspects of FACTS that distinguishes it from many conventions is the quality of its Artist Alley. This is not a collection of regional amateur artists — it is a gathering of internationally acclaimed comic and pop culture artists from Marvel, DC, Disney, and other major publishers, alongside the best Belgian and wider European talent.

Artist Alley guests offer:

• Sketches and commissions — personalised artwork created specifically for you, often while you wait
• Autographs — signed prints, comics, and collectibles from the artists who created them
• Original art — pieces for sale from the original creators
• Meet and greet — the chance to talk directly with artists whose work you have admired

The final Belgian names for the 2026 Artist Alley were announced in March 2026 on the FACTS social channels — the full list is at facts.be.

The Geek Market: Hundreds of Exhibitors, Thousands of Finds

The Geek Market is the commercial heart of FACTS, and it is one of the most compelling environments for pop culture enthusiasts anywhere in Europe. Hundreds of exhibitors bring an extraordinary range of merchandise, collectibles, and memorabilia.

What you can find at the FACTS Geek Market:

• American comics and graphic novels — from vintage back issues to new releases
• Japanese manga and anime merchandise
• Movie and television props and memorabilia
• Action figures, statues, and collectibles from major and independent manufacturers
• Board games, card games, and tabletop roleplaying accessories
• Video game merchandise — particularly relevant given FACTS' strong gaming programme
• Magic wands, cosplay accessories, and props
• Art prints, posters, and fan art

The early opening time for VIP and Fast Pass ticket holders (9:00 AM vs 10:00 AM for standard tickets) exists partly because the most sought-after Geek Market items sell out quickly.

Gaming, Video Games, and More: FACTS Across Multiple Halls

FACTS 2026 includes a strong video game and tabletop gaming programme, with confirmed game associations including connections to Baldur's Gate III, Hades II, Warframe, Divinity: Original Sin 2, Total War: Warhammer II, D&D Online, and Sea of Thieves among others. The gaming areas within FACTS offer hands-on play, developer meet-ups, and the chance to try upcoming releases before they hit the wider market.

The Cosplay Hall is one of FACTS' most popular destinations — a dedicated space where the competition takes place and where the most extraordinary cosplay creations in Belgium are on full display. The cosplay community at FACTS is large, serious, and welcoming, and the quality of construction and creativity at the competition level is genuinely remarkable. The event even sells dedicated Cosplay Saturday and Cosplay Sunday tickets.

The Fan Village is where fan clubs and communities set up their own spaces — meeting fellow fans of specific shows, films, franchises, and genres in an environment built for exactly that kind of connection.

Ticket Prices and Practical Information

FACTS uses a wave pricing system that rewards early buyers. The earlier you buy, the lower the price. All prices below are online prices — entrance prices on the day are higher, so buying online in advance is strongly recommended:

Ticket TypePriceStandard Saturday€27.50 (early) / €25.50Standard Sunday€25.50 / €23.50Standard Weekend€42.50Fast Pass (single day)€48.50 / €46.50Fast Pass Weekend€85.50 / €83.50VIP Day€114VIP Weekend€184Cosplay Saturday€25.50 / €23.50Cosplay Sunday€23.50 / €21.50Children under 11FREE (must be accompanied by paying adult)Wheelchair companionFREE

Wave pricing schedule:

• Wave 1: Ticket launch — January 11, 2026
• Wave 2: January 12 — March 1, 2026
• Wave 3: March 2 — April 10, 2026
• Wave 4: During the FACTS weekend (door prices — highest)

Standard Weekend and VIP tickets will NOT be available at the door during the FACTS weekend. Buy in advance.

Opening Hours:

• Saturday, April 11: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (VIP/Fast Pass entry from 9:00 AM; standard entry from 10:00 AM)
• Sunday, April 12: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Ghent as a FACTS Weekend Destination

Attending FACTS on a Saturday and Sunday gives you a full weekend in Ghent — and Ghent in April is a genuinely excellent city break destination. The medieval centre is beautifully accessible, the weather in mid-April is typically mild and pleasant, and the city has options to suit every taste and budget.

Must-See Ghent Around the Convention Weekend

• The Ghent Altarpiece at Sint-Baafskathedraal — the Van Eyck brothers' early 15th-century masterpiece, widely considered one of the greatest paintings ever created. Seeing it in person is transformative. Open daily; timed tickets available at the cathedral.
• Gravensteen Castle — the 12th-century fortress directly in the city's waterways, walkable, and with extraordinary views from the battlements.
• Graslei and Korenlei — the medieval guild-house quaysides overlooking the Leie, lined with terraces and restaurants. Perfect for an April evening.
• Patershol — the labyrinthine old quarter behind the castle with Ghent's best independent restaurants, ideal for pre- or post-FACTS dinners.
• STAM — Ghent City Museum in the Bijloke Abbey complex — intelligent, beautifully designed, and free for Ghent residents.

Getting to Flanders Expo Ghent

Flanders Expo is at Maaltekouter 1, 9051 Ghent — south of the city centre near the E40 motorway.

• By car: Easy motorway access from Brussels (E40), Bruges (E40), and Antwerp; on-site parking available but can fill on busy days — arrive early
• By public transport from Ghent-Sint-Pieters station: Bus line 72 connects the station to Flanders Expo; the journey takes approximately 15 minutes
• By train to Ghent: From Brussels (35 min), Bruges (25 min), Antwerp (50 min) — all to Ghent-Sint-Pieters station

FACTS Spring 2026: An Experience That Belongs on Your Calendar

FACTS Spring 2026 on April 11–12 at Flanders Expo Ghent is the largest and most comprehensive celebration of pop culture in Belgium — a genuinely joyful, endlessly stimulating two-day event that serves fans of every genre and every kind of fandom with equal warmth and quality.

With Jared Padalecki, Doug Jones, the world's greatest comic artists, hundreds of Geek Market exhibitors, a cosplay competition, gaming activations, and more — and with children under 11 entering completely free — there is genuinely something here for every member of every family.

Buy your tickets now at facts.be to secure the current wave price. Follow @FACTSConvention on all platforms for the continuously updated guest list, Artist Alley announcements, and everything else you need to plan your FACTS weekend in Ghent.

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