Quick Quest Brief: Fantasy Basel is Switzerland's biggest pop-culture convention, held at Messe Basel with over 800 exhibitors and the Cosplay Village. The 2027 edition runs May 15–17 over the Pentecost weekend. This guide covers tickets, the schedule, cosplay rules, getting there and how to pair it with other European cons.
Switzerland's Biggest Comic Con
Fantasy Basel – The Swiss Comic Con started in 2015 with a bit over 20,000 visitors. It reached about 103,000 visitors in 2026, and it now fills more than 100,000 square meters of Messe Basel with over 800 exhibitors. It sits at the meeting point of Switzerland, France and Germany, which makes it unusually easy to reach from most of Western Europe.
📅 Event page: See full details for Fantasy Basel
How It Has Grown
According to the convention's history, attendance climbed almost every year since the start, with the virtual 2020 edition and a smaller October 2021 show as the exceptions:
| Year | Visitors |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 20,000+ |
| 2016 | 30,000 |
| 2019 | 54,000 |
| 2022 | 62,000 |
| 2024 | 88,000 |
| 2025 | 97,000 |
| 2026 | about 103,000 |
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Over the same period the exhibition space grew from 15,000 square meters to 100,000. That growth explains the organization: staggered entry times, an advance-only pass and a dedicated Family Day all exist to keep a 100,000-visitor event comfortable.
When & Where
Fantasy Basel 2027 runs Saturday, May 15 to Monday, May 17 at Messe Basel (Messeplatz 10), over the Pentecost weekend. Opening hours are 10:00 to 19:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and 9:00 to 18:00 on Monday, which is Family Day.
What You'll Find Inside
- Guests: film and TV stars appear on the main stages. Past editions have featured Kevin Sussman, Graham McTavish, Kristian Nairn, Natalia Tena and Alfred Enoch, and the organizers say 2027 guests are being announced on an ongoing basis.
- Artist Alley: more than 300 illustrators, tattoo artists and urban artists show up each year.
- Nintendo Zone: with a merchandise area.
- Cosplay Village: the signature feature, a protected area where cosplayers can change and touch up makeup, and a social hub for the scene.
- Exhibitors: over 800, covering comics, collectibles, gaming and more.
Tickets: What They Cost
Tickets are sold through the official partner Ticketcorner, and advance sales opened September 1, 2026. Prices below are in Swiss francs (advance / box office), excluding service fees:
| Ticket | Adults (16+) | Teens (under 16) |
|---|---|---|
| Festival Pass (3 days, advance only) | CHF 121 | CHF 76 |
| Festival Pass Diamond (3 days, advance only) | CHF 160 | CHF 160 |
| Day Ticket (Sat, Sun or Mon) | CHF 50 / 55 | CHF 33 / 38 |
| Afternoon Ticket | CHF 43 / 48 | CHF 27 / 32 |
| Family Day (Monday) | CHF 50 / 55 | CHF 17 / 22 |
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The Diamond pass includes a souvenir badge, a lanyard and a voucher for a limited-edition T-shirt. Day tickets allow re-entry, and entry is at staggered times that you choose when buying. Children up to their 9th birthday enter free with an adult, and on Family Day, children and young people up to 16 pay half price.
Festival Pass or Day Tickets?
The three-day Festival Pass is CHF 121 for adults, while three separate advance day tickets would cost CHF 150, so the pass saves CHF 29 and guarantees entry on every day. The Diamond pass (CHF 160) costs CHF 39 more and adds a souvenir badge, a lanyard and a voucher for a limited-edition T-shirt, which is worth it only if you like the keepsakes. For a shorter visit, the afternoon ticket (CHF 43 in advance) gets you in from 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, or 2 pm on Monday. Families can do Monday's Family Day for CHF 50 for an adult and CHF 17 for a child or teen, since children and young people up to 16 pay half price and children under 9 enter free.
Cosplay and House Rules
- There is no costume requirement. Plenty of visitors come in street clothes.
- All weapons must pass the on-site weapons check, and the official Weapons and Cosplay Regulation lists what is allowed.
- Always ask before touching or photographing a cosplayer.
- Outside food is not allowed, but you can bring one non-alcoholic drink bottle up to 0.75 liters, no glass. A cloakroom holds bags and coats for a fee.
What to Pack
The official FAQ gives some practical rules worth knowing before you go:
- Leave the big props at home, or have them checked: all weapons must pass the on-site weapons check.
- Pack your own water: you may bring one non-alcoholic drink bottle up to 0.75 liters, but no glass. Outside food is not allowed unless you have a medical need and a current certificate.
- Use the cloakroom: coats and bags can be left for a fee during opening hours, and security may check bags at the entrance.
- Carry some cash or a card: the nearest ATM is outside Messe Basel at the Riehenring tram stop.
- Plan for comfort: three days on concrete floors call for good shoes, and the Cosplay Village is a handy place to change and touch up makeup.
Getting There
The venue is easy to reach by public transport, and parking is limited:
- From the main station (SBB/SNCF): tram line 1 or 2 to Messeplatz, about 10 minutes.
- From Badischer Bahnhof: tram line 2 or 6 to Messeplatz.
- By air: EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is about a 15-minute drive. Zurich Airport has a direct train to Basel in under an hour.
- By train: the organizers offer 20% off for those arriving by train through sbb.ch/fantasy-basel, and Basel hotel guests get a free Mobility ticket for local public transport.
Pair It With Other European Cons
The 2027 calendar rewards a two-weekend trip. Comic Barcelona runs May 7–9, 2027, the weekend before Basel, so you can fly from Spain to Switzerland and do both. Our guide to the biggest anime conventions in the world can help you decide what else to add to the run.
Beyond the Halls
Basel's compact old town and the Rhine are easy to enjoy after a loud day on the floor, and public transport is excellent. Note that Monday, May 17 is Whit Monday, a public holiday in Switzerland, so expect reduced opening hours in shops and some attractions.
If you have a spare half-day, Basel punches above its size for museums. The Kunstmuseum Basel is one of the oldest public art collections in Europe, the Tinguely Museum is full of kinetic machines that suit a geeky sensibility, and the Spielzeug Welten Museum is a toy and teddy-bear museum in the old town. The Rhine, the Münster cathedral and the point where three countries meet round out an easy walking day.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Fantasy Basel 2027?
May 15–17, 2027, Saturday to Monday, over the Pentecost weekend.
How much are tickets?
A three-day Festival Pass is CHF 121 for adults, and a day ticket is CHF 50 in advance or CHF 55 at the box office, excluding service fees.
Do I need to wear a costume?
No. There is no costume requirement.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. Children up to their 9th birthday get free admission with an adult, and Monday's Family Day offers half-price tickets for children and young people up to 16.
How big is it?
About 103,000 visitors in 2026, over 800 exhibitors and more than 100,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Plan Your Basel Trip
Fantasy Basel is a compact, well-organized stop for a spring convention run. See our Basel event page for details, browse the events calendar, and plan around the Pentecost long weekend early, since hotel prices rise with the holiday.
Photo credit: Rosmarie Voegtli, CC BY 2.0
About the Author
Danilo Sarcinelli
Danilo Sarcinelli is a traveler and lifelong geek who loves Magic: The Gathering, D&D, Harry Potter, Disney, Star Wars, Dragon Ball, and Zelda. He explores the world to map out the most epic locations, conventions, and landmarks for fellow fans.
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