Armageddon Expo

Armageddon Expo is New Zealand's largest and longest-running pop-culture event, and its flagship Auckland edition takes over the Auckland Showgrounds every Labour Weekend. The 2026 edition runs October 23–26. Founded in 1995 and staged across several New Zealand cities through the year, Armageddon has grown from a modest comics show into a sprawling four-day celebration of comics, gaming, anime, film and television, collectibles and cosplay — the undisputed anchor of the geek calendar for New Zealand and a genuine drawcard across the wider Pacific.

The event packs an unusual amount under one roof. Expect international celebrity guests from film, TV and voice acting for panels, autographs and photo ops; a large exhibitor and retail hall covering comics, toys, apparel, models and imports; and a strong gaming presence spanning video, retro, tabletop and card games, with open play and tournaments throughout. Anime and Japanese pop culture get their own screenings and programming, and the cosplay community — famously creative for a country of five million — fills the halls with contests and gatherings. Armageddon is also known for its live professional-wrestling cards, a long-running and distinctive part of the show's mix that you won't find at most conventions.

The Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane are easy to reach from the city centre by car, bus, or a short train ride to Greenlane Station plus a walk, with parking on site and a full spread of accommodation across Auckland. Labour Weekend, in late October, is early summer in New Zealand — generally mild and bright — which makes it an ideal time to bolt a proper holiday onto the trip. Tickets are sold by day and as multi-day passes through the official Armageddon site, with premium and guest-specific options; popular guest sessions and photo ops sell out, so book ahead.

And New Zealand rewards building a trip around it like few places on earth — especially for a certain kind of fan. This is Middle-earth. The Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata, with its immaculately maintained Hobbit holes and the Green Dragon Inn, is a couple of hours' drive south of Auckland; Weta Workshop's tours, where the props and creatures of The Lord of the Rings and countless other films are made, are down in Wellington; and the mountains, forests and coastlines that stood in for Tolkien's world stretch across both islands. Armageddon makes a perfect launch point for that pilgrimage.

Practical notes: October weather is pleasant but changeable, so pack layers; bring comfortable shoes for the halls and cash or card for the dealers. Check the official Armageddon Expo site for the confirmed guest list, the wrestling card, the schedule and ticketing closer to the date — and if Middle-earth is on your list, book Hobbiton and Weta tours in advance, as they fill up, particularly around long weekends.