BilibiliWorld 2026 Concludes in Shanghai with Record Global Participation, Establishing City as World’s Top ACGN Cultural Hub

Asia’s Largest Comprehensive ACGN Expo Opens Global Ticketing for the First Time, Welcomes 400,000 Attendees from Over 30 Countries, Featuring Marvel’s Kevin Feige and Over 170 Domestic & International Exhibitors

SHANGHAI, July 13, 2026 — BilibiliWorld 2026 (BW2026), the flagship annual ACGN carnival hosted by Bilibili, wrapped up a three-day run (July 10–12) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Marking a landmark milestone for China’s animation, comic and gaming industry, this year’s expo rolled out simultaneous ticket sales across more than 190 countries and regions for the first time since its launch in 2017, attracting 400,000 visitors from over 30 nations worldwide. International ticket holders accounted for 18% of all attendees, an all-time high that solidifies Shanghai’s status as a global pilgrimage destination for young subculture enthusiasts环球网.

Global Reach & Cross-border Cultural Exchange

Breaking long-standing ticketing barriers for overseas fans, BW2026 eliminated the need for proxy purchases, enabling global audiences to secure entry tickets via official international channels. Enthusiasts traveled from the United States, Russia, South Korea, Italy, Singapore and beyond to attend the event. Professional Russian cosplayers, American anime fans and Cambodian royal ACGN lovers traveled exclusively for BW, praising the expo’s unmatched scale, elaborate installations and immersive interactive experiences, many noting it outshines equivalent conventions in Western markets上观新闻.

The blockbuster event has become a powerful engine driving Shanghai’s summer cultural tourism. Travel platform data shows overseas flight bookings to Shanghai surged 35% during the expo, while hotel reservations within a 5-kilometer radius of the venue jumped 600% month-on-month. BW also partnered with major downtown shopping malls to launch four official satellite venues, extending ACGN consumption from the exhibition halls to the whole city and forming an integrated cultural and tourism consumption ecosystem.

Record-Breaking Lineup of Domestic & International Exhibitors

BW2026 hosted more than 170 exhibitors, a new record, occupying 240,000 square meters across eight exhibition halls divided into nine themed zones. Over 130 game brands took center stage, with leading Chinese developers including miHoYo, Hypergryph and Yostar showcasing blockbuster IPs such as Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail and Arknights with towering life-size installations and exclusive gameplay experiences.

World-famous overseas entertainment brands also staged prominent booths, including Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding 2, Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series and top Korean anime game studios. The venue featured nearly 1,000 customized “itasha” anime-decorated vehicles and over 60,000 cosplayers, covering games, animation, film, VTubers, doujin merchandise and figure collections, building a full-spectrum global exchange platform for ACGN creators and consumers.

A-List Global Industry Icons Grace the Stage

More than 30 elite international industry guests were invited to BW2026, with the most anticipated appearance from Kevin Feige, President & Chief Creative Officer of Marvel Studios. Returning to China after seven years, Feige delivered his first-ever public appearance at a Chinese comic convention, unveiling updates on upcoming Marvel cinematic projects and drawing massive crowds of fans and industry professionals alike.

International game developers, renowned overseas cosplayers and animation artists held panel discussions, autograph sessions and fan interactions throughout the three days. The expo created rare face-to-face communication channels between global creators and audiences, allowing game and IP studios to gather firsthand feedback on storylines, gameplay and derivative products from international fans.

Comprehensive Support & Integrated Urban Cultural Value

Local police and fire departments deployed full-time on-site security teams with grid patrols, exclusive access lanes for cosplayers and dedicated rest areas to streamline visitor flow. In response to approaching Typhoon Bavi, authorities activated pre-planned flood control and wind-resistance emergency protocols to guarantee visitor safety. Local public security collaborated with domestic game studios to launch innovative anti-fraud and safety education booths embedded with popular game IPs, blending youth culture with public safety outreach.

Following the successful conclusion of BW2026, Shanghai will host a string of world-class gaming and animation events this summer, including ChinaJoy and the DOTA 2 International. Powered by flagship expos like BW, Shanghai has built a complete industrial chain covering ACGN creation, exhibition, consumption and cultural tourism. As a universal cultural language for young people across the globe, ACGN continues to connect Chinese and international youth, turning Shanghai into a vital global hub for cross-border youth cultural exchange.