CMC Köln 2026 — Comic & Manga Convention

Köln-Mülheim and its Stadthalle

The Stadthalle Köln-Mülheim is one of the central event locations in the right-bank part of Cologne, situated in the Mülheim district directly next to Wiener Platz. With several halls and over 2,000 sqm of exhibition space, it is suitable for trade fairs, conventions, concerts, and conferences. For the Comic & Manga Convention Köln, the hall will be the stage for the Rhenish pop culture scene for the second time in 2026.

BD-Events — The Convention Specialists

The organizer is BD-Events, a company specializing in comic and manga conventions with a focus on Germany. In addition to Cologne (premiere in 2025, second edition in 2026), BD-Events organizes conventions in Düsseldorf, Oberhausen, Hamburg, and Münster. The concept is consistently community-oriented: Instead of big celebrity appearances and expensive VIP tickets, the focus is on the local scene — cosplayers, manga artists, comic collectors, small publishers, local dealers.

Artist Alley — The Art Scene Shows Itself

The heart of every comic convention is the Artist Alley: Dozens of comic artists and manga creators sit at their own tables, present their works, sell prints, original drawings, and self-published comics, sign autographs, and take commission sketches. Those familiar with the format know: Here you'll find the next generation of German comic and manga artists, often years before they are signed by major publishers.

Workshops and Art Classes

A special concern of CMC Köln is the promotion of young talent:

• Drawing classes for children with professional artists who teach the basics of comic and manga drawing in an age-appropriate manner
• Workshop with Jessica Kikisch — an artist well-known in the German manga scene, offering an in-depth course for advanced female and male artists

The workshops are partly subject to a fee and require advance registration — details via [email protected].

Cosplay Walk Competition

The Cosplay Walk competition is the stage highlight of every CMC: Cosplayers in self-made costumes — from anime characters to Marvel and DC heroes to game characters — present their outfits to a jury and the audience. The evaluation criteria are costume quality, staging, and stage performance. Prizes range from merchandise from well-known sponsors to distribution on BD-Events' channels.

Community Group Photo

A beloved CMC ritual is the large community group photo: Throughout the day, all cosplayers, artists, and visitors gather for a group photo in front of the Stadthalle — a documented moment of the Rhenish scene that gains wide distribution on social media every year.

Merchandise Market

In addition to the artists, there are dealers from all over Germany: Manga publishers with first editions and collector's editions, cosplay accessories (wigs, contact lenses, fabrics), collectible figures, games, imported goods from Japan, indie comics, buttons, patches. If you're looking for a specific collector's edition, you have a good chance in Cologne.

Admission and Tickets

Tickets are available in advance via comic-messen.de and at the box office. The exact prices will be published in advance on the organizer's website. Children under a certain age limit often have reduced or free admission — families should check the current conditions.

Getting There

The Stadthalle Köln-Mülheim is located directly at Wiener Platz — one of the most important transport hubs in the right-bank part of Cologne. Public Transport: Light rail lines 4, 13, 18 stop at Wiener Platz; bus connections in all directions. Train: Köln-Mülheim station (S 6, S 11, S 12, S 13, RE) is a 5-minute walk away. Car: A 3 or A 4 towards Cologne, then Wiener Platz — parking garages in the vicinity.