RetroCon Saar

A Convention for Nerds of All Stripes

RetroCon Saar is organized by the Next Heroes Community and Nerd Events collective and has been one of the largest pop culture conventions in the southwest for years. In the Hermann-Neuberger-Halle in Völklingen, retro gamers, anime fans, cosplayers, and collectors of trading cards, manga, comics, consoles, and toys meet. The format is inspired by conventions like DoKomi or Connichi, but is deliberately family-oriented and accessible.

2026: Animal Legends

Each edition is themed – in 2026, it's "Animal Legends." Celebrating the fluffy, scaly, and feathered heroes of pop culture: from Donald Duck to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Donkey Kong, to Zootopia and Five Nights at Freddy's. A real sensation for German fans: Peter Krause, the German voice of Donald Duck, will be there in person, hosting panels and available for meet & greets.

Photo Installations and Experience Areas

A special feature of RetroCon are the walk-in photo installations. In 2026, the team will build a replica of the Turtles' living room and the Zootopia police station – popular spots for cosplay photos. In addition, there's the RetroLounge with consoles and retro computers for free play (from Atari to NES to Dreamcast), a Creative Zone featuring game developers, a photo corner, tournaments, and a raffle.

Sales Fair with Depth

The sales area is substantial: video games, consoles, trading cards, toys, anime goods, comics, collectibles. Sellers come from all over the German-speaking world, many looking for that one special item that was too expensive on eBay. Those with a collector's passion often plan 2 to 3 hours for the sales area.

Family-Friendly and Accessible

Unlike some larger conventions, RetroCon emphasizes family-friendliness: children under 12 get free admission, disabled visitors and a companion are free, and the hall is completely accessible. The Health Bar offers vegan options, and the program is also suitable for younger nerds (8–12 years old).

Völklingen and its Industrial Heritage

Völklingen is famous for the Völklinger Hütte, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Europe's most important industrial monuments. The Hermann-Neuberger-Halle, where RetroCon takes place, is just a few minutes from the World Heritage site – those spending the weekend in Völklingen can combine both worlds: steel and nerd heritage.