A two-day anime and manga convention takes over Riyadh Air Metropolitano as Japan Weekend returns to Madrid, packing the stadium's halls with cosplay contests, guest panels and a lineup built around Japanese pop culture rather than football.
What it is
The programme runs on contests and guest appearances: cosplay, karaoke, an idol festival and a dance-cover competition give attendees categories to enter, while meet-and-greets bring in voice actors, musicians, manga artists and VTubers across the weekend. Confirmed guests for 2026 include idol group Liella!, voice actor Katsuyuki Konishi, singers May'n and Machico, composer Shōji Meguro and VTuber Ironmouse, spanning music, voice acting and game scoring rather than one single niche.
Illustrator Yoshitoshi ABe, known for character designs in Serial Experiments Lain and Haibane Renmei, created the official 2026 poster. Beyond the stage schedule, the convention runs a creators' area for independent artists and a photo-gallery space, giving the event a market-and-exhibition layer alongside the contests and panels.
Why it's worth the trip
The guest list mixes music, voice acting and content-creation figures rather than sticking to one corner of anime fandom, so a K-pop-adjacent idol group, a veteran voice actor and a VTuber all share the same weekend bill. Running inside a football stadium rather than a convention centre also gives it more floor space for contests and stalls than most Spanish anime events.
Practical info
Riyadh Air Metropolitano sits on Madrid's Metro Line 7 (Estadio Metropolitano station), so no car is needed. Cosplay entrants should check the contest rules on the official ticket site in advance, since prop and weapon restrictions apply inside the stadium.
FAQ
Who are the guests at Japan Weekend Madrid 2026?
Confirmed guests include idol group Liella!, voice actor Katsuyuki Konishi, singers May'n and Machico, composer Shōji Meguro and VTuber Ironmouse, appearing across the 26-27 September weekend at Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
How much does a ticket to Japan Weekend Madrid cost?
A single-day general admission ticket costs from €27; prices vary by day and ticket type, with full options listed on the official Japan Weekend ticket site.
Where is Japan Weekend Madrid held?
The convention takes place at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, Avenida de Luis Aragonés 4, reachable directly via the Estadio Metropolitano stop on Metro Line 7.
What activities are at Japan Weekend Madrid?
The event runs cosplay, karaoke, idol-festival and dance-cover contests, guest meet-and-greets, stage performances, a creators' area and a photo-gallery space across the two days.
Who designed the 2026 Japan Weekend Madrid poster?
Illustrator Yoshitoshi ABe, known for character work on Serial Experiments Lain and Haibane Renmei, created the official poster for the 2026 edition.
