Bandai Expands Gundam's Official 50th Anniversary Convention Due to Huge Fan Demand

Bandai Namco has revealed major new details for Gundam’s upcoming 50th anniversary celebration “GUNDAM-Con 2027,” expanding the event to three exhibition halls as it prepares to bring Gunpla, anime, games, figures and competitive tournaments together for one huge convention in Japan.

The three-day GUNDAM-Con 2027 SIDE MAKUHARI will take over Halls 1 through 3 of Makuhari Messe in Chiba, with Bandai Namco significantly increasing the size of the venue following the overwhelming fan response to the event’s original announcement.

The celebration comes ahead of the Gundam franchise’s 50th anniversary in 2029, marking another major step toward the milestone for a series that began with the original Mobile Suit Gundam television anime in 1979 and has since expanded across dozens of anime productions, movies, games, Gunpla and other collectibles.

GUNDAM-Con is being developed around the idea of creating the event together with fans, with activities intended to cover everything from the history of Gundam to upcoming projects across the franchise.

One of the biggest attractions will be a series of live stages featuring voice actors, creators and new announcements, alongside autograph sessions with people who have contributed to Gundam throughout its history.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM ZERO already has a dedicated stage confirmed, giving fans another opportunity to hear more about the prequel project connected to 2024’s hugely successful Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom movie.

Other announced programming includes stages for the Real Grade Gunpla project, the finale of the Gundam GWX 30th Anniversary Project, home console Gundam games and SD Gundam G Generation Eternal, with additional presentations still to be revealed.

Competitive Gundam events that would normally be held separately will also converge at Makuhari Messe, bringing together tournaments spanning model kits, trading cards and video games as part of the wider anniversary celebration.

The currently confirmed tournament stage includes a Gundam Card Game 2-on-2 Team Battle, although Bandai Namco has indicated that further competitions will join the schedule.

Gunpla will have its own exhibition area featuring upcoming model kits alongside opportunities to try GUNDAM ASSEMBLE, while the TAMASHII NATIONS booth will display new completed figures from Bandai’s collector-focused ranges.

Visitors will also be able to try current and upcoming games through dedicated areas for the Gundam Card Game, Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base, Bandai Namco Entertainment and Bandai Namco Experience.

Sunrise is preparing creator-focused programming of its own, while additional product displays, demonstrations and hands-on activities are planned throughout the expanded venue.

Merchandise will form another major part of the convention, with GUNDAM-Con exclusives, advance-release products and newly released items planned for sale, although the individual products have yet to be announced.

Every attendee will also receive a large GUNDAM-Con shopper bag featuring artwork based on the event’s concept visual, measuring approximately 50 x 40 x 15 cm, with further visitor giveaways planned.

Bandai Namco also intends to incorporate messages submitted by Gundam fans into decorations and other areas around the venue, with submission details due to be announced closer to the event.

Adult admission for visitors aged 16 and older is priced at ¥5,000 (approx. $32 USD / £24 GBP) per day, while tickets for elementary through junior high school-age visitors cost ¥3,000 (approx. $19 USD / £14 GBP), with preschool children able to enter free under the stated accompanying-adult conditions.

Tickets will be distributed through a pre-registration lottery via the official website, rather than a conventional first-come sale, with separate admission required for each of the convention’s three days and a Bandai Namco ID needed to apply.

The first lottery application period runs from August 28 through September 6, 2026, with results scheduled for September 15, followed by a second round from October 2 through October 12 and a third from October 30 through November 8.

Applicants can submit up to three date and time preferences, while successful entrants will need to complete payment within the designated period to secure their tickets.

Some of the convention’s biggest attractions will require additional reservations after admission, including stage viewing tickets for seated presentations and merchandise queue tickets for certain products.

GUNDAM-Con 2027 SIDE MAKUHARI will be held at Makuhari Messe Halls 1 through 3 from January 9 to January 11, 2027, with the venue scheduled to operate from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM each day and final admission at 7:30 PM.