Your complete guide to Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022: guests, weapon policy, costs and more

Phoenix Fan Fusion is finally back.

After being canceled in 2020 and 2021, this year's gathering will be the first since 2019 and it will be loaded with plenty of events, familiar and new.

For one, several best-selling authors, comic book creators and actors will be at the event including Diane Guerrero, Patrick Warburton, Cristina Vee, John DiMaggio and Anthony Rapp.

Plus, the event will feature signature events like its "Masquerade" costume contest and "P.U.G.S.," the Phoenix Ultimate Geek Smackdown. The Friday and Saturday evening parties are also back including an Anime Rave, Grogu's 51st Birthday Bash, the annual Cosplay Fashion Show, Riddler's Scavenger Hunt and The Wild Geek Show, among others. Events take place at the Phoenix Convention Center.

Here is your full guide to this year's Phoenix Fan Fusion.

Stars are out: Chuck Norris, Kate Mulgrew among Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022  headliners

What is the Phoenix Fan Fusion schedule?

Events at Fan Fusion include celebrity panels, author guest panels, gaming open plays and several workshops featured to meet individual guest's personal interests and passions.

Below is a basic schedule of events:

Badge Redemption Station Hours (these will be located outside each of the event's three secured entrances): 

• Friday: 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Sunday  8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  ​

Secured Entrance hours (Entrances are located at 2nd Street & Adams, 3rd Street & Monroe, 3rd Street  & Washington):

• Friday:  9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Saturday 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lower level exhibitor hall & Hall of Heroes hours (located in lower level hall 1-6): 

• Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.​

Programming Event Hours (Located Ballrooms 120, 301, First Floor and Second Floor Programming Rooms 101-232): 

• Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

• Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For a full schedule of events see memberships.phoenixfanfusion.com/schedule/Phoenix_Fan_Fusion_2020 for more details.

Going to Fan Fusion? Check out these nerd-approved bars, comic shops and gaming spots

Where is Phoenix Fan Fusion?

Phoenix Fan Fusion will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center on 100 N 3rd St, Phoenix.

How much does Phoenix Fan Fusion cost?

Tickets range from $40 dollars for a Friday only membership to $295 for a VIP membership full event pass.

See https://memberships.phoenixfanfusion.com/eh/Phoenix_Fan_Fusion_2020 for more details on ticket pricing.

How do I purchase a membership for Fan Fusion?

Guests for Fan Fusion must buy a "membership," or event pass prior to the event. All "memberships" are sold online and ticket prices vary depending on how many tickets you purchase, which day you attend Fan Fusion and whether you want a VIP ticket. Ticket prices are as follows:

Full Event Membership cost: Single Full Event Membership: $90. Full Memberships are expected to sell out. Prices will be higher during the event, if there are remaining tickets available.

Friday Only Membership : Single Friday only Membership: $40.

Saturday only Membership cost: Single Saturday only Membership: $55.

Sunday-only Membership cost: Single Sunday-only Membership: $50.

VIP memberships are also an option at $295 each. The pass includes: 

• Collectible Badge & exclusive VIP Lanyard

• In-and-Out Access to the convention for the full weekend

• EARLY ACCESS to Celebrity Panels*VIP Dedicated line at our Secured Entrances.

• VIP Dedicated line for Celebrity Autographs.

• VIP Dedicated line for Celebrity Photo Ops.

• VIP Only Lounge located steps from the main floor food court.

• VIP Commemorative Badge & Lanyard shipped to your home at least two weeks prior to the event.

• Complimentary Phoenix Fan Fusion T-shirt.

• Access to the Lower Level Exhibitor Hall & Hall of Heroes.

• Access to the Gaming Hall.

• Access to all Celebrity Panels.

• Access to all Signature Events.

• Access to all After Dark Parties.

• Access to all Spectacular Spectacle Showcases.

See https://memberships.phoenixfanfusion.com/eh/Phoenix_Fan_Fusion_2020 for more membership details and to purchase tickets.

What does my membership badge to Fan Fusion include?

Single-day and full-event packages include IN-N-OUT access for the entire day. The membership includes access to Exhibit Hall, the Gaming Hall and most panels.

Some panels have an additional cost as well as writing workshops with visiting authors and a buy-in for the event's poker tournament where guests must pay $20 to play. Guests can watch the poker tournament for free.

The Drag Show and the Burlesque Show are both free to attend, however, guests can purchase VIP seating at both events.

See memberships.phoenixfanfusion.com/schedule/Phoenix_Fan_Fusion_2020?tag=27478 for a full list of paid events.

What if I want to bring a child to Fan Fusion?

Fan Fusion offers two options for children. For $15 dollars, adults can purchase a "Sidekick" pass for a child between 3 and 12-years-old. This can be purchased can be in conjunction with any single day or Full Event membership and adult present.

Children under 3-years-old attend for free with a paying adult.

See https://memberships.phoenixfanfusion.com/eh/Phoenix_Fan_Fusion_2020 for more details.

Who are the Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022 guests?

Phoenix Fan Fusion will have a variety of guests from New York Times best-selling authors to celebrities from movies and shows like "Doctor Who" and "Family Guy," along with comic book creators and artists who have worked with Marvel and DC Comics. Here is a full confirmed list of the actors, authors, comic book artists and creators scheduled to attend.

Actors: 

• Anthony Rapp (Friday-Sunday).

• Billy West (Friday-Sunday).

• Christopher Eccleston (Saturday).

• Cristina Vee (Friday-Sunday).

• Diane Guerrero (Saturday-Sunday).

• Doug Jones (Friday-Sunday).

• Felicia Day (Friday-Sunday).

• Harvey Guillén (Friday-Sunday).

• J.J. Cohen (Saturday-Sunday).

• Jim Cummings (Friday-Sunday).

• Jodi Benson (Friday-Sunday).

• John Barrowman (Friday-Sunday).

• John DiMaggio (Friday-Sunday).

• Katie Griffin (Friday-Sunday).

• Linda Ballantyne (Friday-Sunday).

• Patrick Warburton (Saturday-Sunday).

• Tim Russ (Saturday-Sunday).

Authors: 

• Axie Oh (Friday-Sunday).

• Erin Jade Lange (Friday-Sunday).

• Heather Walter (Friday-Sunday).

• James Owen (Friday-Sunday).

• Jennifer Roberson (Friday-Sunday).

• Joanna Ruth Meyer (Friday-Sunday).

• Joseph Nassise (Friday-Sunday).

• Kelly deVos (Friday-Sunday).

• Lisa McMann (Friday-Sunday).

• Marissa Meyer (Friday-Sunday).

• Melissa Marr (Friday-Sunday).

• Romina Russell (Friday-Sunday).

• Ryan Dalton (Friday-Sunday).

• Suzanne Young (Friday-Sunday).

• Tom Leveen (Friday-Sunday).

• Zoe Hana Mikuta (Friday-Sunday).

Comic book creators and artists: 

• Adam Orndorf (Friday-Sunday).

• Bob McLeod (Friday-Sunday).

• Brian Pulido (Friday-Sunday).

• Chris L. Brown (Friday-Sunday).

• Dave Beaty (Friday-Sunday).

• Derek Riggs (Friday-Sunday).

• Dietrich Smith (Friday-Sunday).

• Eric Henson (Friday-Sunday).

• Jay Fotos (Friday-Sunday).

• Jim Starlin (Friday-Sunday).

• Joe Rubinstein (Friday-Sunday).

• John Giang (Friday-Sunday).

• John Romita Jr. (Friday-Sunday).

• Latique Curry (Friday-Sunday).

• Livio Ramondelli (Friday-Sunday).

• Lorenzo Sperlonga (Friday-Sunday).

• Marat Mychaels (Friday-Sunday).

• Mark Kidwell (Friday-Sunday).

• Megan Withey (Friday-Sunday).

• Michael Golden (Friday-Sunday).

• Mike MacLean (Friday-Sunday).

• Mike McKone (Friday-Sunday).

• Scott Godlewski (Friday-Sunday).

• Ryan Cody (Friday-Sunday).

• Ron Zabala (Friday-Sunday).

• Scott Williams (Friday-Sunday).

• Scott Hanna (Friday-Sunday).

• Tony Parker (Friday-Sunday).

• Tom Hodges (Friday-Sunday).

• The Janimal (Friday-Sunday).

• Travis Hanson (Friday-Sunday).

What is the Phoenix Fan Fusion weapons policy?

Phoenix Fan Fusion has created a list of approved and unapproved props. If guests have questions about particular items, they can directly contact the Phoenix Convention Center.

Here is the list of items allowed and items that are prohibited, per the Phoenix Convention Center:

ALLOWED PROPS & ARMOR:

• Lightsabers, wands, and sonic screwdrivers

• Bows that are completely inoperable, preferably un-strung, but loosely strung is also allowed.

• Non-removable arrows in a quiver AND/OR arrows with no tip.

• Foam, plastic, fiberglass, resin or metal shields with no sharp edges.

• Metal shields are allowed, but may slow down the screening process at security.

• Lightweight plastic bats. Any other accessories to the bat (such as those on Negan’s Lucille or the Demogorgon Killer) should also be made of foam or other lightweight material and incapable of harming others. No real barbed wire or nails.

• Armor made of plastic, fiberglass, resin, or metal.

• Metal Armor

• Any other props & armor (except for anything resembling any sort of real or replica firearm) made of Plastic, Thermoplastic (Worbla), Urethane Resin, Cardboard, Foam, Foam Rubber or other lightweight material.

Any metal pieces — whether a metal shield or metal armor —  will likely slow down the security screening process.

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

• Real and replica firearms of any kind, regardless of how unrealistic it looks, or material it is made of. This includes any weapon resembling a firearm such as Star Wars blasters, Nerf guns, Toy guns, Overwatch firearms, etc.

• Tasers.

• Glass props.

• Stone props.

• Slingshots.

• Brass knuckles.

Real, replica, or simulated explosives, ammunition, chemical weapons of any kind, including but not limited to:

• Simulated bomb vests.

• Cartoon bombs.

• Bullets.

• Hand grenades.

• Claymore Mines.

• Firecrackers.

• Pepper Spray.

• Mace.

• Powder caps.

• Metal or wood swords and other sharp-edged weapons.

• Swords, axes, Wolverine Claws, etc. may be permitted as long as they are made out of one of the lightweight approved materials listed in the approved section with NO sharp edges.

Excessively noisy props including but not limited to:

• Airhorns.

• Bullhorns.

• Whistles.

• Other Prohibited Items.

• Stick on Shoes.

• Wheeled shoes, skates, skateboards, hoverboards.

• RC cars, planes, drones.

• Heavy, unwieldy props.

• Cast-iron skillets.

See https://www.phoenixfanfusion.com/attend for more details.

Where should I park for Phoenix Fan Fusion?

Guests can begin reserving parking online now at four different parking garages. Parking costs $20 dollars and is expected to go up on the days of the event. Guests can reserve parking at four parking garages in downtown Phoenix including the Regency Garage (40 North 2nd St), the Heritage Garage (123 North Fifth Street, Lot 3421), the Phoenix Convention Center North Garage (475 E. Monroe St, Lot 3420) and the Phoenix Convention Center East Garage (601 E. Washington St, Lot 3422).

Guests can also use the Valley Metro system for transit. The nearest light rail stations to the Phoenix Fan Fusion entrance at the Convention Center include:

• 3rd and Jefferson streets

• 3rd and Washington streets (This station will be closed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily for safety precautions. Use Washington/Central Ave from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Guests can purchase their fare ahead of time to skip lines.

Can I bring food and beverages into Fan Fusion?

Outside food and beverage is prohibited at Phoenix Fan Fusion. Guests can purchase food on site through the event's caterer, Aventura. There will be locations throughout the convention selling food including the PHX Kitchens Downtown Food Hall​, exhibit hall concessions, vending machines and Starbucks in the West Building. All Aventura retail outlets are cashless and only accept debit or credit cards, Apply Pay and Google Payments.

Food trucks will also be at the event including Hecho en Arizona Mexican Kitchen, Build Your Own Boba, Phoenix Flavors (Asian cuisine), Karen's Kreamery (ice cream), John Dough Phoenix Pizza Co, Cactus Corn (popcorn, kettle corn, roasted almonds), Flavor of Korea, Crave Grounds (coffee and donuts), Mustache Pretzels and Different Smokes BBQ.

Badges will include IN-N-OUT access which means all Fan Fusion guests can leave the Phoenix Convention Center for personal, alternative dining and beverage choices.

Reach the reporter at sofia.krusmark@gannett.com. Follow her on Instagram @sofia.krusmark 

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Fan Fusion 2022: Your guide to costs, weapons policy, more