Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Lucca Comics & Games 2026 is set to be a vibrant celebration of pop culture, taking place in the Historic Center of Lucca, Italy. This event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, showcasing a diverse range of comics, games, and entertainment.
With over 700 exhibitors and numerous events, it offers a unique experience for fans and families alike. Lucca Comics & Games 2026 takes place in Lucca, Italy.
Venue: Historic Center of Lucca. Scheduled 28 October - 1 November 2026.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Lucca Comics & Games 2026 takes place from October 28 to November 1, 2026, in the Historic Center of Lucca, Italy.
- 2Scale and Focus: This event is one of the largest pop culture conventions in the West, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors.
- 3Organiser: The event is organised by Lucca Crea, known for its cultural and trade events.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include families, collectors, and pop culture enthusiasts from various countries.
- 5Entry / Access: Registration details can be found on the official website.
Why visit
Visitors can immerse themselves in a rich cultural experience, meet their favorite creators, and participate in various activities and panels. This event is one of the largest pop culture conventions in the West, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors. Attendees include families, collectors, and pop.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors gain access to a large audience of passionate fans and potential customers, enhancing brand visibility and engagement. The event provides a platform for launching new products and connecting with industry professionals. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Comic publishers showcasing new releases, Game developers presenting their latest titles, Merchandise vendors selling collectibles. Position your offer across comic books and graphic novels, tabletop.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Families looking for entertainment and activities
Comic book enthusiasts and collectors
Gaming fans interested in tabletop and video games
Cosplayers showcasing their creativity
Pop culture aficionados eager to meet creators
Students and young adults exploring career opportunities in media
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Comic publishers showcasing new releases
Game developers presenting their latest titles
Merchandise vendors selling collectibles
Artists offering commissions and prints
Cosplay costume makers and suppliers
Entertainment companies promoting upcoming projects
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Comic books and graphic novels
Tabletop games and accessories
Video games and consoles
Merchandise and collectibles
Cosplay costumes and props
Art prints and original artwork
Location & Facilities
Venue
Historic Center of Lucca
Lucca Centro Storico, Via Fillungo & Via Roma, 55100 Lucca LU, Italy
Facilities
Parking
Historic Center of Lucca in Lucca typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Historic Center of Lucca in Lucca typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Historic Center of Lucca for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Lucca, Italy
Why it matters
On 2026-10-28 to 2026-11-01, Lucca Comics & Games 2026 in Lucca covering Comic books and graphic novels, Tabletop games and accessories, Video games and consoles, Merchandise and collectibles, gives trade buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · EUR
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Hotel Ilaria - Lucca
4-star
Lucca (near historic center)4.7
USD 150–190 / night
San Luca Palace Hotel
4-star
Lucca (historic center)4.6
USD 150–190 / night
Hotel Napoleon
4-star
Lucca4.0
USD 150–190 / night
Hotel San Marco
3-star
Lucca (near the walls)4.6
USD 95–122 / night
B&B Cento Passi dalle Mura
3-star
Lucca (close to the city walls)4.3
USD 95–122 / night
Albergo Moderno Lucca
2-star
LuccaUSD 150–202 / night
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. EUR taxi/rideshare from PSA to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forPisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei) (PSA) to Historic Center of Lucca
taxi
Estimated costApprox. EUR taxi/rideshare from FLR to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forFlorence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci) (FLR) to Historic Center of Lucca
taxi
Estimated costApprox. EUR taxi/rideshare from FCO to venue (estimate; confirm before travel)
Best forRome Fiumicino Airport (Leonardo da Vinci) (FCO) to Historic Center of Lucca
Weather
Late-October and early-November days in Lucca typically bring highs of about 20-22 C and lows of 5-7 C, with a mix of clear days and morning fog at the start of the period. Forecast estimates from Open-Meteo (public API), to be reconfirmed close to travel; see https://api.open-meteo.com/v1/forecast?latitude=43.84369&longitude=10.50447&daily=weather_code%2Ctemperature_2m_max%2Ctemperature_2m_min%2Cprecipitation_sum%2Crain_sum%2Cwind_speed_10m_max&timezone=auto&start_date=2026-10-28&end_date=2026-11-01.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Italy.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Historic centre setting
Lucca's walled Centro Storico is a UNESCO-listed historic centre; expect pedestrian streets, limited-traffic-zone rules inside the walls, and pedestrian-first access around Via Fillungo and Via Roma. Plan to walk the final stretch and leave cars at peripheral parking lots.
Getting around
Lucca Tourism publishes official guidance on getting there and getting around, including bus lines, taxi options and ZTL rules; check the tourism portal before travel to confirm current access restrictions.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Sample one-way and round-trip times captured from Google Flights: London LHR-PSA around 2 h 25 min direct (also 2 h 30 min alternatives listed), New York JFK-Lucca via LIS, FCO, LHR or ZRH with total journies of roughly 10 h 40 min to 14 h 30 min. Compare dates against the 28 Oct-1 Nov 2026 show window and confirm onward rail or bus from Pisa to Lucca; prices from the Google Flights capture were not fixed, so treat any quote as indicative only.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Lucca; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Historic Center of Lucca: Lucca (near historic center): Hotel Ilaria - Lucca; Lucca (historic center): San Luca Palace Hotel; Lucca: Hotel Napoleon.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Lucca; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: Lucca's historic center is compact and largely walkable, and the city is served by regional rail (Lucca station) plus Autolinee Toscane (at-bus.it) local bus lines. Lucca Tourism publishes official getting-around guidance covering buses, taxis and car access; use it to plan the final leg from Lucca station or your hotel to the Centro Storico.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Historic Center of Lucca; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: October 2026
Temperature: Daytime highs around 20-22 C, overnight lows around 5-7 C (forecast estimate for 28 Oct-1 Nov 2026, Open-Meteo; confirm before travel).
Seasonality: Late autumn in Lucca: cool nights, mild days, with fog on some mornings and clearer spells in between. Forecast estimates from Open-Meteo, not a guarantee; check the local forecast in the week before departure.
Packing: Layers for mild afternoons and cold early mornings, a light waterproof jacket, and comfortable walking shoes for the walled historic centre's stone streets. Fog on some mornings means a little extra visibility care if driving.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Lucca Comics & Games 2026 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Lock in official tickets and pass type
T-2
Book accommodation in or around Lucca
T-3
Book air and rail travel
T-4
Check passport, visa and travel documents
T-5
Review cosplay and prop rules
T-6
Build a personal programme
T-7
Reserve restaurants and key meals
T-8
Arrange travel insurance
T-9
Pack for late-autumn Lucca
T-10
Sort money and cards
T-11
Download offline maps and tickets
T-12
Recheck the weather forecast
T-13
Confirm airport and station transfers
T-14
Pack a practical day bag and arrive early
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Historic Center of Lucca
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Lucca Comics & Games 2026 registration concourse
Historic Center of Lucca
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Historic Center of Lucca
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights€190.00
- Per diem × 2€150.00
Estimated total€340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Lucca Comics & Games 2026 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Lucca Comics & Games 2026, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Comic books and graphic novels and Tabletop games and accessories solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Lucca Comics & Games 2026 in Lucca.
Min. budget
$513.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Comic books and graphic novels and Tabletop games and accessories products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$2,308.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Lucca show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is Lucca Comics & Games 2026?
Lucca Comics & Games 2026 is scheduled for 28 October to 1 November 2026 in Lucca, Italy. The festival uses venues across the city rather than a single convention hall, so check luccacrea.it for the official map and any venue-specific access rules before travelling.
Is Lucca Comics & Games open to the public or trade-only?
It is a public festival with industry and professional participation; it is not a trade-only fair. Public visitors need the appropriate ticket or pass, while professionals, press and exhibitors should check accreditation routes on luccacrea.it.
How do I buy tickets for Lucca Comics & Games 2026?
Tickets and passes are sold through the official Lucca Crea channels. This listing does not quote prices because no settled price was captured; check luccacrea.it for current ticket types, prices and entry conditions before buying from any reseller.
How do I get to Lucca for the festival?
Pisa International Airport (PSA) is the closest major airport, and Florence Airport (FLR) is another practical gateway. Lucca has a regional rail station, and trains from Pisa Centrale or Florence Santa Maria Novella are the usual public-transport approach. Confirm live times and fares before travel.
What is the best way from Pisa Airport to Lucca?
Take the local connection to Pisa Centrale, then a regional train to Lucca; taxis are a direct but higher-cost option. Allow extra time during the festival because demand for trains, taxis and baggage space rises sharply.
Where should I stay for Lucca Comics & Games?
Stay inside Lucca's walls for walking access, or near the station and outside the walls for easier parking. Pisa and Florence are fallback bases with rail links. Book early because late October is high-demand festival time in Lucca.
Is cosplay allowed at Lucca Comics & Games?
Cosplay is a core part of the visitor experience. Large props, replica weapons and full-face masks may be subject to safety checks, so read the official cosplay and prop rules before packing.
Is Lucca Comics & Games suitable for families?
The festival includes comics, games and animation content for a wide range of ages, but individual screenings, games and panels may have age ratings. Check the official programme and exhibitor information for age guidance.
What language is used at Lucca Comics & Games?
Italian is the main programme language, and many international guests appear in English or with interpretation. Use the official programme to identify English-language panels, signings and publisher events.
How accessible is Lucca's historic centre during the festival?
Lucca's historic centre has uneven paving and limited step-free routes in places. Contact the organiser before travel for accessibility maps, reserved access and assistance at specific venues.
What is the weather like in Lucca during the festival?
Late October and early November in Lucca typically bring highs near 20-22 C and lows near 5-7 C, with clear days and morning fog possible. Pack layers and a light rain jacket, and reconfirm the forecast close to travel.
Where can I park in Lucca during the festival?
Lucca has car parks outside the historic walls; driving inside the walled centre is restricted. Use official parking guidance and allow time to walk or shuttle to venues.
How do professional accreditation and press passes work?
Professional, press and exhibitor accreditation is handled by Lucca Crea. Check luccacrea.it for eligibility, deadlines and the documents required; this listing does not state a deadline that was not captured.
What should exhibitors expect at Lucca Comics & Games?
Exhibitors range from comics publishers and game companies to independent artists and retailers. Confirm stand type, power, furniture, shipping and setup times in the exhibitor manual, and check whether your activity needs a demo, signing or stage slot.
Glossary
- Lucca Comics & Games
- The annual comics, gaming, animation and pop-culture festival held in Lucca, Italy, and organised by Lucca Crea. The 2026 edition is scheduled for 28 October to 1 November 2026; use luccacrea.it for the official programme, ticket and venue details.
- Lucca Crea
- The Lucca-based organiser behind the festival and the operator of luccacrea.it. For visitors and exhibitors, Lucca Crea is the official source for accreditation notices, exhibitor manuals, maps and schedule changes.
- Fumetto
- Italian for comics. At Lucca the word covers comic albums, graphic novels, strips and related publishing, so English-speaking visitors will see 'fumetto' throughout Italian-language programme and exhibitor listings.
- Manga
- Japanese comics, often published in collected volumes and sometimes read right-to-left in the original format. At a comics festival, manga publishers and importers present series, box sets and locally translated editions.
- Anime
- Japanese animation. At Lucca, anime appears through screenings, distributor stands, home-video releases, voice-actor appearances and related merchandise.
- Cosplay
- Costume play, where fans dress as characters from comics, games, animation or film. Cosplay is a major visitor activity at Lucca; check the official prop, replica-weapon and safety rules before bringing large items.
- Artist Alley
- A festival area where independent illustrators, comic artists and small presses sell prints, commissions, zines and self-published books. It is the part of the show where visitors meet creators outside the large publisher booths.
- Fumetto indipendente
- Independent comics publishing outside the large publishing houses. At Lucca, small presses and creators use shared tables, zines, crowdfunded titles and limited print runs to reach readers.
- Graphic novel
- A book-length comic narrative. Publishers use the format for literary comics, memoirs, adaptations and collected series, and it is a common category in publisher catalogues at Lucca.
- Board game
- A tabletop game with physical components such as cards, boards, dice or tiles. At Lucca, board-game publishers and distributors demonstrate new titles and run learn-to-play tables.
- TTRPG
- Tabletop role-playing game, played with rules, dice and a game master. Gaming areas at Lucca may include demo sessions, publisher showcases and participation events for role-playing lines.
- LARP
- Live-action role-playing, where participants act out characters in costume and physical space. At a festival, LARP groups present props, rules systems and participation events rather than only printed rulebooks.
- Esports
- Competitive video gaming. At Lucca, esports appears through tournaments, stage shows and gaming-brand activations; schedules are published by the organiser or by the exhibitors running the events.
- Videogioco
- Italian for video game. Programme and exhibitor listings use 'videogioco' for console, PC and mobile gaming content, demos and hardware displays.
- IP licensing
- The business of licensing characters, stories or brands for publishing, games, merchandise or media. At Lucca, rights holders and licensees meet around comics, animation and gaming properties.
- Transmedia
- Storytelling that spans comics, games, animation, film or merchandise. At Lucca, transmedia properties often appear as combined publishing, screening and game launches rather than as a single-format product.
- Webcomic
- A comic published primarily online. Webcomic creators often use festivals to launch print collections, meet readers and build a paid or crowdfunded audience.
- Fanzine
- A small-circulation, independently produced magazine or comic. At Lucca, fanzines sit alongside artist-alley tables and independent publishing stands.
- Firmacopie
- Italian for a signing session. Publishers and bookshops use 'firmacopie' in schedules to indicate when an author or artist will sign copies; check the official programme for times and queue rules.
- Padiglione
- Italian for pavilion or hall. Use the official Lucca map to match 'padiglione' numbers with exhibitor lists, especially when a publisher has more than one stand.
- Ospite
- Italian for guest. Programme listings use 'ospite' for authors, artists, voice actors and creators, so it is a useful word when scanning the official schedule.
- Pro accreditation
- A status for industry visitors, press or exhibitors that may differ from a public ticket. Check luccacrea.it for eligibility, documents and what a professional accreditation includes for this edition.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Lucca Comics & Games 2026
- Lucca Comics 2026
- Lucca Italy
- Comics and Games Lucca 2026
- Comic books and graphic novels
- Tabletop games and accessories
- Video games and consoles
- Merchandise and collectibles
- Comics and Games Convention Lucca
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.