MCM London Comic Con is only one week away — and the best time to sort the fiddly details is now. The show runs at ExCeL London from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October 2026, so this is the moment to turn a wish list into a workable convention plan.

1. Check the entry time printed for your ticket

MCM’s official opening times differ by day and ticket type. On Friday, Priority entry begins at 10am and General entry at noon; the main show closes at 6pm, with Friday After Hours continuing until 9pm for Friday ticket holders. Saturday runs 9am–7pm for Priority and 11am–7pm for General entry. Sunday runs 10am–5pm for Priority and noon–5pm for General entry. Weekend and VIP ticket holders can enter at Priority times.

Save the ticket to your phone and keep an offline screenshot. If several people are travelling together, decide whether everyone is using the same entrance and arrival time.

2. Build a short “must-do” list

Convention schedules are much easier to manage when you rank plans. Pick one essential panel, one guest or photo opportunity and one shopping target, then leave space for discoveries. Check the official guest, panel, reservation and photo-op pages again before travelling: times can move, and some activities require advance booking.

3. Read the cosplay and prop rules before packing

Do the rules check while there is still time to modify a prop or costume. Plan for security checks, weather between transport and the venue, and a repair kit that will fit comfortably in your bag. Comfortable footwear, water, a portable charger and a clearly labelled contact card are unglamorous but excellent convention equipment.

4. Plan ExCeL travel — including the journey home

Check the route to ExCeL, allow extra time for busy services and agree a meeting point in case mobile reception becomes crowded. Friday visitors staying for After Hours should plan for the later 9pm finish rather than relying on the daytime journey home.

5. Give traders room in the budget

Separate travel, food and guest costs from the money available for comics, art and collectibles. Photograph or note what you already own before hunting variants. The ASACC marketplace is useful for checking current collector stock before the show, while our UK Comic-Con coverage will help with the final countdown.

Official event details and the latest operational guidance are available from MCM London Comic Con. Recheck them shortly before travelling.

Featured image: MCM London Comic Con / ReedPop, official event media.