MEFCC 2026 is bringing some seriously big names to Abu Dhabi
PARTNER CONTENT: Tickets are selling fast for the region’s biggest pop culture festival, with an all-star line-up of Hollywood heroes, anime favourites, wrestling legends and more heading to Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) 2026 is shaping up to be one seriously star-studded weekend, with John Cena, Pom Klementieff, Arden Cho and Jacob Romero among the latest big names confirmed for the festival.
Taking place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 11 to 13 September, MEFCC will bring together fans of film, TV, comics, anime, gaming, cosplay, K-pop, collectibles and pretty much every corner of pop culture.
And yes, John Cena is coming to Abu Dhabi.
Now you can see him
The WWE legend turned Hollywood superstar will headline MEFCC, appearing at the festival on 12 and 13 September.
Cena has packed more into his career than most could manage in several lifetimes. From professional bodybuilding and an early job as a limousine driver in Massachusetts to becoming a 17-time wrestling World Champion, he went on to conquer Hollywood with roles in The Suicide Squad, Fast & Furious, Barbie, Bumblebee and Superman.
He’s also a best-selling children’s author, producer, narrator and even a recording artist, having released a rap album inspired by his famous “You Can’t See Me” catchphrase.
Cena will join fellow One Piece star Mackenyu, who plays Zoro, and Joonas Suotamo, the Finnish actor behind the iconic Chewbacca in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Lurch in Netflix’s Wednesday.
Mantis is landing in Abu Dhabi
Marvel fans, meanwhile, have another reason to get excited.
Pom Klementieff, best known as the delightfully chaotic Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is also heading to MEFCC.
She first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in 2017 before returning for Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
She has also appeared in Oldboy, Mission: Impossible and Black Mirror, bringing plenty of action credentials to the festival. Away from the screen, the actor is a purple-belt martial artist and stunt performer, so expect more than a little superhero energy when she hits the Meet the Stars Zone.
K-pop demon hunters, assemble
Fresh from the global phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters, Arden Cho is another major addition to the line-up.
Cho voices Rumi in Netflix’s animated smash hit, which has become a worldwide sensation, while her previous screen credits include Teen Wolf, Pretty Little Liars and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
And she’s no one-trick pony. Cho is also a singer-songwriter, model and taekwondo black belt, with a seriously varied career spanning acting, music, fashion and even competitive poker.
Usopp is coming, too
Joining his One Piece co-star Mackenyu is Jacob Romero, who brings the live-action version of Usopp to Abu Dhabi.
Romero has won fans for capturing the sniper’s larger-than-life personality while giving the anime favourite a grounded live-action edge.
His television credits also include Greenleaf, Grey’s Anatomy, All Rise and The Resident, alongside a string of theatre projects.
A regular on the international Comic Con circuit, Romero is expected to be right at home at MEFCC, where fans can meet him in the Meet the Stars Zone.
And that’s only the beginning
The celebrity line-up is just one part of the MEFCC experience. Across three days, fans can browse rare finds in the Collector’s Gallery, commission artwork in Artist Alley, battle it out in the Gaming Arena, explore Japanese culture in the Otaku District and catch live performances in Festival Plaza.
There will also be cosplay showcases, celebrity panels, interactive experiences, collectibles, family-friendly entertainment and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow fans.
Getting there is easy, too
For those travelling from Dubai or Sharjah, MEFCC is also offering a free shuttle service for ticket holders, with four pick-up locations connecting fans to ADNEC Centre.
With VIP tickets already sold out, standard tickets are moving quickly, so this is one weekend that fans won’t want to leave until the last minute.
11–13 September 2026, ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Friday 11 September: AED 160, Saturday 12 September: AED 190, Sunday 13 September: AED 160, Three-day weekend pass: AED 390, Children aged six and under: Free, Children aged 7–11: AED 50 at the door. For more information and tickets, visit www.mefcc.com
