Live Events

Do you know what a privilege it is for Anime Central when you decide to share your passion and knowledge about a topic that genuinely excites you? We love seeing your creativity and enthusiasm come alive when you host these events! And it’s not just us, our community thrives on sharing knowledge and experiences.

Anime Central receives 400+ applications every year! So put some extra elbow grease into your application. Remember: quality over quantity.

If you are conducting an educational event, you may be required to interview with the Live Events Management Team to confirm subject proficiency.

The Live Events/Fan Panel Submission Deadline was February 1, 2026

The Community Stage Submission Deadline was March 1, 2026

New for Anime Central 2026 is our Standby List for all you prospective panelists! We know that sometimes last-minute panel spots open up unexpectedly due to unforeseen circumstances or cancellations. This list is a way for us to fill those slots and give more people a chance to run their panels. Think of it as a bonus option that works alongside, not in place of, our existing Waitlist process. It’s for folks who are ready to roll and can put on their panel with at least 48 hours notice.

To be eligible for the Standby List, your panel needs to have already been submitted and reviewed by our Panels team. You’ll also need to meet these two simple criteria:

1. You have to be ready to run your panel with a minimum of 48 hours notice.
2. You must have all your necessary materials and be prepared to present as soon as we give you the green light.

1. Application: If you’re interested in being on the Standby List, all you have to do is check the Standby List box when you submit your panel application. Easy as that!
2. Notification: When a spot opens up with less than 48 hours notice, we’ll reach out to the most relevant panels on the Standby List first.
3. Acceptance: Once you accept, that’s it! If you do not accept the opening, it will be passed down to the next available panel
4. Confirmation: Once you’ve confirmed, you’ll get a formal email with all the details: your new date, time, and location.
5. Heads-up: If you decline an offer, we may remove you from the standby list. This just helps us make sure everyone on the list is actively interested and available.

Don’t worry, the Standby List operates independently! You won’t lose your spot on the Waitlist by joining the Standby List. The Waitlist is still our main way of filling panel openings that happen really close to con. The Standby List is just for those last-minute opportunities.

All communication about the Standby List will come from our Fan Panels Team. It’s a good idea to make sure your contact information is up to date and to check your email regularly. We’re looking forward to seeing what you have in store!

A  membership badge is issued as a form of compensation for services rendered. A membership badge provides admission equivalent to the purchase of a full-weekend membership badge. It does NOT allow any backstage or privileged access to the convention beyond the scope of their event. By agreeing to this application, the listed panelists MUST be a valid participant during the panel event. Otherwise membership will be revoked.

• Panelist’s Membership Badges are NOT mailed out.
• All membership badges are available for pickup at the Will Call stations in the Registration Area located in Hall A of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center during hours of operation as found in the website.
• Each individual has to pick up their own membership badge. No exceptions. A photo ID is required by all panelists aged 16 or older to receive their membership badge.
• Membership Badge Discounts:
  • If you are approved for one panel, the cost for membership will be $45. This discount is applicable for the first THREE panelists (Group Lead, Co-Panelist 1 and 2) listed on the event application only.
  • If a second panel or more is approved, a 100% discount will be applied.
  • Each panelist is tracked individually, not by panel group, therefore it does not need to be the same group of individuals for both approved panels.
  • There are no discounts for denied applications. Attendees must pay the current tier rate at the time of registration. There are no rollback rates to the date of application.
  • Discounts cannot be applied in conjunction with other discounts (including  group, service member, and professionals).
• If a membership badge is lost, there is a $40 replacement fee and can only be replaced ONCE. If it is lost a second time, a new membership badge will need to be purchased at full price in person at con.
• If you are an artist participating in Artist Alley, your Artist Alley membership takes priority over this  membership, meaning you will only have onemembership badge, but your panelist discount does apply.
• If a panelist and/or group is a no show at the previous convention year, they are not eligible to host a panel or receive a panelist discount for the current year.

If a membership is purchased prior to the approval of an event application, there are NO REFUNDS. There are NO EXCEPTIONS including if an event is canceled. Furthermore, membership badges are non-transferable. The panelist discount can be used for a different panelist instead.

• For example: A panelist is unable to host an event, they will lose their panelist discount  and may be subject to pay the full or remaining membership fee for their attendee badge.  The person replacing them will receive the panelist discount instead.

• All events are a minimum of 1 hour long (with 30 minute increase intervals).
• Please consider any additional time it will take to set up and/or break down the event when requesting time slots as additional time beyond what is requested cannot be provided.
• If an event starts late due to late arrivals, problems setting up equipment not provided by Anime Central, it will still be required to end as scheduled.
• Events that have not begun within 15 minutes of the scheduled start time will be canceled. This is enforced and monitored by the Live Events Staff.
• If there is an emergency or any other occurrence that will prevent the participants from conducting the scheduled event(s), please contact the Live Events Staff immediately via email ( LiveEvents@ACen.org ) immediately.
• Anime Central retains the right to reschedule an approved event to a different time and/or location at any time for any reason. The Lead Participant will be notified if any changes are made to their event.
• Participants may request a change to the scheduled date/time for their event PRIOR to April 1st. But please be aware, it might not be possible for all requests to be accommodated. Time slots and locations are given out on a first come, first serve basis.
• If a participant is involved in an event such as the Masquerade, any and all schedules or conflicts of arrival/departure times must be included while completing the event application form. These are taken into consideration when placing events into the schedule.
• If a situation occurs that is outside of Anime Central’s control (example: fire alarm, tornado drill, other emergencies, etc.) prevents any events from taking place during their scheduled times, the Live Events Management will inform the participants if they will be allowed to run beyond the scheduled times and/or a new time/location is available. If a participant chooses to not return after such an occurrence, they will be considered a no call/no show and the event will be canceled.

• Attendees with the appropriate Event Accessibility Services (EAS) indication on their membership badges are given early entry and/or seating. They are also allowed up to three companions. Seating for wheelchairs and/or scooters will be requested to be in front of the first row of seats. No other preferential seating is allowed.
• Live Events Staff will either: Allow them to enter during the set up time prior to an event (preferred) or allow the party with disabilities to enter first before other attendees once the room and/or panelists are prepared.
• Event space entry is on a first come, first serve basis. (For Example: People may Once a room reaches capacity, a Live Events Staff member will verify the room is not over-capacity, followed by closing the door to the event room and will remain outside during the scheduled time.
• Event spaces are cleared between each scheduled event. Individuals may not remain inside the event rooms during the breaks in-between each event to attain priority seating.
• Event participants must yield to the Live Events Staff and any Management decisions. This is not a flexible requirement. Any violations of this may result in the event being canceled and the offending participant(s) being removed and/or prohibited from applying to participate in any future Anime Central events. This includes the following:
  • Any interaction that is deemed to be belligerent and/or rude to staff or others.
  • Disregarding any directions given by staff that follows the code of conducts and guidelines set by the convention center and/or city of Rosemont.

• All performers and event participants are expected to behave in a professional manner when coordinating with any Anime Central Staff and when conducting events at the convention.
• Any inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. It is up to the discretion of the Anime Central staff to determine what is considered inappropriate.
  Participants may NOT consume alcohol just before or during their scheduled event.
• Participants may NOT offer ANY food and/or drink products to the attendees during their scheduled events.
• Any behaviors deemed inappropriate during events where legal minors (defined as those under the age of 18 years old) may attend will result in immediate action of termination of the event in progress and/or cancellation of all of the participants’ scheduled events.
• Participants are not allowed to tamper an entry of any attendees below the age of 18 years old for any 18+ event.
• Participants may not present any materials that violate copyright or any other intellectual property rights within the United States. Reasonable Fair Use exceptions may apply. Any Fansubbing (any fan-subtitled) content is a direct violation of copyright laws in my countries, including the United States unless permission is granted by the party holding the copyright to the material. See this link for more information.

The Anime Central (ACen) Community Stage is a space for attendees to showcase their talents in performance arts, including but not limited to dancing, singing, instrumental music, and other forms of stage entertainment. To ensure a safe, enjoyable, and family-friendly environment for all attendees, all prospective performers must adhere to the following policies.

Each performance group must designate one person to be their primary point of contact, or Group Lead (GL). The GL is responsible for all communication with the Anime Central Live Events staff regarding the performance. This includes submitting the application, coordinating technical needs, and ensuring all group members are aware of and agree to follow all convention policies.

All prospective performers must submit a formal application for review.

• How to Apply: Applications must be submitted through the official Live Events submission form for the current convention year. Please provide a detailed description of your intended performance, including the type of act, music to be used, and any other relevant details. A link to a sample of your work or a previous performance is highly encouraged.
• Acceptance: All decisions regarding the acceptance or denial of applications are made at the sole discretion of the Live Events Management team. Applications will be evaluated based on merit, appropriateness for our audience, and scheduling availability.
• Scheduling: The more availability you or your group have over the convention weekend, the greater the chance of being scheduled. While we will attempt to honor requested times, all performance slots are subject to availability.

Anime Central is an all-ages event, and all performances on the Community Stage must be suitable for a general audience.

• All-Ages Content: All performances, including music, lyrics, choreography, and attire, must be family-friendly.
• Prohibited Content: The following are strictly prohibited in any performance:
• Profanity: No obscene language or gestures.
• Nudity: Costumes must adhere to the general Anime Central cosplay policies. No partial or full nudity is allowed.
• Violence: No realistic or glorified depictions of violence. Prop weapons must adhere to the convention’s weapon policy and cannot be used in a threatening or unsafe manner.
• Inappropriate Behavior: Inappropriate behavior from performers will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, harassment of attendees or staff, performing under the influence of alcohol, or failure to follow directions from Live Events staff.
• Food and Drink: Performers may not pass out or sell ANY food or drink, store-bought or homemade, to attendees from the stage.
• No Solicitation: Performers on the stage are not allowed to sell merch in any capacity. This includes shirts, CDs, or any other items bearing the group/band’s name. Performers caught selling merch on the show floor will be barred from performing on the Community Stage at future Anime Central Events.

Anime Central is pleased to offer a discount to thank our community performers for their contribution to the convention.

• Membership Discount Policy: A $45 membership is applicable for the first three performers listed for a performance. Any additional performers in the group will not receive a discount.
• Second Performance Discount: Participation in a second performance as one of the first three listed performers will provide a 100% discount (complimentary membership). Each performer is tracked separately.
• Important – No Refunds: If you desire a discounted or complimentary membership, do not purchase your membership before your application is approved. No refunds will be issued for memberships purchased before application approval. Once your performance application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to register with the discount.

• Provided Equipment: Live Events will provide basic sound equipment, including microphones and speakers for music playback. A preliminary list of provided equipment will be available on the Live Events page.
• What We DO NOT Provide: Live Events DOES NOT provide any sort of computer, laptop, tablet, or personal music player. We also do not provide any specific cables needed to connect your personal equipment to our system (e.g., phone adapters). It is your responsibility to bring any necessary devices and connection cables.
• Internet Connection: An internet connection is not provided at the stage. All music or media must be downloaded to your personal device beforehand.