VidCon 2026, one of the premier conventions for online content creators and their fans, is happening this week in Anaheim, California. The global event, which includes hundreds of panels, workshops and strategy sessions, kicks off on Thursday, June 25, and concludes on Saturday, June 27.

Over the last several years, the creator economy has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. The convention unites creators, vloggers, gamers and executives across an expanding digital ecosystem, representing platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok and Discord. 

This year in particular, several creators have crossed over into the mainstream, thanks in part to movies like Backrooms (Kane Parsons) and Obsession (Curry Barker). Shows such as Hot Ones, which over the last decade transformed from a low-budget YouTube experiment into a cultural fixture with 30 seasons, have led late-night show hosts to question if the traditional celebrity interview format is obsolete.

Yet as the attention economy has shifted from a handful of megastars to an immense network of brands and companies, creators now face challenges posed by artificial intelligence. Flagship events like VidCon can celebrate creators' wins and expand fandom while also helping influencers develop strategies to stand out in an evolving industry amid AI risks. 

What is VidCon?

VidCon, founded in 2010 by YouTube creators John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers), had humble beginnings as a small grassroots gathering. It has since grown into a major industry summit drawing anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000 attendees. 

Crystal Bell, Mashable's digital culture editor who is covering the event, told CNET that VidCon has "evolved significantly" over the years. (CNET and Mashable are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

"What began as a fan-focused gathering centered on YouTube creators has grown into a much broader creator economy event, with dedicated tracks and programming for fans, creators, brands, marketers, executives and other industry professionals," Bell said. 

Bell said VidCon's programming reflects "the creator economy's coming-of-age story." The focus is no longer solely about generating new content, but on scaling up creative-based businesses.

The convention includes three distinct tracks. The Fan track focuses on more interactive events and IRL meet-ups. The Creator track is geared toward influencers who are networking and strategizing, and the Industry track is for media and business executives.

Who is appearing at VidCon 2026?

On Thursday at 6 p.m. PT, the 2026 Hall of Fame is open to all attendees and will include Honorees such as filmmaker Markiplier, Philip DeFranco, Michelle Phan and Blogilates founder Cassey Ho. 

The show also features appearances from dozens of creators, including fan meet-and-greets with the dancing weatherman Nick Kosir and the recently unmasked Minecrafter aCookieGod.

Representatives from CNET Group, which includes CNET, Mashable, PCMag, ZDNET and others, will be in attendance this year. CNET marketing manager Tara Brown said it's an opportunity for people interested in the field to come together.

Lindsey Turrentine, executive vice president of content for CNET Group, will speak at a session on Friday, June 26, titled "The Trust Gap: Why Expertise Wins in the Age of Infinite Content." The panel also includes Karl Stewart (SVP of Marketing at IGN Entertainment), Jennifer Kiffer (senior director of marketplace strategy and insights at CNET Group) and Nick Wolny (managing editor of branded content at CNET Group). 

The discussion will address how creators can succeed in an AI-saturated content landscape, and how true trust and monetization are driven by demonstrated expertise and authoritative knowledge rather than forced authenticity.

"The key for human creators is to lean into the human part, but always with expert knowledge and firsthand experience," said Turrentine. "Journalists, scientists, chefs and anyone who studies hard has the raw materials. Be yourself, know your stuff. It has to be both."

Mashable will also be hosting a mentorship session to teach creators how to elevate their outreach strategy, craft compelling brand stories and build press relationships. That event is titled "Pitch Please: The Mistakes Creators Make in Their Pitches and How to Fix Them," on Saturday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m. PT. 

Will any gadgets be shown at the conference?

Whether you're a creator or simply like playing around with toys, there are a number of exhibitors from video production company Blackmagic Design to Bandai. CNET's Brown says mobile mics and streamer tools from Elgato have been on display at previous years' events. 

Is VidCon free, and is it open to fans?

VidCon is an event for paying attendees, with tickets available in the Fan track (VidCon pass), the Creator track (Creator pass) and the Industry track (Pro pass). Single day tickets start at $109. 

What else is there to do at VidCon?

The conference will also host the sold-out GorillaCon, the "first-ever official live event celebrating the world's largest virtual reality game, Gorilla Tag." Gorilla Tag is a VR chat room with arm-based movement mechanics. When I asked my 13-year-old son what he thought about the game, he said that it was like Rec Room, only "more boring."