VidCon (set to be rebranded as VidCon x LIONS Creators) is an annual multi-genre online video tech convention conference for influencers, fans, executives, YouTubers, and online brands held annually since 2010. The event primarily features prominent video stars from across the internet. It was founded by veteran YouTube creators John and Hank Green (Vlogbrothers), and was later acquired by Viacom (now Paramount Skydance) in 2018 and later acquired by Informa in 2024. Its offices remain in Missoula, Montana, sharing a building with Complexly. VidCon held additional events internationally in Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, UAE and Mexico. In October 2020, VidCon Now relaunched as an ongoing, free digital offering.
History
The first VidCon was held on July 9–11, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles and sold out in advance, with over 1,400 people attending. On August 29, 2017, Jim Louderback was named as CEO of the convention, replacing Hank Green.
People with disabilities are offered assistance throughout the convention. Special accessible seating is provided along with ASL interpreters present in the arena and main stage.
Viacom acquisition In February 2018, Viacom (owner of the Viacom Media Networks and film studio Paramount Pictures) announced that they were acquiring VidCon, as part of its efforts to increase its live events business and expand beyond television. Louderback remained the CEO of the convention, and co-founder Hank Green continued his involvement. Its offices continued to exist in Missoula, Montana. Internet reception to this acquisition was mixed, with some noting the irony of Viacom acquiring VidCon a decade after their lawsuit against Google and YouTube for copyright infringement. Hank Green reassured fans that Viacom's acquisition was a positive development that would help the convention's growth.
COVID-19 pandemic Three conferences were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a series of online programming, VidCon Now, became available for registration.
In 2019, VidCon announced that the 11th U.S VidCon event would be held from June 17, through June 20, 2020, but on March 23, 2020, they announced that all international VidCon events were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic including Mexico, U.S, and Abu Dhabi.
On April 27, 2020, VidCon announced that Australia 2020 would not return in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and would be on hiatus.
In March 2021, VidCon announced that it would host its next U.S. conference at the Anaheim Convention Center from October 22–24, 2021, delayed from its usual summer scheduling in order to increase the chance that an in-person event could be held. VidCon also announced that TikTok would be the top sponsor of the 2021 event, replacing YouTube who had been the main sponsor since 2013. On August 20, however, VidCon announced the cancellation of its 2021 event "due to the recent increases in COVID-19 cases [in California] and evolving health and safety mandates." The convention was rescheduled to June 22–25, 2022 in Anaheim. In 2022, VidCon announced that it was addding a second U.S. event in Baltimore for 2023. The 2023 Anaheim event was held between June 21–24, with YouTube returning as the sponsor; while the Baltimore event was held between September 29–October 1.
With the flagship convention in Anaheim, International editions such as VidCon London, VidCon Australia, and VidCon Asia have not yet returned. A limited expansion has continued in Mexico City, but no other international locations have been announced.
Fan Expo acquisition, rebrand and relocation In April 2024, Viacom's successor Paramount Global hired Oaklins DeSilva+Phillips to locate a buyer for VidCon. During those negotiations, in July 2024, VidCon announced the cancellation of its 2024 Baltimore event, with the company stating that it will "dedicate its full efforts and resources to VidCon’s flagship event in Anaheim". In August 2024, Paramount completed the sale of VidCon to Informa, with the convention being moved under its Fan Expo HQ unit. Following the acquisition, Informa executives stated their ambition to eventually bring VidCon back to global markets, describing Anaheim as the "Super Bowl for creators" and indicating that international expansion may be revisited in the future.
For the 2026 event, Pop Store became the main sponsor for VidCon Anaheim 2026 replacing YouTube for the second time after TikTok became the sponsor in the 2022 event. In September, after originally setting a July 8-10, 2027 date in Anaheim, Informa announced the rebrand of the convention as "VidCon x LIONS Creators", also merging the Lions Creators program of the Cannes Lions convention; it will be held in Fall 2027 in Nashville with the VidCon brand being present at the Insight to Impact conference and Cannes Lions 2027.
Events Event Date Venue City Country Attendance VidCon 2010July 9–11, 2010 Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Los Angeles, California 1,400 VidCon 2011July 28–30, 2011 2,500 VidCon 2012 June 29–30, 2012 Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California 7,000 VidCon 2013August 1–3, 2013 12,000 VidCon 2014June 26–28, 2014 18,000 VidCon 2015July 23–25, 2015 20,000 VidCon 2016June 23–25, 2016 26,400 VidCon Europe 2017April 8–9, 2017RAI Amsterdam Convention CentreAmsterdam, North Holland3,500 VidCon 2017June 22–24, 2017Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California31,000VidCon Australia 2017September 9–10, 2017Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, VictoriaVidCon Europe 2018March 22–24, 2018Mövenpick Hotel AmsterdamAmsterdam, North HollandVidCon 2018June 20–23, 2018Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California75,000VidCon Australia 2018August 31–September 2, 2018Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, Victoria7,000+VidCon London 2019February 14–17, 2019ExCeL LondonLondon, England13,000VidCon 2019July 10–13, 2019Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California75,000VidCon Australia 2019September 19–22, 2019Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreMelbourne, VictoriaVidCon AsiaDec 3, 2019 – Dec 4, 2019Raffles City Convention CenterDowntown Core600+VidCon London 2020February 20–23, 2020ExCeL LondonLondon, EnglandVidCon Anaheim 2020The 11th U.S VidCon event was scheduled for June 17-20, 2020 but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.VidCon Mexico 2020The first Mexico VidCon event was scheduled for April 30 - May 3, 2020 but it was postponed to September 17-20, 2020 and was cancelled and rescheduled to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.VidCon Abu Dhabi 2020The first Abu Dubai VidCon event was scheduled for March 25-28, 2020 but it was postponed to December 16-18, before being cancelled and rescheduled to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.VidCon Anaheim 2021The 2021 event was scheduled to be held from October 22–24, 2021 but it was postponed to June 22-25, 2022 due to the COVID-19 cases increasing in California.VidCon Asia 2021November 25, 2021Suntec Convention CentreMarina CentreVidCon Abu DhabiDecember 3–6, 2021Abu Dhabi National Exhibition CentreAbu DhabiVidCon Mexico 2021December 3–6, 2021Citibanamex CenterMexico CityVidCon 2022June 22–25, 2022Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California50,000 and VidCon Mexico 2022September 23–25, 2022Citibanamex CenterMexico City VidCon Anaheim 2023June 21–24, 2023Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California 55,000 VidCon Baltimore 2023September 29–October 1, 2023Baltimore Convention CenterBaltimore, Maryland VidCon Anaheim 2024June 26–29, 2024Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, California 55,000VidCon Mexico 2024August 9–11, 2024Citibanamex CenterMexico CityVidCon Baltimore 2024Planned to take place from September 26–29, 2024 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Event cancelled in July after VidCon decided to focus its resources on its 2025 Anaheim event.VidCon Anaheim 2025June 19–21, 2025Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaVidCon Anaheim 2026June 25–27, 2026Anaheim Convention CenterAnaheim, CaliforniaVidCon x LIONS Creators 2027Fall 2027TBANashville, Tennessee
International conventions Convention Country Location(s) Venue Inaugural event Most recent VidCon London Amsterdam London RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam ExCeL London April 8–9, 2017 February 20–23, 2020 VidCon Australia Melbourne Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre September 9–10, 2017 September 19–22, 2019 VidCon Asia Singapore Raffles City Convention Centre December 3–4, 2019 November 25, 2021 VidCon Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre December 3–6, 2021 — VidCon Mexico Mexico City Citibanamex Center May 6–9, 2021August 9–11, 2024
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