CardzCon Doha 2026: Dates, Passes & Cosplay Guide

If you collect trading cards, follow the collectibles scene, or you're into anime and gaming merchandise, mark your calendar: CardzCon Doha 2026 takes place on 9–10 October 2026 at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in West Bay.

CardzCon is primarily a trading-card and collectibles convention, bringing together collectors, traders, vendors, creators and guests from Qatar, the GCC and beyond. The official event website currently lists 70+ local, regional and international vendors, with cards, memorabilia, sealed products, rare collectibles and community activities at the centre of the event.

Tickets currently start from QAR 15 for children, with one-day adult entry from QAR 25, while the premium two-day VIP option is listed at QAR 450.

Below is your Qatar Living guide to CardzCon Doha 2026 at the Sheraton — including dates, standard and VIP entry times, ticket prices, age rules and how to get there.

CardzCon Doha 2026 at a glance

• What: Trading card and collectibles convention
• When: Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026
• Where: Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, West Bay
• Friday VIP access: 1pm to 10pm
• Friday standard access: 3pm to 10pm
• Saturday VIP access: 11am to 10pm
• Saturday standard access: 12pm to 10pm
• Tickets from: QAR 15 for children
• Children under 5: Free
• Official ticketing: Platinumlist

The organiser describes CardzCon as a two-day convention for collectors, traders, vendors, creators and the wider cards and collectibles community. Expect trading cards, memorabilia, accessories, graded cards, limited editions and other premium collectibles.

The official vendor rules also allow categories including Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and MTG cards, figures, comics and manga, anime and gaming merchandise, video games and original fan art.

A quick note on the venue: the 2026 Doha edition is confirmed for Sheraton Grand Doha, not Lusail. Both CardzCon's official site and the current ticketing page identify Sheraton Grand Doha as the venue.

When and where is CardzCon Doha 2026?

CardzCon Doha runs across Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026.

One important correction is needed to the opening times.

Current Platinumlist information separates VIP early access from standard visitor access.

On Friday:

• VIP: 1pm–10pm
• Standard ticket holders: 3pm–10pm

On Saturday:

• VIP: 11am–10pm
• Standard ticket holders: 12pm–10pm.

So if you have a normal one-day or two-day ticket, don't plan around a 1pm Friday entry or 11am Saturday entry — those earlier times are currently reserved for VIP ticket holders.

The venue is Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel on Al Corniche Street in West Bay. The property has extensive event facilities, with its largest ballroom accommodating up to 3,000 guests.

CardzCon Doha 2026 ticket prices and passes

Current advertised ticket categories include:

Standard passes

• Children under 5 — free
• Kids aged 5–15 — from QAR 15
• One-Day Pass — from QAR 25
• Early Bird 2-Day Pass — from QAR 40
• Standard 2-Day Pass — from QAR 45
• VIP 2-Day Pass — QAR 450 in the current event listing.

Early-bird availability is limited by definition, so check the live ticketing page before assuming the QAR 40 two-day option is still available.

The event's ticket terms also allow tickets to be purchased at the venue on event days, subject to availability, so online purchase is not necessarily the only option.

Buying ahead is still the safer choice if you want a particular ticket tier.

VIP 2-Day Pass — what you get

The current VIP package is more substantial than the original article suggests.

It includes:

• Two-day VIP access
• Early access on both days
• Priority entry line
• Dedicated VIP badge collection point
• Complimentary valet parking
• VIP lounge access with a coffee break
• Exclusive merchandise goodie bag.

One correction: don't describe this as “one hour early access on both days.”

Based on the current schedule, VIP entry is:

• two hours earlier on Friday — 1pm instead of 3pm;
• one hour earlier on Saturday — 11am instead of noon.

VIP tickets are available for children aged 6–15, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

The official CardzCon website also states that wheelchair users and people with physical disabilities receive 50% off entry, with visitors asked to contact the organisers in advance.

How to buy your CardzCon Doha tickets

CardzCon's official website currently directs visitors to Platinumlist for ticket purchases.

The practical process is:

1. Open the official CardzCon website or authorised Platinumlist CardzCon page.
2. Select your ticket type.
3. Choose the required number of adult and child tickets.
4. Complete the online payment process.
5. Keep your ticket confirmation available for entry.

Tickets may also be available on-site during the event, subject to availability.

Be careful with unofficial resellers.

The current event terms specifically state that online ticket resale is prohibited and that tickets purchased through unauthorised channels such as Online Ticket Shop, Viagogo or Dubizzle are invalid and can be refused at the entrance.

The current standard ticket conditions also state that tickets are non-refundable, non-changeable and non-transferable, so read the terms before completing your purchase.

Age rules and bringing the kids

CardzCon is officially described as family-friendly, with casual play tables alongside its competitive tournament area.

Current admission rules state:

• Children under 5: free entry
• Ages 5–15: must be accompanied by an adult
• Ages 16+: no adult accompaniment required
• VIP ages 6–15: VIP tickets are available, but the child must be accompanied by an adult.

That makes the event accessible for families while still allowing visitors aged 16 and over to attend independently.

Cosplay rules at CardzCon Doha

The original article is too specific here.

As of 7 September 2026, I could not find a dedicated official CardzCon Doha cosplay policy published on either the event website or its current Platinumlist ticket page.

So it would not be accurate to state as confirmed rules that:

• cosplay is officially encouraged;
• realistic prop weapons are specifically prohibited;
• face coverings must be removed at entry; or
• oversized wings and props have published size restrictions.

What is officially stated in the current admission terms is that:

• visitors must comply with any dress code imposed by the organiser;
• CardzCon may inspect bags and personal belongings at entry;
• prohibited or dangerous items may be confiscated or refused entry; and
• visitors can be denied admission for breaching event or venue safety rules.

The safest guidance for anyone planning a costume is therefore to wait for any dedicated cosplay or prop policy from CardzCon closer to the event, and in the meantime keep costumes appropriate for a public family event and avoid bringing anything sharp, dangerous or likely to cause security concerns.

What to expect inside the halls

CardzCon is primarily about cards, trading and collectibles.

The official event website currently highlights:

• local and international vendors;
• rare cards and premium collectibles;
• graded cards and limited editions;
• sports cards and memorabilia;
• trading between attendees;
• special guests;
• interactive card-creation activities;
• live opening experiences;
• raffles;
• community activities; and
• curated collectible showcases.

Platinumlist also says the convention will feature 70+ vendors, live rip battles and creator-led content.

Vendor categories extend beyond traditional TCGs to:

• Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Magic: The Gathering
• collectible figures
• comics and manga
• anime and gaming merchandise
• retro and current-generation video games
• original fan art and prints.

Attendees are allowed to bring their own cards to trade with other visitors. Anyone wanting to sell in volume, however, should use an authorised vendor table rather than treating a visitor ticket as a commercial booth.

One thing that is not yet confirmed is an on-site professional grading service. CardzCon says it is still in discussions with grading partners for possible drop-off and authentication services.

Getting to the Sheraton Grand Doha

Sheraton Grand Doha is located on Al Corniche Street in West Bay.

By Metro

The hotel's own transport information identifies DECC Metro Station on the Red Line as the nearby Metro station.

DECC also categorises Sheraton Grand Doha as being within walking distance of the convention-centre area.

So visitors can take the Red Line to DECC Station and either walk to the Sheraton or take a short taxi/ride-hailing trip if preferred.

By car

Sheraton Grand Doha lists on-site and nearby parking, but standard CardzCon visitor parking arrangements have not been separately published.

The hotel lists complimentary on-site parking and valet for hotel guests, while CardzCon specifically advertises complimentary valet parking as a VIP ticket benefit.

For that reason, don't assume that every standard CardzCon ticket automatically includes complimentary valet or guaranteed event parking.

By taxi or ride-hailing

Karwa taxis and app-based ride services can take you directly to Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel.

This may be the simplest option if you're buying collectibles and don't want to carry purchases back to the Metro.

FAQs

When is CardzCon Doha 2026?

CardzCon Doha 2026 takes place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October 2026 at Sheraton Grand Doha.

Current visitor access times are:

• Friday VIP: 1pm–10pm
• Friday standard: 3pm–10pm
• Saturday VIP: 11am–10pm
• Saturday standard: 12pm–10pm.

Where is CardzCon Doha 2026 held?

The 2026 event is confirmed for Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel in West Bay.

How much are CardzCon Doha tickets?

Current advertised prices include:

• Kids aged 5–15 — QAR 15
• One-Day Pass — QAR 25
• Early Bird 2-Day Pass — QAR 40
• Standard 2-Day Pass — QAR 45
• VIP 2-Day Pass — QAR 450
• Under-5s — free.

Check the live ticket page before purchasing because availability, particularly early-bird inventory, can change.

What does the VIP pass include?

The current VIP package includes:

• two-day admission;
• early entry on both days;
• priority access;
• dedicated badge collection;
• complimentary valet parking;
• VIP lounge access with coffee break; and
• an exclusive merchandise goodie bag.

VIP access currently begins at 1pm Friday and 11am Saturday.

Can children attend CardzCon Doha alone?

Children aged 5–15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Visitors aged 16 and over may attend without adult accompaniment, while children under 5 enter free.

Is cosplay allowed at CardzCon Doha?

CardzCon has not currently published a detailed cosplay-specific policy.

The general event terms allow bag inspections, require compliance with any applicable dress code and allow dangerous or prohibited items to be refused.

Anyone planning cosplay should therefore check for updated organiser guidance closer to the event rather than relying on unofficial prop or costume rules.

Planning the rest of your weekend? Browse more events and things to do in Doha on Qatar Living.

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