Mumbai, 14th May 2026  – This June, India will witness the birth of a cultural phenomenon. C.O.R.E – Culture of Real Experiences – is set to redefine fandom, entertainment, and immersive storytelling as the country’s first-ever official large-scale pop-culture festival arrives at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, from June 20–21, 2026.

Conceptualised by Fanthology Studios and Black White Orange, C.O.R.E is not just another convention; it is an expansive, multi-universe playground where fans don’t simply consume pop culture; they step inside it.

 

Bringing together official global and Indian licensors including SONY Music, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Demon Slayer, Doraemon, CloudCo (Carebears), Fuji Instax, MUSE (Spy x Family, One Punch Man, Dandadan), ISRO, the Indian Armed Forces, Godzilla, Baahubali, Kalki, Chupa Chups, Medialink (Jujutsu Kiasen, Haikyu!, My Hero Academia, Bleach, Chainsaw Man), Collective Studios  Historyverse and more, C.O.R.E marks India’s most ambitious attempt yet at building a globally benchmarked pop-culture ecosystem – one that blends fandom, entertainment, immersive experiences, retail, gaming, anime, music, cinema, creators, and live performances under one massive cultural umbrella.

With an expected footfall of over 30,000 visitors, the festival promises to transform the Jio World Convention Centre into a living, breathing pop-culture city spread across immersive themed “streets,” each designed as its own universe of storytelling, experiences, merchandise, music, food, creators, and fandom.

Speaking about the launch, Bhavik Vora, Co-Founder, C.O.R.E & Fanthology Studios, said, “India has one of the most passionate fan communities in the world, but we’ve never had a truly official, immersive, large-scale pop-culture destination that celebrates fandom the way global festivals do. C.O.R.E was born from an idea that gives an IP-safe space for brand owners, for fans who deserve more than just retail booths; experiences that transport them into the worlds they love. We wanted to create something that feels cinematic, emotional, interactive, and culturally defining. From anime and gaming to music, cinema, creators, cosplay and India’s own storytelling heritage, C.O.R.E is designed to become the country’s biggest celebration of fandom and real experiences.”” 

From anime alleys inspired by Akihabara and Shibuya to cinematic multiverses, gaming districts, nostalgia zones, and India-inspired fandom streets, C.O.R.E is designed to deliver the kind of experiential spectacle usually associated with global cultural juggernauts such as San Diego Comic-Con, Japan Expo in Paris & Thailand, and Star Wars Celebrations, Disney Expo 

The festival’s immersive experiences are set to include themed streaming rooms inspired by globally loved titles, anime viewing zones, interactive gaming universes, fandom installations, live performances, creator panels, cosplay championships, and large-scale experiential activations inspired by iconic entertainment franchises.

Fans can expect everything from a Godzilla-inspired zone recreation and anime trivia arenas to a life-sized ISRO space experience featuring astronaut installations and lunar rover replicas. Visitors will also be able to step into worlds inspired by Indian storytelling, mythology, sci-fi, gaming, superheroes, anime, and nostalgia-driven entertainment cultures.

The event will also feature official merchandise marketplaces with some of the biggest names in licensed pop-culture retail, including The Souled Store, Hamleys, Bonkers, The Entertainment Store, A47, Cosa Nostra and more, alongside independent artists, illustrators, creators, and fan communities.

Beyond fandom and retail, C.O.R.E is positioning itself as a creator-first and community-led platform, bringing together directors, screenwriters, artists, cosplayers, streamers, performers, musicians, and pop-culture enthusiasts into one shared cultural space.

The festival will also include:

• Live cosplay championships and ramp walks

• Creator meet-and-greets and live signings

• Anime music performances and cosplay DJ sets

• Workshops on SFX makeup, character design, wig styling, and comic art

• Official pop-culture food courts

• Interactive AR and VR zones

• Family-focused entertainment experiences

• Immersive photo installations and fandom sets

• Exclusive collectables and limited-edition merchandise drops

• Fan contests offering opportunities to win trips to Japan and Universal Studios

At its heart, C.O.R.E aims to fill a huge gap in India’s entertainment and experiential landscape, creating a destination where fandom is no longer niche, but mainstream culture.

As streaming platforms, gaming culture, anime, creators, and fandom communities continue to explode across India, C.O.R.E arrives at a moment when the country’s young audiences are actively seeking experiences that go beyond passive consumption.

This June, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of that movement.

Welcome to C.O.R.E.  Where fandom becomes reality.

Buy Tickets on District now!

Venue: Jio World Convention Centre, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400098

Date: 20th – 21st June 2026

Ticket Link:https://link.district.in/DSTRKT/09pxh42x