Kotae Expo 2026

Kotae Expo is a major event dedicated to Japanese and Korean popular culture, organized by the non-profit association Kotae ry. The event returns to Tampere for the third time. Opening hours: Saturday 21 November 10-21 and Sunday 22 November 9-17.

The programme includes talks and performances alongside extensive participatory activities: workshops, cosplay and K-pop competitions, fashion shows, cosplay dance parties, and K-pop NKC qualification rounds. The event also features a number of guest stars. The vendor hall, art district, and flea market offer products related to the event's themes.

A VIP ticket includes entry, a dedicated fast-track lane for ticket exchange and flea market access, and a Kotae Expo 2026 VIP product package. VIP spaces near the largest programme venues are limited. Children under 5 enter free, and the venue offers free coat check. All tickets are exchanged for wristbands either at the venue or on the Friday before the event in central Tampere.

An accommodation ticket includes floor accommodation in the halls of Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre and access to toilet and shower facilities. Breakfast can be purchased on-site at the centre's Café Fanalon. For more information about accommodation, visit the Kotae Expo website.

An assistant enters free with the customer's ticket. The event is wheelchair accessible, and accessible toilets are available. An accessibility pass can be requested at the information desk - with the pass, visitors can access accessible areas without a seat ticket and skip the flea market queue via the VIP lane. Accessible spaces are available for people with mobility, hearing, and visual impairments. For more information about accessibility, visit the Kotae Expo website.