Metrocon

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Anime convention in Tampa, Florida

title: "Metrocon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["anime-conventions-in-the-united-states", "recurring-events-established-in-2003", "2003-establishments-in-florida", "annual-events-in-florida", "culture-of-tampa,-florida", "festivals-in-tampa,-florida", "conventions-in-florida"] description: "Anime convention in Tampa, Florida" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrocon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Anime convention in Tampa, Florida ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox Convention"]

Field	Value
name	Metrocon
image	[[Image:METROCON logo sm.png
status	Active
genre	Anime, Video Gaming
venue	Tampa Convention Center
location	Tampa, Florida
country	United States
first	2003
organizer	Team Dynamite Productions
attendance	12,153 in 2021
website	http://www.metroconventions.com/
::

Metrocon is an annual three-day anime convention held during July/August at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. It is Florida's largest anime convention and organized by Team Dynamite Productions. The convention evolved from meetups of AnimeMetro.com members.

Programming

The convention typically offers an artist alley, autograph sessions, contests, dances/raves, LAN gaming, main events (such as the Anime Human chess Match, Costume and Cosplay Contests, Fantasy Masquerade, Fire Show, and Professional Wrestling), panels, tabletop game rooms, vendors room, video game rooms, and video rooms screening anime. Metrocon also hosts a blood drive.

History

Metrocon was first held in 2003 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and after growth moved to the Tampa Convention Center in 2005. The convention had issues in 2008 with rowdy attendees from the Red Bull Flugtag event also occurring at the Tampa Convention Center. In 2009, the founder and CEO of Metrocon was arrested in Florida for violating Florida Statute 794.05 (unlawful sexual activity with certain minors) eight days before the convention. The conventions Director of Operations characterized the arrest as "an attack on the convention". The CEO stepped down from his position, with the Director of Operations and Head of Security taking over operations.

The convention added a fourth day when unique attendance hit over 10,000, with the first occurring in 2015. Metrocon 2020 was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Event history

::data[format=table]

Dates	Location	Atten.	Guests
date = July 18–20, 2003	venue = Crowne Plaza Hotel	location = Tampa, Florida	attendance = 1,600
::

Amano's World

In 2006, Metrocon held a second convention known as Metrocon: Amano's World, which featured the works Yoshitaka Amano, who is best known for his Final Fantasy character designs and Vampire Hunter D illustrations.

Event history

::data[format=table]

Dates	Location	Atten.	Guests
date = October 14–15, 2006	venue = Tampa Convention Center	location = Tampa, Florida	attendance =
::

References

Cascio, Josh. (July 11, 2014). "Metrocon comes to Tampa Convention Center". FOX 13/WTVT-TV.
Allman, John W.. (June 11, 2015). "Thousands of cosplayers expected in downtown Tampa for Metrocon". The Tampa Tribune.
"Anime fans geared up for Tampa Metrocon". Tampa Bay Times.
"Metrocon a sight to behold at Tampa Convention Center". Tampa Tribune.
"Characters flock to METROCON event". Tampa Bay Online.
"Anime, zombie fans to geek out at Metrocon 2011 in Tampa". Tampa Bay Times.
"Anime fans can get into character at Metrocon". Tampa Bay Online.
Allman, John W. (July 10, 2014). "Metrocon merges anime and video games in downtown Tampa". Tampa Bay Online.
G-Rodiles, Salvador. (August 2, 2012). "A look at Metrocon 2012". Japanator.
Cascio, Josh. (July 22, 2016). "MetroCon invades Tampa". FOX 13/WTVT-TV.
(25 July 2025). "MetroCon 2025 returns to the Convention Center to take over Downtown Tampa". ABC Action News Tampa Bay (WFTS).
"Costumes and characters descend on Tampa". FOX 13/WTVT-TV.
"The fallout from Flugtag". Creative Loafing Tampa Baby.
"Metrocon Posts Statement After Founder's Arrest". Anime News Network.
Cerrato, Andres. (June 16, 2009). "CEO of Metrocon arrested for allegations from jailbait". Japanator.
Kwak, Sarah. (June 12, 2015). "Mental game now key as Stanley Cup Final becomes best of three".
"COVID-19 UPDATE: METROCON 2020 is canceled: see you in 2021!".
"Metrocon 2020 Information". AnimeCons.com.
"Metrocon 2003 Information".
"Anime cartoon fans join forces at Metrocon convention". Tampa Bay Times.
"Metrocon 2004 Information".
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"Metrocon 2006 Information".
"Where fantasy, fans converge". [[Tampa Bay Times]].
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(June 17, 2015). "Just another summer weekend in Tampa … or was it Metrocon?". The Observer News.
"Metrocon 2014 Information".
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"Metrocon 2018 Information".
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"Metrocon 2021 Information".
"Metrocon 2022 Information".
"Metrocon 2023 Information".
(27 July 2025). "MetroCon hosts largest anime convention in Florida". WFLA.
"Metrocon 2024 Information".
"Metrocon 2025 Information".
"Metrocon: Amano's World". Anime News Network.
"Metrocon: Amano's World 2006 Information". AnimeCons.com.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::