The wait is over! 🎉
We’re excited to announce that Overload 2026 will be held on:
🗓️ 26–27 September, 2026
📍 New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Auckland
Overload has been steadily growing each year, and with that growth comes the need for a venue that can grow with us. While 2026 will be our first year at NZICC, we’re taking a careful, steady approach - but the venue’s flexibility gives us room to evolve and shape future events as our community grows.
Artists! You will likely be wondering about the new timeline for Artist Registration. Applications are expected to go live in March 2026, so keep an eye on social media and your inbox for updates on how to apply.
We’re really looking forward to exploring this new chapter with you all, and we appreciate your patience as we adjust - so tag your con crew and stay in the loop, 2026 will be an exciting new beginning!
#overloadnz #overload2026 #nz #nzevents #auckland #aucklandevents
An amazing opportunity has dropped for the NZ artist community! ✨
As a proud member of the International Otaku Expo Association (IOEA), Overload has been invited to participate in World Doujins Paradise Hong Kong 2026 (WDPHK), taking place within Ani-com & Games Hong Kong (ACGHK) this July.
Through this opportunity, we are seeking two New Zealand-based artists to join an official Overload representative in Hong Kong. Selected artists will represent Aotearoa’s unique doujin talent as cultural ambassadors, connecting with creators from Hong Kong and around the world, with each receiving their own booth space to showcase and sell their work on a global stage.
If you possess convention experience, a compelling portfolio, and an admirable appetite for taking your work abroad, check your eligibility and submit your portfolio via the link on our website. Applications close Sunday, 17th May at 11:59 pm.
One comp or both? Here are a few key differences between our cosplay competitions this year!
Submissions for the Pop Culture Hiroshima Cosplay Competition open on Friday, 1 May 2026, and close at midnight on Sunday, 2 August 2026. Full details and entry info on our website!
#overloadnz #oveload2026 #cosplaynz #overloadcosplay #pch2026
Overload NEEDS YOU! 🌟
Did you know that Overload is powered entirely by our incredible volunteer team? Without their passion and hard work, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Apply now on our website to be part of the team that makes the magic happen! ✨ #communitysupport #overload #Overloadnz #overload2026 #overloadnz #nzevents #anime #animeconvention #communitysupport #volunteering #volunteers #volunteersmakeadifference
ANIME TATTOO ZONE - TATTOO ARTIST APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN!
✨ Follow the link in the bio and fill out the form to submit your application to join the @animetattoozone at @overloadnz this September
Community Group Applications are officially open!! We’re inviting local community groups, clubs, and non-profits to showcase their work and recruit new members at Overload 2026. We offer a dedicated free table for eligible groups—apply now on our website! #overload #overload2026 #overloadnz #nzevents #anime #communitylove
Keep an eye out for our Community Group Applications on March 29th!
Here are some that are part of Overload 👀 #Overloadnz #overload #overload2026 #overloadnz #nzevents #anime #AnimeConvention #animeconvention
A quick reminder that Artist and Exhibitor applications open March 1st! For more information, please visit us on our website (under Join Us)!
📢 Want to stay up to date with the latest info, but you're not on our mailing list? Reach out to us:
📧 Artists: [email protected]
📧 Exhibitors: [email protected]
We're currently working hard on artist and exhibitor applications! These will open in early March, so keep an eye out and stay tuned 👀📢
#Overloadnz #overload2026 #nzevents
As is tradition, the Overload Cosplay Competition is back for 2026! This long-running favourite celebrates handcrafted builds, passion, and the skill of bringing characters to life on stage ✨
Enter Construction Only, or Skit + Construction categories using characters from Asian media (anime, manga, donghua, video games) and show off the work behind your costume. Full details are available on our website.
If the excitement of two cosplay competitions has you fired up… yes! You can enter both, provided you have separate costumes/performances, as each will run on a different day.
#overloadnz #cosplaynz #nzcosplay #overloadcosplay
We’re proud to announce that Overload is officially partnering with Pop Culture Hiroshima (PCH) for the first time in 2026!
PCH is an international pop culture initiative based in Hiroshima, Japan, that uses anime, manga, and cosplay to connect fans worldwide through creativity and cultural exchange.
As an official NZ partner, Overload will be hosting a New Zealand cosplay competition for teams of two as part of the PCH programme. The winning team will then travel to Japan to represent New Zealand at the international PCH performance showcase.
Full details, eligibility, NZ competition rules and prizes are available on our website, so you can give yourselves ample time to start planning!
Key Dates:
🌟Submissions open: Friday May 1st, 2026
🌟Submissions close: Midnight Sunday August 2nd, 2026
#pch #ポップカルチャー広島 #hiroshima #pch2026
