“Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung” opens in Vilnius with international screen stars, gaming tournaments and a growing K-pop and cosplay scene

The eighth edition of “Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung” opened today at LITEXPO in Vilnius, bringing together international screen stars, biggest gaming exposition in the Baltics, cosplay and K-pop communities, fantasy authors, film industry professionals and thousands of popular culture fans for a three-day celebration of entertainment.

This year’s headline guests include Christopher Judge, acclaimed for his roles as Teal’c in “Stargate SG-1” and Kratos in “God of War”, Mark Pellegrino, known to global audiences for his portrayals of Lucifer in “Supernatural” and Jacob in “Lost” and DJ Qualls, whose career spans more than two decades and includes roles in “Supernatural”, “Breaking Bad”, “Road Trip” and other internationally recognised productions. Throughout the festival, fans will be able to meet them and other guests during autograph sessions, photo opportunities and live on-stage panel conversations.

A major part of this year’s festival is the “Baltic Gaming Expo”, one of the largest gaming-focused platforms in the region. The expo brings together esports tournaments, gaming communities, technology brands and entertainment industry players, reflecting the growing role of gaming as one of the most influential forms of contemporary culture. This year, the programme features nine competitive tournaments across titles including “League of Legends”, “Counter-Strike 2” and “Street Fighter 6”, with participation open to teams from around the world.

Samsung, the title sponsor of “Comic Con Baltics”, has supported the festival for several years, with its involvement closely connected to the growth of gaming, digital entertainment and next-generation viewing experiences in the region. This year, senior representatives from Samsung’s global team are present in Vilnius, meeting attendees and showcasing technology designed for gaming and immersive entertainment.

“Gaming has become one of the most dynamic meeting points between technology, creativity and community,” said Seung-Jin Kang, President at „Samsung Ectronics Baltics“. “For „Samsung“, supporting „Comic Con Baltics“ is a natural continuation of our commitment to the gaming community. We are proud to contribute to an event that brings players, fans and creators together. It is a great chance to show how technology can elevate their lifestyle: from playing heavy-spec games on „Galaxy S26 Ultra“ equiped with most powerful processor ever on „Galaxy“ and advanced cooling system to OLED TVs delivering vibrant colours and deep black together with a perfect refresh rate for fast games. PC gaming lovers are also invited to try out the latest „Odyssey“ monitors, including the industry’s first 6K model. All of this can be experienced at „Samsung“ booth, when participating in special tournaments and all around the Gaming Expo.“

Few countries have shaped contemporary popular culture as visibly in recent years as South Korea. From the global rise of K-pop and Korean cinema to the increasing influence of Korean-inspired aesthetics in cosplay communities, South Korean culture has become a significant creative force for young audiences across Europe. The attendance of Joyoung Jeon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lithuania, at “Comic Con Baltics 2026 sponsored by Samsung” reflects this growing cultural connection.

This year’s K-Pop Dance Contest has attracted 141 dancers from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Finland and Ukraine, while the Cosplay Contest features 134 participants from across the region, a clear sign of the reach and relevance of Korean popular culture in the Baltics and beyond.

“South Korea and Lithuania may be separated by thousands of kilometres, but events such as “Comic Con Baltics” remind us that culture recognises no borders,” said Joyoung Jeon, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lithuania. “The dedication and passion that young people across the Baltic States bring to K-pop, cosplay and stories originating from Korea is both remarkable and deeply moving. I am honoured to witness it firsthand.”

Across the three-day programme, visitors can also look forward to meet-and-greet, autograph and photo sessions with internationally recognised guests including Christopher Judge, Mark Pellegrino, DJ Qualls, Nathan Kress and voice actors from Red Dead Redemption 2, Baldur’s Gate 3 and Split Fiction. The festival will also host the international Cosplay and K-Pop Dance Contest presented by McDonald’s, judged by a panel of European professionals; a dedicated Authors’ Zone featuring fantasy writers Alwyn Hamilton, Adrienne Young and Laini Taylor; the Meet Lithuanian Film Industry programme, offering direct access to local filmmakers and new Lithuanian productions; and a Family Area for younger visitors.

The festival continues through 24 May at LITEXPO, Vilnius, and is partially funded by Vilnius City Municipality.