Fan conventions have transformed into an integral part of pop culture, offering enthusiasts an unparalleled opportunity to immerse themselves in their favorite fictional worlds, interact with like-minded fans, and even meet some of their most adored celebrities. Among such events, one convention that has consistently made waves, particularly in California, is the Supernatural Convention by Creation Entertainment.
We’ve covered these conventions previously here on ‘The Game of Nerds.’ Long-time Supernatural writer Meg shared her personal experiences and insights into these events, revealing how she often volunteered at these conventions to counterbalance the significant cost of tickets. Her account provided a glimpse into the lengths fans will go to participate in these immersive fan experiences.
After a hiatus of several years, I recently decided to revisit these conventions to see how they’ve evolved and what they currently offer to the fandom. The findings were intriguing and somewhat astonishing. With its unique offerings and steep price tags, the Supernatural Convention is far from your average fan event.
Creation Entertainment proudly touts their ‘Convention Difference’ on their website. This is their strict policy not to oversell their conventions. In theory, this guarantees that every patron, irrespective of the ticket bracket they purchase, will have a guaranteed seat in the main auditorium where the major guests appear and events take place. This assurance is a significant draw for fans eager to ensure they won’t miss out on seeing their favorite stars up close.
However, the cost of admission might cause some fans to pause. Weekend tickets to enter the convention are priced at $249 per person, with single-day tickets ranging between $70-$100. If fans wish to attend the special night events, these require either a special ticket status or additional fees.
The cost escalates even further for the more premium tiers. The Front Row Gold ticket, for example, is priced at a staggering $1799. This ticket offers front-row seats at every panel and a long list of perks including seven complimentary autographs from Supernatural actors (including Jensen Ackles), an exclusive Sunday-only panel with Jensen Ackles, admission to a special concert, and priority lines for autographs.
While Creation Entertainment’s efforts to keep the convention intimate for true fans is commendable, the associated price tag is still prohibitively high for many. Even without factoring in travel, hotel, and food expenses, one could easily expect to spend close to $500 if not more to attend and meet anyone. It’s no wonder why many fans, like Meg, turn to volunteering as a means to afford attendance.
Comparatively, other conventions such as Fan Expo offer a slightly more affordable experience. Their weekend ticket prices start at $119, and VIP is priced at $349. While these options don’t include autographs or photo-ops, the pricing for these services is more reasonable than that of the Supernatural convention. Furthermore, they offer a significant amount of free take-home items for attendees.
The cost of attending a convention isn’t limited to the ticket price alone. The event recommends staying overnight, particularly on Sunday, as signing events often run late. This necessitates an additional night’s hotel stay and could even require a day off work. Once you factor in travel, food, and other miscellaneous expenses, the cost of attending a convention can quickly accumulate.
Beyond Supernatural, Creation Entertainment conventions cater to several other fandoms, covering beloved shows such as Vampire Diaries, Psych, Smallville, Xena, and Star Trek. In 2025, they plan to venture into new territory with the first Creation Cruises, featuring Supernatural and Vampire Stars and Fans. This innovative approach is reminiscent of San Diego Comic-Con’s announcement last year about their own specialty cruise.
Despite the high costs, it’s clear that these conventions hold significant value for many fans. The opportunity to meet their favorite stars, get autographs, and immerse themselves in a beloved fictional world can be a priceless experience. However, it’s critical for attendees to evaluate the cost and what they’re getting in return.
At the end of the day, the question remains: Is attending a fan convention worth the cost? If you’ve attended a Creation Entertainment event, or any fan convention for that matter, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Was it worth the cost? Did the experience live up to your expectations? Let’s start a conversation and help each other navigate the exciting but often expensive world of fan conventions.
