Dragon Con 2026 badge lines and annual blood drive

cultureSep 3, 2026781,598

Attendees at Dragon Con 2026 reported long badge lines on arrival, with some saying they waited up to two hours and at least one attendee saying they almost passed out while queuing. Separately, Dragon Con is hosting the 24th annual Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” blood drive run by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers during the five-day Labor Day weekend in Atlanta. PopCultHQ says the convention’s drive is one of the largest in the U.S., with thousands giving blood each year and donors often waiting in line for hours as part of the tradition. LifeSouth serves more than 200 hospitals and emergency service organizations across Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee and asks that donors be at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Organizers provide an online signup at donors.lifesouth.org for appointments; LifeSouth also operates bloodmobiles and donor centers and emphasizes that all blood types are needed to help hospitals during summer shortages. The badge-line waits affect attendee experience on opening day, while the blood drive will continue through the convention and contributes directly to regional hospital supplies.

Effin' Birds

@effinbirds.com

Airport security had a lot of questions about my chicken bag from Le Coop. See you soon at Dragon Con!

A shoulder bag shaped like a chicken, tucked under an airline seat.

45912h ago

Seane ND Crafter20

That bag is amazing and I'm hoping the questions were "where'd you get that amazing bag?"

Bensmom338

My son once brought a stuffed poop emoji on a plane and that definitely caused some looks and comments.

Doug Ballanger5

Just say it's your emotional support chicken-bag.

Dr. Laura (no, not THAT one)4

The perspective of the seat support behind the beak made me think at first that the chicken was smoking a cigarette.

Dr Ben Wolfe4

I mean, CATSA probably sees all manner of fowl things

zippydazipster.bsky.social3

Is there a chicken in the bag? There's a chicken in the bag, isn't there..

Quoting this

Ham Roids5

I am so jealous it hurts

Annie Stegg Gerard

@anniestegg.bsky.social

The final little details of Tiny Kingdom! 🌿⁠ She will be coming with me to DragonCon this weekend, and if you’ve ever been curious about learning how I paint in oils, I’ll also have a handful of advance copies of my new book with me at the show! ⁠ Preorders open this Friday! #DragonCon2026 ⁠

259Yesterday

Finn ▶️ Dragon Con🐉

@finnthepanther.com

The kitty has arrived in Atlanta… again! #Dragoncon2026

A purple and yellow panther fursuit head with a blue RuneScape crown on its right ear

15911h ago

ABT AA-2082 @HEROESCON2026

@adambrycethomas.bsky.social

hey #dragoncon2026 I'll be here for the full show ready to meet you all :) we're debuting new prints, new premium wool volumes, and 1/1 ORIGINAL PRINTS of my inked pages for #idwsonic the 2024 annual. (ONCE THEY'RE GONE THEY'RE GONE FOREVER) #DRAGONCON #SONICTHEHEDGEHOG

926h ago

ABT AA-2082 @HEROESCON20266

I'm ready to accept #commissions for the show. If you'd like to get in early message me or email me and I can start on those tonight. I'll currently open four slots.

Kiaayo1

is there a way to get those Lanolin books if I'm not attending?

Greliz @ SPX W821

i wish i could teleport down there i need those lanolins

Sena Bryer

@senabryer.com

If tomorrow's thing is to announce he died, Dragon Con is going to be the biggest party on the planet because the con floor opens the exact same time as the press conference

1002h ago

Josh Goring2

Who we talking about? The guy everyone hopes or the guy everyone suspects is already?

Mike Varker1

I will ask no further questions and go off assumption, it's the safe thing to do lol

01Mika 💎

@01mika.bsky.social

Anyone else going to dragon con? #dragoncon #blackcatcosplay #cosplay #cosplaygirls

539h ago

Jennie Breeden

@jenniebreeden.thedevilspanties.com

Guys guys! I did the thing! Table 407 in comic pop artist ally at dragon con #Atlanta at the America’s Mart building two floor four #dragoncon #webcomics #comics #comicconvention

An artist scowls at the chaos that is her convention table set up that is strewn with comic books and merchandise

439h ago

Chairman George

@superbunnyhop.bsky.social

Why am I doing laundry during Dragon Con right now instead of enjoying the con? Because 2 months ago my condo HOA suddenly decided out of absolute nowhere, w/ no announcement nor voting, that they're going to take our laundry machines away for "renovations" and now's the only time I've got to do it

398h ago

Bill Doran

@foamsmith.com

Next stop: Atlanta! #dragoncon2026

41Yesterday

✶ J i j i ✶ 🇲🇽 DragonCon AA #604

@jijidraws.art

My ribbons came ahhhh! It has been so long since I made BADGE RIBBONS!!! Truuuly over four or five years. :3 THIS IS MY FIRST DRAGON CON pls treat me kindlyyyy I am in your chaotic hands. 🙇🙌🖤✨💕✨ #dragoncon #dragoncon2026 #artistalley

Jiji displaying all the ribbons she’ll have available at DragonCon.

234h ago

Bad Dragon (18+)

@bad-dragon.com

Heads up, Con goers! Bad Dragon will be @anthrosocal.org September 18-20!!! Stop by the booth (Room 103) and see us! Who are we going to see there?! #baddragon #furcon #furrycon

2010h ago

Shannon Strucci

@strucci.bsky.social

Going to my first Dragon*Con since 2019 😳 it was a huge part of my life for 10 years then covid happened haha

1811h ago

Kaiju

@slumberyote.bsky.social

Would someone who’s attending dragon con be able to snag me a signed dungeon crawler Carl book? I will cover the cost and shipping! I can also draw for you 👀

1211h ago