The World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) is an annual international gathering of science fiction and fantasy fans, writers, artists, musicians, and creators. First held in New York City in 1939, Worldcon visits a new city around the globe each year and is organized by a different group of dedicated volunteers who participate in a bidding process that is open to any group that meets a small number of technical regulations.
The longest running Science Fiction convention in the world, Worldcon originally focused on only Science Fiction and Fantasy. While both remain important, Worldcon continues to grow with each year of its celebration; now including genre television, films, animation, role-playing and table-top gaming, video games and other popular media as well. Since the mid-1970s, Worldcons have had an average attendance of 4,000-5,000 fans, with more or less depending on the host city.
All Worldcons follow the rules of the World Science Fiction Society, also known as WSFS. Full attending members of LAcon V, are automatically WSFS members! Worldcons technically only have three essential required events to be considered a Worldcon. These are administering the annual Hugo Awards; administering future Worldcon site selection; and holding a World Science Fiction Society Business Meeting.
We are excited to bring the 84th Worldcon back to California in 2026 and we hope you will join us for LAcon V.
The Hugo Awards
The Hugo Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the science fiction and fantasy community. They are awarded each year by WSFS at that year’s Worldcon.
Nominations for the Hugo Awards, as well as the Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer, will open in early 2026. In order for a WSFS member to nominate works, a person must purchase a WSFS membership before January 31, 2026, or have been a member of the Seattle Worldcon in 2025. Once nominations have closed, the final ballot will be announced, and only members of LAcon V will be able to vote for the winners in each category. (The Lodestar Award and the Astounding Award are not Hugo Awards.)
Additionally, a Worldcon can choose to create a special category in the Hugo Awards should there be compelling reasons to do so. LAcon V will be presenting a Poetry Hugo Award in 2026; details can be found here.
Site Selection
LAcon V will also administer the vote to determine the site of the 2028 Worldcon. All current WSFS members will be able to vote in Site Selection after payment of the site selection fee (advanced voting fee). Voting in Site Selection automatically gives the voter a WSFS attending membership in the winning 2028 Worldcon.
Bidders for the 2028 Worldcon must submit their paperwork by February 28, 2026 to siteselection@lacon.org. Bidders should reference 4.6 of the WSFS Constitution for the requirements. More details and information about site selection voting will be available later.
WSFS Business Meeting
The WSFS Business Meeting is where the WSFS members are able to debate and vote on the WSFS Constitution. This includes suggesting changes about Hugo Award categories, how Site Selection is conducted, and how the Business Meeting is run. The Business Meeting will be virtual this year, taking place prior to the convention. There will be four virtual sessions, and all will start at 9 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time. The dates are:
- Friday, July 17, 2026,
- Sunday July 26, 2026,
- Saturday, August 1, 2026, and
- Sunday, August 9, 2026.
The critical Site Selection Business Meeting, where the results of the voting for the host of the 2028 World Science Fiction Convention will be officially announced, will remain an in-person event.
