IMPULSE UNIVERSE Returns to Santa Clara in 2026
Pop culture fans showed up — and showed out. IMPULSE UNIVERSE descended on the Santa Clara Convention Center on July 26 and 27, 2025, bringing three powerhouse events under one roof: ANIME Impulse, K-PLAY! FEST和 Collectors Expo. From anime and K-pop to trading cards and collectibles, the weekend delivered one of the most diverse and energetic fan experiences the Bay Area has seen.
We sat down with event founder Gorden Kao ahead of the debut to learn more about the vision behind IMPULSE UNIVERSE, how it all began, and what made Santa Clara the right home for it.
With IMPULSE UNIVERSE set to return on July 18–19, 2026, this conversation offers a look at what fans can expect when the event comes back.
The Origin Story: How IMPULSE UNIVERSE Came to Life
IMPULSE UNIVERSE began in 2016 with a mission: to create an anime event that felt fun, casual, and inclusive, moving away from the more traditional, industry-heavy conventions.
“At the time, fans didn’t want to be boxed in,” says Gorden. “We saw a trend: people loved anime, but didn’t identify as ‘hardcore’ fans. They just wanted a space to vibe, connect, and explore.”
So, Gorden and his team created ANIME Impulse — a fresh, laid-back convention format. Over time, they began working on creating other events like K-PLAY! FEST (for K-pop and Korean culture) and Collectors Expo (for fans of trading cards, toys, and niche collectibles).
Eventually, the team brought everything together under the banner of IMPULSE UNIVERSE — creating a multi-event experience that celebrates pop culture across multiple genres.
Why Santa Clara?
While ANIME Impulse, K-PLAY! FEST, and Collectors Expo are no strangers to the Bay Area, 2025 marked their debut at the Santa Clara Convention Center. After outgrowing their previous home in San Mateo, the team explored several locations before choosing Santa Clara for its central location, larger capacity, and room for continued growth. The move reflects a long-term plan to establish Santa Clara as the Bay Area home for IMPULSE UNIVERSE.
The following perspective, shared ahead of the 2025 event, highlights that vision:
“Our goal this year is to really promote this event and make Santa Clara the long-term spot,” says Gorden.
As IMPULSE UNIVERSE plans its next Bay Area event on July 18–19, Santa Clara remains a key part of the conversation.
Three Events, One Universe
Each event within IMPULSE UNIVERSE brings something unique to the table. It’s totally up to you how you want to experience this activation — whether you spend time in just one area or branch out and explore them all. It’s the perfect opportunity for those laser-focused on a single fandom to be immersed in that genre or those with a wide range of interests to dive into multiple universes.
- ANIME Impulse: Dive into a weekend-long celebration of anime, manga, video games, and fandom! Enjoy a massive Vendor Hall and Artist Alley, meet your favorite voice actors, cosplayers, influencers, and streamers, and catch nonstop live entertainment all weekend long.
- KPLAY! FEST: Immerse yourself in a weekend celebration of all things K-Pop and community. Whether you’re a seasoned stan or a newcomer to the scene, there’s something for everyone. The event features crowd-pleasers like Random Play Dance sessions, photocard trading zones, an array of incredible K-Pop vendors, dynamic dance performances, high-energy DJ sets, and so much more.
- Collectors Expo: This is the ultimate destination for fans of trading card games, anime, and retro gaming! Buy, sell, trade, and collect your favorite cards—including Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, and more. And don’t miss out on the free-to-play arcade zone, featuring over a dozen classic games where you can challenge your friends and show off your high scores!
Together, these three events break down the silos between fandoms and give attendees a chance to explore new passions they might not have otherwise discovered.
Planning Your Weekend: Tips for First Timers
We hope this summer is your best one yet here in Santa Clara! If you’re getting ready for your first Impulse Universe experience, here’s a quick guide to help you make the most of it.
Think of IMPULSE UNIVERSE as a trip to Disneyland—fun, immersive, and packed with things to see and do. To ensure your weekend is unforgettable, here are a few pro tips:
- Check the website and social media early for the full programming roster.
- Plan ahead and mark your must-see panels, guests, and events.
- Leave time to explore all three expos — even the ones you didn’t originally come for.
- Wear comfy shoes — you’ll be walking (and probably dancing) a lot.
- Get ready to walk, cosplay, shop, and vibe.
Everything is designed so fans can wander and discover, not just follow a schedule.
“If we could share one piece of advice,” Gorden says, “it’s this: check out our socials and websites before you come. That way, you won’t feel overwhelmed — you’ll be ready to have the best weekend possible.”
Don’t miss out — get your tickets and prepare for a fandom experience like no other. If you purchase tickets to one event in this Universe, you get access to the other event experiences.
Looking for a place to stay during the event? A hotel room block at the 圣克拉拉凯悦酒店 is available for booking at a discounted price! Click here to learn more.
For full event details, visit the official websites:
And don’t forget to follow @animeimpulse, @kplayfest和 @collectorsexpo on social media for live updates, guest reveals, and all the latest news from the Impulse Universe.
Pop culture fans, see you soon in Santa Clara on July 18 and 19!
Interested in bringing a large-scale fan convention or specialty event to Santa Clara? The Santa Clara Convention Center offers over 302,000 sq. ft. of flexible event space built for exactly this kind of experience. 提交招标书 to start the conversation.
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