Worldcon, formally the World Science Fiction Convention, is the annual convention of the World Science Fiction Society. It began in 1939, has been held in different cities, and is best known for the Hugo Awards, site selection, fan traditions, and its role as a meeting place for international science fiction fandom.
Table of Contents
| Quick fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | World Science Fiction Convention |
| Common name | Worldcon |
| First held | 1939, New York City |
| Not held | 1942-1945, during World War II |
| Major awards | Hugo Awards |
| Organizational frame | World Science Fiction Society (WSFS) |
What Happens at Worldcon?
A Worldcon can include panels, readings, interviews, fan rooms, art shows, dealer rooms, exhibits, gaming, filk, masquerade events, business meetings, parties, and award ceremonies. Each Worldcon has its own local committee and flavor, but it belongs to a continuous tradition of fan-run international conventions.
Worldcon and the Hugo Awards
The Hugo Awards are voted on by Worldcon members and presented at Worldcon. This connection is central: the Hugos are not simply a publishing prize but a fan-voted institution tied to the annual convention and WSFS rules.
Site Selection and WSFS
Worldcon moves from city to city. Members vote to select future Worldcons through the site selection process. The WSFS business meeting also gives members a formal way to debate and change rules, including rules affecting Hugo categories and Worldcon governance.
Why Worldcon Matters
Worldcon matters because it combines literature, fan organization, awards, history, and community memory. It is a convention, but it is also a yearly checkpoint for the field: what fans are reading, what they are arguing about, what they are honoring, and how they imagine the future of fandom.
Related guides include Science Fiction Conventions Glossary, Hugo Rules and Voting, and Noreascon 3.
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