Southeast Tennessee’s longest-running Sci-Fi convention, Chattacon, based in Chattanooga, announced the discontinuation of their annual convention after 50 years.

On August 10th, 2025, it was announced on Chattacon’s official website that they are ending their yearly convention, usually held in late-January, that has been running since 1976. The convention has been held in various venues throughout the years in Downtown Chattanooga, such as The Read House, the historic Chattanooga Choo Choo, and in recent years at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Chattacon 2026 was to be held January 16-18 at the DoubleTree Hotel, their home venue for the past six years. Due to upcoming renovations at the DoubleTree and limited venues in the area for smaller events, Chattacon made the heartbreaking announcement:

Dear Fans,

After fifty incredible years of celebrating Science Fiction and the literary community of the Southeast in Chattanooga, it is with both deep gratitude and heavy hearts that we announce that Chattacon will not be continuing beyond 2025.

This decision was not made lightly. The board of Chattacon, together with Chattanooga Science Fiction Fans, Inc., (CSFF, Inc) has spent considerable time and reflection exploring every possible path forward. Unfortunately, the Doubletree Hotel that has served as our home for the past six years will be undergoing significant renovations and will not be available for our 2026 event.

Despite our best efforts to secure a new venue, we were unable to find an alternative location that met both our logistical and financial conditions. While we could have chosen a smaller venue, we did not want to present to you anything less than what you have come to expect from Chattacon.

More of their closing statement can be read on their website. Refunds of tickets and Dealer’s Room table purchases for their 2026 event was also detailed to be processed in the weeks following the closure announcement.

[Source: Chattacon]