Edmonton Expo blames lack of direct flights from L.A. for celebrity cancellations

Celebrity cancellations at the Edmonton Expo. What the pop culture convention says is keeping high-profile guests from visiting fans in our city.

Posted August 26, 2026 11:48 am.

Last Updated August 26, 2026 11:29 am.

It’s been once announcement after another.

Celebrity guests previously booked to appear at this year’s Edmonton Expo – like David Wenham, Catherine Tate and Kellen Goff – have been cancelling their appearances.

“Unfortunately, I’m filming a project at the moment in a number of locations and it’s making it pretty difficult for me to get to some places,” Wenham, who plays Faramir in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, said in his apology video.

“I have to cancel due to scheduling,” British actress and comedian Tate said in hers. “I’m really sorry not to see everyone. I love Canada and I hope to be there with you all very soon.”

And on Wednesday morning, the cancellations kept coming. Edmonton Expo announced on Instagram that Karl Urban and Emilie de Ravin – stars of “The Boys” and “Once Upon a Time” – were dropping out “due to schedule changes.”

It’s a big letdown for fans of Edmonton’s signature comic, movie, and gaming convention, which welcomes more than 40,000 people every year.

The EXPO’s vice-president believes one of the biggest obstacles blocking stars from fans is a lack of direct flights between Los Angeles and Edmonton.

“Cancellations do happen,” said Andrew Moyes. “But the lack of inventory, specifically in Edmonton, of those direct flights has just been an additional challenge for us.”

Fan Expo HQ organizes Comic Con-style conventions across North America every year. And while they’re used to actors having busy and unpredictable schedules, they agree Edmonton not having more direct flights makes the city more prone to cancellations.

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‘Six weekly non-stop flights to Los Angeles’

CityNews reached out to the Edmonton International Airport to find out more about flights between Los Angeles and Edmonton. A spokesperson says WestJet offers non-stop service between L.A. and Edmonton on all three days of the Expo. The airline also has flights on Sept. 16 and 23 – two days before and three days after the event.

In a statement, the Edmonton International Airport says there’s no shortage of flights to and from L.A. in the peak of summertime travel season.

“At the busiest time of year, YEG has six weekly non-stop flights to Los Angeles (LAX), meaning passengers can travel non-stop between Edmonton and the Los Angeles area every day of the week except Tuesday.”

After Tuesday afternoon’s interview, Moyes said he spoke with Edmonton’s airport and is excited for what might be possible in future years.

As for fans, he says the Edmonton EXPO has a track record of delivering events fans should take comfort in.

“We do have an amazing guest list coming,” Moyes said. “But this event is about community, it’s about passion, it’s about togetherness, and it’s about transparency, and that’s what we’re leaning into.”

The Expo says fans who had photo ops with celebrities now unable to attend will be contacted about their options.

Fans attend the Edmonton Expo on Sept. 20, 2025. (CityNews)
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