CHICAGO, IL | May 4, 2026 – This Star Wars Day, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair (CHITAG) is giving fans something to look forward to: a celebration of a galaxy far, far away for the 50th anniversary Star Wars. Taking place November 7 to 8, 2026 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, the event will honor five decades since Star Wars: A New Hope debuted on May 25, 1977.

Presented by People of Play™, a division of The Toy Association™, CHITAG will transform the show floor into an immersive Star Wars experience, complete with appearances from Chicagoland fan groups. Participating organizations will include the 501st Legion Vader's Fist, Chicago Jedi, Saber Guild Olega Temple, and more.

Fans and attendees will come face-to-face with iconic characters from across the Star Wars universe — including Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Grogu, the Jedi, Rebel pilots, droids, and more — and take part in interactive experiences such as photo opportunities, live lightsaber duels, and other themed activities for all ages.

“CHITAG has always celebrated what’s happening in the toy space and the cultural moments that bring fans together,” said Mary Couzin, senior vice president and founder/leader of People of Play at The Toy Association. “There’s no better way to honor the 50th anniversary of Star Wars than by bringing families, collectors, and fans together to experience the joy, creativity, and storytelling that have inspired generations. May the Force be with you!”

More details about CHITAG 2026 will be announced in the months ahead. Learn more at chitag.com and follow along on social media using #chitag, #chitag2026, & #peopleofplay.

About People of Play™   peopleofplay.com 

People of Play (POP), a division of The Toy Association™, leads the global toy and game industry in promoting innovation, creativity, and connectivity. A one-stop source of community for industry professionals, aspiring inventors, and people of all ages who love to play, People of Play hosts a play platform packed with resources, the largest toy and game directory in the industry, and a wide range of events, including the Chicago Toy & Game (CHITAG) Fair, the Toy & Game International Excellence (TAGIEs) Awards, the Young Inventor Challenge®, the Global Inventor Pitch & Innovation Conference, and more.

About The Toy Association™   toyassociation.org / toyfoundation.org / peopleofplay.com / thegeniusofplay.org / playsafe.org
Founded in 1916, The Toy Association^™, Inc. is the business trade association representing all businesses involved in creating and delivering toys and youth entertainment products for kids of all ages. The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $155.7 billion, and its roughly 800+ members drive the annual $45.6 billion U.S. domestic toy market. The Toy Association serves as the industry's voice on the developmental benefits of play and promotes play's positive impact on childhood development. The organization has a long history of leadership in toy safety, having helped develop the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 40 years ago, and remains committed to working with medical experts, governments, consumers, and the industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play.     

As a global leader, The Toy Association produces the world-renowned Toy Fair^™ in New York City; hosts marketplace activities in Los Angeles; engages in state, federal, and international advocacy on behalf of its members; supports the inventor and design community through People of Play™ and its numerous assets and events, including the consumer-facing Chicago Toy & Game Fair; sustains the Canadian Toy Association; acts as secretariat for the International Council of Toy Industries and International Toy Industry CEO Roundtable; and chairs the committee that reviews and revises America's widely emulated ASTM F963 toy safety standard. The Toy Association's philanthropic arm is The Toy Foundation^™, a 501 (c)(3) children's charity that acts as the uniting force for the collective philanthropy of the toy industry. To date, The Toy Foundation has delivered the joy of play to 33 million children in need worldwide.

Madelyn Jones
919.923.3259
madelyn@carvecomms.com