CORE officially opened at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, welcoming fans to India's largest celebration of pop culture, fandom, gaming, creators, collectibles, immersive entertainment, and live music.

Conceptualized by Fanthology Studios in collaboration with Black White Orange, C.O.R.E. is a first-of-its-kind festival that brings together beloved global franchises, fan communities, creators, performers, gamers, artists, and immersive experiences under one roof, creating a destination where stories came alive and fandom took centre stage.

Across the weekend, fans immersed themselves in a multi-universe experience featuring globally loved franchises, interactive activations, gaming arenas, creator engagements, cosplay showcases, collectibles, merchandise destinations, character appearances, and community-led experiences that brought fandom to life like never before.

One of the biggest highlights of the festival was its star-studded music line-up, which saw some of India's most celebrated artists take over the C.O.R.E. stage. Day One witnessed an electrifying performance by W.I.S.H, whose high-energy set had audiences singing along to their biggest hits, followed by a crowd-pulling headline performance by Ritviz, who delivered an unforgettable set blending electronic music with his signature sound.

The momentum continued on Day Two as Amin Jaz brought his infectious energy to the festival, setting the stage for an explosive performance by acclaimed producer Karan Kanchan. The festival reached its grand finale with a blockbuster headline performance by Nucleya, whose high-octane set transformed the venue into a massive celebration of music, culture, and community.

Beyond the music, attendees witnessed an exciting line-up of programming that included sessions with leading celebrities, franchise showcases, cosplay competitions, character parades, anime and gaming experiences, interactive storytelling activations, and fan engagements that drew enthusiastic participation throughout the weekend.

Among the most talked-about sessions were appearances and showcases featuring Crunchyroll, Nickelodeon, Spider-Man, Dragon Ball Z, Supergirl, and The World of Ramayana with Namit Malhotra,alongside an engaging conversation between Rannvijay Singha and astronaut-designate Shubhanshu Shukla.

Speaking about the launch of the festival, Bhavik Vora, Co-Founder of C.O.R.E. and Fanthology Studios, said, "The response to C.O.R.E. has exceeded our expectations. Over the past two days, we witnessed fans, creators, artists, gamers, collectors, and communities come together to celebrate their shared passions in an environment built entirely around immersive experiences and meaningful engagement. The energy, enthusiasm, and love from attendees reaffirm our belief that India is ready for a world-class pop-culture platform, and this is only the beginning of the C.O.R.E. journey."

With its unique blend of fandom, storytelling, immersive experiences, creator culture, gaming, and live entertainment, C.O.R.E. has successfully established itself as a landmark addition to India's entertainment calendar and a new home for pop-culture communities across the country.