How Star Trek Fans Shaped Modern Fandom Over 60 Years

From saving the original series to building conventions and fan communities, Trekkers helped define modern fandom and continue to shape its future. Published Oct 14, 2026, 8:42 PM EDT John Orquiola is a TV Editor, Senior Writer, and Interviewer with a special focus on Star Trek. John has over 5,000 published articles at SR, and he has interviewed the biggest names in Star Trek on the red carpet and VIP events, among other beloved shows, movies, and franchises. 60 years after the Starship Enterprise first warped across television screens, Star Trek remains at the forefront of fandom. Every IP, from Marvel to Star Wars to DC, has scores of dedicated fans following the multimedia exploits of their favorite characters and universes. Still, Star Trek sets the gold standard for inclusiveness, diversity, and sheer passion that now spans generations. "Star Trek and its fandom are inextricable," says John Champion, producer and co-host of Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek podcast. Indeed, Star Trek was initially saved from cancellation by NBC thanks to a letter-writing campaign led by Bjo and John Trimble in the 1960s. This sparked an ongoing truth Champion points out: "Trek fandom has always been about participation." What began as a television series that only lasted 3 seasons and 79 episodes has evolved into a forever franchise, currently spanning a dozen Star Trek TV series, 14 feature films, with more on the way, plus countless ancillary novels, comic books, video games, and merchandise gobbled up by fans who can't get enough of the final frontier, and who passionately express what Star Trek means to them. One example is organized Star Trek fan groups like the LA Away Team. Yez Ze Masc, the LA Away Team's leader, calls the group "a casual social community for Trek fans. We gather for anything Trek, space, or sci-fi related, what we refer to as 'Trek-adjacent.' Because there are no formal meetings or cosplay requirements, it strips away much of the pressure and stereotypes often associated with fan groups." "Through fan fiction and fan films, meetups, conventions, blogs, books, and podcasts, [the fans] have helped shape what Star Trek means and what it can become," Champion says. Star Trek Helped Create Fandom As We Know It Today Image via Roddenberry Being a Star Trek fan, or a fan of any sort in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s "could be a very lonely experience for many," says Ze Masc. "Newsletters and fanzines seemed to be the way fans connected if they weren't lucky enough to be near a convention or an in-person fan club. Those printed circulars eventually led to mailing lists and forums once the internet became widely available." The first officially recognized Star Trek convention was in 1972, just a couple of years after the first San Diego Comic-Con, though there were smaller regional ones including a notable event March 1, 1969 in Newark, New Jersey Public Library organized by Sherna Comerford and librarian Devra Langsam that may be technically the first dedicated to The Original Series. Star Trek fans, including Sherna and Devra, can proudly take credit for helping to create fandom as it is today. "Fandom, and entertainment in general, have changed a great deal in these last five decades," says David Glanzer, Chief Communications and Strategy Officer for San Diego Comic-Con. "Everything has changed, including fandom. Information spreads quickly, clips and fan-supported media go viral. It’s a very different world now, and in a way, a fan’s dream. Well, I think for me, anyway." Today, SDCC is one of the largest and most influential comic cons in the world, while Star Trek hosts multiple conventions across the United States and other countries from companies like Creation Entertainment. There's even an annual Star Trek Cruise. Star Trek's global fandom is so passionate that they flock to conventions featuring Star Trek actors and talent. Creation's annual STLV: Trek to Vegas is recognized as the biggest Star Trek con, with the 2026 edition hosting over 200 celebrities and thousands of fans celebrating Star Trek's 60th anniversary. The dedication and creativity of Star Trek fans know no bounds. The dedication and creativity of Star Trek fans know no bounds, from cosplaying as their favorite characters to creating merchandise like Star Trek wines and spirits, mockups of tech like phasers and tricorders, to even crafting Star Trek soaps. The Internet and social media are also key in fans maintaining friendships online, and later, at in-person meetups like LA Away Team events or conventions. Community is the true key to Star Trek's fandom. Countless friendships have been forged by fans' shared love of Star Trek, and conventions like STLV are often like large family reunions where seeing each other is as, or more, important as interacting with the talent from their favorite Star Trek series. Star Trek fans come from all walks of life, and many entered fields of science and medicine because they were inspired by their Starfleet heroes. "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" is a mantra practiced by Star Trek fans in real life. After 60 years, the fandom spans every age group, culture, and nationality. While there are negative aspects online, when they gather in person at conventions like SDCC and STLV, Star Trek fans are generally welcoming, tolerant, and celebrate diversity and the optimistic worldview of Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future. Star Trek Fans Stand Out And Are A Highlight Of Conventions Like San Diego Comic-Con Image via StarTrek.com San Diego Comic-Con encompasses every aspect of fandom, but Star Trek has enjoyed great prominence, largely thanks to Paramount+'s Star Trek TV series, which are featured in an annual panel inside the massive 6,000-seat Hall H. The traditional Star Trek banner covering the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina is one of SDCC's most memorable landmarks every year. Even among the 150,000 fans and cosplayers who flock to SDCC for five days every July, Star Trek fans find a way to stand out. David Glanzer: I think Star Trek has always had a wonderful presence at Comic-Con. To be honest, I think they have a wonderful presence almost everywhere that fans gather. I mean, it is such an iconic franchise that everyone knows what Star Trek is. Even if they’re not necessarily a Star Trek fan it has so become a part of our culture that I would probably be more surprised if I didn’t see Star Trek fandom represented as much as it is. I mean, phrases like “Beam me up Scotty” or “He’s dead, Jim” are phrases that have entered the lexicon. San Diego Comic-Con has exhibits and activations beyond the confines of the San Diego Convention Center. In recent years, Star Trek fans have also visited the Paramount+ Lodge, where series like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are featured with recreations of the USS Enterprise's sets. Because SDCC is so big, there is usually more programming than even the five days of the con can accommodate. However, Star Trek fans needn't be worried that SDCC will snub their favorite franchise. "There are only so many hours in the Comic-Con weekend, but luckily, we almost always feature some Star Trek-related program," Glanzer says. Among the highlights of every comic con are cosplayers. Hundreds of fans love to show off their talent at designing homemade costumes, and they are a show unto themselves. Conventions like SDCC and STLV are filled with cosplayers, and Star Trek fans are among the most enthusiastic about dressing up as their favorite characters. However, cosplay can also become an issue: "I think cons like STLV and SDCC could encourage more Trek fans to attend by highlighting the diversity of fans, not just the young attractive cosplayers or those with a huge social media following," notes Ze Masc. Most fans are not also cosplayers, but Yez says that the popularity of cosplay and social media influencers has inadvertently formed a barrier preventing some from experiencing conventions because they think cosplay is a requirement. Yez Ze Masc: Most fans do NOT cosplay, so I am still surprised when new congoers ask, "Do I HAVE to cosplay?" Of course it seems obvious to me that would be no. Cons should not intentionally or unintentionally gatekeep fans in this way, by only showing certain types of cosplayers. One of the main reasons that I appreciate LAAT and SDCC Away Team is that we do not require cosplay. Star Trek's Future Is Going Through Changes, But Its Fans Aren't Going Anywhere Star Trek fans are understandably concerned about the future of the franchise. The Star Trek IP is now controlled by Skydance, which owns Paramount and Paramount+. With Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and Strange New Worlds both set to conclude in 2027, and no successor television series announced, the franchise could be facing an extended hiatus. A new Star Trek movie is in early development from Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, but its release remains uncertain. While primarily a TV franchise, Star Trek spans all media, such as the popular line of IDW Star Trek comics, novels, video games like Star Trek Online and Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, and numerous other ways for fans to experience Star Trek. Fans can expect all of this to be supported at SDCC and Star Trek conventions, even without a new TV show or movie. David Glanzer says that "Hollywood is an amazing aspect of Comic-Con. But it is one aspect," noting that when movie and TV content was paused by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, "We still had a vibrant show. Yes, it was a little different, but from the overwhelming feedback we got, it was no less fun and enjoyable." We are a big tent, we enjoy support from gaming, movies, television, publishers, and especially comics. They are all Part of what makes Comic-Con great. Things may slow down a bit in certain industries, as they do from time to time, but I trust they will deliver what fans want. We just have to be vocal about that, and, if you’ve ever been to Comic-Con, you know our fans can be very vocal. "For me, the best thing about Star Trek conventions is being completely immersed in an environment designed to celebrate my favorite fandom and to feel like that universe is real," Ze Masc says. "I remember on preview night of my first STLV... I felt like I was home, like I was surrounded by kindred spirits. Of course, the panels, exhibits, and cosplay are great fun, but for me, the real draw of cons is being around people who are just as passionate about Trek as I am." The Lesson Every Fandom & IP Can Learn From Star Trek Image via Paramount+ Star Trek fans have a storied history of using their voices to positively affect the direction of the franchise. From preventing NBC's early cancellation of Star Trek in the 1960s, to being so vocally positive about Anson Mount's portrayal of Captain Christopher Pike in Star Trek: Discovery that it led to the creation of Strange New Worlds, to organizing a campaign that included flying a banner over Los Angeles before Netflix picked up the canceled Star Trek: Prodigy, Trekkers wield enormous influence. “Listen to the fans," is David Glanzer's suggestion to the powers-that-be in charge of Star Trek. "I think the most successful franchises are those that take to heart the suggestions and desires of their fan base." Regarding Star Trek's need to garner new and younger audiences, David says, "There’s no reason why you can’t honor the fan base while also introducing new people to the genre or that particular franchise." Yez Ze Masc calls Star Trek's aging fanbase "a growing concern... It's like we had our own Baby Boom and now have a shrinking 'birth rate' of new fans," Yez says, referring to new audiences discovering Star Trek through J.J. Abrams' movies starting in 2009, and Paramount+'s last decade of new Star Trek shows. "I do not know for certain if it's enough of an influx of fans to grow the fanbase." Yez Ze Masc: I really loved the theme for Star Trek's 60th anniversary, Space for Everybody. That concept perfectly captures the IDIC ideology often touted by Trek fans. That theme should be at the forefront of initiatives to engage new fans. More and more fans, especially younger ones, are seeking experiences as part of their fandom, not just to consume media. We need to get them involved, make them a part of it somehow. All Trek is someone's first Trek. Star Trek fans understandably feel frustrated that their voices haven't been heeded recently. For example, three years after the end of Star Trek: Picard season 3, fans have passionately clamored for Terry Matalas' spinoff, Star Trek: Legacy. Another desired project is Star Trek: United, centering on the return of Scott Bakula as President Jonathan Archer. Paramount+ has different, undefined ideas about what's next for Star Trek, however. Star Trek's future is yet to be determined by Skydance, but upheavals and changes don't shake Trekkers' devotion to Star Trek's 60 years of established canon and the favorite characters. The absence of new Star Trek TV shows will likely lead to fans finding even more creative ways to express their love for the final frontier and welcome newcomers to the franchise. John Champion sums it up best: "As long as Star Trek keeps asking “what if?” in ways that reach into the human experience, its fans will keep finding new ways to answer." Over the coming weeks, ScreenRant is partnering with Roddenberry Entertainment to bring you exclusive interviews and insight into the impact “Star Trek” has had across many facets of the entertainment industry and beyond. We’ll be discussing its impact on technology, LGBTQ+ representation, diversity, feminism, fandom/conventions, and more. TV Show(s) Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Star Trek: Discovery, Star Trek: Short Treks, Star Trek: Picard, Star Trek Lower Decks, Star Trek: Prodigy, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Video Game(s) Star Trek Online, Star Trek: Resurgence, Star Trek: Bridge Crew First Film Star Trek: The Motion Picture First TV Show Star Trek: The Original Series Cast William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Deforest Kelley, James Doohan, Walter Koenig, Jonathan Frakes, Patrick Stewart, Michael Dorn, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Wil Wheaton, Avery Brooks, Nana Visitor, Rene Auberjonois, Alexander Siddig, Cirroc Lofton, Armin Shimerman, Colm Meaney, Terry Farrell, Kate Mulgrew, Robert Beltran, Roxann Dawson, Jeri Ryan, Robert Duncan McNeill, Robert Picardo, Ethan Phillips, Garrett Wang, Jolene Blalock, Connor Trinneer, Dominic Keating, Scott Bakula, Linda Park, John Billingsley, Anthony Montgomery, Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho, Chris Hemsworth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Anton Yelchin, Idris Elba, Sonequa Martin-Green, Mary Wiseman, Doug Jones, Anthony Rapp, Wilson Cruz, Oyin Oladejo, Emily Coutts, Jess Bush, Christina Chong, Anson Mount, Ethan Peck, Rebecca Romijn, Michelle Yeoh Created by Gene Roddenberry