The All-American Tattoo Convention returns to Fayetteville, promising an expanded lineup of events, including a highly anticipated tattoo battle. This year’s convention will be held from April 11-13, at the Crown Expo Center, located at 1960 Coliseum Dr. The event runs from Friday through Sunday, with doors opening at noon.
Founded in 2017 by Ryan Harrell and his wife, Nicole, the All-American Tattoo Convention has quickly become one of the premier tattoo events on the East Coast. Ryan Harrell, owner of the All-American Tattoo Society in Fayetteville, spoke about the motivation behind launching the convention and how it reflects the city’s strong military culture.
“We started going to conventions and I just felt like Fayetteville had a high number of really good tattoo artists,” Harrell said. “We have a lot of tattoo shops here, but we didn’t have an event, so we started working on it in 2015. Our first year was 2017, and we’ve been throwing it every year since then, except for one year due to COVID. We sell out the booths every year — people love coming to Fayetteville for the southern hospitality and the connection to Fort Bragg.”
A Celebration of Tattoos and Military Culture
Fayetteville’s deep ties to the military are central to the atmosphere and structure of the convention. Harrell explained that tattoo culture has long been intertwined with military life, which inspired the broader scope of the convention’s events.
“We’ve been able to overlap a couple of different subcultures,” Harrell said. “In the military, they’re really into fitness, anime, tattooing, and pin-ups. These are all classic things that kind of go hand in hand with the military lifestyle. We’re an All-American city, home of the 82nd Airborne, so it just felt like the right fit.”
The convention isn’t just about tattoos — it’s designed to reflect the broader interests of the military and tattoo communities alike. Events include a weightlifting contest, a pin-up competition, and live wrestling. Harrell believes this combination of activities helps draw in a diverse crowd.
“We have people who come on Saturday to see the strongman and the bench press and deadlift competitions,” he said. “But then they also get drawn into the tattoo culture through the other events happening around the same time. Each element gives people a different experience of the show.”
Ticket Options and VIP Perks
Tickets for the All-American Tattoo Convention are available now, with single-day tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as a three-day pass for those who don’t want to miss a moment of the action.
For an elevated experience, VIP passes are also available, which include a VIP bag and 30-minute early entry each day—a perfect opportunity to meet artists and explore the venue before the crowds arrive.
New Addition: The Tattoo Battle
One of the biggest new attractions this year is the All-American Tattoo Battle, a head-to-head tattoo competition designed to raise the stakes and engage the crowd.
“We have a lot of tattoo artists that have been on TV shows like Tattoo Nightmares, Best Ink, and Ink Master,” Harrell said. “I thought, why not create a live competition where they go head-to-head? We bought a championship belt — solid metal — and we’re making it a true contest.”
The tattoo battle kicks off at noon on Friday, with five artists competing. Each artist will receive a stencil and have free creative rein over how to tattoo it. The judging will take place at 4 p.m., with both the judges’ scores and fan votes determining the winner. Fans can vote by dropping a dollar into a bucket next to each artist’s tattoo display, with all proceeds going to Veterans Inc.
“Between what the judges decide and the money raised, we’ll announce the winner on Sunday and hand out the championship belt,” Harrell said. “It’s going to add a sporting element that I think people are going to love.”
Advice for First-Time Attendees
For those attending the convention for the first time, Harrell offers some practical advice to make the most of the experience.
“Definitely come early and take your time walking through the booths,” Harrell said. “We have tattoo artists from all over the country, and you can sit down and talk to them about their work. If you’re thinking about getting a tattoo, this is the place to see different styles and find an artist who fits your vibe.”
Harrell also encourages first-time attendees to explore the different events.
“Don’t just stick to the tattoo side of things,” he said. “Check out the pin-up contest, watch the weightlifting competition, and definitely catch some of the wrestling. It’s all part of the atmosphere, and you get a real feel for the culture.”
A Community Experience
Harrell emphasized that the All-American Tattoo Convention isn’t just about tattoos — it’s about building a sense of community.
“People come back every year because they feel connected here,” he said. “Whether they’re military or civilians, everyone gets welcomed into the culture. It’s more than just a convention — it’s a celebration of art, strength, and tradition.”
Tickets for the All-American Tattoo Convention are available online and at the door. Weekend passes and single-day tickets are available, with discounts for active-duty military and veterans. More information can be found on the convention’s official website at https://allamericantattooconvention.com/#