The world’s most influential pop-culture convention returns to San Diego for its annual five-day takeover.
Event Details
- Dates: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 (Preview Night) – Sunday, July 26, 2026
- Venue: San Diego Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
- Type: In-person convention
- Official site: comic-con.org
About the Show
Founded in 1970 as the Golden State Comic-Con, San Diego Comic-Con International (SDCC) has grown into the most-watched pop culture event on the global calendar, drawing more than 135,000 attendees annually and an order of magnitude more livestream viewers for its blockbuster Hall H panels. While the show remains rooted in comic books — with thousands of dealer booths, original art, and Golden Age key issues changing hands — its center of gravity has expanded to include film, television, gaming, anime, and high-end collectibles.
For Comics & Collectibles Hunters
Beyond the spectacle, SDCC is one of the year’s premier marketplaces for vintage comics. The CGC and CBCS grading services operate on-site, and dealers including Heritage Auctions, ComicConnect, Metropolis Collectibles, and Mile High Comics typically bring six-figure raw and slabbed inventory. Exclusive convention variants from Marvel, DC, Image, and indie publishers debut on Wednesday’s Preview Night and tend to sell out within hours.
Badges
SDCC badges are notoriously difficult to acquire. Returning Registration runs each spring, followed by Open Registration via a randomized waiting room. Single-day badges, four-day badges, and Preview Night access tier separately. Visit the official site for the latest registration schedule.
Pro Tips
- Hall H lines for Saturday’s biggest film panels can begin Friday afternoon — research the panel queue policy before arriving.
- Off-site activations across the Gaslamp Quarter are free and often as memorable as the convention floor.
- For collectors, the Sails Pavilion autograph area runs daily ticket lotteries; pick up a printout each morning.
Always confirm dates, badge availability, and panel schedules via the official Comic-Con International site.