So You Want to Go to Comic-Con

If you’ve lived in San Diego for any length of time, you probably know a little bit about San Diego Comic-Con. What started as a basement full of people buying comic books and sci-fi novels has become a sprawling festival of comics, fantastic costumes, Hollywood marketing, parties, panels, collectibles, and crowds. If you’ve ever wondered how you can participate in this madcap event, read on.

As Comic-Con’s fame has increased, so has its popularity, making it pretty difficult to get tickets. Once upon a time, you could stroll up to the front door any day of the convention and pay your way in. Now, there is a tense online process in which all the badges sell out within hours. With few exceptions (eBay auctions, contests), it is too late to get a badge for July 2024, but you can prepare for next year. And even if you can’t make it into the exhibit hall, there are lots of ways to have a good Comic-Con time.

If you’re determined to get inside, badges usually go on sale months in advance. So around November 2024, you can get passes for July 2025. You’ll need to make a free account with Comic-Con at www.comic-con.org and keep an eye out for announcements of the day ticket sales begin. After that, you’ll log in, enter a virtual waiting room, and hope that your number gets called for an opportunity to give Comic-Con your money.

If you aren’t that lucky and can’t get a paid pass, there are a few alternatives to buying your ticket, that also require advance planning.  First, is to apply for “Professional Registration.” If you are involved in creating pop culture or entertainment (e.g. comic book artist, video game designer, etc.) or if you are considered an educator (e.g. teachers and librarians) you can apply for Professional status. If approved, you get a free pass for the entire convention, and this status lasts for several years! In addition, this status sometimes allows you free guests or the opportunity to buy additional badges without worry. Application info is here and is usually due in September for the following summer.

You can also apply to volunteer at Comic-Con. You will have to work at the convention for a certain amount of time, but then you will be able to freely move about the show. This is also a competitive process, since so many people want to be involved. Information about volunteering is here.

And if you haven’t secured a badge for this year, there is still plenty that you can do outside of the Convention Center, and a lot of it is free! All of downtown San Diego mutates into a miniature amusement park for the week. There will be huge installations for upcoming TV shows, restaurants turned into magical events, food trucks, carnival games, movie screenings, and thousands of people wandering the streets in elaborate costumes. Some of this stuff  is very obvious as you walk by, and some are special events that require you to follow the right social media accounts to get the news and invites. Two excellent places with all the news for Comic-Con visitors are The San Diego Comic-Con Unofficial Blog and Outside Comic Con. These sites have all kinds of updates, event announcements, and advice for how to have a good time during the convention.

If you’ve never been, I would strongly encourage you to come visit downtown San Diego during Comic–Con, July 25-28, to see all the weird spectacle and enjoy a good time. Capes and masks are optional.