San Diego Convention Center

Comic-Con International: San Diego is a multi-genre comic arts and entertainment convention held every year in San Diego, California.¹ Guinness World Records called it the largest convention of its kind in the world.²

Genres span gaming, anime, film, comics, television, collectible card games, and almost every genre in entertainment and pop culture.¹ It's also home to the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, often called the "Oscars" of the comic industry.³

The event runs for four days in late July and includes a Preview Night on Wednesday evening for badge holders.⁴

Score your San Diego Comic-Con tickets at AXS and gear up for the world's biggest celebration of comics, film, and pop culture.

At San Diego Comic-Con, attendees can expect celebrity appearances, independent film screenings, presentations, and panels across multiple venues within the San Diego Convention Center. They'll also see gaming demos and a Will Eisner Comic Industry Award ceremony.³

Certain areas feature major film studios, television networks, and streaming platforms where people can see exclusive first looks. Fans may also expect presentations from studios like Lucasfilm/Star Wars, Marvel Studios, Amazon, HBO, and more.⁶

The full programming schedule for each year is typically announced in phases leading up to Comic-Con, with the final lineup confirmed in June or July.⁷

Comic-Con International: San Diego is in the San Diego Convention Center, located at 111 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101.⁴ The 2026 event dates are Wednesday, July 22 - Sunday, July 26, 2026. Preview Night is Wednesday, July 22.⁵

The typical schedule for Exhibit Hall hours other than Preview Night is Thursday through Saturday ~9:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday ~9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.⁴ Refer to your tickets for the most up-to-date timing information. San Diego Comic-Con programming also extends to nearby hotels such as the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Marriott Marquis, Manchester Grand Hyatt, and outdoor spaces.^1,4

San Diego comics fans Shel Dorf, Richard Alf, Mike Towry, and Ken Krueger founded San Diego Comic-Con in 1970.¹ It started as a one-day event on March 21, 1970, but steadily grew over the years. Featured guests at the inaugural event included Jack Kirby and Ray Bradbury.⁸

Over time, as it grew, the convention moved to the San Diego Convention Center to accommodate larger crowds. Since 2010, the number of attendees has surpassed 130,000.¹

Knowing San Diego Comic-Con's venue policies will make the event more enjoyable and run more smoothly.

• Re-Entry & Smoking: Each badge includes an RFID tag — scan it at entry points to get in. Attendees can re-enter on the same day with a valid badge scan. The San Diego Convention Center is a non-smoking facility per California state law.^9,10
• Payment Options: Concessions and merchandise vendors within the Exhibit Hall accept cash and cards; policies vary by individual exhibitor. The convention center itself supports standard payment methods.
• Prohibited Items: Functioning weapons of any kind, drones, helium balloons, fireworks, handcarts, rolling luggage, selfie sticks, e-cigarettes/vaping devices, and pets (excluding service animals) are not permitted. Security may conduct bag searches and use metal detectors at entry points. Refer to the policy page for the most current guidance.
• Costume Props: All costume props and weapons must be inspected and tagged daily at designated Costume Props Desks. Realistic cosplay of first responders or security personnel is not permitted. Attendees must disable all projectile props before entering.
• Age Restrictions: San Diego Comic-Con is a family-friendly event open to all ages. Everyone, including children, must have a valid badge for entry.

For the most up-to-date guidance on regulations, bag policies, and entry requirements, visit the San Diego Comic-Con's policies page.