Pop-culture fans start planning, Comic-Con 2026 badges go on sale Oct. 4

It’s been a little over two months since Comic-Con took over San Diego, but fans are already planning for the 2026 edition.

Badge sales for returning attendees go on sale Saturday, Oct. 4 for Comic-Con 2026, which will take place at the San Diego Convention Center and neighboring hotels July 23 to July 26, with a preview night on July 22.

Comic-Con announced it would be held locally through 2027 and each year it gets harder to obtain a badge, including last year when an “unforeseen anomaly” occurred with its registration system. Four weeks later, a new open registration date was set for Nov. 23 and badges sold out.

For those wanting to attend Comic-Con in 2026, here are some ways to do so with key dates and deadlines to watch out for.

Returning attendees

For those who have previously attended Comic-Con as a regular attendee, they can purchase badges on Saturday, Oct. 4. Returning attendees will need to access their Comic-Con member ID to purchase badges via credit or debit card. The public can start waiting in the online waiting room starting at 7:30 a.m. Sales start at 9 a.m. Professionals, exhibitors, volunteers, retailers, staff, first-time attendees and press cannot purchase tickets on returning registration day. Badge prices range from $64 to $85 per day for adults and $32 to $43 for teenagers, seniors and active duty military.

First-time attendees

Nov. 15 is the day to put on alert on the calendar for first-time attendees. This is the day badges go on sale for those individuals. To obtain a regular attendee Comic-Con badge, first-timers must first create a member ID. After that, the individual becomes eligible to purchase single-day or multiple-day passes.

Kids Badges

Children ages 12 years and under can get into Comic-Con for free. Adult badge holders can register up to two children during Comic-Con. Adults will be required to provide emergency contact information for any child registered, and kids must be present to get their badge.

Volunteers

Adults can enter Comic-Con for free by becoming a volunteer. Each year, Comic-Con brings on hundreds of volunteers to help with various tasks. Volunteers are assigned three-hour shifts in exchange for a badge to enter the convention. The public can volunteer on any or all of the days. To apply to be a volunteer, a person must have a Comic-Con Member ID. For first-time volunteer opportunities, individuals must sign up to be on the daily interest list, which usually opens up in the fall. Returning volunteers will receive an email on how to register again in 2026. For more information on the volunteer program, visit comic-con.org/cc/volunteer.

Exhibitor

Exhibitor badges are only available to those who purchase space as a booth, dealer table or small press table inside Comic-Con. Exhibitors sell everything from comic books to original art and movie props, and there’s still time for them to sign up for the next convention. Exhibitors must submit a seller’s permit form and payment in full to view their allotted exhibitor badge. For more information on pricing and available exhibitor space, contact exhibitsales@comic-con.org.

Press

Print media, television, radio, digital media, podcasters and bloggers can all apply for a press badge. Comic-Con takes applications from a wide variety of press outlets, including animation, comic books, book publishing, film, gaming and other “popular arts-related industries.” Comic-Con requires applicants to show previous Comic-Con coverage or provide an assignment letter from the outlet they wish to represent. To apply for a press badge, go to comic-con.org/cc/industry/press.

Museum member

For $1,900, an individual can become a Comic-Con Museum legend member, which includes a four-day plus preview night Comic-Con badge. To purchase this membership, go to comic-con.org/museum/join.