Comic-Con International returns to San Diego this week with five jam-packed days of panels, activities, celebrity appearances, educational seminars and workshops and other pop culture and comic book-related fun.
With just one year remaining on their convention center contract, Comic-Con organizers have agreed to stay in San Diego through 2026 but are raising concerns that rising hotel prices and too few affordable rooms could stymie plans to remain here for years to come.
We’ve has been covering the local event for years, as have our colleagues at the San Diego Union-Tribune who compiled this report, bringing inside knowledge and up-close looks at the colorful convention to readers. Here’s all our coverage so far, with more updates coming throughout the week.
The Wednesday schedule is typically fairly light with a few events. The main draw is seeing the convention floor without it being so packed that you can’t walk as easily between the booths and exhibits.
Read more here: Here’s your Wednesday schedule
The first official day of Comic-Con International starts on Thursday with “Thor” star Chris Hemsworth and several popular TV shows.
Hemsworth will be in Hall H to promote his latest movie, “Transformers One,” which is an animated feature from Paramount. Popular shows, with their casts, are also scheduled for Hall H: “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX) and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” (Disney+).
Other events sure to gather interest are actor Dave Bautista discussing his new graphic novel, comic book legend Todd McFarlane giving a “Spawn” movie update and two Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles panels.
Read more here: Here’s your Thursday schedule
Comic-Con International’s first big day Friday will feature the cast of Amazon Prime’s wildly popular superhero spoof, “The Boys,” and a packed day in Hall H.
Likely to be the most sought-after event of the day, “The Boys” cast and executive producer will take over Hall H shortly after its season finale. Other big franchises showing up will be “Doctor Who,” “The Walking Dead,” which has two panels, and “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.”
Another big draw is likely to be the latest “Alien” film from 20th Century Fox. The seventh film in the science fiction franchise, “Alien: Romulus,” will bring to Hall H some of Hollywood’s youngest and biggest up-and-coming stars: Isabela Merced, Cailee Spaeny and Archie Renaux.
Read more here: Here’s your Friday schedule
Comic-Con International’s biggest day, Saturday will live up to its reputation with the return of Marvel Studios.
Marvel, the producer of Avengers, Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy, will be back after missing last year due to the actor and writer strikes. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is known for making big announcements at the convention and bringing out tons of movie stars.
Other big draws including the new Batman show, “Penguin,” on HBO and starring Colin Farrell; Paramount+ with several of its Star Trek shows; the cast of “My Adventures with Superman”; and Apple TV+’s “Silo.”
Read more here: Here’s your Saturday schedule
The final day of Comic-Con International on Sunday will feature activities for younger attendees and the animated “X-Men ’97” show will get two panels.
The Marvel show is a reboot of the “X-Men: The Animated Series” from the 1990s and turned into a big hit for Disney+ in terms of viewership and critical acclaim. The two panels will feature the large voice cast and the people behind the scenes who put the show together.
Read more here: Here’s your Sunday schedule
San Diego Comic-Con International will be a star-studded affair again after a year with no actors. The biggest pop culture film outfit of them all — Marvel Studios — will be on hand and some of the world’s biggest movie stars, like Ryan Reynolds, are confirmed to attend.
It was only 12 months ago when one publication declared “Comic-Con 2023 in shambles” as a writer and actor strike resulted in all major studios pausing plans. It wasn’t a disaster: The event still sold out, hotel owners didn’t report cancellations and free outside attractions were bigger than ever. Still, the San Diego Convention Center’s 135,000 attendees are likely more excited this year with the biggest franchises, from “Star Trek” to “The Walking Dead.”
Read more here: San Diego Comic-Con to have major star power this year
Stars of some of the biggest TV shows and films will arrive in San Diego this month for the annual return of Comic-Con International. The list includes names such as Jason Derulo, Chris Hemsworth, Keegan-Michael Key, Ronda Rousey and Bella Thorne.
Read more here: TV, movie stars and other celebrities to expect in San Diego for Comic-Con
While badges for access to the convention center are usually sold out way in advance, locals and visitors to San Diego can still enjoy the Comic-Con spirit at pop-up events and experiences around the Gaslamp Quarter. These include comedy shows, a fashion show, parties, interactive tours, giveaways, trivia and other typically family-friendly activities.
Read more here: Things to do outside Comic-Con without a badge
The downtown area has also been taken over by massive advertisements, providing colorful visuals for anyone walking around during Comic-Con to do some people-watching.
Downtown San Diego has become a canvas for the latest TV shows and video games with wraps attached to more than 30 buildings.
Set to be completed before San Diego Comic-Con International kicks off Wednesday night, the advertisements are for everything from the “Lord of the Rings” show to the “The Walking Dead” franchise.
One of the biggest advertisements is on a new three-sided digital billboard outside the Gaslamp Quarter trolley station that will play advertisements for the new Peacock show “Those About to Die” and the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Read more here: A lot more illegal building wraps in downtown San Diego this year
The weather will be hot and sticky Wednesday when Comic-Con gets under way in downtown San Diego. But temperatures will become cooler going into the weekend, and a soothing sea breeze is likely to kick in, the National Weather Service says.
Read more here: Hot weather will greet the 130,000 people at Comic-Con this week in San Diego
For badge holders who will trek to the convention center and attend panels, our A to Z guide of things to expect includes highlights such as Artists’ Alley, a film festival, a masquerade, a Spongebob celebration and author events and signings.
Read more here: 26 things you need to know about Comic-Con 2024
Here are several more tips and tricks when it comes to resting areas, food and drink specials, parking and transportation options.
Free shuttles: All Comic-Con badge holders can ride any of the six shuttle bus routes for free to and from the convention center and numerous locations throughout San Diego, including hotels near the airport and in Mission Valley.
Take a break: Hotels also have areas to sit down, catch your breath and break away from the convention center. Visits to Comic-Con may find space in lobbies and hallways of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Manchester Grand Hyatt, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina and Omni Hotel San Diego.
