For the first time in its 50-year history San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC), the organizers behind the annual pop culture celebration, announced today with deep regret that there will be no Comic-Con in 2020. The event will instead return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-25, 2021.
Recognizing that countless attendees save and plan for its conventions each year, and how many exhibitors and stakeholders rely upon its events for a major portion of their livelihood, they had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer. Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the Governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year.
Similarly, WonderCon Anaheim, which was to have been held April 10-12, 2020 will return to the Anaheim Convention Center from March 26-28, 2021.
In addition to their conventions, Comic-Con has been planning a major renovation of Balboa Park’s Federal Building to be completed for the grand opening of the Comic-Con Museum in the summer of 2021. However, the COVID-19 situation has had an effect on those efforts as well. As such, they will be rephasing the Museum’s initially planned major renovations, but will not scale back the experience to be offered to visitors upon the Museum’s grand opening. They anticipate releasing building plans illustrating the Museum’s transformation and sharing more information about those efforts in the coming months.
SDCC also announced that individuals who purchased badges for Comic-Con 2020 will have the option to request a refund or transfer their badges to Comic-Con 2021. All 2020 badge holders will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to request a refund. Exhibitors for Comic-Con 2020 will also have the option to request a refund or transfer their payments to Comic-Con 2021 and will also receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to process their request.
In the next few days onPeak, Comic-Con’s official hotel affiliate, will be canceling all hotel reservations and refunding all deposits made through them. There is no need for anyone who booked through onPeak to take any action, including trying to cancel their reservations online or contacting the company via phone as the process will be handled automatically. Those who booked rooms through onPeak will be notified when refunds have been completed.
“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” said David Glanzer, spokesperson for the organization. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”
As all have already stated, this was pretty much expected at this point. It is absolutely insane how much of impact COVID-19 is having on the world. Hopefully the physical distancing, shelter in place, and other mitigationswill be successful in reducing the spread and ensure the resources are available to develop better treatment. Until then, I wish the best of luck to everyone. Stay safe and healthy.
4 minutes ago, FigureKingdom said:I expected this and saw this coming, but hoped this wouldn't be the case. One of the highlights of the year for many of us was this event. Just sets up a more epic and bigger Comic-Con next year!
It's also gonna be way harder to get tickets next year.
I expected this and saw this coming, but hoped this wouldn't be the case. One of the highlights of the year for many of us was this event. Just sets up a more epic and bigger Comic-Con next year!
23 minutes ago, Nosferatuman62172 said:That's what I was thinking. They could could have reveals online.
Most definitely. I can see a version of what Hasbro did from Toyfair but with team members from Marvel, Star Wars, and Transformers showing stuff off from their home offices. The same with Mattel, McFarlane, Mezco, DC Direct, Sideshow, etc.
19 minutes ago, JayC said:Im sure companies will still make reveals during the year, it will just be online only. Same with exclusives. My guess most will opt to sell any exclusives they had ready for the show online.
That's what I was thinking. They could could have reveals online.
45 minutes ago, Robpozeart said:Hopefully there's some components that will remain but virtually like the reveal and availability of pre-produced figures or figures previously announced but slated for pre-order or release around SDCC. Here's hoping those Marvel Legends Deadpool wave figures! and the Mando go up!
Im sure companies will still make reveals during the year, it will just be online only. Same with exclusives. My guess most will opt to sell any exclusives they had ready for the show online.
Hopefully there's some components that will remain but virtually like the reveal and availability of pre-produced figures or figures previously announced but slated for pre-order or release around SDCC. Here's hoping those Marvel Legends Deadpool wave figures! and the Mando go up!
UPDATE: Comic-Con has issued a full official statement stating Badge-holders will receive an e-mail in the coming week with instructions on how to either request a refund for their 2020 badge, or to transfer their badge to Comic-Con 2021. For anyone who had purchased an Early Bird hotel through onPeak, hotel reservations will be cancelled and refunded, despite being non-refundable when booked.Here is the full official statement:For the first time in its 50-year history San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC), the organizers behind the annual pop culture celebration, announced today with deep regret that there will be no Comic-Con in 2020. The event will instead return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-25, 2021.Recognizing that countless attendees save and plan for its conventions each year, and how many exhibitors and stakeholders rely upon its events for a major portion of their livelihood, they had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer. Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the Governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year.Similarly, WonderCon Anaheim, which was to have been held April 10-12, 2020 will return to the Anaheim Convention Center from March 26-28, 2021.In addition to their conventions, Comic-Con has been planning a major renovation of Balboa Parks Federal Building to be completed for the grand opening of the Comic-Con Museum in the summer of 2021. However, the COVID-19 situation has had an effect on those efforts as well. As such, they will be rephasing the Museums initially planned major renovations, but will not scale back the experience to be offered to visitors upon the Museums grand opening. They anticipate releasing building plans illustrating the Museums transformation and sharing more information about those efforts in the coming months.SDCC also announced that individuals who purchased badges for Comic-Con 2020 will have the option to request a refund or transfer their badges to Comic-Con 2021. All 2020 badge holders will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to request a refund. Exhibitors for Comic-Con 2020 will also have the option to request a refund or transfer their payments to Comic-Con 2021 and will also receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to process their request.In the next few days onPeak, Comic-Cons official hotel affiliate, will be canceling all hotel reservations and refunding all deposits made through them. There is no need for anyone who booked through onPeak to take any action, including trying to cancel their reservations online or contacting the company via phone as the process will be handled automatically. Those who booked rooms through onPeak will be notified when refunds have been completed.Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision, said David Glanzer, spokesperson for the organization. We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.
