Comic-Con 2026: Everything you need to know about the San Diego convention

Comic-Con International is one of the biggest pop-culture events in the world, taking over the San Diego Convention Center from July 22-26.

Not everyone is lucky enough to score badges, and even those who attend can’t always get into the major panels if they’re not willing to camp out overnight. The news that comes from the annual convention will make waves in the entertainment industry for the year to come.

Hall H — the largest room at the convention center, which can hold up to 6,500 people — will host the star-studded panels, including the return of Marvel Studios this year. The massive hall, along with Ballroom 20, will also see film and TV panels from A24, Amazon, Apple, Disney, DreamWorks, HBO, NEON, Paramount and more.

Marvel generally releases little about what fans can expect from its Saturday, July 25, panel besides the fact that president Kevin Feige will welcome guests from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe. More than likely, fans will get a first look at “Avengers: Doomsday” along with other upcoming releases and potentially a few surprise announcements.

Playing on the nostalgia that never ends at Comic-Con, there will also be several anniversaries celebrated, including “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Aliens,” “My Hero Academia,” “Grimm,” Archie Comics, “Dark Shadows,” “Metalocaypse,” “Jericho” and “Castle in the Sky.”

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which is scheduled to open Sept. 22 in Los Angeles, will head back to Hall H on Thursday to give a sneak peek into the new museum. Last year’s panel brought George Lucas and Guillermo del Toro to the stage.

Comic-Con 2026: Things to do without a badge outside the San Diego convention

“The art of visual storytelling is celebrated with an exclusive sneak peek inside the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, featuring the museum’s senior curator and head of film programs Ryan Linkof, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios’ Seth Green and Matthew Senreich, and DC president, publisher, and CCO Jim Lee,” according to the Comic-Con programming schedule. “The panelists offer a first look at upcoming museum content and film programming, an exploration of narrative art, and the unexpected detours that have inspired George Lucas and generations of artists.”

Several comics, books, collectibles and video games panels will also take place over the four-day convention. Besides the panels, attendees will have access to the exhibit hall floor filled with vendors with every type of merchandise you can think of. Plus, fans will be able to take part in activations throughout nearby hotels and the Gaslamp District. Some of which are open to the public and not just Comic-Con badgeholders.

Day-to-day breakdown

• Wednesday, Preview Night schedule
• Thursday panels
• Friday panels
• Saturday panels
• Sunday panels
• Full programming schedule 

If you go

• What: Comic-Con International
• When: Wednesday, July 22 through Sunday, July 26
• Where: San Diego Convention Center, 111 Harbor Dr. and surrounding areas
• More information: www.comic-con.org

Hoping to attend Comic-Con in San Diego? Here’s what to know about getting a badge.