News Summary
San Diego is set to host the Open Registration for Comic-Con 2026 on November 15. This highly anticipated event will feature a competitive badge sale for eager attendees. A live podcast will aid in preparation, while a virtual waiting room opens at 7:30 am PT. Badge prices range from $64 to $361, allowing children under 12 to attend free. International participants have flexible options for badge collection. All interested individuals must ensure their Comic-Con Member ID is accurate ahead of the sale.
San Diego will host the Open Registration for the 2026 San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) on Saturday, November 15, starting at 9 am PT. This event marks what is anticipated to be the largest and possibly final badge sale for the upcoming convention. Due to the high demand and a larger pool of interested attendees, Open Registration is generally more competitive than Returning Registration.
Every year, thousands of fans successfully secure their badges, highlighting the importance of preparation for participants. A live podcast will precede the event, beginning at 8:30 am PT, offering essential coverage and information to help attendees navigate the registration process.
To participate in Open Registration, attendees must possess a valid Comic-Con Member ID. It is still possible to create new Member IDs prior to the sale. It’s crucial for attendees to ensure that their last names are spelled correctly and formatted with any suffixes, as inaccuracies can prevent successful badge purchases.
Badge prices for the 2026 convention are set at $85 for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, $64 for Sunday, and a total of $361 for a four-day badge that includes Preview Night. Additionally, a $15 handling fee will be applied per transaction, and badges will be mailed to the address associated with the Member ID. International attendees have the option to use a friend’s U.S. address or to pick up their badges on-site, which allows for greater flexibility for international visitors.
The virtual waiting room for badge sales will open at 7:30 am PT, an hour and a half before the official sale begins. Participants aiming to purchase badges are advised to utilize separate web browsers if multiple family members are accessing the registration from the same device. Entering the waiting room after 9 am may result in being placed at the end of the queue, as the QueueIt system will randomize participant positions shortly after the sale commences.
Those waiting in the queue may receive a status bar labeled “walking Toucan” that indicates their progress. Each transaction will require attendees to log in to complete their badge purchase, and they are allowed to register themselves along with two additional people. To safeguard against fraud, sharing links while in the waiting room is strongly discouraged. If a participant becomes disconnected, they can log back into their Member ID and return to the queue.
Accepted payment methods for badge purchases will include Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Attendees will have two options for settling payment: either the original purchaser may handle it or they can quickly pay their share if their transaction concludes shortly after the sale.
Children aged 12 and under can attend Comic-Con for free, allowing adults to register up to two children with their badges. Additionally, adults can volunteer for free entry to Comic-Con by fulfilling work shifts during the event. Exhibitors will be required to purchase space to obtain exhibitor badges, while qualifying media outlets can apply for press badges.
Applications for volunteer opportunities typically open in the fall. Individuals interested in applying for press badges or volunteer positions are encouraged to visit the official Comic-Con website for further details and instructions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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San Diego Weekend Events Guide: Activities for All Ages
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Returning Registration Details
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Exploring San Diego’s Underground Art Scene
Revamped San Diego Comic-Con to Feature New Attractions
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Reveals Swag and Giveaways Schedule
Shipping Begins for San Diego Comic-Con Badges
Additional Resources
- SDCC Blog
- The Pop Insider
- The Popverse
- USA Today
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Wikipedia: San Diego Comic-Con
- Google Search: San Diego Comic-Con 2026
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego Comic-Con
- Google News: San Diego Comic-Con 2026
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
