San Diego Comic-Con Officially Canceled For First Time in Convention’s History

For the first time in 50 years, there will not be a San Diego Comic-Con this year. Comic-Con International has announced that the yearly convention, which was scheduled to take place from July 23-26, has been canceled per THR.

“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” says Comic-Con spokesperson David Glanzer. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”

The convention will return in 2021 from July 22nd through the 25th, and people who bought badges for 2020 can either request a refund or transfer their badges to be good for next year’s SDCC. People who booked hotels for the con via onPeak will automatically receive refunds without the need to do anything.

The convention began back in 1970 and has become one the premiere pop culture event of the year, with studios and comic book companies alike coming to show off its wares, particularly in the fabled “Hall H” panels.

The cancellation comes as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with California Governor Gavin Newsom recommending that gatherings of 250 people or more be canceled or postponed to prevent the disease’s spread.