Shortly after postponing its 2020 convention due to the recent pandemic, San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) teased a virtual version of the event with a video announcing “Coming soon… Free parking, comfy chairs, personalized snacks, no lines, pets welcome, badges for all, and a front-row seat to… Comic-Con at Home.” Two months after the teaser came out and SDCC has officially announced that the 2020 convention will be held online for the first time in its 50-year history, giving fans the chance to experience it from the safety and comfort of their homes.
Aptly titled “Comic-Con@Home,” the event is set to take place on July 22 to 26, 2020 (the original dates for the previously postponed Comic-Con). And the best news is the event will be free and will not have an attendance limit! With overcrowding and long lines being a serious challenge for attendees of the usual comic book convention, this year’s Comic-Con will hopefully prove to be more accessible for the general public.
“With Comic-Con@Home, SDCC hopes to deliver the best of the Comic-Con experience and a sense of its community to anyone with an Internet connection and an interest in all aspects of pop culture,” said SDCC in a recent statement.
Plans for the event include an online exhibit hall, panels and presentations about comics, gaming, television, film and all things pop culture. Although the program and details are yet to be revealed, it has been announced that SDCC will offer promotions and limited-edition products unique to the virtual experience. There will also be a wide variety of activities for fans to explore, including badges provided by SDCC that attendees can print and wear during the online festivities.
“We are happy to welcome virtually anyone from around the globe,” said SDCC spokesperson David Glanzer. “Though stay-at-home conditions makes this a very difficult time, we see this as an opportunity to spread some joy and strengthen our sense of community.”
Don’t miss out on the biggest pop culture event of the year! For updates on Comic-Con@Home, visit www.comic-con.org/toucan or check out the official hashtag #ComicConAtHome for any social media announcements.