Written by:
Marcia Middleton
SDCC dates: July 23-26, 2026, Preview Night: July 22, 2026
RETURNING REGISTRATION (already completed):
Saturday, October 4, 2026 is RETURNING REGISTRATION, which is only for those who had a paid badge for the 2024 event.
OPEN REGISTRATION:
Saturday, November 15 is OPEN REGISTRATION. Anyone with a CCI Member ID, can try their hand and luck. Forming a group with trusted friends can greatly increase your chances.
Get your Member ID NOW, and make sure you follow ALL of the latest policies.
Overall procedure – Before the sale begins, people enter the ‘waiting room’. Once the sale starts, random sorting takes place, and gradually folk are selected for buying sessions. Badges will sell out quickly, with Preview night selling out first, followed by Saturday.
MORE WAYS TO GET YOUR BADGE:
Also- If you happen to get only a few days that you wanted, there are ways to fill in those days!
VOLUNTEER:
For every shift, volunteers get a badge for that day. If you can score a pre-conference shift, you get to choose any day as your “free” day. Preview night cannot be selected as your free day.
Volunteering is a great way to meet others, and contribute to the show! Some volunteer activities have included- putting together the bags for attendees, directing traffic, helping guests at panel rooms, etc.
How do you become a volunteer? Watch the SDCC website for deadlines and details.
WORK FOR A VENDOR:
Vendors sometimes need extra help during the event, and offer a badge in return. Watch forums, social media and your fave vendors for news.
BE ON A FAN PANEL:
Organizers of fan panels get badges for their panelists. SDCC has lots of fan panels, which is one of the things I really adore about this event.
Make your plans now and…GOOD LUCK!
LINKS:
General San Diego Comic Con area of the Comic Con International Website:
https://www.comic-con.org/cc
Member ID:
https://comic-con.configio.com/
Volunteer info:
https://www.comic-con.org/cc/volunteer/
Toucan Blog news (latest updates):
https://www.comic-con.org/toucan/
