Yes, my friends…we're "only" 275 days from next year's Comic-Con International in San Diego, so this is traditionally when I finally unpack from the previous Comic-Con International in San Diego. It will take place, like it says above, July 23-26 of 2026 and there's a Preview Night on July 22. Preview Night is a fine time to get access to the Exhibit Hall full of merchants and to spend all the money you planned to spend over the full length of the con and then not have any funds left to eat for the rest of the event.
We recently had the Returning Registration sale in which folks who had paid admissions to the last con had the chance — and chance it was — to maybe purchase badges for the next one. I dunno how many tickets were available but they were all gone in a little under 90 minutes. Next up is Open Registration when anyone who wants to take a stab at it can get into the online lottery to buy badges. That takes place this year on November 15 and if you're thinking of trying, I highly suggest you study this page well in advance.
There are other ways to score badges. There are press and professional badges. There's a program where you volunteer to do some work for the con and earn a badge. Info on that program is here. You can also spend the bucks to become a Legend Member of the Comic-Con Museum and that comes with a badge, though it's a little pricey. There are a few others. (One I don't recommend is buying your badge from some online ticket resale deal offer. Among other problems with that is that the badge you buy may turn out to be bogus.)
To answer my most-asked questions about the convention: I expect to be there — I haven't missed one yet — and I don't know if my B.F.F. and collaborator Sergio Aragonés will be present. Also, I intend to break my previous record of panel-hosting by, at the 2026 con, hosting all the panels — every single one of them. Even if there are thirty panels happening simultaneously, as there will be, I will find a way to host every one of them. Also, to dispense with another oft-asked question: I have no idea how or when you'll be able to secure a hotel room and/or parking space and what you should do if/when you can't.
I will also be present for and hosting panels at WonderCon Anaheim, which takes place March 27-29 next year. Tickets for this con, which is run by the same fine folks who run Comic-Con in San Diego, are not as difficult to get. Matter of fact, you can get yours right this very nanosecond by going to this page. WonderCon is not as big or as overwhelming as its San Diego counterpart but some people like their cons to be a bit smaller and more manageable. I always enjoy both these conventions and hope to see you at one or both.