Comic-Con International: San Diego 2020 Cancelled

In a statement posted to the Comic-Con International website Friday morning, the organizers of the annual San Diego comic convention announced the sad, but necessary news: “there will be no Comic-Con in 2020.”
In lieu of postponing the event, CCI announced it will return for in 2021 from July 22nd to the 25th of that year. The organization has also decided to cancel WonderCon Anaheim 2020, which it originally postponed to later this year. WonderCon Anaheim 2021 will occur from March 26-28, 2021.
The move is the first time San Diego Comic-Con has been cancelled in its 50-year history, but as CCI itself said in the statement, “the current situation requires exceptional measures.”
“Recognizing that countless attendees save and plan for its conventions each year, and how many exhibitors and stakeholders rely upon its events for a major portion of their livelihood, they had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer,” the statement continued. “Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the Governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year.”
California governor Gavin Newsom said on Tuesday that large events set to occur during the summer would be “unlikely.” Additionally, he said, “The prospect of mass gatherings is negligible at best until we get to herd immunity and we get to a vaccine.”
For those with SDCC 2020 badges, there is some good news. They have the option to request a refund or transfer their badges to Comic-Con 2021. As CCI states, “All 2020 badge holders will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to request a refund. Exhibitors for Comic-Con 2020 will also have the option to request a refund or transfer their payments to Comic-Con 2021 and will also receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to process their request.”
Hotel reservations and deposits through the OnPeak reservation system will be cancelled in the coming days with deposits refunded in full. Emails will be sent out when the process is completed.
“While we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” CCI spokesman David Glanzer added. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”