Opening of the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con International
City leaders officially launched the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center, marking the start of five days filled with comics, games, movies, and art. This year’s event will continue to showcase many of the major names that have made Comic-Con a global phenomenon, though it will not feature some of the high-profile panels typically organized by Marvel Studios.
Mayor Todd Gloria was joined by City Councilman Stephen Whitburn, Convention Center President and CEO Rip Rippetoe, San Diego Tourism Authority President and CEO Daniel Kuperschmid, and Comic-Con’s David Glanzer during the Preview Night. The event also included Diego, the “first dog” of San Diego, who appeared in costume to help kick off the annual convention.
“Comic-Con is San Diego’s annual blockbuster — filled with action, imagination, and a massive supporting cast,” Gloria said. “I love the costumes, the creativity, and the cultural energy it brings — along with the tax dollars that come in when visitors enjoy themselves in our city. When out-of-towners dine, shop and stay in hotels, San Diegans get smoother roads, better parks, and improved city services. That’s a Hollywood ending for everyone.”
The 2025 edition of Comic-Con is expected to draw tens of thousands of attendees over its duration, generating a regional economic impact of more than $160 million. According to the mayor’s office, attendees alone are projected to spend $96.8 million directly during the event.
“San Diegans can be proud that this world-class event is again drawing visitors from around the globe to our city,” said Whitburn, who represents downtown. “This international celebration of creativity, storytelling, and community puts San Diego on the world stage and boosts our economy to the benefit of every city resident.”
Continued Partnership and Economic Impact
Event organizers have agreed to keep Comic-Con in San Diego through 2027. Since its inception in 1970, the convention has been held nearly every year in the city. In 2022, Comic-Con welcomed over 135,000 attendees and generated $3 million in hotel and sales tax revenue for the city, according to city documents.
“We’re deeply grateful to Comic-Con for continuing to call San Diego home,” said Rip Rippetoe, president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center. “As our largest convention of the year, Comic-Con draws more than 135,000 attendees, welcomes media from over 20 countries, and generates economic activity for businesses and attractions across our region. Beyond the numbers, it’s a beloved tradition that brings people together and connects our city to the world.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, the convention was closed for two years, and Comic-Con International received more than $2.5 million in Payment Protection Plan loans, all of which have since been forgiven.
A Global Celebration of Pop Culture
Comic-Con is the largest comic book and popular-arts convention in the world, featuring more than 460,000 square feet of exhibit floor space and over 1,000 exhibitors each year. Additionally, more than 2,000 hours of panels, workshops, and events are part of the convention, along with dozens of activities and pop-ups outside the Convention Center.
“We’re very excited for this year’s Comic-Con as we welcome fans and professionals from every area of popular art, making this weekend in San Diego the focal point for all things artistic and creative,” said Glanzer, SDCC’s head of communications.
Wednesday will be a quieter preview day, with the exhibition hall and Artist’s Alley open from 6-9 p.m., allowing merchandise purchases from nearly every strain of superhero, science-fiction, fantasy, and pop culture content. The exhibition hall will be open from 9:30 a.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Additional Events and Community Engagement
Wednesday’s events include dozens of tabletop and board games, multiple anime screenings, and showings of the Harrison Ford films “Captain America: Brave New World” and “Air Force One.”
“Comic-Con International shows what’s possible when a community comes together,” said Daniel Kuperschmid, president and CEO of San Diego Tourism Authority. “Comic-Con, our hotel partners, and tourism community collaborate to transform San Diego into a global destination for creativity and imagination. This collective effort creates an experience that celebrates our city’s welcoming spirit and proves why San Diego remains the perfect home for the world’s premier pop-culture event.”
The San Diego Public Library will host one of Wednesday’s only public events, an interactive workshop for teachers interested in using comics in their lesson plans. Peter Carlson of Green Dot Public Schools, Susan Kirtley from Portland State University, and Antero Garcia from Stanford University will guide educators in curating powerful classroom curricula, from mini-lessons to complete units, that incorporate the medium of comics at the Central Library, Shiley Special Events Suite, 330 Park Blvd.
Safety and Restrictions
San Diego’s police and fire-rescue departments have committed additional resources to ensure the safety of visitors both inside and outside of the Convention Center. City officials announced that the public would be restricted from piloting drones in the surrounding MLK Jr. Promenade, Gaslamp area, and near the convention center during Comic-Con.
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