Comic-Con 2020 Officially Cancelled: Update on Refunds, Hotels, New WonderCon Dates
Comic-Con officially cancelled the San Diego convention in on April 17 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) panedmic. The organization first cancelled its Museum events in March and postponed WonderCon Anaheim when California instituted a ban on gatherings over 250 people). As recently as April 2, they still hoped to hold the annual event from July 23-26. It became clear that it would not be safe to do so that soon.
Comic-Con explained their decision in a statement posted to their website. The statement also included information on possible refunds for 2020 tickets, hotel reservations, new dates for Comic-Con and WonderCon and future plans for the Museum.
A Comic-Con first
The very first Golden State Comic Book Convention took place in 1970. 2020 was to be the event’s 50 year anniversary.
“For the first time in its 50-year history San Diego Comic Convention (SDCC), the organizers behind the annual pop culture celebration, announced today with deep regret that there will be no Comic-Con in 2020,” the statement read.
The statement added that they waited as long as they could. After one month of strict stay-at-home orders, California Governor Gavin Newsom released a six point criteria for reopening businesses on April 15. They included strict guidelines to maintain social distancing, therefore Comic-Con realized the situation could not accommodate a convention.
“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,” the statement read.
New dates for Comic-Con and WonderCon
Comic-Con announced plans for the 2021 convention to take place July 22 -25, 2021. There were rumors that WonderCon could still occur later in 2020, but Comic-Con confirmed it would not. WonderCon Anaheim will next take place March 26 – 28, 2021.
Comic-Con tickets and hotel refunds
If you’re already holding tickets to Comic-Con 2020, and you would have to be at this point to still be planning to attend, you have two options. They will process refunds, or they will transfer your tickets to 2021. You will receive nstructions via e-mail.
If you booked your San Diego hotels via ePeak, ePeak is automatically cancelling and refunding reservations. That would mean the hotel lottery will open up again fresh for 2021.
The Museum has plans to tide you over
The Comic-Con Museum sent out its own press release in light of the cancellation of the 2020 event. The Museum had been planning a grand opening in summer 2021 pending a renovation of Balboa Park’s Federal Building. The continued stay-at-home orders will delay those plans too.
“Some of the proposed Phase I renovations will shift, but this will not scale back the visitor experience,” the Museum’s statement read. “Our 2021 grand opening is still on track and you will soon see building plans that illustrate this transformation. We will redouble our efforts to regain momentum on opening this museum by 2021. And we can’t wait to work with you to realize this vision. Better days are ahead.”
Until the current museum can physically reopen, Comic-Con is planning digital experiences for people to interact with remotely.
“To ensure we stay connected in this new reality, the Museum will introduce new and creative digital ways to bring the magic of Comic-con to you all year-round,” the statement read.
When the physical space reopens, Comic-Con plans use the Museum to bolster San Diego’s economy.
“We believe the Comic-Con Museum will play an important role in San Diego’s recovery after COVID-19,” the Museum’s statement read. “We are a destination city and tourism is vital to our economy. The development and opening of the Comic-Con Museum will act as a catalyst to reopen one of the world’s best urban parks and a destination city known world-wide.”
