POW! What to expect at San Diego Comic-Con International 2022 🦸

Calling all superheroes: San Diego Comic-Con International (SDCC) — and its fervent fanbase of cosplay devotees — will soon descend on downtown’s San Diego Convention Center + surrounding areas.

For four magical days (plus preview night), The Con will transform our city into a metropolis straight out of the pages of fantasy + fiction. We’re going to call this our mini “POW! Preview” of what to expect at SDCC 2022 — for both the die-hard and casual caped crusaders. 💥

🦹‍♀️ Boom! The basics for badgeholders

• SDCC is from Thurs., July 21-Sun., July 24.
• Organizers have released the programming + guest schedule online for all four days — this way, attendees can prioritize what they want to see and do.
• Parking will be difficult downtown, so it’s best to take public transportation or rideshare. The Metropolitan Transit System will host special event services during the convention; trolley + bus info is forthcoming.
• Though coveted badges have sold out per usual, there is an official online badge auction with limited inventory to help raise funds for the Comic-Con Museum.
• Pro tip: Hall H + Ballroom 20 — if you know, you know. These are the two notoriously longest lines at Comic-Con and where all the big announcements happen. We like to keep an eye on the rooms’ cheeky Twitter feeds for updates during SDCC.

⚡ Wham! How to partake in the fun without a badge

• Experience the SDCC fandom + history by visiting the Comic-Con Museum in nearby Balboa Park. You can step into a comic book by checking out “Marvel’s Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing,” a new exhibit celebrating 60 years of Spidey. Find tickets — and check out our sneak peek.
• Studios, networks + streaming platforms will install free activations near the Convention Center to promote their shows. For instance, CBS will host an activation with a “campsite feel” for its series, “Ghosts” at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park (100 Park Blvd.) complete with prop replicas from the show.
• Meanwhile, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” Paramount+ will partner with ice cream brand Coolhaus for the Wrath of P’Khan Coolhaus Ice Cream Truck. The mobile shop will serve free, limited edition “Wrath of P’Khan” ice cream sandwiches on Sat., July 23, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park.
• Paramount+ will also host the “Starfleet Outpost” at 340 Fifth Ave. in downtown San Diego during Comic-Con’s run — a “Star Trek”-themed beer garden where fans can shop for exclusive merch and enjoy a drink.
• HBOMax + Cartoon Network will host an inflatable display outside the Manchester Grand Hyatt dedicated to its animated series “Batwheels” — and that could be a fun, free photo op. We hear an Instagram-worthy display with Cookie Monster promoting “Sesame Street Mecha Builders” will be located near the Omni San Diego Hotel from Thurs., July 21-Sun., July 24.

• Paramount Pictures and eOne will bring the world of “Dungeons & Dragons” to life with the “Honor Among Thieves” Tavern Experience on the corner of Sixth + Island avenues — a 20-minute, immersive hub for photo ops, merch, and a chance to sip on “Dragon Brew” while hanging out with D&D characters. This experience will be open Thurs., July 21, starting at 12 p.m., and then Fri., July 22 + Sat., July 23, starting at 10 a.m.

  

• Downtown San Diego restaurants love getting in on the Comic-Con action — so expect some SDCC-themed drinks + dishes around the Gaslamp Quarter. Barleymash will transform its upstairs zone into a Super Mario-themed party and downstairs into Donkey Kong’s jungle. For more local pop culture fun, try the eatery’s line of “Anchorman”-themed signature cocktails like “The Ron Burgundy.”
• The Smoking Gun will deck out its dining room in full “Top Gun” theme, honoring the franchise heavily filmed in San Diego.
• Filmmaker, actor + writer Kevin Smith will turn Tin Roof on G Street into a pop-up Mooby’s — the fictional restaurant from “View Askewniverse,” the fictional universe seen in many of his films, comics, and TV series. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and include a meal and a chance to purchase new merch.

Of course, these are just a few of the activations + events happening throughout SDCC 2022. If you spot anything amazing out there, email us or tag us on Instagram (@thesdtoday). May the Force be with you, San Diego. 💫