When will San Diego Comic-Con 2025 start? Dates, Ticket Info, and Must-See Panels

San Diego is about to don its geekiest wardrobe yet: San Diego Comic-Con 2025 returns this summer to the Convention Center and the buzzing Gaslamp Quarter, transforming the city into pop-culture central. With over 135,000 fans expected and Hollywood’s biggest franchises lining up for prime moments, the vibe is simultaneously electric and nostalgic.

Amid the flurry of freebies, cosplay, and surprise teasers, one question looms large: when exactly should you clear your schedule? Below, we map out the dates, ticket intel, and must-see panel action so you don’t have to.

When does San Diego Comic‑Con 2025 start and what should I know about timing, dates, panels?

The big show kicks off with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 23, followed by four full days from Thursday, July 24, to Sunday, July 27, at the San Diego Convention Center. Here’s the lowdown on the essential timings and dates:

• Preview Night (July 23): Badge holders get early access to exhibit halls and select evening events.

• Main days (July 24–27): Exhibit hall runs roughly 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, tapering to 5 p.m. Sunday.

• Panel sessions & evening events buzz throughout—biggest panels hit Hall H and Ballroom 20, with show-specific timings scattered daily.

As for tickets (or “badges” in con-speak), they are essential for entry into the Convention Center. Sadly, SDCC 2025 is sold out, and no walk-up passes will be available. Your best bet if you missed badge sales is to track resales via reliable fan forums or official reissue alerts, though those go fast.

That said, the offsite happenings in the Gaslamp Quarter, like immersive activations, fan gatherings, and outdoor screenings, require no badge. Think giant South Park setups, a live Batman orchestra, themed cafés, and more garden-variety fun for the unbadged masses.

Must‑See Panels

Here are the headline grabbers you won't want to miss:

• Brave Warriors (Sat, July 26, 2:30–3:15 p.m., Ballroom 20): Robbie Amell, Jamie Roy, David Zayas, and Babou Ceesay dish on playing characters with grit and gravitas.

• Bold School (Sat, July 26, 4:45–5:30 p.m., Hall H): Taylour Paige, Cote de Pablo, Madeleine McGraw, Harriet Slater, and “M3GAN 2.0” star Violet talk about bold roles in entertainment.

• Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle (Sat PEAK Hall H slot): Animation fans will flock to see this epic arc unveiled.

• George Lucas + Guillermo del Toro (Sunday wrap-up session): Expect insights into the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.

• Other major panels include “Star Trek,” “Alien: Earth,” “Tron: Ares,” “Percy Jackson,” “The Toxic Avenger,” “The Walking Dead,” “Coyote vs. Acme,” “Project Hail Mary,” and revivals of “King of the Hill,” “Rick & Morty,” “South Park,” and “Beavis & Butt-Head.”

A key tip: line up for big-ticket panels early. Many rooms unlock wristbands at dawn, and organizers even offer tracking tools (#Ballroom20, #HallH on X/Twitter) to help snag your spot.

The Extras

• Swag lovers, unite—official guides tout giveaways ranging from trading cards and Wacom tablets to Dr. Vegapunk crowns and limited-edition prints.
• Offsite highlights include a Tron-themed DJ night, Malibu Barbie café, Afrofuturism lounge, Kelley Smith comedy shows, and screenings under the stars.
• Streaming & coverage: Don’t expect a livestream, but studios and fan sites (GamesRadar+, EW) will drop trailers/posts during and after panels.

To recap: San Diego Comic-Con 2025 kicks off July 23 with badge-holder Preview Night, runs July 24–27, and features packed timings, unforgettable dates, and show-stopping panels, even if those badges are already gone.

But with a city-wide takeover of offsite events, swag surprises, and a lineup worthy of headline billing, this year promises to be one for the fandom books. Enjoy the geekfest, and may your con-flu years be long and badges plentiful.