Online sales began shortly after 9 a.m. on Saturday, and sold out within an hour
By Monica Garske ••
San Diego Comic-Con International 2016 badges went on sale Saturday morning and sold out at superhero speed.
Within an hour of online sales opening up, all tickets to the pop culture and comic book extravaganza were completely sold out, Comic-Con organizers confirmed via Twitter.
[[369530291,C]]
Aspiring attendees who weren't able to snag a badge were none too pleased.
Many took to Twitter to air their grievances.
"When will you give special treatment to locals?" one user asked on the thread following Comic-Con's Twitter announcement of the sold-out event.
"I've tried for 4 years. This is crap. I give up." griped another person who was unable to purchase a badge.
"Six years here. I know the feeling," another person chimed in.
"I've been up since 7 a.m. for the past 3 years and you keep "selling out." I call #shenanigans. Thanks for ruining my day," tweeted another person.
Denis Poroy/Invision/AP
Carissa Ohm, dressed as Cinderella, takes a break as Annie Huynh adjusts her dress on the second day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Friday, July 10, 2015, in San Diego.
Denis Poroy/Invision/AP
Stephanie Smith, dressed as Mary Poppins, poses with a radio controlled "Star Wars" R2-D2 on the second day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Friday, July 10, 2015, in San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: It�?s Morphin Time for a young Power Rangers fan who Unleashes the Power alongside the new Power Rangers Dino Super Charge during San Diego Comic-Con on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Araya Diaz/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: A general view of atmosphere at Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Samantha Tatro
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: A general view of atmosphere at Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was processed using digital filters) A general view of atmosphere at Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: A general view of atmosphere at Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: Libby Burnette (L) of California, dressed as the Poison Ivy character from "Batman," and Sophie Alman of Canada, dressed as the Joker character from "Batman," arrive at preview night for Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: FOX Sports San Diego's Ally Sturm, dressed in Batman attire, films for the network's "Padres POV" show outside the San Diego Convention Center during preview night of Comic-Con International 2015 on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 08: A general view of atmosphere at Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 8, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Megan Edwards
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Samantha Tatro
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Fierce women in costume are a staple at San Diego Comic-Con. Lots of fangirls came out in their best gear for the 2015 pop culture convention in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Men in tights, men in masks. Dudes love Comic-Con and always show up in pretty incredible costumes, year after year. 2015 is no different.
Samantha Tatro
Men in tights, men in masks. Dudes love Comic-Con and always show up in pretty incredible costumes, year after year. 2015 is no different.
Samantha Tatro
Men in tights, men in masks. Dudes love Comic-Con and always show up in pretty incredible costumes, year after year. 2015 is no different.
Samantha Tatro
Men in tights, men in masks. Dudes love Comic-Con and always show up in pretty incredible costumes, year after year. 2015 is no different.
Samantha Tatro
Men in tights, men in masks. Dudes love Comic-Con and always show up in pretty incredible costumes, year after year. 2015 is no different.
Samantha Tatro
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Samantha Tatro
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Guest attends Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Guests attend Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Guests attend Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
NBC 7 San Diego
This Chewbacca costume was a favorite among fans at 2015 Comic-Con. Underneath the fur is a Vista firefighter who was thrilled to attend the pop culture convention with his wife and son on July 9, 2015.
NBC 7 San Diego
This Chewbacca costume was a favorite among fans at 2015 Comic-Con. Underneath the fur is a Vista firefighter who was thrilled to attend the pop culture convention with his wife and son on July 9, 2015.
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images for Activision
Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images for Activision
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 09: Fans experience Guitar Hero Live during Comic-Con International 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for Activision)
Getty Images
Fan dressed as Superman attends Comic-Con International: San Diego 2015 on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)
Marianne Kushi
"Dude Vader" -- a local from La Jolla -- goes to Comic-Con every year.
Getty Images
SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 10: Guests in cosplay attend Comic-Con International 2015 on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Victoria Lanza
aborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. As expected, fans are donning their best get-ups at Comic-Con 2015 in downtown San Diego.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Jarina Montgomery, of San Diego, dressed as a Zombie, walks outside the Convention Center on day 1 of Comic-Con International on July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Jerk Salazar, of Monterey Calif, waits in line dressed as the Grinch on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif. The pop-cultural event runs July 9-12.
Denis Poroy/Invision/AP
Albert Caruana, dressed as Spiderman, poses for photographers on the first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. The pop-culture event runs July 9-12.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Costumed characters pose for photographs on day one of Comic-Con 2015 on Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego, Calif.
Tonya Wise/Invision/AP
Guests dressed as bananas attend day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 9, 2015, in San Diego, Calif.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
A costumed character poses for photographs on day one of Comic-Con 2015 on Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego, Calif.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Costumed characters pose for photographs on day one of Comic-Con 2015 on July 9, 2015 in San Diego, Calif.
AP
Two zombies wander through the Gaslamp District on first day of the 2015 Comic-Con International held at the San Diego Convention Center Thursday, July 9, 2015 in San Diego. The pop-culture event runs July 9-12.
jason_in_san_diego/Instagram
Oh Comic Con #sandiegocomiccon #nbc7 #sdcc #sdcc2015 #dccomics
NBC 7 San Diego
NBC 7 San Diego
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards
Of course, as expected, the event sold out extremely fast.
Many fans were upset over the random lottery-style process of moving users from the online waiting room to the badge sales area, saying their ability to get a badge depended solely on luck. This process has been used by Comic-Con during badge sales for several years.
"Lottery picking is honestly the worst idea. First come first serve is the best way," said one person on Comic-Con's Twitter thread.
"Get rid of the 'random' lottery & more people would have an actual chance of attending! Don't get pple's hopes up for no reason," said another person.
"This system is all kinds of messed up," griped another.
Ahead of the badge frenzy, Comic-Con organizers released detailed Open Registration instructions on this section of Comic-Con’s website. Also released: this instructional 7-minute video (or below) on how to maneuver your way through the Open Registration process.
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Organizers warned that those who wanted to attend the event needed to act quickly, as there were far more eligible attendees for the Open Registration window than badges available.
“You can increase your chances of obtaining a badge by reading all of the instructions carefully and having your personal information ready on the day of the sale,” the website stated.
Comic-Con 2016 runs July 21 through July 24, with Preview Night set for July 20. Daily badges range from $40 to $55 for adults, depending on the day you’d like to attend, and $20 to $27 for junior badges (ages 13-17), active military members and seniors. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
[[312988501,C]] And, just like that, the countdown to the colorful comic and entertainment spectacular begins.
Comic-Con was born in 1970 in the basement of the U.S. Grant Hotel in the heart of San Diego. Over the decades, the “little event that could” has grown into a behemoth, taking over the Convention Center, neighboring hotels and downtown San Diego for a long weekend each summer.
Comic-Con’s fervent fans typically attend the convention in elaborate costumes, transforming the city into a metropolis straight out of the pages of fantasy and science fiction. The event has also become famous for sneak peeks of major studio movies and popular TV shows, as well as a steady stream of celebrity sightings.
