Comic-Con

San Diego Comic-Con International Canceled

The pop culture expo that brings fans, exhibitors, and celebrities together for a long weekend in July every year in the heart of downtown San Diego won't happen this summer

NBCUniversal, Inc.

San Diegans told NBC 7’s Dave Summers it feels like summer is completely cancelled.

For the first time in 50 years, San Diego Comic-Con International has been canceled due to the impact and restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Friday.

Comic-Con was supposed to take place from July 23 to July 26 at the San Diego Convention Center in downtown San Diego – the same venue currently being used as a temporary shelter for homeless locals during the coronavirus pandemic.

With only three months left until the big show in the heart of downtown San Diego, many were wondering if the large-scale pop culture expo would be canceled.

The answer finally came Friday, as organizers announced the Con was a no-go for this July.

In a statement titled, “The Current Situation Requires Exceptional Measures,” San Diego Comic-Con International organizers said this marks the first time in the event's 50-year history that it has been canceled. And, while the decision is necessary to protect public health and safety, organizers said their announcement comes with “deep regret.”

Organizers said the event would return to the San Diego Convention Center from July 22 to July 25, 2021.

“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision,” said David Glanzer, spokesperson for San Diego Comic-Con. “We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.” 

Organizers said they “had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer,” since so many people attend Comic-Con each year, and so many exhibitors rely upon the convention and its surrounding events for their livelihood.

Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision.

David Glanzer, San Diego Comic-Con International

“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 cancellation statement read.

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A cosplayer attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer attend the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: Cosplayers attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: A cosplayer dressed as Willy Wonka attends the 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 20: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 20: Cosplayers dress as Poison Ivy and Cat Woman at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 20, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: General view of the atmosphere at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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Apex Legends Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: A cosplayer attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers pose in front of protestors at Comic Con on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Alexander Green attends 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers attend 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Andrew Levy/Getty Images)
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A family of cosplayers at Comic-Con, July 19, 2019.
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers Ciera Hyatt (L) and Sam Henderson as vacationing Deadpools pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Michael St. Louis as a half-Superman, half-Batman character poses at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: (L-R) Cosplayers Jhamillia Bowers, Wren Bowers, and Corey Bowers as characters from "Vikings" pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers Mike Phillips (L) and Sean Craig pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 19: A cosplayer dresses as Princess Zelda at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 17, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Karla Sanches Cadena as Phoenix poses at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: (L-R) Cosplayers Marina Ybarra-Valdivia as Barf, Joel Bingham as Lonestar, Allison Bingham as Princess Vespa, and Kenny Valdivia as Dark Helmet from "Spaceballs" pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: 1-1/2 year old Tony Kellner cosplays as a dragon outside at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayers Alina Masquerade as Jessica Rabbit (L) and Shawn Lyman as Roger Rabbit pose at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Cosplayer Charles Hattaway as Beetlejuice poses at 2019 Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Devoted fans dressed in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans decked out in costumes at San Diego Comic-Con International on July 19, 2019.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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The Gaslamp Quarter in downtown San Diego is certainly colorful this time of year.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Fans in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in "Stranger Things" cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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A fan in cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con International 2019 on July 19.
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Every year, thousands of people descend on San Diego in costume! Take a look at some of the best and brightest we saw at San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Everyone wants to work at Scoops Ahoy! And, can we just say, this is our favorite trio. "Stranger Things" costumes were some of the most popular of San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Kylo Ren uses the dark side of the Force on you.
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Cosplayers stroll the convention floor of San Diego Comic-Con, ready for their close-up.
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Don't get caught in Spider Gwen's web.
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Hellboy and the Good Samaritan take SDCC 2019.
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Do not disturb. Thanos is on vacation. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Iron Man is never forgotten.
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SDCC is a great place for families to dress up together. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
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Baby Batman joining in on all the fun.
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Wreck-It Ralph hits the streets of San Diego ahead of San Diego Comic-Con on Wednesday. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
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What else would Starlord be doing at SDCC 2019 but dancing in the halls of the convention center. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
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A cosplayer in steampunk is ready for San Diego Comic-Con 2019. (Photo by Quinn P. Smith/Getty Images)
Scoops Ahoy!
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Steampunk is always a popular theme at SDCC. (Photo by CHRIS DELMAS/AFP/Getty Images)
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Spider-Man is sure enjoying his time at Comic-Con 2019.
Many like to dress up when they come to Comic-Con 2019.
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The Nun faces off with Superman. Who will come out on top? (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
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Even Mera and Aquaman need to take a break from the convention. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Jason Voorhees was even in attendance.
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A cosplayer in Pikachu is ready for San Diego Comic-Con 2019.
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A cosplayer is ready for San Diego Comic-Con 2019.
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Hawk Girl and Hawk Man couldn't miss out on all the fun.
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Makeup adds a finishing touch to costumes at SDCC 2019. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)

What This Means for Comic-Con Badge-Holders

So, what if you already purchased one of those coveted Comic-Con badges?

SDCC said Friday that fans who purchased badges for Comic-Con 2020 will have the option to request a refund or transfer their badges to Comic-Con 2021.

“All 2020 badge holders will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to request a refund,” organizers detailed. “Exhibitors for Comic-Con 2020 will also have the option to request a refund or transfer their payments to Comic-Con 2021 and will also receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to process their request.”

And, as for hotel reservations made via the event’s official hotel affiliate, refunds for those are coming too, organizers said.

“In the next few days onPeak, Comic-Con’s official hotel affiliate, will be canceling all hotel reservations and refunding all deposits made through them,” organizers explained. “There is no need for anyone who booked through onPeak to take any action, including trying to cancel their reservations online or contacting the company via phone as the process will be handled automatically. Those who booked rooms through onPeak will be notified when refunds have been completed.”


Summertime Sadness

The cancellation of San Diego Comic-Con International comes on the heels of the cancellations of several other large-scale summertime events in San Diego County.

On Tuesday, organizers of the San Diego County Fair – which was scheduled to run from June 5 to July 5 – announced the fair was canceled. The San Diego County Fair is the largest annual event in San Diego County, typically drawing 1.5 million visitors.

On Thursday, San Diego Pride – which was scheduled to run from July 18 to July 19 in Hillcrest – announced it was cancelling all in-person, mass gatherings for this year’s event. Instead, San Diego Pride organizers said they're looking to move the celebration into the virtual world.

The decisions to cancel the tentpole San Diego events come after California Governor Gavin Newsom this week shared a six-step approach that he said will guide the state as it reopens its businesses, events, and daily life after the COVID-19 shutdown.

And that plan means mass gatherings are not likely to be allowed for a while as San Diego County, California, the U.S. and the world continue to work to slow the spread of COVID-19.

This means the summer in sunny California is going to look gloomier than Californians are used to.

“There is no light switch here,” Newsom said in a media briefing this week. “I would argue it is more like a dimmer.”

In addition to the San Diego County Fair, San Diego Pride, and Comic-Con, summertime in San Diego also brings the annual Del Mar Racing season.

As of Wednesday, a public relations spokesperson for Del Mar Racing said the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club still plans to hold its summer meet, which is scheduled to take place July 18 to Sept. 7.

The spokesperson said the horse racing season will he held “with a steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety and welfare of our workforce, the public and our equine and human athletes.”

“The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club is following the public health guidelines recommended by state and local officials as well as monitoring the status of the other horse racing facilities in California and around the country,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to work with the relevant public health officials as we get closer to our scheduled opening and will make decisions on any potential modifications at the appropriate time.”

Meanwhile, WonderCon Anaheim, which is organized by San Diego Comic-Con International, was supposed to take place in Anaheim, California, last weekend, but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the event morphed into an online affair dubbed WonderCon@Home.

SDCC organizers said Friday that WonderCon Anaheim would return to the Anaheim Convention Center next year, too, from March 26 to March 28, 2021.


In addition to San Diego Comic-Con and WonderCon, SDCC had also been planning a major renovation of Balboa Park’s Federal Building to be finished for the grand opening of the Comic-Con Museum in the summer of 2021.

Organizers said Friday that the COVID-19 crisis is impacting those efforts, too.

They said they would rephrase the museum’s initially planned renovations but would “not scale back the experience to be offered to visitors upon the museum’s grand opening.” Organizers expect to release plans to the public on the museum’s transformation in the coming months.

Meanwhile, NBC 7 reached out to the San Diego Tourism Authority for a comment on the cancellation of Comic-Con. A spokesperson released this statement on behalf of the Tourism Authority and the San Diego Convention Center:

“For decades, Comic-Con International: San Diego (Comic-Con) has been a highly anticipated annual gathering for San Diegans and travelers alike. Considering guidance from public health officials regarding mass gatherings, we support the decision Comic-Con has made to cancel the 2020 event," the statement read.

"We thank the Comic-Con team, their event partners and their fans for their longstanding commitment and enthusiasm for our city. This is an extraordinarily challenging time for everyone, including those of us in the meetings, events, and tourism industries, but we know we will meet and celebrate again," the Tourism Authority continued. "We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to San Diego and the San Diego Convention Center when the time is right. For more information, see the Comic-Con announcement."

We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to San Diego and the San Diego Convention Center when the time is right.

San Diego Tourism Authority and San Diego Convention Center

The beloved, quirky San Diego Comic-Con International 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 San Diego Convention Center, neighboring hotels and spilling into the streets of downtown San Diego for a long summer weekend every year.

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.

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Fierce women at Comic-Con on July 21, 2016.
Samantha Tatro
A fan poses at San Diego International Comic-Con 2018.
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This couple, dressed in a spooky and mysterious costume, poses for a photo at San Diego International Comic-Con 2018.
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A Star Wars fan poses in his costume at San Diego International Comic-Con 2018.
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A fan poses at San Diego International Comic-Con 2018.
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A smiling couple poses for a photo at San Diego International Comic-Con 2018.
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Pink Chewbacca and friends at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Brian Messick (left), Duan Ting (middle), and Alisa Rhead (right), portray Edward Scissorhands, The Joker, and Poison Ivy at San Diego Comic-Con on July 21, 2017.
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Cosplayers attend the 2017 Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center on July 22, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images).
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Visitors dressed in Cosplay costumes walk along the San Diego Convention Center during Comic Con International on July 20, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images).
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Fans enjoy San Diego Comic-Con on July 21, 2017.
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Amazing costumes at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Amazing costumes at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Amazing costumes at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Colorful costumes galore filled downtown San Diego for 2016 Comic-Con.
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Amazing costumes at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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A sweet moment between fans and Chewy at 2016 San Diego Comic-Con.
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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.
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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.
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A fan commits to his character at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.
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Things were looking "Up" at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.
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Elaborate costumes are woven into the very fabric that is San Diego Comic-Con International. Here, a fan dressed as Wonder Woman poses for a photo at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con.
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Comic-Con wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for the fervent fans in outrageous and elaborate costumes and makeup. This photo is from 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Fans at 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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A fan at 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Comic-Con wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for the fervent fans in outrageous and elaborate costumes and makeup. This photo is from 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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A new take on Thing 1 and Thing 2, spotted at 2014 San Diego Comic-Con International.
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Sometimes, Comic-Con costumes are a family affair. This adorable trio was spotted at 2013 San Diego Comic-Con.
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Fans enjoying 2013 San Diego Comic-Con.
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Fans enjoying 2013 San Diego Comic-Con.
These 2012 Comic-Con get-ups really are the stuff of nightmares. Well done.
Magical! Fans channel their inner Disney princesses at 2012 San Diego Comic-Con.
It's a bird, it's a plane, it's two well-dressed fans at 2012 San Diego Comic-Con.
Some whimsical costumes from 2012 San Diego Comic-Con.
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Steampunk families gathered at San Diego Comic-Con International 2012.
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Rowan Weir displays an original costume during 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images).
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A young comic fan poses during San Diego Comic-Con International in 2010. Comic-Con is one of the largest pop-culture conventions in the world and brings together fans of various genres including science fiction, fantasy, movies and television. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images)
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Costumes galore! Fans attend Comic-Con 2009 at San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
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Costumes galore! Fans attend Comic-Con 2009 at San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
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Costumes galore! Fans attend Comic-Con 2009 at San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
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Costumes galore! Fans attend Comic-Con 2009 at San Diego Convention Center on July 25, 2009 in San Diego, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images)
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