Marvel Returns to Hall H as Comic-Con 2026 Opens in San Diego
More than 120,000 fans are expected at the four-day convention, where Marvel Studios will promote "Avengers: Doomsday" and a "Spaceballs" sequel gets its own panel.
SAN DIEGO — The Avengers appear set to return to Hall H as Marvel Studios uses Comic-Con International to build hype for the December release of "Avengers: Doomsday" — and to chart a path forward as audience interest in superhero films has waned.
The Saturday panel is the most-anticipated hour of the nation's biggest pop culture convention, which opens in San Diego on Wednesday evening. More than 120,000 people are expected at the four-day expo.
Early bird shoppers can pick up exclusive collectibles including a $25 "KPop Demon Hunters"-themed Hot Wheels Porsche 911 and a $60 "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" customizable Funko figure set.
Comic-Con began in 1970 with a gathering of several hundred science fiction and comics fans and an in-person appearance by Marvel icon Jack Kirby. It has since grown to include cosplay contests, autograph booths, obstacle courses, concerts and panels covering everything from video games — new titles feature Wolverine and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — to movie poster art and fencing. Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden and "Ghosts" actor Asher Grodman will discuss "Hollywood's Love Affair With Fencing" on Thursday.
DC Studios, which like Marvel sat out last year's convention because the timing of its publicity campaign wasn't right, will showcase its HBO series "Lanterns" with a "training headquarters" activation in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter and a Friday panel featuring stars Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler.
That presentation, like Marvel's, will take place in the convention center's 6,500-person premier showcase, Hall H. Livestreams are not allowed inside, but online reaction from fans in attendance can swiftly lift — or doom — a film or television show's prospects.
Another prestige television highlight: actors from "Widow's Bay" are expected to visit the bayside convention center on Saturday as Apple TV celebrates the comedy-horror series' 19 Emmy nominations.
Comedy fans won't need to comb the desert to find updates on "Spaceballs: The New One," the focus of a Friday panel. The film, set for release next year, features Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman and 100-year-old Mel Brooks reprising their roles from Brooks' 1987 parody.
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