Comic-Con 2026
Survival Guide to Open Registration: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap
Every great journey needs a good map. Our Open Registration Survival Guide leads you through the process one step at a time, helping you prepare for badge day with confidence.
K. Green © 2025 SDCC
DATE
Saturday, November 15, 2025
TIME
Waiting Room: 7:30 AM PST
Badge Sale: 9:00 AM PST
Please ensure you are in the waiting room before the badge sale starts.
LOCATION
Before badge day arrives, take a moment to chart your course. Make sure your Member ID account is set, your password is current, and you have the right names ready if you’re buying for friends. Whether you’re looking for a quick refresher or a detailed walkthrough, this guide will help you stay on track for Open Registration.
Getting Your Badge
Resource: Comic-Con Website – Badges
- Your go-to guide for attending Comic-Con
- Badge prices for Comic-Con 2026
- General badge purchase FAQ
Your Ultimate Open Registration Handbook
Resource: Comic-Con Website – Open Registration
- The complete resource for Open Registration
- Step-by-step instructions on how to participate
- Waiting room and registration session FAQ
Open Registration Basics
Resource: Toucan Blog – Save the Date: Comic-Con 2026 Open Registration Badge Sale
- Badge sale date, time, and location
- Badges prices
- Essential prep checklist
Buying for Friends
Resource: Make It a Group Adventure: How to Buy Comic-Con 2026 Badges for Others
- The how-to on buying for others
- Badge availability and waiting room realities
- Badge-buying groups
Last-Minute Prep
Resource: Toucan Blog – The Ultimate Tech Check
- General password concerns
- How to check your tech before the sale
- Fair play reminder!
Further Queries
- Make sure you’re familiar with our Child Badge Policy before participating in the badge sale.
- Learn everything you need to know about creating and maintaining your Comic-Con Member ID account.
Still curious about a few things? Find your answers below!
What is the process for accessing the virtual waiting room?
The virtual waiting room will open at 7:30 AM PST on Saturday, November 15. Visit our Member ID Portal between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM PST to automatically enter the waiting room without any additional steps needed. If you’re randomly selected for a registration session during the badge sale, you will then be prompted to log in.
If you’re already logged in to your Member ID before the waiting room opens, simply click on “ Open Registration ” located in the top menu bar any time after 7:30 AM PST.
IMPORTANT: Make sure you enter the virtual waiting room prior to 9:00 AM PST to be placed in a randomized queue when the sale begins. If you enter the virtual waiting room for the first time after 9:00 AM PST, you will be placed at the back of the line.
Is access to my Member ID account possible while I’m in the waiting room?
No. You won’t have the ability to navigate through your account details while the waiting room is active. If you’re buying on behalf of others, make sure to gather their Member ID and last name before the day of the sale (suffixes and special characters included, like a period, comma, tilde, etc.). If they’re unsure about whether their account’s last name includes a suffix, it’s crucial to check ahead of time as they won’t have access to their Account Dashboard for confirmation.
Why was my friend granted a session ahead of me, even though I joined the waiting room first?
No matter when you or your friend enter the waiting room, once the sale begins, all attendees who joined between 7:30 AM and 8:59 AM are placed in a randomized virtual queue. Entering the waiting room earlier does not increase your chances of securing a session. Entry to the waiting room does not guarantee you a badge or registration session.
How will I be notified when badges for a specific day are no longer purchasable?
If you’re selected for a registration session, only the days still available will be shown. Status updates will be regularly posted in the waiting room, keeping you informed about diminishing badge availability. However, there’s a slight chance that even if you’re chosen for a registration session close to the end of the sale, there might not be any badges left to purchase once you’re moved to a registration session. Badge demand is much higher than the number of badges available. Your badge is only secured once your order is submitted. Keep in mind that daily badges may sell out while they are still in your cart, so it’s a good idea to finalize your purchase as soon as you’re ready. Once all badges are sold out, the waiting room will be closed for the current sale.
If you’ve gone through the instructions on our Open Registration page and made notes from our latest Toucan posts, you’re all set for the badge sale this Saturday. Great job! You’ve done good!
Not all eligible attendees will be able to purchase a badge during Open Registration. There are far more eligible attendees than available badges. Entry to the waiting room does not guarantee you a badge or registration session. We encourage you to bookmark Toucan – the official blog of Comic-Con and WonderCon, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X for more up-to-date information regarding Open Registration.