Press FAQ

WONDERCON 2026 PRESS Application IS OPEN!

This application is for consideration to attend both WonderCon and Comic-Con 2026 as a member of the press. There will not be a separate application for each convention.
Only ONE application per outlet will be accepted.
- Individual members wishing to attend as press should submit the application for the outlet they wish to represent and designate themselves as the Outlet Key Contact on the application. This includes freelance press, who must specify the outlet they are representing.
- If multiple members from an outlet wish to attend as press, the Outlet Key Contact should submit the application and list the additional members within that one application.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X , and Toucan – the official blog of Comic-Con and WonderCon – for the most up-to-date information.

Press APPLICATION DEADLINE For WonderCon 2026: FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026

*Applications submitted after this date will only be considered for WonderCon 2026 on-site press registration. Approval is not guaranteed.

How do I sign up for a Comic-Con Member ID?

Click here to create your Comic-Con Member ID. A Member ID is free and available to all adults and juniors (ages 13 to 17) with a unique and valid email address.

How do I apply as press for WonderCon 2026?

Your Outlet Key Contact must submit the Press Application by FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 for WonderCon 2026 press list consideration. Press Applications submitted after FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 will be considered for WonderCon 2026 on-site press registration only. On-site approval is not guaranteed.

Instructions on this process can be found in the “HOW TO APPLY AS PRESS” section of the WonderCon Press Page.

I already have a valid and confirmed Comic-Con Member ID, but I have never attended as press. How do I attend as press?

Your Outlet Key Contact* must submit the Press Application by FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 for WonderCon 2026 press list consideration. Press Applications submitted after FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 will be considered for WonderCon 2026 on-site press registration only. On-site approval is not guaranteed.

*Outlet Key Contact (OKC) is the primary person responsible for facilitating communication between the press outlet and WonderCon. There can only be one OKC per press outlet. However, an OKC may be the OKC for multiple outlets.

If your press outlet is approved, your OKC will be able to register for WonderCon 2026 press badges. You do not need to sign up for a new Member ID if you already have one.

What is an Outlet Key Contact? Can my press outlet assign multiple people to be our Outlet Key Contact?

The Outlet Key Contact (OKC) is the primary person responsible for facilitating communication between the press outlet and WonderCon. There can only be one OKC per press outlet. However, an OKC may be the OKC for multiple press outlets.

My outlet/company would like to attend WonderCon 2026. Can we apply as an outlet/company or will each person need to apply individually?

Only ONE application per outlet will be accepted.

Individual members wishing to attend as press should submit the application for the outlet they wish to represent and designate themselves as the Outlet Key Contact on the application. This includes freelance press, who must specify the outlet they are representing.
If multiple members from an outlet wish to attend as press, the Outlet Key Contact should submit the application and list the additional members within that one application.

Instructions on this process can be found in the “HOW TO APPLY AS PRESS” section of the WonderCon Press Page.

The Outlet Key Contact (OKC) for my press outlet needs to be updated. How do we update this information?

To update or change the OKC of a press outlet, email pressreg@comic-con.org for assistance. The new OKC must have their own valid and confirmed Comic-Con Member ID. To create a Comic-Con Member ID, please click here.

I am an Outlet Key Contact. Can I fax or email my press outlet’s press application and/or verification materials?

No, WonderCon is unable to accept any faxed or emailed applications and/or verification materials.

Why does my press outlet need to send in verification materials?

WonderCon is able to provide complimentary press badge(s) to press outlets that meet the published guidelines and requirements established by the organization. This requires you to provide information and examples of work in order for us to verify the legitimacy of the applying press outlet and work.

How often does my press outlet need to send verification materials?

Press outlet verification approval status is valid for two consecutive years (for example, approved press outlets for our upcoming convention will be valid for 2026 and 2027), under the discretion of WonderCon.

Freelance press members’ verification approval status is only valid for the year approved.

What if my Outlet Key Contact cannot provide verification materials supporting the press outlet?

If your Outlet Key Contact cannot, or chooses not to, provide the required verification materials, we suggest that you purchase an attendee badge, if available. A Press Application cannot be processed if your Outlet Key Contact does not provide verification materials. Simply listing press outlet information on the application is not considered verification.

When will the Outlet Key Contact receive a response to the submitted press application?

Please allow 4 – 6 weeks for processing and review. All press applications are processed in the order in which they are received. The Outlet Key Contact will be notified via email if the press outlet has been approved or declined.

Our Outlet Key Contact submitted the Press Application with verification materials over 6 weeks ago, but has not yet received a response. Who should the Outlet Key Contact contact?

Once your Outlet Key Contact as successfully submitted the Press Application they will receive an emailed Order Receipt from donotreply@comic-con.org with the subject “Press Application Submission – WonderCon and Comic-Con 2025.” The Outlet Key Contact should forward the Order Receipt to pressreg@comic-con.org for further assistance.

My press outlet submitted the Press Application and was approved as press for 2026. Now what?

The Outlet Key Contact will be notified when WonderCon 2026 Press Registration opens. Until that time no action is required.

When does the Outlet Key Contact register the individual members of the press outlet for press badges?

The Outlet Key Contact will be notified when WonderCon 2026 Press Registration opens. Until that time no action is required.

Once I am registered for a press badge, can I add a plus-one, a guest, or a child?

No. A WonderCon press badge is provided free of charge as a courtesy for covering our convention, and therefore we cannot provide you with a plus-one, guest, or child badge.

Will on-site press registration be available?

Yes, Press Applications submitted after FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026 will be considered for WonderCon 2026 on-site press registration only. On-site approval is not guaranteed.

My press outlet missed the January 16, 2026 press application deadline. What can we do?

All Press Applications submitted after this date will be considered for WonderCon 2026 on-site press registration only. On-site approval is not guaranteed.

Email pressreg@comic-con.org to obtain the Access Code for the application after the January 16 deadline.

I would like to videotape/film/record a panel at WonderCon 2026, am I able to do so?

Posting or airing more than 15 minutes of a panel without prior consent from WonderCon is not permitted. Live streaming is also not permitted. Registered press members that would like to videotape, film, and/or record any matter that will be used for commercial purposes (non-news) must first obtain prior written permission from WonderCon and any other participants being recorded. To request the appropriate consents, please email pr@comic-con.org with detailed information regarding the interest to record at WonderCon.

I would like to shoot footage for a documentary at WonderCon 2026. What are the appropriate guidelines and steps I need to follow?

Posting or airing more than 15 minutes of a panel without prior consent from WonderCon is not permitted. Live streaming is also not permitted. Registered press members that would like to videotape, film, and/or record any matter that will be used for commercial purposes (non-news) must first obtain written permission from WonderCon and any other participants being recorded. To request the appropriate consents, please email pr@comic-con.org with detailed information regarding the interest to record at WonderCon.

Additionally, you must submit a Press Application by FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2026. Approval is not guaranteed.

Is there a place for members of the press to work during the convention?

Yes, WonderCon has a press workroom located inside the Anaheim Convention Center that will have dedicated Wi-Fi for our registered press members. You must have a WonderCon 2026 press badge to enter this room. Please note: You may not leave any personal belongings in this room. Details will be sent via email to registered press members prior to the convention.

I would like to attend a certain panel at the convention, where do I enter?

A WonderCon press badge does not give you early access, special access, or assigned seating to any of our panels or programming rooms. You must wait in the same line as the general attendees.

For any additional questions regarding WonderCon Press Registration, please email pressreg@comic-con.org.

For publicity questions that do not pertain to WonderCon Press Registration, please email pr@comic-con.org.