San Diego Comic-Con issues confusing guidance for delayed child tickets in 2022

San Diego Comic-Con from Comic-Con International

JUNE 8, 2021 - With San Diego Comic-Con planned as an in-person event for July 2022, Comic-Con International (CCI) recently posted an update to the badge policy for children, one that could cause confusion for parents of teens as they purchase tickets for the long-awaited event. News of the change in policy was first reported by SDCCblog.com, the “unofficial” blog for the event.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Comic-Con was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 in favor of the virtual event Comic-Con @ Home. After the onset of the pandemic, CCI agreed to honor the badges of children who were registered for the 2020 convention, and also reached 13 years of age prior to July 31, 2021. When circumstances prevented an in-person event in San Diego this year, CCI was forced to amend the child badge policy for those children who turned 13 between August 1st, 2020 and July 31st, 2021.

Previously, children aged 12 and under would be issued a badge for Comic-Con at no cost. While that is still the case, CCI is implementing a new policy wherein “children aged 13 or older on or before July 31, 2021 are not eligible to attend Comic-Con 2022 as a child.” That means these children must now be admitted through the “Child to Junior Validation”, which could be a problem. SDCCblog.com reports that “Child to Junior” badges are sold out for the event and unlikely to be made available, leaving 13-14 year old attendees without an option for a ticket. At this time, event producers have not announced any amendment to enable the purchase of tickets for those affected. 

If you have any questions regarding ticket sales or previously purchased tickets to the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, visit the Comic-Con Member ID page or comic-con.org for more information.