Are you heading to San Diego Comic-Con 2026 for the first time? Just need a refresher? Parks & Cons have years of experience covering the convention from every angle, and they’re here with a new 2026 Beginner’s Guide to San Diego Comic-Con to walk you through everything you need to know.

In this guide, they’ll cover everything from exclusives strategy and how the Online Exclusives Portal works, panels and line management, how autographs and signings work at SDCC, finding swag and free experiences, offsites and maximizing your time outside the Convention Center, rookie mistakes to avoid, and so much more.