A few weeks ago, we were complaining about the fact that San Diego Comic-Con had still not been cancelled despite the dangers of the coronavirus pandemic. Did organizers really think that people would be able to gather in such large numbers come July? Even if the pandemic clears up soon (it won’t) isn’t July way too soon for something of that size? But despite our pleas, Comic-Con was still on!
And now it is off. It was announced today that SDCC is officially cancelled for 2020. There was some speculation that if (no, when) the event was finally cancelled, organizers would try to have some sort of virtual con: having celebrities call in while panels were live-streamed to viewers at home. But that isn’t the case. The entire thing is cancelled and there is no replacement or any sort of virtual con planned.
Here’s David Glanzer, spokesperson for SDCC:
“Extraordinary times require extraordinary measures and while we are saddened to take this action, we know it is the right decision. We eagerly look forward to the time when we can all meet again and share in the community we all love and enjoy.”
It was the right call and no one is going to question it. It is unfortunate that it’s come to this but it is also necessary for the safety of all involved.
The move will hurt many exhibitors that make most of their money selling goods at SDCC. The cancellation will also greatly impair the economy of San Diego businesses, which make tons of money during the convention. You have to remember that this isn’t some small group gathering. Hundreds of thousands come to the convention every single day and then they flood out into the streets of San Diego to help restaurants and stores and hotels and ride-share workers. Without San Diego Comic-Con, all of those businesses will be heavily impacted. But that is true for so many locations across America right now. COVID-19 is absolutely ravaging the economy.
Regardless of how hard it will be for San Diego, it is about time Comic-Con was cancelled. It was a tough move but, like I said, what needed to be done. And now we can all look forward to next year’s convention, which is scheduled for July 22-25, 2021.