San Diego Comic-Con 2026 Exhibitor Guide: Booth Builders, Rules, Costs & Exhibitor List
San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con International). Everything exhibitors need to plan a booth at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 in San Diego, CA — dates, venue, exhibitor list & floor plan, booth builders and EAC labor, show rules, material handling, union labor, electrical costs and key deadlines.
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 overview
| Show | San Diego Comic-Con |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment & Attractions |
| Venue | San Diego Convention Center |
| City | San Diego, CA |
| Next dates | Jul 22, 2026 – Jul 26, 2026 |
| Attendees | 123,000+ |
| Exhibitors | 1,000 |
| Official website | www.comic-con.org |
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 dates and location
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is scheduled for Jul 22, 2026 – Jul 26, 2026 at San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA. Confirm the official dates and hall assignments on the San Diego Comic-Con website before booking travel or freight.
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exhibitor list
The official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor directory and company listings are published by the show organizer. View it here: San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor directory ↗. Already on the list? BoothFlip helps you find a booth builder, designer or EAC to bring your stand to life.
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 floor plan and booth planning
Pick your booth size and hall using the official San Diego Comic-Con interactive floor plan, then plan the build with BoothFlip. Whether you need a 10×10 inline, a 20×20 island or a large custom stand at San Diego Convention Center, our tools estimate weight, material handling and labor so you can budget accurately.
San Diego Comic-Con booth builder & exhibit design help
Need a custom booth, a rental exhibit, or a fresh design for San Diego Comic-Con? BoothFlip matches you with vetted booth builders and exhibit designers who compete for your project — for new custom builds, modular rentals and renovations.
San Diego Comic-Con EAC contractors & I&D labor in San Diego
For install & dismantle (I&D) labor, supervision and on-site services, connect with exhibitor-appointed contractors (EACs) in San Diego. Find San Diego EAC contractors → or browse the full BoothFlip EAC network → for other cities.
San Diego Comic-Con show rules & exhibitor manual
Booth-height limits, hanging-sign rules and line-of-sight requirements are set in the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual / display rules. Check the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual for the current rules. Always verify the latest rules with show management before finalizing your design.
San Diego Comic-Con material handling, drayage & electrical costs
Services are ordered through the official show contractor. Typical exhibitor-paid costs:
| Material handling (drayage) | ~$165/cwt advance rate (floor/overtime rates run higher) |
|---|---|
| Electrical | from $175 (advance order) |
| Install/dismantle labor | ~$145/hr (ST; OT/DT higher on weekends/holidays) |
These are planning estimates — confirm current rates and forms in the official San Diego Comic-Con service kit.
San Diego Comic-Con union labor rules in San Diego
San Diego is a moderate-union market where an exhibitor worker is often paired with a union worker for install & dismantle. Electrical, freight, rigging, forklift and material handling jurisdictions at San Diego Convention Center must be verified in the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual / service kit.
San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor deadlines & move-in schedule
Exact San Diego Comic-Con order deadlines and move-in / move-out times are published only in the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual / service kit. As a general planning guide, most U.S. shows follow this pattern:
- Discount / advance-order deadline: typically about 4–6 weeks before opening — ordering early usually saves ~25–40%.
- Advance warehouse / freight deadline: usually about 2–4 weeks before opening.
- Exhibitor move-in / setup: commonly begins 1–3 days before the show opens (large islands and hanging-sign booths earlier).
- Show dates: Jul 22, 2026 – Jul 26, 2026.
- Move-out / dismantle: starts right after the show closes.
These are general estimates, not official San Diego Comic-Con dates. Verify every deadline and move-in/move-out time against the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual / service kit.
San Diego Comic-Con booth rental, custom booths & used booths
For San Diego Comic-Con you can commission a new custom booth, rent a modular exhibit, or buy a used / pre-owned trade show booth and have it refurbished and rebranded — often at a fraction of a new custom build. Browse used trade show booths →. Have a booth to sell after the show? List it on BoothFlip →.
Frequently asked questions
When is San Diego Comic-Con 2026?
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 runs Jul 22, 2026 – Jul 26, 2026 at San Diego Convention Center. Always confirm the exact dates on the official San Diego Comic-Con website.
Where is San Diego Comic-Con 2026 held?
San Diego Comic-Con 2026 takes place at San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.
How do I find the San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exhibitor list?
The official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor directory / floor plan is published by the show. BoothFlip links to it and can help you find a booth builder or EAC to exhibit.
Where can I find the San Diego Comic-Con 2026 floor plan?
The interactive floor plan is on the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor site. Use it to pick your booth size and hall; BoothFlip helps you plan and build the booth itself.
Do I need a booth builder for San Diego Comic-Con?
Most custom exhibitors hire a booth builder or EAC. BoothFlip matches you with vetted builders and designers who compete for your San Diego Comic-Con project.
Can exhibitors set up their own booth at San Diego Comic-Con?
San Diego is a moderate-union market where an exhibitor worker is often paired with a union worker for install & dismantle. Electrical, freight, rigging, forklift and material handling jurisdictions at San Diego Convention Center must be verified in the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual / service kit. Also confirm any small-booth exceptions with show management.
What are the San Diego Comic-Con booth height rules?
Standard U.S. display rules usually cap linear/inline booths around 8–12 ft and islands higher, but limits vary by show. Verify booth-height and hanging-sign rules in the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual.
Does San Diego Comic-Con require union labor?
San Diego is a moderate-union market where an exhibitor worker is often paired with a union worker for install & dismantle. Electrical, freight, rigging, forklift and material handling jurisdictions at San Diego Convention Center must be verified in the official San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual / service kit. Plan to budget union install/dismantle labor.
Who is the official contractor for San Diego Comic-Con?
The official general services contractor is named in the San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor service kit (commonly Freeman or GES).
How much does it cost to exhibit at San Diego Comic-Con?
Beyond booth space, budget for booth build/rental, material handling (~$165/cwt advance), electrical (from $175), install/dismantle labor (~$145/hr) and freight. Get a tailored quote through BoothFlip.
How do I order electrical for a San Diego Comic-Con booth?
Electrical is ordered through the official service kit; advance orders (from $175) are cheaper than floor rates. Confirm the current form and deadline in the San Diego Comic-Con exhibitor manual.
Can I use a used trade show booth at San Diego Comic-Con?
Yes — a pre-owned booth can be refurbished and rebranded for San Diego Comic-Con. Browse used booths on BoothFlip's marketplace.
How do I find an EAC contractor for San Diego Comic-Con?
Use BoothFlip's EAC network for San Diego to get matched with vetted exhibitor-appointed contractors for install & dismantle (I&D) and setup.
What are San Diego Comic-Con material handling or drayage costs?
Advance material handling runs about $165/cwt (per cwt/100 lbs or per lb); floor/overtime rates are higher. Confirm current drayage rates in the the official show contractor service kit.
What are the San Diego Comic-Con 2026 exhibitor deadlines?
As a planning guide, the discount / advance-order deadline is usually ~4–6 weeks before opening, the advance-warehouse freight deadline ~2–4 weeks before, and move-in typically starts 1–3 days before the show opens. Verify every San Diego Comic-Con deadline and the move-in / move-out schedule in the official exhibitor manual / service kit.
Can I rent a booth for San Diego Comic-Con instead of buying?
Yes — modular rental exhibits and refurbished used booths are both cost-effective options for San Diego Comic-Con. BoothFlip's builders offer custom builds, rentals and used-booth refurbishment; request a quote to compare.