Open Registration is here

20 FEBRUARY 2016


1:55 pm

Now that the dust has settled somewhat, and I'm hearing from lots of people, it seems that this was indeed a rough year. Lots of people who thought having 4-7 people in their group would get them in and no dice.

This is always a painful day, especially when some of your friends got badges and some didn't. It seems so divisive and unfair. Unfortunately, that is how a lottery works. But no matter how much you grasp that going in, the way it feels is a different matter.

I will say this - if you're in a situation where like 5 of you got badges and 2 didn't, don't let that stop your plans to all go to Comic-Con together. You can still do the surrounding events together and maybe swap a badge (if you're willing to risk it) for a few hours so the others can at least work the Exhibit Hall once or see their favorite artist's panel. And of course you can still party together at night. Don't let the bad luck of a badge sale keep your best friends at home.

9:56 am

And it's over. Comic-Con 2016 is sold out.

9:46 am

As always, this has been a feast or famine badge sale. Some friends got in right away; others are still waiting. How's everyone doing?


9:41 am


Friday and Saturday are gone.

9:27 am

Preview Night is sold out.

9:01 am

And we're off to the races. Now begins the long period where we jump every time the screen changes.

8:57 am

Okay, we'll all start getting sorted in a few minutes.  It's getting real. Make sure your credit cards and buying list are at hand.


8:50 am PST

It's incredible that no matter how many badge sales you've been through, they still have the power to make your heart pound and your stomach jump. And that's before the sale gets started.



8:46 am PST

Almost game time. Take a bio break in the next few minutes or forever hold your peace.


8:35 am PST

Okay, the error message mainly seems to happen to people who are trying to do multiple sessions on 1 browser. Each session gets its own browser.

You still have time to download a new browser if you need to.


8:25 am PST

Some people are reporting getting UNAUTHORIZED messages after they enter the waiting room. I'm not sure what's causing it, but remember that you cannot use the same browser for 2 sessions. Divvy up your sessions between Firefox, IE, Safari, Chrome or Edge.


8:05 am PST

Welcome to the psychological hazing that is Open Registration. Are you ready? (Trick question: no one is every truly ready for this.)

A few final thoughts - make sure your power save settings are altered to accommodate long periods of inertia. Set up your group texts, chats or hangouts now so you're not fumbling around mid-sale to see if anyone bought you a badge yet.

If this is your first sale, know that it will be over with in roughly about an hour, give or take a few minutes. First we'll be hanging in a delayed space where nothing seems to be happening, then the system will tell you that other people are being moved into their buying sessions. Preview Night will sell out first, probably before 9:30 PST. After that, Saturday will go, then Friday, then Thursday and Sunday. Sometimes you've just seen one day announced as sold out and get into the system and find another one has already sold out too. It happens quickly.