SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Downtown San Diego is beginning to gear up for San Diego Comic-Con 2026 as restaurants, public transportation and buildings transform into pop culture favorites
Petco Park will be holding several outside activations during the 2026 convention that you can take part in without a badge
San Diego Comic-Con takes place at the San Diego Convention Center from Thursday, July 23, through Sunday, July 26, with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 22
Petco Park Interactive Zone
According to Petco Park Insider, the Petco Park Interactive Zone will take over the Lexus Premier Lot next to Petco Park across the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge from the convention center
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MaruMart:The interactive zone will feature MaruMart, a pop-up immersive walk-through of a Japanese convenience store from instant ramen brand Maruchan, where you can sample products, track down rare or unexpected flavors, buy SDCC-exclusive merchandise and get photo ops with surprise giveaways
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck: The interactive zone will also have a Hello Kitty Cafe Truck that serves sweets and exclusive 2026 merchandise — macarons, madeleines, and the oversized Chef Cookie, along with custom quarter-zips, throw blankets, mugs and totes
KAYOU Walls of Fandom:The trading card company is making its SDCC debut with a free walk-through experience with large displays celebrating its popular card lines, including My Little Pony, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and more
Collectors can also grab an SDCC-exclusive “Superfan Passport” and earn stamps at the walkthrough experience, at Booth #4934 inside the convention center and at a Friday night fan meetup at Tito Rick’s Garage on Imperial Avenue
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Labu’Tique Farmers Market: Want Jelly Cats, Needohs, Labubus and Squishy Toys? You can snag those viral toys and more at the Labu’Tique Farmers Market at Petco Park
Funko Fundays: Quest for the Grail:On Friday, July 24, Funko’s annual fan party takes over Gallagher Square in Petco Park with this year’s theme — “Quest for the Grail – Atlantis.”
Doors open at 5 p.m. with food, live <a href="https://comicvibe.com/nclt-order-clears-path-for-entertainment-citys-revival/” title=”NCLT Order Clears Path for Entertainment City's Revival”>entertainment, major product reveals, prototype giveaways and exclusive Pop! figures for every attendee. Tickets are sold out
The San Diego Padres will be on the road during the annual convention as Comic-Con takes over Petco Park. The last home game before the convention will be Sunday, July 12, against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Padres don’t return to Petco Park until Tuesday, July 28, against the Colorado Rockies
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Keep an eye on the San Diego Comic-Con website closer to the convention as they announce the full panel schedule. Stay with FOX 5/KUSI for more off-site studio activation announcements, booth giveaways and themed pop-ups and cafes that will start showing up across downtown San Diego
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