Comic-Con in San Diego, the world's biggest pop culture festival, has decided to cancel its 2020 edition due to the coronavirus pandemic, the first in fifty years of its existence.
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An entertainment industry event in the United States and beyond, Comic-Con attracts some 135,000 fans, often costumed, every year in July, and a host of Hollywood stars, creators and tycoons. But California governor Gavin Newsom recently warned that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, large gatherings were unlikely to be allowed until fall, and Comic-Con organizers were forced to draw the consequences. They announced Friday "with deep regret that there will be no Comic-Con in 2020".
They said in a statement "having hoped to be able to postpone this decision" but recent warnings, including that of Governor Gavin Newsom, "have clearly established that it would not have been prudent to maintain our plans for this year". Fans who had already bought their tickets for the four days of celebrations and previews will be able to get a refund or choose to attend the 2021 edition.
Coachella and South by Southwest also canceled
Before being a staple of Hollywood studios, the stories of superheroes interested only a few geeks living their passion in their corner. In California, a handful of them had gathered to launch in 1970 a confidential meeting: the Comic-Con, which became fifty years later one of the major events of entertainment, with billions of dollars at the end .
Other major American events have been canceled due to the pandemic, such as the Coachella music festival in California or the South by Southwest festival in Austin (Texas). "The prospect of massive rallies is unthinkable until we reach collective immunity and have a vaccine," Governor Newsom said on Tuesday at a press conference. "When we talk about June, July, August ... it's very unlikely".
