I have amassed the finances, and are considering visiting the 2025 SDCC Comic Convention
I have looked up information on this event but it seems to me that you have to have some kind of badge to get anywere.
Can you just turn up at the door and pay to get in. Any members info for an overseas visitor would be greatly appreciated
Thanks.

Unfortunately, the badges are hard to get in the first place and they sold out fast last month, like usual. The only way to them now is scalpers, alas.

There are usually things outside the hall going on that don't require a badge, though, so there is still some fun to be had in the immediate area. For instance, though I can't say they're doing it this year, on the lawn behind and to one side of the convention center, the likes of Hulu, Adult Swim, and FX Network have all set up carnival-like experiences in recent years, and those are free to the public.

If your main intrest is non sport cards i would suggest not going to sdcc and going to Philly & Chicago instead, you will get far more for your money.

NYCC is even bigger than SDCC, but as been said only a small amount of nonsports cards. NYCC does sell out but tickets have not gone on sale yet so if you buy early you should be able to get anyday you want.

Thanks for your replies and info
Yes I was mainly interested in Non Sports cards
It seems that I will have to revise my ideas.
As San Diego seemed to be the main convention I thought that was the place.
But from replies other conventions could be a better idea
Coming from a small country I am used to just turning up to events and paying a entrance fee an im in
As I have not comitted to getting visas and airline tickets yet I will have to make further enquiries about other conventions
Thanks for your information saved me from jumping in at the deep end

I haven't been to SDCC in a long time, and I've never been to NYCC, but I've been to lots of big shows in Chicago and other areas, and in my experience the number of non-sport card sellers at these shows has dwindled to very few.

I stopped going to most shows before covid as there just weren't many cards to be found -- it's been a few years so things may be a bit different now.

For a long time the Philly show has been the largest gathering of entertainment card sellers I'm aware of. Although I've never been to that show either.

Here are some videos people made at Philly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=occOxfiU4AA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKkdbHLixLA

If you are looking for cards that may be your best bet, but you aren't going to find all of the other attractions that a huge show has. Perhaps that is fine with you, but you may find that you end up spending more time on an airplane getting to the states than you spend at some of the smaller shows.

You can still get a legit SDCC badge by buying a Legend membership to their museum:

https://115455a.blackbaudhosti...al-Museum-Membership

Seems to be too many hoops you have to jump through to get to any of the conventions NY and Chicago are out even though NY would be the one.
As Webjon says I probably would spend more time on a plane.
Saw the video on the Chicago one and seemed to be nobody there was not exciting at all but all is not lost yet will still have to make up my mind
Thanks for all your input.

Before you think about going anywhere, you should go to the website(s) of the event(s) to see what's required to attend.

Thank You
Never crossed my mind
I went to the SDCC one but never even considered the other Websites will do
Thanks

For San Diego most of the area hotels triple or quadruple their prices during convention week. I always research the area hotels and book a room first and worry about the badge later. Do not use VRBO. If your host cancels they don't care and you're on your own.

If you are only looking for non-sports cards, I will ONLY suggest you go to the Philly non-sports card show. As far as my experience, this is the best show to go to for non-sports cards. I know there is a Chicago show, but I am unsure how big that one is as I've never been. Others can comment on that one here.

I DO NOT suggest San Diego Comic Con. I've never been, but when researching about going, the general consensus that I got from everyone was that it is a mad house, everything is overpriced in the area (hotels, food, etc), getting tickets or hotel rooms is super hard, and it has become more of a "tv/movie" release party rather than a comic or genre convention. None or not many non-sports cards there.

If you are looking for conventions for scifi/ genre, I would suggest Awesome Con in DC and Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia. I have been to both.

Dragon Con is huge. There are con-provided buses that come around on a regular basis that will bus you around to the various hotels and convention centers the con is at. Again, the con is HUGE and is in several hotels and centers around the city. It is disability friendly if that matters to you. I won't ever go again as it was just too big for me and my anxiety issues. They usually have a huge amount of celebrities which is fantastic! They are usually good celebrities too and it is a good mix of shows/movies so most people have someone they like to see & meet. Lots of shopping in the vendors areas. Great convention. Not many (if any) non-sports cards there.

Awesome Con is in one huge convention center. It is very large compared to other conventions in the area although not as large as Dragon Con. It is very disability friendly. Awesome Con usually has a nice array of celebrity guests. Lots of fantastic shopping in the vendor areas. Lots of great panels covering a wide range of subjects for you to attend. It is a crowded convention though. LOTS of people attend it. So, if you don't like crowds, don't go to this one. And because it is in DC, there is a TON of touristy and interesting things to see (I highly suggest the Smithsonian).

For New York Comic Con - I have never been, I had tickets to last year's convention but had to sell them due to medical issues Hopefully I will be able to go in the future. Anyway, from what I've heard, if you want to go to a very large convention that is a good cross between the media blitz of SDCC and a regular scifi/genre convention then this is the one for you. It is large and in NY city - so it is a pricey area but lots of different tourist things to see and NY city is fantastic! I love that city. So much to see.

If you are interested in a more "traditional" comic convention, I suggest Baltimore Comic Con as they have mostly comic book guests and lots and lots of comic book vendors, more than any other convention I've been to. I haven't been there for a few years as I'm more into the celebrities and like meeting them, but Baltimore Comic Con is one I would suggest for actual comics. I think they still hold it at the Baltimore Convention Center. If so, I would suggest you stay in one of the hotels the convention suggests as Baltimore City can be a bit dangerous in places (I live there and have lived the danger). But touristy areas are fine (as fine as touristy areas are LOL!)

But, again, for non-sports cards - go to the Philly Non-sports card convention in Pennsylvania. That con has sooooo many cards from all different eras and only cards - you won't find anything else for sale but non-sports cards. Lots of vendors and even some manufacturers. There are no "panels" to attend, it is only shopping. Entrance fees are very very low, especially compared to any of the other conventions in the Country. The people are super friendly and wonderful and it isn't overly crowded. I highly suggest it.

Also, Pennsylvania is close to MD and DC for touristy things that you might want to do. Since you are coming from a different country you might want to check out other things for tourists in the USA (I suggest DC). Washington DC is about a 3 hour drive each way so don't do it in one day. Make sure you are comfortable driving on the right side of the road and all the road laws if you rent a car and be prepared for other driver's road rage as we Americans can be crazy drivers LOL! Might be easier to Uber/Lyft to and from the PA airport and fly to DC and Uber/Lyft around there.

I hope you don't mind the length of this post, but I figured I would give the run down on my experiences with conventions.