Welcome incoming freshmen! Comic-Con 2016 badges will go on sale Saturday, February 20 at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST). If this is your first time purchasing a Comic-Con badge, Professor Toucan has compiled a great set of frequently asked questions that will get you to the head of the class in no time! We encourage you to check this blog daily, as we will be posting more helpful hints, tips, a registration walk-thru video, and important information regarding badge shipment in the days preceding Open Registration.

For detailed information on Comic-Con Open Registration, please click here.

Q: Where is the link to the Expo Logic Registration waiting room? A: Are you eligible to participate in Open Registration? If yes, the link to the Expo Logic Registration waiting room will be sent to you via email at least 24 hours prior to the sale. We encourage you to add do-not-reply@comic-con.org and registration@epicreg.com as an approved/authorized sender to your email account. For your convenience, we will also add the waiting room link to your Comic-Con Member ID account under the “Registration Info” tab at least 24 hours prior to the sale.

Q: Why am I not eligible to participate in Open Registration?

A: To participate in Open Registration you must have a valid and confirmed Comic-Con Member ID created before 9:30 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on February 11, 2016. Accounts created after this date are not eligible.

If you were able to purchase the Preview Night option during Attendee Preregistration or if you are a registered professional/guest of professional, you are not eligible to participate.

Q: I am eligible for Open Registration and want to purchase a badge for my spouse, but they are not eligible. Can I purchase a badge for them during my registration session? A: No. Only those who are eligible for Open Registration can purchase a badge during Saturday’s sale. To be eligible, you had to create and confirm a Comic-Con Member ID before 9:30 AM PST on February 11, 2016.

Q: What do I need for Open Registration?

A: You will need your personal registration code (this is not your Member ID), your Comic-Con Member ID, and last name. You will use your personal registration code to log in to the Expo Logic waiting room, and you will use your Member ID/Last Name combo to begin a badge purchase session. Your personal registration code can be found on the “Registration Info” in your Member ID account. Please make sure you enter your last name exactly as displayed under your Member ID account, including any special characters.

Q: What time do I need to enter the waiting room? Is it 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time (PST)? A: The Expo Logic Registration waiting room will open at 8:00 AM PST for registration code entry and badges will go on sale shortly after 9:00 AM PST. However, you do not need to arrive at 8:00 AM PST to participate. Sleep in! Take your time! Arriving early to the waiting room does not give you an advantage. Save yourself the wait and arrive shortly before 9:00 AM PST. That said, please keep in mind that the waiting room will close at 9:00 AM PST sharp. You must arrive prior to 9:00 AM PST to participate in Open Registration.

Q: How many badges can I buy? What do they cost?

Comic-Con 2016 badge prices can be found here. During Open Registration you may purchase badges for up to THREE people total, yourself included. Each individual you are buying for must be eligible to participate and they must have their own confirmed Comic-Con Member ID account.

Q: How do I update my name if the Member ID system is closed and I'm participating in Open Registration? A: Please contact Comic-Con following the badge sale and we will assist you with a name change. You can use the “Contact Us” feature once you have logged in to your Member ID account.

Q: My son is currently 17 but will be 18 by July 20, 2016. Does he need to purchase an adult or junior badge?

A: Your son can attend Comic-Con 2016 as a junior. Your Member Type (adult, junior, or senior) is determined by your age on the date you purchased your badge.

Q: Why can’t you show my position in the waiting room so I can quit if I think I have no chance of buying a badge? A: Unfortunately we are unable to show your place in line because there is no virtual “line.” The “line” was removed when we went to the random selection process. Think of the waiting room as a giant bowl of Cheerios. We’re all floating together in a big bowl of milk until a spoon comes in and randomly selects the next spoonful. It is impossible to predict which individual Cheerio will be gobbled up next, so don’t give up hope!

Q: If I am removed from the waiting room and log back in with my registration code, am I sent to the back of the line?

A: If you are accidentally removed from the waiting room, do not stress! Click the Expo Logic Registration waiting room link in your email and re-enter your registration code. As long as you entered the waiting room prior to 9:00 AM PST, you will be allowed re-entry. If you are accidentally kicked out of the waiting room, you will be returned to the same random group you were originally assigned to.

Q: How do I update my Membership Type if the Member ID system is closed and I'm participating in Open Registration? A: If you are selected for a registration session during open Registration and your Membership Type is incorrect, please purchase the badges that are available at that time and contact Comic-Con following the badge sale and we will assist you. You can use the “Contact Us” feature once you have logged in to your Member ID account.

Q: Can I share my registration code with a friend?

A: We don’t recommend doing that! A registration code may only be redeemed for one entry into the waiting room. Whoever uses the registration code last will be the only person allowed to enter.

Q: My husband and I have our own registration codes and laptops, but share the same IP address. Does this mean only one of us can enter the waiting room? A: No. You may use multiple computers or devices from the same IP address.

Q: I am buying badges for my friends. Can we each use our own credit card for purchase? Do you accept PayPal or debit cards?

A: Unfortunately we can only accept one form of payment at checkout. Comic-Con accepts Visa, MasterCard, and American Express only. If your debit card has a Visa or MasterCard logo, it is a valid form of payment. We do not accept PayPal.

Q: I am working with a buying group, how does Comic-Con ensure that my buyer gives my badge to me and doesn’t keep my money and badge? A: Comic-Con will ship all badges purchased during a registration session to the buyer only. If the buyer does not give you your badge, Comic-Con is unable to intervene on your behalf or send you a new badge. Make sure that you personally know and trust the people you are working with in a buying group.

Q: I am an international attendee, but I am participating in a badge buying group with some United States residents. If I am selected for a registration session, can I enter their U.S. address instead of mine?

A: If you are an international attendee and wish to have your badges shipped to a U.S. address, simply enter the U.S. address during the check out process.