The geeks shall inherit San Diego for at least another three years.
The city has renewed its agreement to host Comic-Con through 2018, a spokesman for San Diego mayor Kevin L. Faulconer told TheWrap on Thursday.
This year’s Comic-Con kicks off on July 9 (with a preview night on July 8) at the San Diego Convention Center.
The annual fan fest, which was founded in 1970 as the Golden State Comic Book Convention, has grown considerably in the ensuing decades, expanding beyond a gathering of comic book enthusiasts to become a hot spot for television networks and movie studios to hype their projects.
In a statement announcing the extension, Faulconer cited the “tens of millions of dollars” that the annual gathering pumps into the local economy.
“Fans near and far can rejoice that their favorite superheroes and celebrities will continue to gather under the San Diego sun,” said Faulconer. “San Diego and Comic-Con are a natural pair and we’re both extremely pleased to continue our four-decade partnership. And San Diego residents can take heart knowing that the world-famous convention will continue to pump tens of millions into our economy to support local jobs, street repair and neighborhood services.”
Added Comic-Con spokesman David Glanzer, “We’ve grown up in San Diego and we’re excited to have reached an agreement that will keep us here through 2018. We worked hand-in-hand with Mayor Faulconer, hoteliers and the tourism industry which will allow us to continue delivering our dynamic convention in America’s Finest City.”