Tampa Comic Con officially canceled

UPDATE 6/24/20: Tampa Comic Con has officially been canceled. Organizers had initially announced a return in July, but amid COVID-19 cases spiking in the region and the state, those behind the event felt it best to hold off.

Those who preordered tickets or booths will have their purchase transferred to Comic Con in 2021.

Here’s their full statement:

“Nerdy brethren! We come to you with unfortunate news. Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the City of Tampa does not feel comfortable featuring Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 (and we share their sentiment). For that reason, Tampa Bay Comic Convention 2020 has been cancelled. The next Tampa Bay Comic Convention will be July 30-August 1, 2021!

Of course, those that pre-ordered tickets or purchased booth/table space for TBCC 2020 will have their purchase transferred to TBCC 2021. Since 2010, we have been hosting Tampa Bay Comic Convention. From our earliest days gathering a few hundred nerdy locals, to the tens of thousands the convention now attracts, it has been a wonderful adventure. What started as a fun side-project for a few comic book collectors from Central Florida, has grown into a full-fledged business—with actual full-time employees! Keeping TBCC alive and our employees employed through the massive 24-month gap from TBCC 2019 to TBCC 2021 will be very, very challenging. We are greatly appreciative and thankful for your ticket and booth/table transfers, as those funds are truly all there is keeping TBCC alive for the next 12 months; without them, there would be no TBCC 2021 (or beyond).

We sincerely apologize to those that were looking forward to attending TBCC 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will allow us to once again freely gather with friends and family. Hopefully, 2021 will be a better year for the world.”

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There’s nothing like Tampa Bay Comic Con. This annual event features stunning cosplay, an opportunity to shop comics and original art from creators across the region, meet some of your favorite celebrities, and engage in panel discussions from writers, actors, and artists.

The Convention will live on. The organizers announced that the event will happen July 10-12, 2020.

Comic Con to happen with new health and safety measures

After nearly two months of uncertainty, they received confirmation from the Tampa Convention Center and Tampa Fire Marshal that TBCC 2020 will move forward with numerous health measures enacted by the venue and various levels of government, to keep attendees, exhibitors, guests, and staff as safe as possible. Below you’ll find some of the measures that will be enacted:

1) Temperature screenings will be mandatory for all occupants prior to entering Tampa Convention Center. Those exhibiting temperatures above a certain level will not be allowed entry into the convention.

2) Tampa Convention Center has increased cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.

3) Hand sanitizing stations shall be set through the pre-function space and high traffic areas at entrance points.

4) Interior occupancy of the exhibit hall, ballrooms, and meeting rooms shall be strictly limited, with one-way ingress and one-way egress of all interior spaces.

Tom Felton, Kevin Nash among teased celebrities

To purchase tickets, and for more information, visit Tampa Bay Comic Con’s website.

Teased celebrities include Tom Felton, better known as Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, former WWE and WCW World Champion Kevin Nash, Paul Bettany, known for playing The Vision in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Kel Mitchell, from Keenan & Kel, Good Burger and All That.

Follow Tampa Bay Comic Con on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for updates.

Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin Street