Comic Con Africa 2020 has been cancelled, due to the uncertainty of when it will be safe to hold large gatherings again.
Carol Weaving, Managing Director of organisers Reed Exhibitions Africa, explains, “During a pandemic which is expected to peak in September, we simply cannot go ahead with hosting the many tens of thousands of fans who attend Comic Con Africa annually. Despite months of planning, diligent consideration of the state of the pandemic dictates that cancelling the 2020 edition of Comic Con Africa is the only way forward.”
On the event’s original dates, 24 – 27 September 2020, Comic Con Africa aims to break the internet, bringing a virtual Con to fans in their own homes.
However, the event’s organisers are committed to ensuring their fans do not miss out entirely, and have developed a virtual event. On the event’s original dates, 24 – 27 September 2020, Comic Con Africa aims to break the internet, bringing a virtual Con to fans in their own homes. This will include exclusive interactive content, including many of fans’ favourite elements of a real-life Con, such as: live chats, Q&As, panel discussions, the opportunity to virtually meet celebs, fan meet ups, live draws, talks, gaming tournaments and streams, artist panels, special exhibitor deals and more.
“By taking the Con Online we know that we will never be able to offer quite the same experience as connecting and engaging at the actual show, but we also don’t want to stop bringing our fans the fun and entertainment in 2020. COVID-19 won’t stop the dedicated fandoms and communities that Comic Con Africa engages with, so by offering an Online Con experience we can still not only keep our communities together, but connect more fans and grow to ensure that our 2021 show is the biggest yet!” said Carla Massmann, the Portfolio Director for Comic Con.
“COVID-19 won’t stop the dedicated fandoms and communities that Comic Con Africa engages with, so by offering an Online Con experience we can still not only keep our communities together, but connect more fans and grow to ensure that our 2021 show is the biggest yet!”
In the meantime, the organsiers encourage you to follow the Comic Con Africa social media channels for unique content created for each community and fandom. You can find them here: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. #ComicConAfrica
For those who had already purchased their Comic Con Africa 2020 tickets, you can keep these for the 2021 event (with a price freeze) or obtain a refund. All ticket holders will receive a direct communication from Howler, the event’s ticketing partner, over the next few days outlining how this will happen. As of this announcement, 2020 ticket sales have closed.
READ: Cancelled, postponed or going ahead – upcoming exhibition dates