The biggest pop culture fan event of the year – San Diego Comic-Con – has officially announced that it will not be taking place this year due to the coronavirus lockdown. The event’s 50th anniversary was scheduled to take place from July 23rd to the 26th at the San Diego Convention Center.

The official San Diego Comic-Con twitter account revealed the news on Friday and wrote: “The last few weeks have been an unprecedented time. Since it is becoming apparent that COVID-19 restrictions will not be a short-term matter, we have made the sad decision to cancel Comic-Con for the first time in its 50-year history.”

In case you missed it, Comic-Con International is canceled due to the impact and restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Friday.

— NBC 7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) April 18, 2020

In recent years, San Diego Comic-Con has grown to a major event that draws more than 100,000 fans from around the world, and companies like Marvel take the opportunity to announce new projects and get immediate fan feedback.

The cancelation of Comic-Con 2020 is just the latest in a long list of major entertainment events, Hollywood film productions, and television shows which have been put on hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In the Comic-Con Museum official statement about the cancelation, they said that the tough decision will mark the first time in 50 years that the show will not go on, but it is the right thing to do. They added that Comic-Con wants to do all they can to fight the spread of the virus and support workers who are on the front lines in the battle.

Individuals who purchased badges for Comic-Con 2020 will have the option to request a refund or roll-over their badges to Comic-Con 2021. All 2020 badge holders and Exhibitors will receive an email within the next week with instructions on how to request a refund or transfer

— Comic-Con International (@Comic_Con) April 17, 2020

“There will be better days ahead, and we believe the Comic-Con Museum will play an important role in San Diego’s recovery after COVID-19,” read the statement, which went on to say that San Diego is a destination city and tourism is vital to the city’s economy.

They also said in their statement that the development and opening of the Comic-Con Museum will act as a catalyst to reopen one of the world’s best urban parks and a destination city for travelers from all over the world.

The San Diego Comic-Con Museum also revealed that some of the proposed Phase I renovations will change, but that will not affect the visitor experience. The 2021 grand opening date is still on track, and the museum will introduce new and creative digital ways to bring the magic of Comic-Con year round.

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San Diego Comic-Con 2021 is scheduled for July 22 through July 25.