San Diego Comic-Con is upon us this week, and downtown San Diego will be a fandom hub. Whether you’re cosplaying, panel-hopping or just soaking in the fandom outside the Convention Center (people watching, anyone?), MTS is the easiest way to get to all the action. We’re rolling out extra service, fun promo items and taking you to all the on-site activations to help you have a smooth Con experience.
Comic-Con Special Event Line and Extra Trips
Comic-Con brings big crowds, more than 130,000 according to Fox5, so we’re extending service hours and adding extra Trolley service, including the return of our Special Event Line. Here’s what you can expect:
- Red Line (Special Event Line): The fastest option for anyone traveling north of Old Town Transit Center, this line will run every 15 minutes starting at 6:55 a.m. from Balboa Ave Transit Center with the last trip leaving Gaslamp Quarter at 10:35 p.m. (Thursday-Saturday) and 7:05 p.m. on Sunday.
- Blue Line: Regular 7.5-minute service until 8:22 p.m. (Thurs-Sat and 7:22 p.m. on Sunday) and 15-minute service until 11:37 p.m. The last trip from 12th & Imperial will be at 12:07 a.m.
- Orange Line: This line runs every 15 minutes until 11:56 p.m. (Thurs-Sat), 7:26 p.m. on Sunday). Last trip from 12th & Imperial to El Cajon will be at 12:26 a.m. (Thurs-Sat and 11:56 p.m. on Sunday.
- Green Line: Service will run every 15 minutes until 12:08 a.m. (Thurs-Sat) and to 11:08 p.m. on Sunday. The last trip from Gaslamp to El Cajon will be at 1:08 a.m. (Thurs-Sat) and 11:38 p.m. on Sunday
- Copper Line: 15-minute service with the last trip from El Cajon to Santee at 12:10 a.m. (Thurs-Sat) and 11:10 p.m. on Sunday.
We’re expecting to carry around 260,000 riders over Comic-Con weekend — that’s a lot of capes, cosplay and con-goers! And, it also makes this weekend the busiest ridership for MTS the entire year.
To keep things running smoothly, the MTS team is putting in serious work behind the scenes. From dispatchers and maintenance crews to station ambassadors and operators, our staff is logging hundreds of extra hours to make sure your ride is fast, safe, and stress-free.
Free Collectible MTS Trolley Banks and Pins
Every year, brands create Comic-Con exclusive wraps for our Trolleys, turning everyday transit into moving pieces of fandom. These wraps have become a landmark of the Comic-Con experience, and this year, you can take a piece of it home with you.
We’re giving away limited-edition paper Trolley banks that match several of the wraps you'll see on the tracks. These collectible items are available for free at select MTS pop-ups, along with exclusive SDCC MTS pins (while supplies last). To learn where to find our pop-ups head to our San Diego Comic-Con event page.
The featured Trolley bank designs include:
- Nintendo’s Switch 2, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Mario Kart World
- Crunchyroll’s Gachiakuta
Must-See Activations at Comic-Con 2025
At Comic-Con there’s even more to explore just outside the Convention Center, no badge required. Here are three standout activations worth checking out—all easily walkable from nearby stops.
Hop off at Little Italy station for the Malibu Barbie Café. Barbie is bringing retro glam to San Diego all month long, including during Comic-Con weekend. Located at Bayside Kitchen and Bar, this pop-up created by Mattel and Bucket Listers offers a 90-minute dining experience in a vibrant, beachy setting inspired by 1970s Malibu. Tickets are available now and include a food and merch credit.
Hulu is celebrating the return of King of the Hill with Hank Hill’s Backyard, a down-home Texas-style cookout located behind the Convention Center. This activation features lawn games like Alamo Pong and the Cowboy Boot Toss, photo ops with life-size cutouts and Dale’s Dead Bug van and the chance to customize your own Mega Lo Mart trucker hat. Fans can cool off with a can of Alamo water and enjoy Texas BBQ bites while lounging under the Arlen water tower.
Just a short walk from the 12th & Imperial Transit Center, the Comic-Con Interactive Zone at Petco Park is a free, outdoor fan experience open to everyone—no badge required. From Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27, the Lexus Premier Lot across from Petco Park will transform into a hub of pop culture fun, featuring fan-favorite activations, food trucks, and giveaways.
New to Transit? We’ve Got You.
Whether you’re a first-time rider or a local who just doesn’t want to mess with parking, getting to Comic-Con on MTS is easy. Tap to pay with the PRONTO app or card, where you can buy discounted multi-day passes. If you’re only headed out for a day or two, you can also use your contactless payment to get a one-way fare ($2.50), valid for two hours.
Need help planning your ride? Check out our full guide to getting around Comic-Con by transit and learn all the ways to pay.
