Our list of everything happening around the Doctor Who Fandom at San Diego Comic Con! Bookmark this page for updates! BBC Studios has unveiled an expansive Doctor Who presence from July 24th to 27th. Fans will have the chance to delve deep into the show’s rich history and exciting future, with immersive pop-up experiences, exclusive merchandise, and a captivating exhibition. There are also plenty of fan-organized activities happening at SDCC.

Step Inside UNIT’s Top-Secret Facility: The Black Archive

The centerpiece of this year’s Doctor Who Comic-Con takeover is “The Black Archive,” a fully immersive pop-up experience located at The Harbor Club in the Gaslamp District (100 E Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101). From Thursday, July 24th to Saturday, July 26th (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM), and Sunday, July 27th (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM), fans will gain clearance into UNIT’s top-secret facility, famously seen in the 50th Anniversary special ‘The Day of the Doctor.’

Upon enrollment into UNIT and receiving an official Level 1 clearance badge, visitors will explore a meticulously recreated Black Archive, brimming with props and artifacts from across sixty years of Doctor Who history, including terrifying monsters such as a Dalek Mutant, Cybermen, and the Silence. This classified facility promises hidden clues and easter eggs, including tantalizing hints related to the highly anticipated Doctor Who spin-off, ‘The War Between the Land and the Sea’. For those unable to attend in person, an exclusive digital offering of the Black Archive will be available on the official Doctor Who website, ensuring fans worldwide can participate in the adventure.

Evening Missions and Exclusive Merchandise

Adding to the excitement, the Black Archive experience will also feature an exclusive Doctor Who merchandise shop, offering all-new, limited-edition apparel and accessories celebrating over six decades of the iconic show. Fans can also capture a transportive memory inside a photo experience replicating the Fifteenth Doctor’s TARDIS.

Evenings at the Black Archive will bring an extra layer of thrill. From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Thursday, July 24th to Saturday, July 26th, the facility will transform into a thrilling mission where brave recruits can assist the Doctor by uncovering hidden clues and secrets from within the Whoniverse. Successful completion of these missions will be rewarded with an exclusive San Diego Comic-Con prize.

Explore the Worlds of Wonder Exhibition

Beyond the Black Archive, Doctor Who fans can further immerse themselves at the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction exhibition. Making its U.S. debut at the Comic-Con Museum in Balboa Park earlier this year, this interactive exhibit delves into the scientific principles explored within the series. It features an impressive collection of original screen-used props and costumes, along with insightful recorded interviews from scientists and the show’s FX crew. In a world exclusive, the exhibition will display all seventeen of the Doctor’s costumes together for the very first time, offering an unparalleled visual journey through the character’s many regenerations. For tickets and further information on the exhibition, fans can visit comic-con.org/museum.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 promises to be an unmissable event for Doctor Who enthusiasts, offering an unprecedented opportunity to step directly into the heart of the Whoniverse.

@thisdorkynerd One of my favorite Doctor Who bits was when it was revealed that Captain Jack Harkness might be the Face of Boe. The Face of Boe was on display at the Comic Con Museum in San Diego. #DoctorWhoFandom #thefaceofboe #johnbarrowman #captainjackharkness #10thdoctorwho #10thdoctor ♬ original sound – DirectDoctor

Doctor Who Shop Launches Two Exclusive Collections During Comic-Con

On July 22nd, the Doctor Who shop launches two exclusive collections, Horror of Fang Rock and Analogue Gallifrey. These collections, inspired by fan insights and nostalgia trends, will coincide with the immersive Doctor Who: The Black Archive experience (July 24–27) happening during San Diego Comic-Con. Fans at the BBC Shop will be the first to discover the new merchandise and collectibles there.

In these new collections, you’ll discover fandom-powered collections, drawing inspiration from iconic moments, characters, and your favorite content. They’ll release limited-edition drops, tying them to key cultural moments and anniversaries. You’ll also find personalization options for select products, and they will be offering global shipping along with region-specific exclusives.

The Doctor Who Shop is just the beginning. BBC Studios will launch additional shops for Bluey, Top Gear, BBC Earth, and BBC Playback in the coming months.

Fan organized Doctor Who Cosplay Meetup at San Diego Comic Con

Doctor Who Cosplay Meetup on Thursday, July 24 from 2:00 pm at the Marriott Marquis front fountain/lawn area. 333 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA, 92101, United States

The Future of Doctor Who Panel

In what had become a popular annual treat at Comic-Con, the most outspoken and informed experts return for an interactive panel discussion with fans about what’s next in the long-running sci-fi series Doctor Who and hear your views on the latest season. Moderated by Sandro Monetti, with River Alexandra Song, Karen Glover, Sarah Lynn Dawson, Cody Shoberg, Myriam Lp, and Kristi Schoeman.

Date and Time: Thursday, July 24, 2025, 3:00 pm – 4:00pm

Location: Omni San Diego Hotel, Omni Grand Ballroom DE, 4th Floor

Doctor Who Quiz Night near San Diego Comic Con

Doctor Who Quiz Night on Thursday, July 24 from 7 pm-9 pm. There will be prizes (including a $100 Shakespeare Pub gift card) and plenty of fun, and the event will be hosted by Sandro Monetti.

Add your event to this list by contacting info@templeofgeek.com.

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