HBO Max Is Coming to SDCC 2026 With Green Lanterns, Big Bang Theory Chaos and a House of the Dragon Surprise

By Klep Napier | Wearecritix.com

If you are making your SDCC 2026 plans and wondering where HBO Max is going to show up this year, the answer is everywhere. And they brought receipts.

Between two immersive off-site experiences, two Hall H panels and a late night House of the Dragon advance screening, HBO Max is giving San Diego attendees a full week of reasons to leave the convention floor and go find something special. Here is the complete breakdown of everything happening and exactly how to get in on it.

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Is Taking Over a Comic Shop and We Are Here For It

If you grew up watching The Big Bang Theory, the name Stuart Bloom probably lives in a very specific corner of your heart. The Comic Center of Pasadena is back and HBO Max is bringing it to life in San Diego for the debut of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, the new Max Original spinoff that drops July 23.

The experience is set up at Sparks Gallery at 530 Sixth Ave and it runs Thursday July 23 through Sunday July 26 from 11am to 7pm daily, with Sunday wrapping up at 3pm. This is not a standard booth photo op situation. You are walking into a full narrative driven journey through Stuart's multiverse, complete with a portal walkthrough, interactive moments, a replica machine from the show and a personalized collectible takeaway based on your hero archetype. Yes, you get to find out which character you are. Yes, that matters.

The Hall H panel on Thursday July 23 from 2:15pm to 3:15pm is going to be one of the highlights of the week. Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn and Bill Prady are all showing up alongside stars Kevin Sussman, Lauren Lapkus, John Ross Bowie and Brian Posehn, moderated by Felicia Day. There is an advance screening built in and the panel is being described as packed with surprises which, coming from this group of people, could mean absolutely anything.

If you want autographs, the cast and creators are doing a signing at DC's Booth 4544 on Thursday from 12:30pm to 1:00pm. Get there early.

The Green Lantern Corps Is Recruiting and You Need to Prove You Are Fearless Enough

This is the one that has me genuinely excited.

HBO Max is setting up the Lanterns Training Headquarters at Venue 808 on 808 J St from Thursday July 23 through Saturday July 25 and the experience they have built around it sounds unlike anything else at the convention this year. You get briefed by the Guardians. You go through hands-on fearlessness challenges including target practice, trust exercises, maze navigation and escape room style scenarios set inside a Sheriff's office and a dive bar straight out of Rushville, Nebraska. The whole thing culminates in a custom Green Lantern ring you get to take home and a Snapchat powered interactive mirror that lets you simulate using the ring.

That is not a booth. That is an experience.

One critical note here.

Sign-ups open Monday July 13 at 9am PT at hbomax.com/lanternstraininghq and spots are limited, first come first served, 18 and older only. Do not sleep on this one. Set a reminder right now.

The Hall H panel on Friday July 24 from 1:30pm to 2:30pm is stacked in a way that is hard to overstate. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as Hal Jordan and John Stewart sharing a stage with co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King. Never before seen clips. Behind the scenes looks at a show that comic fans have been waiting on for a very long time. This panel is going to be talked about all weekend.

HBO Max is also partnering with businesses throughout the Gaslamp District for surprise swag drops and setting up Lanterns Recharge Stations around the area for fans to charge their phones using Lantern Batteries. Because of course they are.

House of the Dragon Is Dropping an Advance Screening Late Saturday Night

For the Targaryen faithful, Saturday July 25 has a very specific reason to stay up late.

HBO Max is hosting an advance fan screening of House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 6 at San Diego Convention Center Room 6DE from 10pm to 11:15pm. Showrunner Ryan Condal will be there to introduce the episode which means you are watching a brand new HOTD episode before it airs, at Comic-Con, with a room full of the most devoted fans of the show on the planet.

If that does not sound like a good Saturday night to you then I genuinely do not know what to tell you.

Your HBO Max SDCC 2026 Quick Reference

Stuart Fails to Save the Universe Experience: Sparks Gallery, 530 Sixth Ave, July 23 to 26, 11am to 7pm daily

Stuart Hall H Panel: July 23, 2:15pm to 3:15pm

Lanterns Training Headquarters: Venue 808, 808 J St, July 23 to 25

Lanterns Sign-Ups Open: July 13 at 9am PT at hbomax.com/lanternstraininghq

Lanterns Hall H Panel: July 24, 1:30pm to 2:30pm

House of the Dragon Advance Screening: July 25, 10pm, Room 6DE

CritiX will be on the ground at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 covering all of it. Stay locked in.

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Klep Napier is the Founder, CEO and Editor in Chief of CritiX Media. MPA-Accredited Entertainment Outlet. wearecritix.com