Behind The Lens: blink-182 & PAC-MAN Turn Pop-Punk Nostalgia Into San Diego Comic-Con's Biggest Crossover

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Music, gaming, and nostalgia are colliding in one of San Diego Comic-Con's most unexpected collaborations. blink-182 and PAC-MAN have officially unveiled a multi-faceted partnership celebrating two milestones in pop culture history: the 25th anniversary of blink-182's Take Off Your Pants & Jacket and the continued legacy of one of gaming's most recognizable icons.

Launching during San Diego Comic-Con 2026, the collaboration transforms Booth #1415 into an immersive arcade-inspired experience while introducing exclusive merchandise, collectible vinyl, and interactive attractions created specifically for fans attending the convention.

A Joke That Became A Collaboration

Longtime blink-182 fans may remember the unexpected spark behind the partnership. During the band's surprise return at Coachella in 2023, bassist Mark Hoppus wore a PAC-MAN x 7-Eleven T-shirt that quickly became an internet talking point. What began as one of the band's signature tongue-in-cheek fashion moments has now evolved into an official collaboration between the legendary punk trio and Bandai Namco Entertainment America.

That playful spirit remains central to the collection, blending blink-182's irreverent personality with PAC-MAN's unmistakable arcade identity.

An Arcade Built For Pop-Punk Fans

Rather than serving as a standard merchandise booth, the Comic-Con installation recreates the atmosphere of a retro arcade while celebrating the band's enduring influence on alternative music. Visitors can explore co-branded arcade cabinets, animated artwork featuring the members of blink-182, interactive photo opportunities, and a claw machine stocked with PAC-MAN plush toys alongside exclusive blink-182 prizes.

PAC-MAN himself—and the character Bunny—will also make appearances throughout the convention, giving fans another opportunity to engage with the collaboration beyond the merchandise.

Limited Collectibles For Comic-Con

Among the centerpiece releases is a numbered collector's vinyl produced by Blood Records, featuring blink-182 classics The Rock Show and First Date. The release pays tribute to "Take Off Your Pants & Jacket," an album that helped define pop-punk during the early 2000s and remains one of the genre's landmark records.

Fans will also find exclusive apparel inspired by the now-famous PAC-MAN x 7-Eleven shirt worn by Mark Hoppus, alongside additional collaboration items that Bandai Namco says will continue rolling out throughout the event.

Two Icons, One Generation-Spanning Legacy

On paper, the pairing may seem unexpected, but both brands occupy remarkably similar places within their respective industries. PAC-MAN remains one of the most recognizable characters in video game history, while blink-182 continues to influence new generations of musicians and fans more than three decades after the band's formation.

Each has experienced renewed popularity through streaming, social media, and younger audiences discovering their work for the first time. That shared longevity makes Comic-Con an ideal stage for a collaboration rooted as much in cultural memory as it is in contemporary fandom.

By bringing together arcade nostalgia, collector culture, and one of pop-punk's most celebrated albums, blink-182 and PAC-MAN demonstrate how legacy brands can evolve without losing the personalities that made them iconic in the first place.