KING OF THE HILL Takes Over SDCC 2025 With an Arlen-Sized Activation Fans Won’t Want to Miss
Hank Hill and the gang are making their grand return this summer, and they’re doing it Texas-style at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. As anticipation builds for the new season of King of the Hill, fifteen years after the show’s original run ended, Hulu and 20th Television Animation are going all-in with an immersive Arlen, Texas experience that fans can walk through, pose in, and barbecue around.
Set just outside the convention center on the Bayfront’s Parking Lot (Fifth Ave Landing – Lot A1), this full-scale Arlen activation will run July 24–27, kicking off Thursday at 11:30AM PT. The space promises a deep dive into the world of the Hills with life-size recreations, interactive games, exclusive merch, and, yes, actual BBQ.
Take a stroll through a full recreation of Hank Hill’s backyard, complete with lawn chairs, umbrella tables, and a massive grill airing scenes from both the original and new episodes. If you’ve ever wanted to stand in that alley with a cold drink and mutter “yup,” this is your moment.
Here’s what else fans can expect:
Alamo Pong – Guests will get a chance to partake in a game of ‘Alamo Pong’, participating in some friendly competition in hopes of winning a prize and claiming Alamo Pong championship. Large-scale 2D cutouts of the King of the Hill’s beloved characters will be stationed throughout the space for special photo opportunities.
Lawn Mower Photo Op – “Guests have the once-in-a-lifetime chance to picture themselves in the world of King of the Hill. The Lawn Mower photo opportunity moment features the iconic Hill residence, where guests can pose on the front lawn with large-scale 2D cutouts of the beloved Hill family, ride the family lawn mower, and ‘drive’ through Arlen, Texas.”
Mega Lo Mart Customization Hat Station – “Visit the Mega Lo Mart, an Arlen staple, to customize your own Trucker hat with special patches, unique to King of the Hill. With an array of hats and colors to choose from, guests will be fitting in with the citizens of Arlen in no time!”
Water Tower – “Quench your thirst with a crisp can of Alamo water under the Arlen water tower. Not only does the water tower serve as a beacon of Arlen, Texas – it will also be a rehydration point for attendees. Guests will receive cold-canned water in Alamo branded aluminum cans. You can choose to drink it to quench your thirst or take it home as a souvenir.”
Rhinestein’s Cowboy Boot Toss – “Visit Rhinestein’s Cowboy storefront for a game of boot toss. Guests will be given 2 pairs of oversized, animated-style boots with the goal of tossing the open side of the boot over a stake in front of the store. The lucky winners will receive prizes exclusive to the activation.”
Backyard Cookout – “Unwind in the Hill’s Backyard with a backyard cookout. Guests can refuel and rest at umbrellas and picnic tables with the Hill family. Texas-inspired BBQ bites will be served all day, keeping guests in the world of Arlen. Guests will be invited to participate in lawn games such as cornhole, and pose with photo opportunities from the show, like Dale’s Dead Bug van and more! There will be a large grill playing clips from the previous and new season of the show, for guests to enjoy while relaxing.”
With the return of King of the Hill just around the corner, this Arlen takeover at SDCC 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most creative and fan-focused events of the entire convention. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just want to ride a lawn mower in public without judgment, this is your spot.
