We already know that FX is bringing its new series The Strain to Comic-Con 2014 next week, but today, the network announced that there will also be an exclusive fan event that will take place on Saturday, July 26 at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15 theater. Take a look at all of the official details below, then read on to see how many viewers tuned in to the series premiere on Sunday night.

He is here. FX's drama series The Strain is headed to San Diego Comic-Con with an exclusive fan event on the evening of Saturday, July 26 at the Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15. The event will give fans an inside look at the first two episodes of The Strain, props and costumes from the show, as well as a sneak peek into never-before-seen footage from the upcoming episode airing July 27 on FX. Attendees will also be treated to free food, drinks, giveaways and special appearances. VIP access for a limited number of fans will be granted per the details below.

The Strain "He Is Here" Event Details:

  • Location: Reading Cinemas Gaslamp 15 (701 5th Ave., San Diego)
  • - Time: Saturday, July 26, 2014 -- VIP Arrival at 6:30 pm / General Audience Admission at 7:30 pm

VIP Access Details (VIP access requires 3 steps)*

  • Step 1: Visit the FOX (#4229), Harper Collins (#1029), and Dark Horse (#2615) booths and pick up a The Strain wristband from each one. The three wristbands must be picked up Friday or Saturday from 1- 4pm.
  • - Step 2: The full wristband collection becomes your key to VIP access. Come to the theater at 6:30pm.
  • - Step 3: Step inside for The Strain's exclusive giveaways and special appearances.

The Strain is a high concept thriller from Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. The series, starring Corey Stoll, Mía Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Natalie Brown, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Robert Maillet, Jack Kesy, Ben Hyland and Miguel Gomez, tells the story of "Dr. Ephraim Goodweather," the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. Goodweather and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself. Emmy Award winning Writer and Producer Carlton Cuse serves as Executive Producer/Showrunner and Writer. Gary Ungar also serves as Executive Producer. The series is produced by FX Productions. The Strain airs Sundays at 10:00 pm ET/PT only on FX.

In related news, FX also announced that the series premiere of The Strain drew in a total of 8 million viewers. Take a look at the official announcement below.

Television viewers have been infected by The Strain, FX's newest critically-acclaimed drama series from Guillermo del Toro, Carlton Cuse and Chuck Hogan and starring Corey Stoll.

So far this week, the series premiere and its encore telecasts of The Strain have combined to deliver an impressive audience of 8 million Total Viewers and 4.2 million Adults 18-49 (most current and non-inclusive of one additional telecast and Live+3 on one episode). The network projects that, inclusive of Live+7 data, VOD, digital and electronic purchases, the series premiere of The Strain will deliver over 10 million Total Viewers.

The first airing of the series premiere episode (7/13/14, 10:00-11:40 PM) posted 4.73 million Total Viewers and 2.43 million Adults 18-49, making it cable's number-one ranked series premiere in delivery of Adults 18-49 in 2014 (Live+3 basis). With Live+7 delivery, FX projects that The Strain will rank as the #1-rated drama series premiere, ahead of The Americans.

John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions, had this to say in a statement.

"For a show to come out of the gate like this in the most crowded environment in TV history is just amazing. It's always gratifying when a show comes together from a creative, production and marketing standpoint. Working with Guillermo and Carlton to bring the unique vision of Guillermo and Chuck's books to the screen has been a thrill."

Episode 2 of The Strain, "The Box", airs this Sunday, July 20 at 10:00 pm e/p. The four survivors begin manifesting strange symptoms, but Eph (Corey Stoll) and Nora's (Mía Maestro) attempt to quarantine them is thwarted as the disinformation campaign begins. Meanwhile, in jail, Setrakian (David Bradley) receives a surprise visit from an old - a very old - acquaintance. (Written by David Weddle & Bradley Thompson; directed by David Semel)

The Strain is a high concept thriller that tells the story of "Dr. Ephraim Goodweather," the head of the Center for Disease Control Canary Team in New York City. He and his team are called upon to investigate a mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism. As the strain spreads, Eph, his team, and an assembly of everyday New Yorkers, wage war for the fate of humanity itself.

The Strain stars Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Mía Maestro, Sean Astin, Kevin Durand, Richard Sammel, Jonathan Hyde, Miguel Gomez, Natalie Brown, Ben Hyland, and Jack Kesy. Co-Creators, Executive Producers and Writers Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan co-wrote the pilot script for The Strain, which was directed by del Toro. Emmy Award winning Writer and Producer Carlton Cuse serves as Executive Producer/Showrunner and Writer. Gary Ungar also serves as Executive Producer. The series is produced by FX Productions.