Registration FAQ

Purchasing Badges, Refunds, Upgrades

What is MAGFest's preregistration pricing policy?

For full pre-registration pricing & dates, please visit our registration information page. Badge prices increase as the event gets closer, so the price of a single attendee badge will increase on November 1, December 1, and January 1. Please note that you must purchase your badge by the hotel eligibility cutoff date to be eligible for early-bird hotel booking (also available on our registration information page).

How do I purchase a badge?

The only way to purchase a MAGFest badge is through our in-house registration system, linked each year on our registration information page. MAGFest DOES NOT sell badges through any other third-party vendors (such as Eventbrite). Any badges purchased through third-party vendors are fake, and unfortunately MAGFest cannot honor them or refund them.

Can I buy a one day badge?

MAGFest only sells full event badges, both online and at the door. However, prices for badges purchased at the door are discounted as the event proceeds, so you don't have to pay for a day that has already passed! Your prorated badge will last from the day of purchase until the end of the event. For full pre-registration pricing & dates, please visit our registration information page.

Please note that since we may sell out, we cannot guarantee the availability of badges at the door. The only way to guarantee yourself a badge is to purchase one during pre-registration, online before the event starts. If we do not sell out during pre-registration, then badges will be sold both at the door and online until we have reached capacity.

What if I am purchasing a badge for someone else?

If you purchase a badge on someone else's behalf, you are responsible for making sure they reimburse you. Once a badge is created and purchased through the pre-registration page, it belongs to the person whose name is on the badge. They will be the only ones we will be able to assist with accessing that badge's information, either for badge updates or transfers.

Does MAGFest offer badge refunds?

MAGFest's standard policy is that badges are non-refundable; however, you may resell your badge for the price you paid or less (see the following question for further instructions).

Limited exceptions to this policy are available for those who were eligible for early-bird hotel booking but did not succeed in booking their preferred housing. Self-service refunds (minus payment processor fees) can be initiated via following the link in your pre-registration confirmation email that leads to your badge information update/transfer page (the link by clicking the word ‘here’) then clicking the red ‘Refund and Cancel My Registration’ button, and are available for two weeks after hotel launch. (Update for MAGFest 2025: The window for self service refunds due to hotel availability has now passed.) Please note that hotel reservations for a refunded badge are subject to cancellation.

All refunds EXCEPT volunteer badge refunds will be processed minus required fees from our payment processor.

How do I sell or transfer my badge?

To transfer your registration to another person: open your confirmation email and send them the personalized link referenced in the last paragraph. Please note: You may resell your registration for no more than the exact price you paid for it.

Warning: once your badge has been transferred, you will lose all access to the badge and it cannot be transferred back to you or refunded. Additionally, if you pre-ordered a merch package with your badge, that will also be transferred when your badge is transferred.

Once picked up at Registration, a badge cannot be transferred to another individual. Additionally a minor badge cannot be transferred to an regular attendee badge at any time.

I am unable to find my confirmation email. Can it be resent?

Please visit our registration confirmation page and enter the email you registered with to check if you are preregistered. If you did not receive a confirmation email, please contact us at regsupport@magfest.org.

I can only purchase the initial badge at this time. Will I be able to add a pre-ordered merch package at a later date?

Sure! If you look at your registration confirmation email, you will find a personalized link that will allow you to edit your details and make any additional purchases. Please note that you'll have to pay for the merch package when you select it. Pre-ordered merch is available in limited quantities - there is no date cutoff, but once it’s gone, it’s gone!

I applied for vendor space in the MAGFest Marketplace. Should I purchase a back-up badge in order to book a hotel room, or in case my application is not approved?

There's no need! Marketplace applicants receive early-bird hotel booking links by default, as described in the normal attendee hotel booking process. Additionally, if your marketplace application is then later declined, you will still be able to purchase an attendee badge at the original pre-registration price. More info about our maketplace vendor application process can be found on our marketplace vendor info page.

Minor Policies

How much are badges for children? Do they need to be registered?

All attendees, including children of any age, need to be registered and have their own individual badge. Children 6 through 12 receive 50% off the current badge price, rounded down to the nearest dollar. Children 5 and under are free. Be sure to select the “12 and Under” button when you preregister to get the discount. If your child is 5 or under, the system will mark the badge as free prior to the order being finalized.

Do I have to stay with my child?

All attendees under 18 will need to provide a signed parent/guardian consent form upon picking up their badge, which may be presigned if they are not accompanied by their legal guardian at badge pickup. If a consent form is not completed prior to the badge being picked up, then their legal guardian must sign one at Registration.

Attendees aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult with a paid badge. Attendees aged 13 to 17 need not be accompanied, but must still provide a signed parent/guardian consent form upon picking up their badge.

Check out our MAGScouts programming for fun activities for younger attendees!

Group Badges

Does MAGFest offer a group discount?

MAGFest no longer offers a discount for group badge purchases, and the group & group leader functionality that you may remember from previous years has been discontinued in most attendee cases (though you can still purchase multiple single badges as usual). We do, however, use group badges for specific internal purposes (e.g. dealers, performers) and the following questions are for individuals assigned to those groups.

I OBTAINED MY BADGE THROUGH A GROUP. CAN I PICK UP MY OWN BADGE?

Please ensure that your group leader has assigned all the badges for your group prior to coming to the event, either by them filling out your information or sending you the group’s promo code (if applicable). Once you receive the code, you must use it to fill out your information in our system. Then, yes, you will be able to pick up your badge like any other attendee!

MY GROUP LEADER HAS NOT ASSIGNED OUR BADGES. HOW DO I PICK UP MY BADGE?

If your group leader does not pre-assign the badges in your group, they must be present at registration to confirm that you can use one of the group’s badges. If your badge has not been assigned to you, you will be instructed to contact your group leader and have them assign the badge or send you a promo code to register yourself online. We cannot release the badge until it has been registered.

HOW DO I ADD MORE BADGES TO MY GROUP?

Please email your MAGFest contact regarding adding badges to your group. You may be asked to pay for the extra badges after the badges are added.

HOW DO I ADD A CHILD TO MY GROUP? WHAT DISCOUNTS DO THEY GET?

You should be able to add child to your group like normal. Please email your MAGFest contact if you have having difficulties.

Please note, if you were required to pay for the badges in your group, you do need to register your child separately. Badges for children aged 6 to 12 cost 50% of the full price (rounded down to the nearest dollar), while ages 5 and under are free. Once purchased, if you would like to add this badge to your group, send an email to regsupport@magfest.org with the group name, child's name, and child's birthday, and we will move them into your group.

Badge pickup

What do I need to bring to pick up my badge?

Anyone picking up a badge needs a government issued photo ID that matches both the name for the badge being picked up and your date of birth. Please ensure that you enter your legal name as shown on your ID in the Name on ID field when you preregister for your badge. If you used another name, email regsupport@magfest.org or use the personalized link in your confirmation email to transfer your badge to the name listed on your ID.

On rare occasions, we will accept a photo ID without a date of birth, such as a high school or college ID. Please note, we do reserve the right to refuse these IDs, and anyone under the age of 18 will also need to bring a signed parent/guardian consent form, which may be presigned if they are not accompanied by a legal guardian at badge pickup. Again, please note that attendees aged 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult with a paid badge.

I changed my name, and now some things don't match. what do I do?

Email regsupport@magfest.org or use the personalized link in your confirmation email to transfer your badge to the name that will be on your ID.

Will my badges and PRE-ORDERED MERCH be mailed to me prior to the event?

Badges and pre-ordered merch packages are not mailed out before the event. Your badge will be available for pickup at Registration and your merch package will be available at the MAG Merch booth, both located in Expo E. (Exact hours will be made available in our scheduling app a few weeks before the event, or check our signage when you arrive on site.)

If you are unable to pick up your merch package at the event, you will have the option to have it shipped to you after the event (shipping cost at attendee’s expense).

When can I pick up/purchase a badge at the festival? What are the hours for Registration?

Your badge may be picked up or purchased in Expo Hall E at any time Registration is open. Once Registration opens Thursday morning, usually at 10:00 AM, it will stay open until Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM, with three exceptions. Registration will close between 4:00AM and 7:00AM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings. Please check back when our online schedule goes live to confirm this year's hours.

We encourage attendees to purchase their badge online prior to arriving. Online badge sales stay open throughout the festival, unless or until we sell out.

I require special accessibility assistance / have a medical reason that prevents me from waiting in line for my badge. Will this be accommodated?

Yes! Accessibility Services, which is located in the hall kiosk outside of Expo E, will be open at select times for attendees with accessibility needs to pick up their badges. Please check their schedule when you arrive on-site. If they are closed, just let one of the line wranglers or security people know and they will escort you to the correct line.

I bought more than one badge in my name. Will multiple badges be a problem?

Yes. MAGFest has a one badge per person policy so you will only be able to pick up one badge for yourself. If you are buying a badge for another individual, we ask that you put that individual's information into the registration form. This will for allow a faster pickup process in the preregistration line, as otherwise we will have to reassign your extra badges before they can be picked up. You may also use the personalized link in your “MAGFest payment received” email to change the information on the badge or transfer it.

If you are buying the badge as a surprise, please use the intended individual's personal information when purchasing the badge, but make sure to use your own email address so they don't get the confirmation email!

What if I do not have a photo ID? Can I still pick up my badge?

We understand that attendees under 18 often do not have a government issued photo ID, so the required signed parent/guardian consent form, which which may be presigned if they are not accompanied by a legal guardian at badge pickup, will suffice for minors. For all other cases, please notify us ahead of time at regsupport@magfest.org to make arrangements - this makes it much easier for us to accommodate you. If you do not make arrangements with us beforehand and do not have a photo ID, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to pick up your badge.

Can I pick up a badge for another individual?

NO. This is not permitted under any circumstances. Each badge must be picked up by the specific individual whose name the badge is under and they must have a government issued photo ID to claim it. You may not bring their photo ID to pick up the badge. Legal guardians may hold the badge for their child, but we ask that the child be present when the badge is received.

Other Badge Information

Will the legal name that I used when purchasing my registration be printed on my badge?

We understand that some prefer their names not to be printed on their badges. Not to fear! Names are not printed on badges. When you receive your badge, you'll have the opportunity to write whatever you'd like on it.

Please note that pre-ordered merch packages occasionally contain personalized items, and any deadlines for personalization information will be listed at purchase. If you do not meet those deadlines, then your name will be printed on the item.

I lost my badge. What do I do?

Unfortunately, you will need to buy a new badge at the current price. If you later find your original badge, bring both badges to Registration during the event and we will note that you need a refund for your second badge. Although we make every effort to process your refund at the event, it may take up to two weeks after the event for our registration volunteers to review & process refunds. If you have not received your refund after two weeks, please email regsupport@magfest.org with your details.

Miscellaneous

I no longer need my hotel reservation, what should I do with it?

The sale of the right to a reservation is not permitted. If you have not already received your booking confirmation number from the venue, you must cancel your reservation by contacting Maritz, our third-party housing provider, at magfest@maritz.com. After you receive your booking confirmation number from the venue, you may call the venue directly to cancel. Make sure to be aware of any cancellation policies before booking!

What are MAGFest MPoints? How can they be used?

MPoints are MAGFest currency that work like real money at the festival. Attendees can earn them by participating in tournaments, contests, or other events, such as panels or indie dev showcases. MPoints come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 20 points. Attendees can use MPoints like cash at the Marketplace, the MAGFest merchandise booth, charity, autographs, and Rock Island (performer & guest merch). They cannot be used at Registration. MPoints are not convertible to cash by attendees.

MPoints earned at one MAGFest can be saved and converted to the MPoints of the subsequent year’s event by visiting the MAGFest merchandise booth, but they expire if not redeemed or converted the year immediately following. As an example: MPoints that were earned at MAGFest 2024 can be converted to MAGFest 2025 MPoints, but 2023 MPoints are not be able to be converted at the 2025 event. They still make great collectibles though!

Where can I find maps and schedules?

Use the Guidebook app or website to view all scheduled activities during the weekend as well as event maps. Please check back for our final schedule in December.

Is there a LOST AND FOUND?

All found items can be dropped off at Festival Security (a.k.a. FestSec, located in Camellia 3-4.) During the event, you may also call or text 1-833-FEST-SEC (1-883-337-8732) to report a lost or found item.

After the event, please contact lostandfound@magfest.org to see if we have found your item.

What is MAGFest's Code of Conduct?

MAGFest's Code of Conduct can be found here.

Can I Vape/use my e-cigarette in the Hotel?

NO. Vaping and use of e-cigs inside is against hotel policy. We have heard every reason why this shouldn't be so, but it is still against hotel policy. Don't do it.

Changelog:
9/12/2024 - clarified language surrounding group badges.
9/11/2024 - updated FAQ for Super 2025.
10/10/2024 - updated to clarify link for refund