Registration FAQ

This page is specifically for registration & badge-related questions. For hotel booking & other venue-related information, please visit our Hotel Info & FAQ page.

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.

For reference, Super 2025 badges sold out during pre-registration and were not available for sale onsite.

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 next 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 by following the link in your pre-registration confirmation email that leads to your badge information page, then clicking the red ‘Refund and Cancel My Registration’ button. Self-service refunds are available for two weeks after the hotel lottery; exact dates for this year can be found on our registration info page. Please note that hotel reservations associated with a refunded badge will be cancelled.

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 badge to another person, open your registration confirmation email and send them the personalized link referenced in the last paragraph. You can also transfer your badge anonymously: click the “Transfer My Badge” button, then look for the transfer code and instructions at the top of the page, and send the recipient that code instead. Please ensure all transfers are completed prior to the recipient coming to Registration onsite.

Note: You may resell your badge 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 a badge is picked up at Registration, it cannot be transferred to another individual. Additionally, a minor badge cannot be transferred to a regular attendee badge at any time due to price and stock differences.

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 later declined, you will still be able to purchase an attendee badge at the original pre-registration price. More info about our marketplace 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. Be sure to select the “12 and Under” button when you preregister to get the discount. Children 5 and under are free. 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?

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 provide a signed parent/guardian consent form. This form should be pre-signed and brought along if the minor will not be accompanied by their legal guardian when picking up their badge. If the minor does not bring a pre-signed form with them, then their legal guardian must sign one at Registration.

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 cases for attendees (though you can still purchase multiple individual badges in one transaction). We do, however, use group badges for specific internal purposes (e.g. dealers, performers). The following questions ONLY apply to individuals assigned to those groups.

Please note that badges within a group must be assigned by the group leader AND claimed by the individual owner in order to reserve pre-ordered merch packs, participate in the attendee hotel lottery, etc. If you are a member of a group and you do not have access to these functions, you must speak to your group leader or MAGFest contact first; our customer support team cannot help you until your badge is both assigned AND claimed.

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 on your behalf or by sending you the group’s promo code (if applicable). Once you receive the code, you must use it to fill out your own 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 with you at Registration to confirm that you can claim 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 assigned.

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 a child to your group as 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 will need to register and pay for your child separately. 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.

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 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.

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 registration 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 published 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 (though the shipping cost will be at your own 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, usually Thursday at 10am, it will be open until Sunday afternoon at 1pm, with the exception of overnight closures between 4am-7am on 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 hours when our online schedule goes live or when you arrive on-site. If Accessibility is closed, just let one of our line wranglers or security staff know, and they will escort you to the correct line. Please view our Accessibility Info & FAQs for more information.

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!

Can I pick up a badge for another individual?

NO. This is not permitted under any circumstance. Each badge must be picked up by the specific individual whose name is on the badge, and they must have a government-issued photo ID to claim it. You may not bring someone else’s photo ID to pick up their 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 not be printed on the item.

I lost my badge. What do I do?

You will need to return to registration to buy a new badge at the current prorated price. Children 12 and under will not be charged for their first replacement badge. Please note that we will only replace a lost badge once due to capacity reasons. Unfortunately, due to widespread abuse of our previous policy, we are no longer able to offer refunds on replacement badges, even if you later find your original badge. Yeah, we’re bummed we had to change this too. Treat your badge like cash!

Miscellaneous

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 to purchase badges 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 (1-833-337-8732) to report a lost or found item.

At 5pm on Sunday, we turn over all remaining lost & found to the front desk. After this point, please reach out directly to the Gaylord at 301-965-4520 to report a lost item. More information is available in this Marriott help article.

What is MAGFest's Code of Conduct?

MAGFest's Code of Conduct can be found here. Please make sure you also review our Dress Code.

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:
9/15/2025 - Linked registration info page to refund question. Added detail regarding group badge assignment & claims.
9/9/2025 - Updated FAQ for Super 2026.