Volunteer

Our events are built on volunteer participation, so we encourage every attendee to get involved. This page will tell you what you need to do if you'd like to join the MAGFest team. The info here is applicable to new volunteers, or returning volunteers who did not meet "staff" level requirements. To see some of the positions departments are recruiting for, visit our Staff Board.

Perks

Note: these are the Volunteer/Staff Perks for Super 2025. Perks may change from year to year, and will be updated accordingly.

Volunteers are required to purchase admission to the event, but are eligible for various rewards, including swag, food, badge refunds, and even complimentary admission to future events. The more hours you put in, the more perks you get! Some hours are weighted more than others (such as highly-skilled jobs or late-night shifts), and MAGFest runs 24/7, so you can choose a schedule that works best for you. The rewards you receive are as follows:

• Volunteering ANY amount of time gets you:

  • Volunteer-Exclusive Lanyard

• Volunteering at least 12 weighted hours gets you:

  • Meals in our Staff Suite

  • Access to our Tea Room and Coffee Room

  • 20% discount at the MAGFest merch booth

    • You must have either a staff badge, or a volunteer ribbon on an Attendee Badge. It is your responsibility to show this to the Fangamer staff at Merch before checking out - discounts or refunds not be applied post-purchase.

    • This discount does not apply to pre-ordered merch packages.

  • Staff: 1 Staff Shirt (staff shirt policy available here)

    • Volunteers who achieve 24+ hours may stop by STOPS pick up a staff shirt on Sunday of the event to wear the following year (subject to availability).

• Volunteering at least 24 weighted hours gets you:

  • All items from the category above

  • Discounted Swadge (was $30 for Super 2024, TBD for Super 2025. Subject to availability, and only one per volunteer.)

  • If you are a Volunteer (first year): a badge refund for existing year, and the eligibility to become a Staffer the following year.

  • If you are already a Staffer: a comped badge for next year!

• Volunteering at least 30 weighted hours (ONLY IF you are a returning Staffer):

  • Makes you eligible to request shared space in one of our staff hotel rooms.

  • Utilizing the Staffer Pre-Lottery Room Requests process also carries a 30 hour requirement.

  • You can read our Staff Room FAQs here!

If you have any questions about the above, feel free to contact our Staff Operations Department at stops@magfest.org.

How to volunteer

Step 1: Begin the registration process

We'll need to begin collecting your information, so go to the pre-registration page where you can begin entering your basic details.

Step 2: Check the "Want to Volunteer?" checkbox

The checkbox appears about half-way down the page. Once you check this, additional options will become available.

Step 3: Select the areas you want to help

MAGFest has dozens of department working together in tight coordination to keep every fest running smoothly. Check off whichever department interests you most! We recommend choosing no more than three different departments, since learning about new departments and their processes can be daunting for a first-time volunteer. Selections don't guarantee that you will be placed in these departments; department heads will review requests and make assignments accordingly.

If you're not sure what goes on in each department, hover your mouse over each for a short description. You can also visit our Volunteer Staff Position Board here for details of some of the specific positions available by department. Of note - not all MAGFest departments are currently listed here, the above is simply an example version of the available departments. 

Step 4: Complete and pay for your registration

If you work enough hours at-fest, we'll refund your registration as soon as possible following the event (usually within 2-3 weeks).

Step 5: You're all confirmed!

That's all you need to do to register yourself as a volunteer! From here, the departments you're assigned to may have their own individual procedures and/or pre-event meetings or trainings. Either way, as the event approaches (usually 2-3 months beforehand), our Staff Operations department (STOPS) will send you a Volunteer Checklist where you can confirm your attendance, choose your shirt size, specify food preferences (for Staff Suite), and most importantly, sign up for shifts in your department.

If you have any questions about the above, feel free to contact our Staff Operations Department at stops@magfest.org.