General Information
Account Information
Badge Registration
Event Registration (Tickets)
Electronic Ticketing
EOs & GMs
Families
Shipping
Travel Support & Parking
Event Team
Contact Information
Gen Con is the largest annual event dedicated to tabletop gaming and culture in North America. Each year, gaming enthusiasts converge to share their love for all things gaming: from tournaments to guest appearances, exhibit hall booths to electronic games, workshops, seminars, anime, art shows, auctions, and countless other activities. Last year, nearly 70,000 attendees and over 520 exhibitors made Gen Con their gaming destination!
Gen Con takes place annually in early August. The next show will be July 30 – August 2, 2020. Check out our Future Show Dates page for more.
Gen Con has been held at the Indiana Convention Center since 2003. The address is 100 South Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225. Gen Con also utilizes space in the surrounding hotels and Lucas Oil Stadium for events and additional programming.
Anyone interested in attending our show will need to purchase a badge. A badge gives you access to the exhibit hall, art show, seminars, and other free events happening in public areas. A badge will allow you to purchase event tickets to participate in specific events.
A Gate Ten parking pass is a great way to secure a convenient parking spot during the convention. Their lots are staffed and monitored 24 hours a day, and free shuttle service to and from the convention center is included! Check out their website for more information.
Check out the Visit Indy website for an in-depth search of parking lot locations, rates, and hours. You can visit the Indiana Convention Center or Indianapolis Downtown Inc websites for parking and public transportation information.
There are a number of dining locations near the convention center. If you want to venture out, check out the Visit Indy or Indianapolis Downtown Inc. websites. A map of downtown restaurants can also be found on the Visit Indy website.
Gen Con has a Special Services kiosk on site to service anyone who is disabled or requires special assistance. Attendees visiting this kiosk can purchase badges and event tickets there or have their Will Call packet(s) collected from Will Call and brought to them at this location.
When visiting the Special Services kiosk, you will be issued a wrist band to wear throughout the duration of the show. This will notify staff that you have a disability and qualify for special assistance such as expedited admission (bypassing lines) or reserved seating areas for specific events. Simply speak with anyone wearing a staff shirt to request assistance particular to your needs.
Wheelchair loans are available in limited quantities through the Indiana Convention Center. Check out the Indiana Convention Center site or contact them directly at 317-262-3400 regarding wheelchair availability.
If you are interested in demoing a game or product or exhibiting, check out our "Exhibit" section of our website or email [email protected].
Art Show info and registration will be available in January/February. Should you have any additional questions about being an Exhibitor email [email protected], or for the Art Show, email [email protected].
Authors’ Avenue info and registration will be available in January/February.
If you are interested in running a game or event, check out the EOs & GMs section below or see the "Host" section of our website. You can also email [email protected] if you have questions that aren't answered here, and be sure to review our 2020 Event Host Policy for full details on what you need to do for your events.
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Please visit the Your Account section of our Attendee Guide.
Please visit the Badge section of this website. Additional information will become available in the coming weeks and months. Your first opportunity to buy badges for Gen Con 2020 is January 26, 2020.
*Update: Event Registration will be delayed while we evaluate safety concerns related to COVID-19. Please see our Updates on Gen Con and COVID-19 page for further information.
After Event (Ticket) Registration opens, tickets will be sold online from then until the end of the show using our online registration system. On-site registration opens the Wednesday before Gen Con officially begins and lasts through the end of the show on Sunday, August 2.
Yes, you need to have a badge to purchase any event tickets. You will not be able to purchase event tickets online or on site at the show without a valid Gen Con badge. Check out Badge Registration above for details.
You can purchase tickets online using our registration system. If the event you want to purchase tickets for has paper tickets, you will have to go to Will Call to pick it up. It will save you a lot of valuable Gen Con time to go directly to an Event Registration kiosk to purchase paper tickets instead of purchasing them online.
If the event electronically ticketed, you can purchase tickets online and there is no need to go to an Event Reg kiosk. Your badge will then be scanned by the event organizer at the event to redeem your e-ticket. For more information about e-tickets, check out the Electronic Ticketing FAQ.
A badge grants you entry to the show; an event ticket confirms a spot to participate in a specific game or event that is scheduled during the show. Many events are also free, but your ticket guarantees your entry.
Attendees come to participate in RPGs, TCGs, card games, board games, live action roleplaying games (LARPs), True Dungeon, miniatures, video games, and other computer games. There are also plenty of hobby-related events to enjoy, such as the Family Fun Pavilion, a Costume Contest, game auction, the largest sci-fi and fantasy art show in the country, over 520 exhibitor booths, Authors' Avenue, anime, SPA events, seminars, panels, and workshops, Training Grounds (an area dedicated for children), films, and more.
Gen Con does not typically host these types of games; however, we would love to incorporate them into the show. If you are interested in hosting one of these classic games or know of someone who is, please have them contact the Events team at [email protected].
*Update: The release of the event catalog will be delayed while we evaluate safety concerns related to COVID-19. Please see our Updates on Gen Con and COVID-19 page for further information.
Approximately one-to-two weeks before Event Registration begins, the first list of events will be posted and available for download. When the time comes, you will also be able to search and browse events in our online registration system. Just sign in to your account by clicking the "Sign In" link above and click on the link to search for what you would like to play in at Gen Con.
Most events have a limit of two tickets per person, but some events have different limits. For example, True Dungeon allows you to buy all the tickets for one event so you and all your friends can play at the same time.
A generic ticket can be used for any event that has space for more players, while a specific event ticket is for one individual event. A generic ticket is like a token at an arcade — you can use it on any game you want, provided the game has space available, or the event organizer is able to accommodate you as an additional player. You will need to provide enough generics to cover the event ticket cost, so in some cases you will need more than one generic ticket to enter the event. A specific event ticket is like a movie ticket or plane ticket — it guarantees you a spot in the event.
One or more generic tickets may be used like cash to pay admission fees associated with a specific event; however, generic tickets do not guarantee admission or the ability to play a game if the event sells out. Only specific event tickets guarantee you a place in the particular game or event for which the ticket is issued.
For example, if you wish to participate in an event costing $4, you could pay for the event with two generic tickets (valued at $2 each); but if all of the specific event tickets are sold and all ticket holders show up, you may not be granted admission because the event is sold-out. For this reason, buying event tickets for specific named events is the only way to ensure a seat at the scheduled event.
Also, keep in mind that generic tickets can only be refunded as system credit. Specific event tickets can be refunded back to the original form of payment up to 30 minutes before the event. See the Refund & Exchange Policies for more information.
To purchase event tickets for another attendee, that person must have a valid badge. First, make sure your friend has gone into their account and accepted the Friend Request that will finalize the link between your account and theirs. Next, check to see if they already have a badge in their account. If your Friend has not yet purchased a badge, you can purchase one for them or remind them that they must purchase a badge before you can buy them event tickets.
Please refer to Gen Con's Refund & Exchange Policies for additional information. Paper tickets can be refunded up until the Ship to Me deadline or at the show 30 minutes before an event begins. E-tickets can be refunded by you through your account anytime up until 30 minutes before an event.
Hours for on-site Event Registration and Customer Service will be updated in April/May 2020.
Electronic ticketing (e-ticketing) is a paperless ticketing method used for a growing number of events at Gen Con. Not all events will be e-ticketed, but those that are will not issue paper tickets. See our Electronic Ticketing FAQ page for more information.
We're implementing e-ticketing to reduce the hassle and waste of printing, distributing, and collecting hundreds of thousands of paper event tickets each year. When an attendee registers for an e-ticketed event, their ticket is electronically associated with their Gen Con account. Instead of collecting paper tickets, the Event Organizer for an e-ticketed event simply scans the badge of a registered attendee to redeem their ticket!
E-tickets are purchased the same way as paper tickets, but they will not be shipped to you or picked up at Will Call. Instead, they are stored in your Gen Con account and associated with your Gen Con badge. Event Organizers will admit you by scanning your badge rather than taking a paper ticket. You must have a badge in order to redeem an e-ticket. Receipts or packing lists are not valid and will not be accepted.
For more information about e-ticketing, check out our Electronic Ticketing FAQ page.
Anyone can submit events at Gen Con. We want to have the widest range of events possible — but event space is going to be very limited this year. We may not be able to accept everything submitted — or at least not at the time you might want. Friday and Saturday event space will fill up very quickly, so make sure to submit your events early or be flexible enough to run them during off-peak times.
If you are interested, check out the "Host" menu above.
Almost all events have a ticket fee that registered attendees pay to be part of it, but there is no fee for someone who wants to come and run a game.
Submitting events to Gen Con is a simple process:
If you have any questions or special needs for your event, please email [email protected] and let us know. Also, remember that it is your responsibility to keep your event accurate and up to date — if you notice any errors or problems, please let us know right away.
As long as the email address in your account in our registration system is correct (and your spam blocker doesn't filter out our emails) then you will receive an email notification when your events are approved or rejected.
If you want to double-check your events or are having trouble with your email, you can always visit your EO/GM Dashboard to confirm the status of your events. If this link does not show up in the left navigation pane, you may be signed into the wrong account. Please email [email protected] for assistance.
Check out our Tips for new EOs and GMs for more information on running a game or hosting an event at Gen Con.
If you have any other questions or problems, just send us an email [email protected] or call 206-957-3976 x3811 and we'll be glad to help you out.
If you have any other questions about submitting events to Gen Con, email [email protected] or visit the Game Master forum.
Yes! Gen Con is a family-friendly show and welcomes attendees of any age. Children ten and under are free when accompanied by an attending adult. Children over the age of ten are subject to standard badge costs. In order to prevent issues with security, all should be registered. You may obtain a Child Wristband through our registration system before the show or at the Customer Service or Badge Registration kiosks onsite during regular show hours. Wristbands will include the parent or guardian's phone number for security purposes.
Our registration system has a feature that will allow a parent or guardian with a valid Gen Con badge to register their child and obtain a Child Wristband. You will need to register your child either before the show or on site at the Customer Service or Badge Registration kiosks in order to get a Child Wristband for security purposes. Obtaining a Child Wristband will allow you to purchase event tickets for them for KID events. If your child wishes to participate in a non-KID event that requires an event ticket, you will need to purchase a regular Gen Con badge for them. Children 11 and older need a badge to attend the convention.
No, we do not offer "visitor" badges. If you wish to gain entrance into the Convention Center beyond any common areas you will be required to show a badge. Go to the Registration page for more information.
Gen Con does not provide child care services. For private child care, many attendees have used Sitters to the Rescue in the past and you can find information at www.sitterstotherescue.com. You can also check with your hotel as some offer child care services.
Yes, there is a dedicated area within the Gen Con Training Grounds. There are dedicated breastfeeding stations in the ladies bathroom located across from the security office in the Crossroads Concourse of the convention center.
Yes! The Family Fun Pavilion, located inside the Exhibit Hall, will be open during the entire show for families with children of all ages. In it you will find exhibits and demonstrations. The Gen Con Training Grounds will be in Lucas Oil Stadium this year. It is an interactive program dedicated to children ages 4-12, where they can play games, participate in art projects, etc. Please be aware that children in the Family Fun Pavilion must be accompanied by an adult.
If your child is missing, please report to the Customer Service kiosk or any Gen Con staff member. If we find a missing child, the information in our Child Registration Logs will help us locate the parents or guardians. Please remember to register your child and pick up a wristband at one of the Registration or Customer Service kiosks when you arrive at the convention center!
Gen Con offers two delivery options: USPS Priority Mail (Recommended) and Will Call. If you choose USPS Priority Mail, all items in your cart (including those purchased for friends) will be shipped to you, the purchaser. Items held at Will Call will be under the individual's name, no matter who purchased them.
USPS Priority Mail (Recommended) — Choosing USPS is the best way to receive your items before the convention. USPS packages are sent via Priority Mail with Tracking (on your "My Packets" page) and Signature Confirmation included with every shipment! We will ship your package to the address listed in your Account Details at the time of fulfillment (within three weeks after the Ship to Me deadline on June 14).
Choosing USPS Priority Mail guarantees you a means of tracking your shipment, and if your package does not arrive before the convention, we will reprint your items at no cost to you.Transit time for USPS Priority Mail shipping is 3-5 business days. Any returned packages will be available for pickup at the Will Call kiosk on site.
100% Replacement Guarantee:If your shipment is confirmed to be lost by the USPS we will replace your convention materials at no cost to you. (We cannot replace items that have been delivered).
Will Call — Will Call kiosks will be located onsite for you to pick up your materials.Please note that Will Call items are placed in separate packets for each recipient and can only be claimed by that recipient.
A valid government-issued photo ID is required in order to pick up your packet at Will Call. The only exception is for children with no photo ID. A parent or guardian with a valid ID must accompany the child when picking up their Will Call packet. VIG Badges and VIG Companion Badges will be available for pickup in the VIG Lounge. Please note: Any badges or event tickets purchased after the Ship to Me deadline will be available for pickup at Will Call.
Packets begin shipping out within three weeks from the close of the Ship To Me deadline. Most items will be delivered within 3-5 business days after being shipped. You can track your packet on your "My Packets" page when it ships.
Any purchases made after the Ship To Me deadline will be available for pickup on site at the Will Call kiosks beginning the Wednesday before the show.
Attendees may change their method of shipment at any time through their Gen Con account. However, all shipping changes must be made before the Ship to Me deadline (June 14). Simply log into your account, and from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner, choose “My Packets”. There, you should see your default shipping method (which was chosen at the time of your first purchase for this year). Click the “Change” link in order to change your shipping method.
If you choose a less expensive method (i.e. downgrading from USPS Priority Mail to Will Call), the difference will be refunded to your system credit, which can be used to purchase a badge or event tickets. If you choose a more expensive method (i.e. upgrading from Will Call to USPS Priority Mail), the system will charge the last credit card used to make a purchase through your account.
Remember: All shipping and address changes must be completed before the Ship to Me deadline.
You can change your shipping address by logging into your Gen Con account prior to the Ship to Me deadline. Log into your Gen Con account and choose “My Profile” from the drop-down menu in the upper right corner. Next to your address, click "Change" and update your information as needed. Be sure to click "Update" to save your changes. All shipping address changes must be made before the Ship to Me deadline on June 14. Changes made after that date will not be honored.
If you haven't received your badge by the show date, please go to the Customer Service kiosk onsite. Your package may have been returned and placed in Will Call. If your packet is not at Will Call, you will be subject to our Lost Badge & Event Ticket Policy.
If you chose to have your items shipped via USPS Priority Mail, we will reprint your badge and event tickets, as long as the USPS site lists your package as "lost" or not yet delivered.
Some of the local hotels have shipping services. Please contact these hotels to see what services might be available. The Westin Indianapolis has a FedEx business center on their first floor.
Your Housing & Travel section of our Attendee Guide.
Convention Center Parking
Gate Ten Parking
Yes! Gen Con is always in need to people to assist with running the show on site.
All Event Team members are paid positions. Benefits differ depending on your level in the program. An explanation of these benefits can be seen under "Join".
The minimum age to join the Event Team is 18.
There is no longer a page program. These positions are now being recruited and scheduled by BCforward. If you're interested in becoming a part of the Gen Con family and willing to work 32 -40 hours during the show and commit to multiple years, check out our Mentorship Program.
If you do not want to be an Apprentice you will apply through BCforward starting on January 13. [email protected]
Please include your name, State of residence, contact information, and whether you're a previous employee. A minimum of 16 hours is required to work the show.
If you are interested in being an Apprentice please review our Event Team Policies and then submit your application by logging into your Gen Con account at www.gencon.com (click “Log In” in the upper right of the page), hover your mouse over the “Join” header, and click “Event Team Application”. Complete the application, update your contact information (which will also update your Profile page), and review the policies, NDA, and medical waiver, prior to the Ship to Me deadline. Please be sure to complete all the application pages or your application will not be received. Once your application is approved, you will be contacted via email to complete the employment process. After that process is completed we will contact you via email or phone before the show with more information and to coordinate your onsite schedule. This will make it easier for you to schedule events around the times you know you will be working.
Please keep in mind there are a limited number of positions available in the Mentorship Program, so not all Apprentice applicants will be accepted. It is best to get your application and paperwork turned in as early as possible to be considered for this increasingly popular program.
Apprentice roles are for people who are attending the show and want to work 32 hours on the Event Team are therefore required to purchase a 4-Day badge. Because of the level of commitment Apprentices are eligible for reimbursement of their 4-Day badge after the show. If you are scheduled to be a Deputy or Captain for the current show, you will not need to purchase a badge. One will be provided for you upon arriving at the convention center. Other workers (former pages) have their badges provided through BCforward.
You are welcome to recommend or suggest an area in which you would like to work. We will do our best to place you in that area, but cannot guarantee that is where you will be.
Transportation, parking, and housing assignments are some of the benefits Deputies and Captains receive.
Reimbursements will be issued within six weeks after your completed timecard is received and if you worked all of your scheduled shifts. If you paid with a credit card, the original credit card will be issued a refund through the registration system (refunds cannot be issued to a different credit card). If the payment was made with cash, a check will be issued for your reimbursement and mailed to the address listed on your timecard.
Remember, Gen Con can only reimburse your badge if a completed timecard was received at the end of the show, listing the appropriate hours worked, and signed by the supervising Captain, Deputy or Gen Con Staff member from each area worked. Any requests received after that time will not be honored. More information can be found in our Event Team Policies.
If you have questions regarding the Event Team Program, check out our Event Team Policies or contact the Customer Service & Team Manager at [email protected] or 800-529-3976, x3806.
More Gen Con information can be found on our Registration page, Policies & Show Info, and Refund Policy pages. Or check out the menu items at the top of the page if you're interested in Hosting a game, Exhibiting, etc.
The Gen Con LLC corporate offices are located at:
120 Lakeside Ave, Suite 100
Seattle, Washington 98122
You may call (206) 385-1967 for customer service and support, or call (206) 957-3976 for other inquiries. Or you may email us at [email protected]. Customer Service hours are Monday-Friday, 9:30 am – 5 pm (Pacific).
The Customer Service Event Staff onsite will be happy to answer any questions you may have or contact a Gen Con Staff member if needed. Onsite Customer Service hours and locations can be found on the Onsite Show Information section of the Policies & Show Information page.