FAQ

MagicCon: Chicago will be a full weekend dedicated to celebrating Magic: The Gathering! Attendees can expect to see some epic cosplay, meet special guests and artists, shop exclusive merch and incredible products, and enjoy panels and events on the main stage.

MagicCon: Chicago is brought to you by two amazing teams: ReedPop and Wizards of the Coast! These two teams are delivering you the best Magic content from around the world and so much more!

MagicCon: Chicago will take place February 23-25, 2024.

Show Floor Hours

• Friday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Play Hall Hours

• Friday: 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM
• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

MagicCon: Chicago will be held at McCormick Place Lakeside Center, 2301 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60616. Located on Chicago’s lakefront, just minutes from downtown and facing one of the most iconic skylines in the world, the McCormick Place Lakeside Center is the perfect location for Magic.

There are three main parking lots on the McCormick Place campus. All are in close proximity and walking distance to our convention complex and are ADA accessible. The closest parking lot for MagicCon: Chicago attendees is Lot C, Gate 30. The address for Lot C is Fort Dearborn Drive, Chicago, IL 60616. For parking information and rates, please visit Parking & Rates - McCormick Place.

Interested in all the cool exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities at MagicCon: Chicago? Click here for more info! 

A Quiet Room is available to all MagicCon: Chicago badge holders who need to take a sensory break during show hours. Please be courteous and respectful of your fellow fans sharing this space.

Quiet Room Hours

• Friday, February 23 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM
• Saturday, February 24 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM
• Sunday, February 25 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

If you're hurt at MagicCon: Chicago, reach out to the MagicCon staff, crew, or nearby Security and we'll get you the help you need.

If a person engages in harassing behavior, MagicCon: Chicago Staff will take prompt action in any form they deem appropriate, including expulsion from MagicCon: Chicago with no refund. Our policy applies to everyone at the convention. Exhibitors, fans (attendees), speakers, guests, professionals, press, staff, volunteers, and security are all subject to our Code of Conduct Policy.

For more information and details on reporting harassment, please visit our Code of Conduct Page.

No, an adult must accompany (within 10 to 15 feet) any minor under the age of 16 during the show. 

Stay tuned for more information on the available Wi-Fi at MagicCon: Chicago.

If you find yourself in a situation in which you are lost or separated, please search for the nearest MagicCon staff member, Info Booth, or security officer and they can help you. 

We are unable to use the PA system for fans or exhibitors. We recommend you arrange a time and place to meet beforehand.

Direct parking is limited around the Lakeside Center building. Please take note of the available parking lots below and plan your travel before you arrive! 

Parking Lot C will be our main parking which is attached to the Lakeside Center where the MagicCon event is taking place. Other Parking Lots available are Parking Lot A and Parking Lot B. There will be no parking allowed at Soldier Field, and no parking available at Lot B on Sunday.

Parking Lot B will have a shuttle on Friday and Saturday from 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM and Sunday from 8: 00 AM – 7:00 PM.

 Fans with a valid MagicCon: Chicago badge can enjoy all aspects of the convention, from ticketed play to the new Murders at Karlov Manor immersive puzzle! Solve the mystery and receive a special reward! Click here for promotional details.

The safety and security of our fans, exhibitors, and staff, is our priority. We work closely with the venue, corporate security, state, local, and federal law enforcement authorities to identify risks, assess them, and develop security plans for our events.

Everyone attending MagicCon should be aware that the following are in place:

• Security may approach you to assist outside, at entry, or inside MagicCon
• Everyone must wear their MagicCon badge at all times. This includes exhibitors, vendors, fans (attendees), speakers, guests, artists, professionals, press, staff, and crew.
• Bag checks are in operation at our events
• Walkthrough or hand held scanners may be in operation at our events
• CCTVs in operation at our events are monitored and recorded
• Uniformed and covert security guards and police are in attendance at our event
• Canine security and detection is in operation at some of our events

Everyone attending MagicCon is requested to:

• Keep personal property with you at all times and don't leave any items unattended
• Report anything that looks unusual, suspicious, or just out of place to MagicCon staff, security, or crew
• Remain patient and courteous with MagicCon staff and security undertaking security checks. We have your best interests at heart and want to get you inside the building as quickly as possible
• Follow the instructions of MagicCon staff at all times
• On the final day you're attending MagicCon, keep your badge as a souvenir or dispose of it inside the venue or when you've returned home. Don't sell it to scalpers who may be outside on the streets. Don't throw it away in trash cans outside the venue. Scalpers are sneaky and may attempt to upsell it to an unsuspecting fan who doesn't have a badge
• Carry a recognized form of photo ID at all times. This includes passports, drivers license, and government issued IDs.

The buying and selling of counterfeit / knock-off / unlicensed / bootleg materials is prohibited at Magic Con: Chicago. MagicCon takes intellectual property infringement very seriously. Violators of this policy may have the counterfeit items confiscated and/or be removed from the show.

We’re sorry, but please leave your furry companions at home. MagicCon: Chicago will allow service animals only.

Hate symbols are not permitted at MagicCon: Chicago, including as part of cosplay. Magic Con: Chicago will not allow costumes that contain hate symbols or appropriate the symbolism of hate groups, including, but not limited to, historical/comic-related/satirical costumes that are associated with Nazis.

At the discretion of Security onsite, the following may be allowed:

• Lightweight plastic and metal shields
• Lightweight plastic/PVC props
• Toy guns as long as they do not look like real ones, cannot function or shoot projectiles and have an orange tip on the barrel.  The barrel of all prop firearms must be covered with brightly-colored caps.
• Prop bows will be allowed providing all arrows have soft tips made of foam or cardboard and the bow itself is de-strung. If it is not, our security team will be de-string the bow.

If any of the above items are deemed unsafe by MagicCon: Chicago Security, they will not be allowed inside the building.

Management shall have sole discretion in any matter that it believes may affect public safety or be important to protect the integrity of the event.

No functional props or weapons are allowed at MagicCon: Chicago. Simulated or costume weapons may be allowed as a part of your costume, subject to prior approval by security. MagicCon: Chicago will perform bag check at entry to the event, as well as tagging prop weapons when deemed necessary.

Badges and Ticketed Play events will be onsale November 27, 2023 10AM PT

All attendees age 6 and up will need to purchase a badge to attend MagicCon: Chicago. Children under the age of 6 may attend for free with a paid adult badge. Kids age 6 - 12 pay a reduced price.

Children age 5 and under are not eligible for the merchandise or benefits associated with their parent and/or guardian’s badge package.

Please note, all minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent and/or guardian.

Badges and Ticketed Play events will be onsale November 27, 2023 10AM PT

The Command Zone is accessible to all MagicCon: Chicago attendees as seating is available. Seating is a first come, first serve basis.

If you purchase your badge prior to January 14, 2024, your badge will be shipped to you in advance. We are unable to ship to an international address. International attendees may pick up their badge at Will Call when they arrive onsite. All merchandise included with your badge package must be picked up onsite.

Badges will ship 2-4 weeks prior to MagicCon: Chicago.

If you are an international attendee or purchased after the mailing deadline, your badge will be available for pick up onsite at Registration/Will Call.

Registration/Will Call is located in the McCormick Place Lakeside Center, level 1.

Will Call Hours:

• Thursday, February 22 | 12:00 - 6:00 PM
• Friday, February 23 | 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Saturday, February 24 | 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
• Sunday, February 25 | 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM

Ticketed Swag Pick Up

Hours will be available at a later. 

Please make your badge and ticketed play event selections carefully. Once purchased, MagicCon: Chicago badges and Ticketed Play Events are non-refundable and non-transferable and cannot be reproduced, resold or upgraded.

Important note: Make sure to read and ensure you can comply with the entire Health & Safety policy prior to making your purchase.

Tickets and/or badges (“Badges”) for the MagicCon event (“Event”) are non-refundable and cannot be reproduced or upgraded. The unauthorized resale or attempted resale of the Badge is prohibited and will constitute a forfeiture of the Badge without compensation. Each Badge must be used by the same person (the “Attendee”) for each day of the Event and such use is at all times subject to the Terms of Service for Participation in the Event, which is made available on the Event website. The Event’s operating hours, schedules, guests and speakers are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Each Badge is a revocable license to attend the Event. All panels, autographing, photo ops, special events, show features and performances are subject to availability and access is not guaranteed and/or may require an additional fee. ReedPOP is not responsible for lost or stolen Badges. The Attendee acknowledges there are hazards and risks of physical injury or illness to Attendees of the Event and that not all such hazards or risks can be fully eliminated. By accepting this Badge and attending the Event, the Attendee freely and voluntarily agrees to assume the full risk of bodily injury or property damage, regardless of severity, or death that Attendee may sustain as a result of attending the Event, whether or not caused by the negligence or gross negligence of ReedPOP.

MagicCon: Chicago is dedicated to making a fun and safe environment for all. Please click here for our full Health and Safety Policy.

MagicCon: Chicago is committed to making sure that all of our fans have an amazing experience. Please take inventory of your needs as they pertain to attending the show. Depending on what you need, our Accessibility Services Program may be for you. ReedPop events provide Accessibility assistance to individuals who may have mobility, physical, vision, hearing, cognitive, psychological, invisible or other types of disabilities.

You can visit the Accessibility Services Hub onsite for more information, or if you have questions prior to the event, please email [email protected].

MagicCon: Chicago is dedicated to making a fun and safe environment for all. Please click here for our full Anti-Harassment policy.