PAX Unplugged
November 21-23, 2025
Philadelphia, PA
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FAQS

GENERAL

Unfortunately no, but once you've got the badges you're welcome to trade/gift/sell badges to friends or family. All we ask is that you not price gouge people, but beyond that it's your badge to do with as you please.

PAX does not have an open event submission process for attendee-run games, but there are still many ways to get involved. Board game, card game, and miniatures events are run by PAX’s Enforcer team, which has an open application period prior to each PAX.

  • Interested GMs can join one of PAX's partner organizations for scheduled RPG play:

Additionally,  Interested GMs can reserve their own RPG Freeplay table here:
https://rpggeek.com/geeklist/341424/pax-unplugged-2024-rpg-freeplay-community-game-sch

RPG events are run in partnership with select organizations and local player groups, such as Dungeons & Dragons Adventurers League and Games on Demand. If you represent such a group or would like information on joining one of PAX’s existing RPG partner organizations, you can email [email protected].

There are also many ways to get your game to the table without running a scheduled event. The Tabletop Freeplay is filled with open tables. Grab a “Looking for Group” (LFG) cone to place on your table or use the LFG feature in the PAX Unplugged app to link up with other players. For an extra assist in forming a group, stop by the LFG zones near Tabletop HQ and RPG HQ.

Our answer is broad (it varies, read the event description for full details) so it covers all manner of gaming events.

PAX Unplugged is not only meant to be a family friendly show, but we go out of our way to create a wide variety of content the whole family can enjoy together. Children 6 and under get in free when accompanied by a badge-carrying adult, and we have discounted kids badges for children between 7 and 12 good for Sunday of the show.

As a general rule, absolutely, but please respect it if an exhibitor/attendee/kobold asks you not to record certain events.

PAX is considered to be in the public domain, and we have no rules against filming or photography. In short, yes, you’re very likely to appear on camera.

Afraid so! You can get a good sense of our criteria on our safety and accessibility page, and your first stop should be at Info Desk for weapons check tagging for us to verify everything is legit and abiding by our criteria for safety. If we have to hold your prop weapon for the show, we’re sorry, we wish things were different, and we’ll make sure you get it back when it’s time to leave. We’re charged with keeping tens of thousands of people we like an awful lot all safe and sound, and we’ve got to play things pretty conservatively when dealing with weapons (even in prop form).

We have medical badges available for those who may need assistance. Medical badges provide entrance to panels, expo hall, and other events provided any associated line has not already been capped to capacity. Email us at [email protected] for more information and to get a form to fill out.

Great question! Start here and go forward.

All Panels are first-come, first-served and access to all panel content comes free with your PAX badge. Be sure to keep tabs on panel lines via the PAX Nav app, and stay tuned to @PAX_Lines for other line updates.

Seats for events in the PAX Nav app fill very quickly - many within a minute of registration launching at 8:00 AM. However, all events maintain standby queues, which players can use to fill vacant seats at an event start times. Tournaments run by PAX also have waitlist tickets available in-person each morning.

There will be no masking or vaccination mandates for PAX Unplugged 2024. For more information on our policies, visit our Safety, Security, & Wellness page. With that being said, it’s strongly recommended that attendees wear a mask and keep up to date with vaccinations, including booster shots if eligible, as these are the best methods to keep yourself and others from getting sick.

REGISTRATION

Impossible to say for sure, but we really don't recommend you go that route whenever possible. If you have to, remember there's always a chance you're going to get taken advantage of and if that happens, there's nothing we can do for you as we have no part in the sale. All we can say is make sure that all badges you buy are made of plastic (not cardboard), and look for a holographic etching on the badge (not a sticker). But again, we strongly urge you to only buy badges directly from this site, it's the only way to be sure.

You can follow us on most social accounts where we post all announcements, including badge sale dates and the moment they go live. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for the same info. We also have a Twitter account, @PAX_Badges, dedicated to only posting when badge sales are live but with the current state of that website, we’d understand if you’d rather follow us on other platforms.

Once badges sell out, they are gone for good, so if you are sure you want to attend it’s always best to get them as early as you can. Each PAX website has a badge availability screen to show you when we’re sold out or running low.

Standard change of address procedures with the post office should resolve this for you without having to worry, but for extra insurance feel free to email us at [email protected] at least 30 days before showtime and we should be able to update the address on file for you.

PAX NAV EVENT REGISTRATION

PAX Nav is our mobile app, which is where you can register for many of our events the morning of the event taking place. There are additional events that require pre-registration (which you can find here https://unplugged.paxsite.com/en-us/schedule/pre-reg-events.html) as well as events that you have to go sign up for in person at the show. The FAQs below are specifically for signing up for events in the mobile app. We highly recommend downloading the mobile app here: https://unplugged.paxsite.com/en-us/info/download-the-mobile-app.html

When browsing the schedule, you can filter events by the “PAX Nav Registration” category. Alternatively, head to the “Interact” tab in the PAX Nav app to access the registration page for that day’s events.

Many events are registered outside of PAX Nav. Be sure to read all event descriptions in full, as they will thoroughly describe how to participate. Exhibitor-run events often use their own websites for registration, rather than PAX Nav. Some also handle registration in-person during PAX.

PAX Nav registration opens for each day’s events at 8:00 AM. You can only sign up early for events that have specified pre-registration, which you can find here: https://unplugged.paxsite.com/en-us/schedule/pre-reg-events.html

PAX Nav is limited to one registration per device. That registration can be used for an individual accompanying you, but multiple registrations will require multiple devices.

Within each PAX Nav event’s description, there is a “map pin” button. Pressing this will show the location of this event within PAX.

Upon successful registration, you will be presented with a green-colored confirmation screen. At event check-in, show this screen to the event staff. To return to this screen at check-in time, follow the same steps originally taken to register for the event.

Some areas of PAX issue physical waitlist tickets. This includes our tournaments, Classic Cardboard events, and Deception Zone events. Head directly to those areas at 10:00 AM to collect waitlist tickets.

All event areas maintain a “standby queue.” Interested players can wait here in hopes of filling vacant seats at event start time (first-come, first-served basis - after waitlist ticket holders seated when applicable).

Additional seats may open within PAX Nav, throughout the day if players unregister due to changes in plans. PAX Nav registrations will always guarantee participation up until event start time, at which point waitlist tickets and/or standby queue participants will fill all vacant seats.

Yes. On your confirmation screen, there is an option to unregister. This will free up additional PAX Nav seats in events throughout the day.

At event start time, vacant seats will be filled with waitlist ticket holders and/or standby queue participants. It is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early as a registered player to ensure you have checked in prior to event start time.

VENUE

The convention center is completely wheelchair accessible, but you may also want to pick up a medical badge to hopefully make life just a little extra easier on you. Shoot an email to [email protected] and they’ll fill you in on the details, get a form for you to fill out, and otherwise get you on your way, and may also be able to provide resources for wheelchair rental.

You can find free Wi-Fi in the lobbies only. It doesn't extend to the Expo Halls or rooms around the building. Also, be warned that a lot of your fellow attendees will also be using it, potentially clogging those invisible air-pipes. Try not to rely on it, because you may find it... unreliable. 

One additional thing to note – if you have PAXNav installed on your device, it will save information locally, so you can still look through maps and schedules without needing a Wifi connection.

The PCC offers coat check located below the Skybridge just inside the Arch and 12th entrance. 

Coat Check is $5.00 per item and $10.00 for in and out access.

TRAVEL

We know you’ll need hotel rooms, so we always do what we can to secure as many rooms as possible with the steepest discounts possible. Check out the inventory at our Hotels and Travel page.

 

The best parking information can be found on our Hotels and Travel page.

SOMETHING I WANT TO ASK ISN'T COVERED HERE!

Please reach out to our customer service team by email at [email protected] or phone at 877-674-8241.

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