MagicCon: Las Vegas 2026 Know Before You Go

In just one week, the doors of Strixhaven open and the Gathering arrives in Las Vegas once again!

From May 1-3, MagicCon will be a living campus of Magic, where the convention hall will be filled with exciting panels, special guests, games, themed experiences, and much more. Whether you’re here to test your play skills or simply explore, this guide will help you prepare for the weekend ahead.

Before you arrive, make sure to review the Info section of the MagicCon website. Consider this your essential primer before stepping onto the show floor. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to navigate the weekend with confidence, including details on ADA Accessibility Services, the MagicCon Code of Conduct, Entry Procedures, helpful FAQs, and the latest event updates. A little preparation here goes a long way, ensuring you arrive ready to explore MagicCon like a seasoned scholar.

The official MagicCon mobile app is your go-to companion for the weekend, helping you navigate the event with ease. With it, you can chart your path using the show floor map, build your personal schedule, explore exhibitors and featured experiences across the show and more! Download it ahead of time so you’re ready for the moment doors open. 

MagicCon: Las Vegas is taking place at the:

Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC)
North and Central Halls
3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV

Parking at the convention center is limited, but there are plenty of transportation options available to get you there smoothly, including the Vegas Loop, Las Vegas Monorail, taxis, and rideshare services. All access to MagicCon is through the LVCC Central Entrance. If you’re taking the Vegas Loop, exit at LVCC Central Station, please note that MagicCon is not accessible from the South Station.

For those driving, the Silver Lot is the closest parking option to the entrance, though availability may vary, so planning is strongly recommended.  

If you have your badge in hand, make sure you activate it to unlock the full MagicCon experience. Badge activation is required to pick up the merchandise included with your badge package and connect your information to your unique badge number, allowing access to key features throughout the weekend.

• You must have your physical badge to complete badge activation. Once you receive your badge in the mail or pick up your badge from Registration/Will Call, you may begin the activation process.
• Download the MagicCon: Las Vegas Mobile App
• Follow the on-screen prompts and guides
• Use the 10-digit code (under the QR Code) on the back of your badge for the activation code.
• Badge Activation is all set!

Please note that only one badge can be activated per mobile device. 

The MagicCon “campus” opens daily at 8:30 AM to pick up your badge, the merchandise included with your badge package, and to enter the morning queue. You must have a MagicCon badge to enter the show and morning queue.

For ease, we’ve put everything you need to know about entering MagicCon  on a dedicated webpage with our show maps. Please review this page for full details on what to do when you get to the convention center, how to pick up the merch associated with your badge or preorder merch you may have purchased when buying your badge.

We strongly encourage you to read all of the daily entry procedures to ensure you get to the right place at the right time! MagicCon will open daily at 10:00 AM, but you may begin queuing at 8:30 AM. 

The convention center is large, so reviewing our map ahead of time is highly recommended.

Key locations include:

• Info Booth - Level 1 near Main Entrance
• Meet & Greet Wristband Distribution - Outside of Hall C2 West Lobby
• Quiet Room - N115
• Lost & Found - C104

The MagicCon Official Show Store (Hall C4) features exclusive merchandise, including apparel, pins, and more. For every $150 spent, you’ll receive a special promo card (while supplies last). Arrive early for the best selection. The most coveted items don’t stay on the shelves for too long. Check out the merch catalogue here.

Report off campus after dark for The Secret of the Archaics, the official party of MagicCon: Las Vegas. On Friday, May 1 from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM, step into an immersive and energized experience inspired by Strixhaven. This is a must-see event where mystery, music, and magic all collide!

The party is packed with live entertainment, including a performance by Wizards of the Coast band Echoes Over Ashes, karaoke, party games, and plenty of surprises throughout the evening. Whether you’re there to dance, mix and mingle, or soak in the atmosphere, there is something for you, and tickets are still on sale. 

The lineup of Ticketed Play events at MagicCon: Las Vegas is massive, featuring everything from Draft, Modern, and Standard to events that are just a little too chaotic to fit neatly into a single category. Players are encouraged to register early, as Ticketed Play events can and will sell out, and all event registration closes on hour before the start time.

For those who prefer flexibility, a wide selection of On Demand events will also be available throughout the weekend, ensuring there’s always a chance to jump into a game. The Ticketed Play Hub is located in the North Hall on Level 1 and serves as the central hub for all Ticketed Play events, event support, and On Demand registration. In addition, there are large dedicated Free Play areas across the show floor and within the Command Zone, open to all attendees looking to play casually between events. 

There are more panels than ever at MagicCon: Las Vegas, running all weekend long across three dedicated stages. The Spindown Panel Room and Showcase Panel Room will feature a wide range of content from creators and members of the Magic community, while the Mana Stage returns with fan-favorite headliners like Game Knights Live and new spectacles like Dropout Improv. Be sure to check out the full schedule in advance so you can plan your weekend and catch the sessions you don’t want to miss.

• Mana Stage -  Show Floor, Hall C4
• Showcase Room -  Room N110
• Spindown Room -  Room N114

Creator Central is an interactive hub that brings you face-to-face with your favorite Magic: The Gathering content creators. Watch live games and Spectacle Play events and meet and greet creators you know and love in Creator Connections. 

Come say hello to our awesome lineup of MagicCon featured guests at Magic Meet & Greets.

Select Meet & Greets will require wristbands, which are distributed daily starting at 8:30 AM on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early gives you the best chance to secure your spot. There will be no standby or overflow for popular meet and greets.  

Get creative at Family Magic in Vegas! This is the perfect place to play some Magic, take part in family-friendly activities, or make friendship bracelets. Family Magic is a welcome space where everyone can join in and enjoy the weekend together. 

The Gathering Grounds is a dedicated space open to all attendees, designed to celebrate what makes the Magic community unique while uplifting voices from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. It’s a place to gather, play games, build new connections, and highlight organizations doing meaningful work within the community. 

There’s no better way to experience Magic than through The Art of Magic. Here you’ll have the chance to meet talented artists behind some of the game’s most iconic card art, from beloved staples to stunning alternate illustrations. Explore the creative legacy of Magic and connect with the artists helping shape the Multiverse at MagicCon: Las Vegas. See the artists who will be joining us at MagicCon: Las Vegas.

All weekend long, you can track down and collect exclusive event pins by shopping at the Official Show Store, visiting participating pin trading exhibitors, stopping by the Pin Trading Booth for special releases, and trading directly with staff and fellow attendees across the show floor! 

The Magic Marketplace brings together a wide range of exhibitors showcasing their product and love for Magic. From tables filled with singles to booths stacked with accessories and collectibles, every aisle of the convention floor offers something worth exploring. Take a moment to browse the full exhibitor list and discover the featured partners joining us in Las Vegas this year.

As the day concludes across MagicCon, the campus may wind down, but the Magic doesn’t stop there. All Central Halls will close daily at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM on Sunday), while the North Halls remain alive with late-night study sessions in the form of Ticketed Play, running until 11:59 PM on Friday and Saturday and until 6:00 PM on Sunday.

Be sure to complete any shopping, gameplay, or exploration on Level 2 before the closing bell each evening. On Demand events will become more limited after 7:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, so early registration at the Ticketed Play Hub  is highly recommended for those continuing the fun into the night.

There’s so much waiting for you at MagicCon: Las Vegas this year, from packed play events to panels, to corners of the show floor that bring Magic: The Gathering to life. However you choose to spend your weekend, there’s always something new to discover and people to meet. We can’t wait to see you next week and share an unforgettable weekend together in Las Vegas!