Very Important Gamer (VIG) Program Resources

Access to the Gen Con Very Important Gamer (VIG) Program is limited. Returning VIG members have the first opportunity to secure VIG Packages each year during the early rebooking period. To purchase a VIG package, the account holder must be at least 18 years old.

Gen Con 2026 VIG Program Details

VIGs receive a 4-Day Gen Con badge plus access to the VIG Lounge and other exclusive benefits.

VIG Badge Pricing:

  • VIG Badge: $811 (plus Marion County sales tax on the price of a 4-Day badge)
  • VIG Companion Badge: $355 (plus Marion County sales tax on the price of a 4-Day badge)

VIG Lounge

ICC Rooms 105-106

Enjoy the comforts of a private VIG Lounge with special concierge services, close to the convention action and away from larger crowds and noise. Lounge features include:

  • Exclusive VIG Will Call services, including on-site Event Registration
  • Dedicated game library and ample gaming table space
  • Complimentary beverages
  • Free Wi-Fi and charging stations
  • Lounge access for VIG children (ages 17 and under)
  • VIG gift bag pick-up
  • Complimentary bag check service

VIG Lounge Hours

Wednesday: noon – 9 pm
Thursday: 7 am – 9 pm
Friday – Saturday: 7 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 7 am – 2 pm

VIG Will Call

With a valid photo ID and the email address associated with their Gen Con account, VIGs can pick up badges and event tickets in the VIG Lounge. VIGs may also register and purchase new or addtional event tickets in the VIG Lounge. This service is exclusive to VIGs and their registered VIG Companions. VIGs may not collect badges for other VIGs or other VIG Companions.

Exclusive VIG Tour

Saturday, August 1 at 1 pm

This year's tour will be led by Mike Boozer, Senior Customer Service and VIG Program Manager. No ticket is required for this event. Please sign up in the VIG Lounge to save your spot on the tour. The tour will begin promptly at 1 pm in the VIG Lounge and will last approximately 1 hour.

Tour highlights include (time permitting):

  • GM HQ
  • Customer Service
  • Exhibitor HQ
  • Fulfillment Office
  • Show Office
  • Meet Senior Leadership
  • The Map
  • View from the “Secret Room”

Exclusive VIG Gifts

Every VIG (excluding VIG Companions) who stops by the VIG Lounge during the show will receive an exclusive VIG gift bag. These swag bags may include items such as a commemorative Gen Con tee shirt, a VIG pin, and additional games, merch, and promotional items from exhibitors, sponsors, and event organizers. Promotional items are not guaranteed and vary annually, subject to availability.

VIG gift bags will be available for pick up in the VIG Lounge on Thursday, July 30.

Exclusive VIG Mixer With Curated Menu

The Oceanaire Seafood Room
30 S. Meridian St., Suite 100, Indianapolis
Thursday, July 30 at 9 pm

The 2026 VIG Mixer will be held at The Oceanaire Seafood Room. If you have not been to this venue, you will be pleasantly surprised by how attractive and comfortable it is to spend your late evening. The Oceanaire chef has crafted an exclusive menu just for Gen Con!

The VIG Mixer is a “happy hour”-style get-together for our Very Important Gamers and guests. It’s a chance for VIGs to hang out and enjoy appetizers, beverages, and casual conversation in a laid-back atmosphere. Mixer details are emailed to VIGs through the exclusive VIG newsletters. Gen Con Staff attend the event and are excited to get to know you!

Invitations to the VIG Mixer are limited to VIGs and their VIG Companions. VIGs may reserve one ticket for themselves and one for their Companion. Seating is limited, so get your tickets as soon as they're available in June.

Special VIG Exhibit Hall Entrance

VIGs have their own entry doors to the Exhibit Hall every morning between 10 and 10:30 am. This entrance is located between the Hall J exhibitor entrance and the Hall K doors on the Capitol Concourse.

VIG Exclusive Events

If you are a VIG or VIG Companion interested in running an event in the VIG Lounge, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. We would love to hear your ideas! New VIG Exclusive events will be added to the Gen Con event catalog throughout the year. When searching for a VIG event in the catalog, type "VIG" in the search field. All exclusive events will have VIG in the title.

Only 30 VIG Seats are available for Opening Ceremonies and the Costume Contest. VIGs with tickets to these events may enter through the Accessibility Access line.

Private VIG Discord

As a member of the VIG Program, you will have access to an exclusive Discord channel where you can chat with fellow VIGs and dedicated Gen Con support staff. To gain access, please go to the #vig-verify channel in the Gen Con Community Discord server.

Existing VIGs should post in the channel with their first name and the first two letters of their last name to allow moderators to verify access. Please note that VIG Companions do not have access to the VIG Discord channels.

For new VIGs, access to the private channel will be arranged after badge registration is complete. If you have any questions, please reach out to one of the moderators in the Gen Con Community Discord server.

First Chance at a VIG Package for Next Year!

Very Important Gamers not only receive excellent benefits for the current year’s show, but they also have a chance at “first right of refusal” for next year’s show. This means VIGs can purchase their VIG badge before Badge Registration opens to the public and procure their first choice of hotel before housing officially opens. Specifics are detailed in the VIG newsletter, which is emailed in December. VIG packages are non-transferable.

Additional Information

Water Bottles and Beverages

Gen Con does not provide single-use bottled water in the VIG Lounge. Gen Con remains dedicated to reducing the amount of single-use plastic produced at the convention. We will continue to provide complimentary soda, juice, coffee, and tea.

Water refill stations are available in the VIG Lounge. Please remember to bring your reusable water bottle, and remind your VIG Companions, too!

Picking Up Non-VIG Packets

The rules and process for picking up packets for non-VIG attendees in the VIG Lounge are as follows:

  • The limit of packets for pickup is four. You will not be allowed to pick up any additional packets at a later time.
  • The person(s) whose packets are being picked up must have a valid photo ID and be present near the entrance to the VIG Lounge.
  • These rules are subject to change at Gen Con’s discretion at any time.

Please be patient with the friendly VIG Lounge staff when kindly requesting their assistance with this service, especially during peak convention operation hours.

For any comments or questions regarding this policy, please email [email protected].

VIG Companions and Children

VIG Companion Packages

Anyone who purchases a VIG Package may purchase one VIG Companion badge. Please note that the account holder must be at least 18 to buy a VIG badge, but there is no age limit for VIG Companion badges.

The VIG Companion badge allows the badge holder to access:

  • The VIG Lounge (including games or events taking place in the Lounge)
  • Will Call and Event Registration in the VIG Lounge
  • Complimentary beverages
  • Reserved seating for select events

VIG Companions do NOT receive:

  • VIG gifts and other promotional items
  • Early access to Housing Registration (this can only be booked by the VIG Package purchaser)

VIG Children

For children ages 11-17, VIGs must purchase a regular 4-Day badge. If the child requires access to the VIG Lounge, the VIG parent must bring the child to the Lounge for a special identifying sticker.

Children ages ten and under do not require a badge, but their VIG parent will need to pick up a wristband in the VIG Lounge and provide their contact information for emergencies.

Children ages 17 and under must be accompanied by a VIG adult while in the VIG Lounge, or for special VIG seating at events.

The special identifying sticker allows the child access to the following:

  • The VIG Lounge (including games or events taking place in the Lounge)
  • Will Call and Event Registration in the VIG Lounge
  • Complimentary beverages in the Lounge
  • Reserved event seating as listed above (when accompanied by a VIG adult)