Very Important Gamer (VIG) Program

Access to the Gen Con VIG Program access is in limited supply. Returning VIGs have the first chance to secure VIG Packages annually, during early rebooking. The account holder must be at least 18 years old to purchase a VIG package.

Gen Con 2025 VIG Program Details

Very Important Gamers will receive a special badge with 4-Day access to Gen Con plus access to the VIG Lounge and other benefits.

VIG Lounge Hours
Rooms 105-106 in the ICC
Wednesday: noon – 9 pm
Thursday: 7 am – 9 pm
Friday – Saturday: 7 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 7 am – 2 pm

NEW! On-Site Printing in the VIG Lounge

If you selected Will Call as your delivery method this year, good news—your VIG badges and tickets will be printed on site in the VIG Lounge!

What does that mean for you?

  • Your badges and event tickets will be printed right in front of you
  • You can request exchanges for event tickets up until Friday, July 25
  • Please email us at [email protected] and let us know that you're a VIG looking to make an exchange
  • No need to worry about mis-delivery—your materials stay safe with us until you're ready to pick them up
  • Only VIGs and their Companions can use this Will Call pickup option in the Lounge
  • You cannot pick up other VIG or Companion badges for them

What do you need to pick up your packet?

  • A valid photo ID
  • The email address associated with your Gen Con account

You’ll also be able to purchase event tickets in the Lounge as usual. We look forward to seeing you at the show!

VIG Lounge

Enjoy the comforts of a private VIG Lounge and concierge services, near the action but away from crowds and noise.

Bag Check

VIGs and Companions enjoy their very own bag check station in the VIG Lounge. Hours of operation are the same as the VIG Lounge hours.


VIG Lounge features include:

        • Games library
        • Event Registration
        • Complimentary beverages
        • Complimentary Wi-Fi
        • Charging stations in the lounge
        • Full access to the Lounge for all VIG children ages 17 and under
        • VIG gifts pick-up
        • Priority seating at events
        • Bag Check

VIG Tour Saturday, August 2 at 1 pm

The tour this year will be run by Mike Boozer. No ticket is needed for this event. Sign up in the lounge. Stops include GM HQ, Customer Service, Exhibitor HQ, Fulfillment, Show Office, Senior Leadership, The Map, and the View from the Secret Room, as time allows! The tour will start promptly at 1 pm in the VIG Lounge and runs for about 60 minutes.

Exclusive VIG Gifts

Every VIG (excluding Companions) who stops by the VIG Lounge during the show will receive exclusive VIG Gifts. These gift collections may include items such as a commemorative Gen Con t-shirt, a VIG pin, Gen Con merchandise, and promotional items from Exhibitors, Sponsors, Guests of Honor, Event Organizers, and others based on availability. There are often VIG-exclusive coupons, which may include discounts for specific booths in the Exhibit Hall and other special deals. Promotional items are not guaranteed, and gifts will vary yearly based on availability.

VIG Mixer

The VIG Mixer is a “happy hour” event for our Very Important Gamers and guests. It’s a chance for VIGs to hang out and enjoy appetizers, beverages, and stimulating conversation in a laid-back atmosphere. Tickets for the Mixer will be made available Wednesday June 11 at 3 pm Eastern.

Only VIGs and Companions are allowed to attend. VIGs can reserve one ticket for themselves and one for their Companion. These tickets are limited so please get yours as soon as they are available.

This year's VIG Mixer will once again be held at – The Oceanaire Seafood Room! VIGs and Gen Con staff were so happy with the service, space, and food that we are taking over the restaurant again! If you have not attended this venue, you will be pleasantly surprised by how attractive and comfortable a place it is to spend your late evening. Oceanaire has crafted a menu just for this event.

Date: July 31, 2025
Time: 9–Midnight
Location: The Oceanaire Seafood Room, 30 S. Meridian St., Suite 100, Indianapolis

There will not be a Pizza party as I had planned this year. Logistics did not work out. I have replaced it with something everyone can enjoy. More on that later.

Exclusive VIG Exhibit Hall Entrance at Opening

VIGs will have their own entry doors to the Exhibit Hall every morning between 10 am and 10:30 am. This door will be located between the Hall J Exhibitor entrance and the Hall K doors on the Capitol Concourse. This entrance is also the Accessibility entrance to the Exhibit hall.

VIG Exclusive Events

New VIG Exclusive events are now in the event catalog — get your tickets while they last! When searching for a VIG event in the catalog, type "VIG" in the search field. All exclusive events will have VIG in the title. Get your tickets before they are sold out! All events will take place in the VIG Lounge.

Let Your Voice Be Heard – We Want Your Feedback!

Gen Con will be conducting two focus groups to get feedback and engage in a discussion about the VIG program.

Additional Exclusive Events

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.

"Members Only” VIG Forum

As a member of the VIG Program, you will have access to an exclusive forum where you can chat with fellow VIGs and voice your thoughts and ideas to the Gen Con Community. Please email your Gen Con Community login name to [email protected] if you cannot see this forum.

First Chance at a VIG Package for Next Year!
Very Important Gamers not only receive excellent benefits for the current show and a chance at “first right of refusal” for next year’s show. This means VIGs can purchase their next year’s VIG Package when 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 was emailed in December. VIG packages are non-transferable.

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Additional Information

VIG Swag

Swag bags (for VIGs) will be available for pick up once they are assembled by Thursday, July 31.

Water Bottles and Beverages

Gen Con will no longer provide single-use bottled water in the VIG Lounge. We are committed to lessening the amount of single-use plastic generated at the convention. We will continue to offer complimentary soda, juice, coffee, and tea.

Water bubbler stations will continue to be available in the VIG Lounge . Please tell your VIG Companions to bring a water bottle to refill.

Picking Up Non-VIG Packets

The perk of picking up non-VIG packets from Will Call needs some clarification on the rules and process.

  1. The limit of packets for pickup is four. You will not be allowed to pick up any additional packets at a later time.
  2. The person(s) whose packets are being picked up must have their IDs and be present (outside the VIG Lounge).
    These are the established Will Call rules and not subject to change.
  3. Please wait until the friendly staff in the VIG Lounge are not busy and kindly ask them to help you.

You can direct all comments or questions on this policy to [email protected].

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VIG Companions and Children

VIG Companion Packages

Anyone who purchases a VIG Package has the option of purchasing one VIG Companion badge. Please note that the account holder must be at least 18 years old to purchase a VIG package, but Companions have no age limitations.

The VIG Companion Badge allows the bearer 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 for VIGs

VIG Companions will NOT receive the following:

        • VIG Gifts
        • VIG Coupons
        • Access to Housing (this is self-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 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)

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Interested in Becoming a VIG?

If you are interested in being a VIG in 2026 please email [email protected] between November 15 and December 1, 2025, to be entered into the drawing for Gen Con 2026.

1. You must provide your name and email as it appears on your Gen Con account in the body of your email
2. You must provide the email associated with that account in the body of your email.
3. You must be at least 18 to apply.
4. Do not submit multiple entries from other accounts you may have in the system.
5. If your account is associated with a group or organization please let us know (you cannot buy a badge unless that organization is temporarily unlinked from your primary account)
6. You must buy the VIG badge for yourself. VIG badges and packages are not tradable or transferable. The Companion badge can be bought for anyone on your friend's list.

If you have questions about the program, please email us at [email protected].