Gen Con lifts mask and vaccine requirements, announces ticketing info
Gen Con announced Tuesday it does not plan to require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or mask use in 2023, a return to entry rules not seen since 2019.
The convention, the largest tabletop gaming gathering in North America now in its 20th year in Indianapolis, said in a statement it will continue to monitor Marion County Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines.
This year's Gen Con will run Aug. 3-6 at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
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"As of January 2023, Gen Con will not require proof of vaccination or masks at the 2023 convention. While continuously monitoring the situation, organizers will reserve the right to change this policy if conditions warrant at any time, including up to the start date of the convention," the statement read.
Gen Con was canceled in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. It reopened with a reduced capacity of 35,000 in 2021, down from the 70,000 seen in 2019.
In 2022, it drew about 50,000 in-person fans, who were required to show proof of vaccination and wear masks.
The free online livestreams that begun during the pandemic years will be offered again in August, organizers said.
Badges for this year's convention will go on sale at noon Jan. 29 through Gen Con's website, bit.ly/3W0hCfk.
Four-day badges will be $135. Individual tickets will be $70 for Thursday or Friday, $85 for Saturday and $17 for Sunday.
Free online-only badges will be available beginning May 7.
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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryDoesPhonics.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Gen Con Indianapolis 2023 will not require vaccination, masks
