Badges, Wristbands, Upgrades, and other Registration Info
Pre-registration for METROCON tickets opens January 1st, 2025! Read more below!
Please read all of this information carefully so that your registration process will be completed correctly. We don’t want anyone to miss out on the fun due to a simple mistake.
CASHLESS REGISTRATION
At-the-door registration is completely cashless. Cash will not be available as a method of payment for tickets AT the event. Tickets WILL still be sold at the door ALL WEEKEND LONG, but you MUST HAVE A CREDIT CARD to purchase tickets, and we recommend purchasing them in advance!
In an effort to maintain reduced lines, track capacity, and ensure limited wait times, we will be transitioning our online “pre-registration” to at-the-door pricing once pre-registration “ends”. This means throughout the week leading up to the convention, and even during the convention weekend itself, you can go online and purchase tickets there. You can buy them from any internet-connected device in the car on the way over, in your hotel room, or even while you’re outside prior to entering the building.
We can also check you out at the counter so long as you have your credit card with you, but we STRONGLY RECOMMEND leveraging the self-serve nature of this process either prior to attending or even on your own while waiting in line to reduce wait times for tickets. If you arrive at the counter and haven’t gone through the online purchase process already, we can check you out there.
Remember – pre-registration not only saves you money on ticket prices, but it also lets you pick up your passes early on Thursday night as well! If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Registration at registration@metroconventions.com or reach out to us on social media and we’ll point you in the right direction.
The best value for pre-registering tickets for you and your friends. The FOURtune Pack includes four Three-Day Passes at an even lower price than the pre-registration price for the Three-Day Passes individually.
Each Three-Day Pass to METROCON grants access to all standard events, panels, workshops, raves, merchant area, and all badge-check areas of the convention center for one person. Standard Three-Day Passes do not grant access to VIP Only events or to events requiring a separate fee such as tournaments, classes with a materials fee, or the Masquerade. Each pass is valid for Friday – Sunday of the event.
Note: if purchasing VIP Upgrades, EACH pass holder must have an individual VIP Upgrade (i.e. purchase one four pack, and four VIP Upgrades, if you want four individual people to have a Three-day Pass with a VIP Upgrade)
Pre-Registration Pricing:
01/01/2025 – 01/31/2025: $260 + tax/fees
02/01/2025 – 02/28/2025: $280 + tax/fees
03/01/2025 – 04/15/2025: $300 + tax/fees
04/16/2025 – 05/31/2025: $320 + tax/fees
06/01/2025 – 07/15/2025: $340 + tax/fees
FOURTUNE PACK TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE DURING AT-THE-DOOR PRICING.
A special combo deal for pairs who are attending METROCON together and want the full experience! Great for couples, best friends, alien symbiotes and their hosts, or any other twosomes!
The 2X2 Dynamic Duo package includes two Three Day Passes and two VIP Upgrades – everything two people need to see everything METROCON has to offer. 2X2 Packages are only available so long as VIP Upgrade supplies last, and WILL SELL OUT prior to the final tier. Tier pricing shown reflects prices IF TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE.
Each Three-Day Pass to METROCON grants access to all standard events, panels, workshops, raves, merchant areas, and all badge-check areas of the convention center for one person, valid Friday through Sunday of the event.
The VIP Upgrade grants early access to events, preferred front-row seating for Main Events, Special Events, and Guest Track panels, preferred autograph access for all autograph signings, early access to the Merchant Hall, a separate line at registration for badge pickup, a free convention T-Shirt, a complimentary ticket to the Masquerade, plus much more including free stuff and exclusive access (subject to availability and change).
Pre-Registration Pricing:
01/01/2025 – 01/31/2025: $260 + tax/fees
02/01/2025 – 02/28/2025: $270 + tax/fees
03/01/2025 – 04/15/2025: $280 + tax/fees
04/16/2025 – 05/31/2025: $290 + tax/fees
06/01/2025 – 07/15/2025: $300 + tax/fees
2X2 DYNAMIC DUO TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE DURING AT-THE-DOOR PRICING!
A Three-Day Pass to METROCON grants access to all standard events, panels, workshops, raves, merchant area, and all badge-check areas of the convention center. Standard Three-Day Passes do not grant access to VIP Only events or to events requiring a separate fee such as tournaments, classes with a materials fee, or the Masquerade. This pass is valid for Friday – Sunday of the event.
Pre-Registration Pricing:
01/01/2025 – 01/31/2025: $75 + tax/fees
02/01/2025 – 02/28/2025: $80 + tax/fees
03/01/2025 – 04/15/2025: $85 + tax/fees
04/16/2025 – 05/31/2025: $90 + tax/fees
06/01/2025 – 07/15/2025: $95 + tax/fees
At-the-Door Pricing:
$100 + tax/fees
A Single Day Pass to METROCON grants access to all standard events, panels, workshops, raves, merchant area, and all badge-check areas of the convention center for the day it is purchased. Standard Single Day Passes do not grant access to VIP Only events or to events requiring a separate fee such as tournaments, classes with a materials fee, or the Masquerade. This pass is valid ONLY for the day which it is purchased – passes may not be returned or substituted, and will not be valid on days other than the specified day when purchased.
*NOTE* Pre-registered single-day passes may NOT be picked up early – they may only be picked up on the day they are valid. Friday single day passes may be picked up on Thursday evening during early pick-up.
Pre-Registration Pricing:
01/01/2025 – 07/15/2025 (no tier adjustments)
Friday Pass: $45 + tax/fees
Saturday Pass: $55 + tax/fees
Sunday Pass: $40 + tax/fees
At-the-Door Pricing:
Friday Pass: $50 + tax/fees
Saturday Pass: $60 + tax/fees
Sunday Pass: $45 + tax/fees
Children under 6 are admitted for free when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a paid pass. Children 6-12 are eligible for discounted Child Passes
Child Passes must have an accompanying PAID adult in order to purchase them (they will not be sold on their own, or to anyone not purchasing or already in possession of a regular pass of some kind).
All attendees 12 and under must have a parent or guardian who is attending METROCON on the premises at all times. Sorry, NO EXCEPTIONS will be made. We cannot allow small children to go unattended.
Each Child Pass to METROCON allows access to all standard events, panels, workshops, raves, merchant area, and all badge-check areas of the convention center for the badge holder while accompanied by an adult. Child Passes do not grant access to VIP Only events or to events requiring a separate fee such as tournaments, classes with a materials fee, or the Masquerade. Each pass is valid for the days purchased.
Pre-Registration Pricing:
01/01/2025 – 07/15/2025
Three-Day Child Pass: $45 + tax/fees
Single-Day Child Pass (Any Day, Each Day): $25 + tax/fees
At-the-Door Tier Pricing:
Three-Day Child Pass: $50 + tax/fees
Single-Day Child Pass (Any Day, Each Day): $30 + tax/fees
A VIP Upgrade for METROCON must be COMBINED with either a Three-Day Pass or a Single-Day Pass. The VIP Upgrade does not grant admission to the convention by itself. The VIP Upgrade is valid throughout the entire event (even if the pass purchased is not i.e. a Saturday-only pass with a VIP Upgrade would only be usable on Saturday, but if the attendee decided to come back Sunday, their VIP Upgrade would still be valid). There are only 400 total VIP upgrades available.
The VIP Upgrade grants early access to events, preferred front-row seating for Main Events, Guest Track panels, preferred autograph access, early access to the Exhibit Hall, a separate line at registration for badge pickup, a free convention T-Shirt, a complimentary ticket to the Masquerade, plus much more including free stuff and exclusive access (subject to availability and change).
Pre-Registration Pricing:
01/01/2025 – 07/15/2025 (tier adjustments are based on quantity, limited to 400 available)
VIP Upgrade Tier 1 (first 200 sold): $70 + taxes/fees
VIP Upgrade Tier 2 (remaining 200): $80 + taxes/fees
VIP Upgrades are not sold at the event, and usually sell out quickly after pre-registration opens in January!
This ticket admits one person to the Masquerade, the interactive cosplay event that takes place the Friday evening of METROCON. Admission to the Masquerade is included with the VIP Upgrade, so VIPs don’t need to worry about this ticket, but this event is separately ticketed from Weekend and Single Day tickets.
You must have a valid Friday or Three-Day pass for METROCON to attend the Masquerade.
The Masquerade takes place on Friday evening of the convention.
The Masquerade is a themed-attire or cosplay required interactive event in the style of a huge party, that in the past has included interactive performers, stunt displays, aerial performances, dancing with the characters, and most importantly, an opportunity to meet other fans and make new friends in an inclusive and interactive atmosphere.
More information on the Masquerade can be found by clicking here.
Pre-Registration Pricing (no tier adjustments):
01/01/2025 – 07/15/2025: $10 + tax/fees
At-the-Door Pricing:
$15 + tax/fees
Registration at METROCON is located on the second-floor mezzanine of the Tampa Convention Center. You must enter the second floor through the bag check on the second-floor deck near the Riverwalk, or through the rotunda via the circle drive on the first floor if you need to use the elevator (take a look at our convention map if you need assistance!).
When you arrive, please pay attention to signage – lines may be divided based on ticket type, purchase type, etc. to help ease the flow of traffic and to ensure that everyone is getting their tickets in a timely manner.
METROCON convention badges/wristbands must be worn at all times. If you have no badge/wristband, you will not be granted admittance to the convention areas. If you lose your badge/wristband or find one, please notify Registration immediately. Replacement badges are NOT available for purchase or otherwise – you will be required to purchase another pass at full prices. We strongly recommend putting a unique name or identifier on your badge (we provide stickers and markers just for that at registration!) so that if it is lost and returned to Registration, we can reunite you with it.
Due to counterfeiting, badge swapping, and abuse of the badge replacement system, under no circumstances does METROCON provide a discount or replacement badge for those who have lost their badge. Treat your badge like cash, as you will have to replace it at full cost if it is lost.
Recently, there has been an uptick in the number of counterfeit badges recovered every year at METROCON. This is largely due to more informed volunteers, badges with security features and constructed of materials that are more difficult to accurately duplicate including watermarks, UV reactive ink, holographic printing, and more.
Counterfeit badges will absolutely not be tolerated – if you are caught with a counterfeit pass, regardless of where you acquired it or whether you made it or not, you will have your badge removed, and the Tampa Police Department will have you trespassed from the building. This is akin to scalping counterfeit tickets to a major sporting event, and your trespass from the building does not just apply to METROCON, but to the Tampa Convention Center as a whole – you will legally not be allowed to be on Tampa Convention Center property for one year from the date of the trespass. Combatting counterfeiting and piracy is something the City of Tampa takes very seriously, and so do we – we have a zero tolerance policy for these offenses. It is no different from stealing money from a register or robbing a house, and it is a crime – please consider the repercussions (including not being able to attend any events at the TCC for a whole year) before deciding that counterfeit passes are the way to go.
If buying passes from an individual and not directly from METROCON, ensure that you both complete the METROCON Ticket Transfer form on the Ticketing page of our website, or email registration@metroconventions.com with any questions.
All passes purchased directly from METROCON should have a receipt or confirmation e-mail – make smart decisions when deciding how to attend METROCON.
Attendees 12 and under must have a parent or guardian who is attending METROCON on the premises at all times. NO EXCEPTIONS. Children under 6 are admitted free when accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid pass. Children 6-12 are eligible for discounted child passes. All attendees 13+ must purchase a ticket as normal.
METROCON does not offer refunds or rain checks as a standard policy. You may transfer or resell your tickets if you are unable to attend after purchasing (see below for details).
You may opt to sell (at no more than the original price) or transfer your tickets to someone else, so that they may attend in your place in the event that you are unable to.
If you are selling/transferring your tickets to someone else, please use the official ticket transfer system through LEAP Conventions, our ticketing provider. DO NOT sell or transfer your tickets to someone else without clicking the OFFICIAL transfer link from your ticketing confirmation page (also available in your confirmation email) – don’t complete the form anywhere else, always make sure to fill it out directly from LEAP conventions.
METROCON is an entirely cashless event for ticket purchases. Tickets may be purchased with any major credit card via our website, or on-site with a credit card when you arrive. Tickets are always available at the event, however we strongly encourage pre-registration of tickets.