MagicCon: Chicago Know Before You Go!

Pack your coat and your cards, because it’s time to finalize your MagicCon: Chicago plans. With that in mind, we wanted to pass on some helpful information and ideas as you prepare for your trip through the MagicCon multiverse!

The “Info” tab on the MagicCon: Chicago website is a great place to start if you have unanswered questions about the MagicCon: Chicago experience. It includes information about ADA Accessibility Services, the MagicCon Code of Conduct, an FAQ, the latest MagicCon news, and more.

MagicCon: Chicago will be held at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center located at 2301 S. Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.

There are three main parking lots on the McCormick Place campus, all in walking distance of and ADA accessible to the event. The closest parking lot for MagicCon: Chicago attendees is Lot C, Gate 30. The address for Lot C is Fort Dearborn Drive, Chicago, IL 60616. For parking information and rates, please visit the McCormick Place website.

There are also both public transportation and ride sharing options. You can view information on those options here.

A MagicCon badge is required for entry to all events at MagicCon. If you are an international attendee or purchased a badge after 1/10/25, your badge will be available for pick up on-site at Registration/Will Call at the McCormick Place Lakeside Center in the event hall on level 3 . You will need your QR code confirmation email and a photo ID to receive your badge.

Once you have your badge in hand, make sure to activate it to take full advantage of all the experiences MagicCon has to offer!

Merchandise included in your badge package will be available for on-site pick up only at Ticketed Merch Pick-Up, located next to Registration/Will Call. Ticketed Merch Pick-Up opens Friday through Sunday at 8:30 AM.

Pre-order merchandise purchased after 1/10/25 must be picked up at the Show Store. The Show Store opens daily at 10:00 AM.

• Thursday, February 20: 12:00PM – 6:00PM
• Friday, February 21: 8:30AM – 7:00PM
• Saturday, February 22: 8:30AM – 7:00PM
• Sunday, February 23: 8:30AM – 6:00PM

Once you have your physical badge , you can wait in the Free Play area or morning queue. The MagicCon: Chicago show floor will officially open at 10:00 AM!

MagicCon: Chicago is going to be busy and there will be lines to enter the show, so please plan ahead, pick up your badge early, and enter the morning queue  if you have registered for a ticketed play event taking place in the morning.

While the hustle and bustle of the show floor at MagicCon makes it an exciting place to be, we want to ensure all attendees know there are places you can go if you start to feel overwhelmed and/or need a break from the crowds:

The Quiet Room - E265

The Quiet Room is open and available to anyone at MagicCon who needs to take a sensory break .  When you enter the room, please be respectful of others sharing this space and help keep noise to a minimum.

The Quiet Room is open during the following hours:

• Friday, February 21, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Saturday, February 22, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• Sunday, February 23, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The Spindown Room - E351

There are a number of content pieces taking place in the Spindown Room and we encourage attendees to take time off the show floor to go and check them out! Additionally, between panels this room remains open and is available if you want to take a break or simply grab a seat ahead of the next scheduled event.

The Family Magic Area - Showfloor Level 3

Open to MagicCon attendees of all ages, the Family Magic Area is the perfect place to sit down and slow down. At MagicCon: Chicago you can paint minis, make friendship bracelets, draw with artists and more. Check out the full schedule for details and be sure to drop by for some more slow-paced fun!

Magic: The Gathering is for everyone – and so is MagicCon! We strive to ensure that MagicCon is a fun, safe, and welcoming event for all attendees, guests, exhibitors and staff to enjoy. Our event Code of Conduct applies to everyone at the show, and any/all issues are taken seriously. 

If you have a concern during the show or see something happen that doesn’t seem right, please alert the nearest event staff member (recognizable by their ‘MagicCon’ staff t-shirts) or member of security or visit the info booth and request to speak to someone as soon as possible. Event security are on-site at all times, and have an office located on Level 2. Additionally, you can report any issues via the official MagicCon mobile app under ‘report harassment'.

If you are missing any items or have misplaced something, head to room E250, which will be the designated Lost and Found.

We’ll have a number of concessions available on the show floor and throughout the convention center with a variety of food and drink options including Connie’s Pizza, Robinson’s Ribs, Dunkin, and more. 

If you require medical assistant onsite, McCormick Place provides wheelchair-accessible first aid stations in each building. They are operated and staffed by licensed medical professionals. Stations are fully-equipped and include automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to respond to life-threatening occurrences.

There are First Aid areas located in each building:

• Lakeside Center – Level 1 nearby the Arie Crown Theater Dressing Room Entrance
• South and North Buildings – Level 2.5 of the Grand Concourse nearby the FedEx Office.
• West Building – Level 1 nearby the Transportation Center

The MagicCon: Chicago Show Store introduces some new products to the lineup! You can get your hands on new stylish wearables, accessories, and exclusives available on-site at MagicCon: Chicago!

Check out a preview of what’s available here! 

The fun doesn’t stop at the show floor! Chicago promises to party even harder than last year with THREE nights of Lobby Khan!

Schedule includes a mix of exclusive panels, special guests, live band karaoke, and, of course, tons of Magic: The Gathering enthusiasts! See the full schedule here.

• When: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, February 20, 21, and 22, 7pm to close
• Where: Reggies Chicago, 2105 S State Street, Chicago, IL 60616
• Entry: No additional tickets needed. You must bring and show your physical MagicCon badge to get access to Lobby Khan scheduled activities. Space is limited. This is a first-come, first-served event.

Join us for these great after-hours activities and make your weekend even more magical! 

Witness some of the best Magic players in the world go head-to-head on-site as they compete in Pro Tour Aetherdrift. Our competitors are playing for their share of a $500,000 prize pool and the title of Pro Tour Champion!

This event is the kickoff of the 2025 competitive Magic season, and it's not one to miss. Be sure to check out the action as it happens live throughout the weekend!

It wouldn’t be a Magic event without play events! At MagicCon: Chicago, there’s a full schedule of ticketed play available to suit every skill level throughout the weekend. Check out all of the Ticketed Play and register for your events today here.

Events can sell out – it is highly recommended that you register for your Ticketed Play Tournaments before arriving on-site!

You’ll also find a large amount of dedicated Free Play on the show floor, a CommandZone that is open to all attendees, and On Demand events. And this year, there’s D&D play –including On Demands -  available as well! Learn more about all of the play opportunities at MagicCon: Chicago here. 

The MagicCon Mobile App will be your event guide throughout the weekend! This mobile app includes detailed Show Floor Level Maps, Panel and Magic Play Schedules, Exhibitors, Guests, and more!

MagicCon: Chicago has a packed schedule of epic content throughout the weekend! There will be three places for you to attend exclusive panels featuring special guests and artists while bringing the Magic community together. At the Mana Stage, Showcase Stage and Spindown Room there is something for everyone to enjoy!  Check out the full panel and event schedule here.

MagicCon: Chicago will feature tons of ways to play and enjoy Dungeons & Dragons, from play events to preview adventures from Legends of Greyhawk to the star-studded D&D Live – Baldur’s Gate: From Hags to Liches.

See all of the ways to experience D&D at MagicCon: Chicago here.

This interactive section of the show floor brings you face-to-face with your favorite MTG Content Creators! Witness a Spectacle Play event! Come meet and greet personalities you know and love at the Creator Play area while you check out their unique playstyles, formats, and live games! Pick up a MagicCon Passport and make some memories as we’re all reminded that the Gathering is the Magic. Learn More about Creator Central!

Want the details of where and when you can meet your favorite Magic personalities? Check out the Meet & Greet schedule for a full rundown of who’s who and where to find them! 

Get creative at MagicCon: Chicago!  Whether you’re looking for a place to get some Magic play in, an activity for the whole family, or want to make friendship bracelets with other fans, Family Magic is the place for everyone!

Ongoing Activities at Family Magic

These activities will be available during standard show hours.  Check in with Family Magic Staff or Crew for more information.

• Paint & Take: Check in at the Family Magic area to get a mini and some paint for a fun activity and take your mini home as a fun event memento!
• Counter Crafting: Need some +1/+1 counters or a way to indicate which creatures have flying?  Come color your own at Family Magic and take home some counters completely unique to you!
• Coloring Pages: Could Jace look better with a green robe? Should Chandra have blue fire? Let your creativity shine with Magic: The Gathering coloring pages.

There are also great scheduled activities at Family Magic like Deck Box Decorating, Draw with a Magic Artist, Magic Friendship Bracelets, and Family League Play. See the scheduled activities at Family Magic and learn more here.

The always exciting Art of Magic is headed to Chicago! The Art of Magic is where you can meet some of the talented artists who have created beloved card art during Magic’s history. See the artists who will be joining us at MagicCon: Chicago here.

Bring the “Trading” back to your favorite trading card game with the Pin Trading Program! Collect all the exclusive MagicCon: Chicago event pins by purchasing pins at the Official Show Store, visiting our official pin trading exhibitors, getting an exclusive in the new Pin Trading area and Savvy Pin Trader Sealed League, and by trading with participating staff members and other MagicCon attendees! Can you collect them all?  

New to MagicCon! Get tattooed on the show floor in Chicago at Target Permanent Tattoos! Choose from a wide variety of Magic and D&D flash tattoos and make a memory that will last a lifetime. 

Appointments are recommended, but walkups are welcome based on artist availability. Flash will be available to view on-site, and there is a $150 minimum, but pricing will vary. Check out the artist profiles here.

MagicCon: Chicago has an exciting variety of exhibitors throughout the show floor! Check out our full exhibitor list and learn more about some of our featured exhibitors. 

After each MagicCon we send out an email survey to all attendees. Your feedback is important and helps us make informed decisions about future events, so please take the time to share your thoughts with us post-event!

Whew, that’s a lot of information, but there’s a lot to do and be excited for at MagicCon: Chicago! Keep an eye on @magic.wizards.com on Bluesky or @MTGFestivals on Instagram for further show updates. We can't wait to see you in Chicago!