2025 Frequently Asked Questions
Convention Info
What are the dates of Origins Game Fair 2025?
Origins Game Fair 2025 will be held June 18-22, 2025, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
When is the exhibit hall open?
The exhibit hall will not be open on Wednesday, June 18. Our exhibit hall is open the following hours:
Thursday, June 19: 10am to 6pm
Friday, June 20: 10am to 6pm
Saturday, June 21: 10am to 6pm
Sunday, June 22: 10am to 4pm
Can I use cash at the show?
The Greater Columbus Convention Center is a cashless facility. This includes all GCCC operated concessions and all in-lane GCCC parking transactions. However, within the GCCC there are individual contracted vendors and outlets who, at their discretion, may accept cash. The exhibitors may also choose to accept cash at their booths. Unfortunately, we do not accept cash at the registration booth.
Badge registration
Where can I buy a badge?
Badge sales open October 29th and will remain open until the convention closes on June 22!
You can also purchase badges onsite at the convention center. Just go to the registration area in the North Atrium (near the corner of Goodale and High Street) and look for the onsite registration line. Please note that we have moved to a cashless system for registration, which means we are only able to accept credit cards for badge and event ticket purchases.
How much are badges?
Badge prices vary by badge type and day. To see the full list of available badges, go to our badge page.
What does my badge include?
Origins Game Fair badges cover almost everything you would want to do at the convention, including admission to the exhibit hall, seminars, workshops, concerts and the Open Gaming Area with a board game library of more than 1,400 games.
In addition, most events offered are included with your badge, with a few exceptions for premium events that have an upcharge to cover materials, prize support or special guest GM/presenter. These premium events will be noted in the event catalog so you know what event have an extra fee. Our goal is to fill your days with plenty of opportunities to get to a table, and leaving the majority of our events free to participate is one way we hope to do that.
Attendees should be aware, that certain specialty badges do come with restrictions (IE: Collectible Game Badge) and may not include everything listed above, so be sure to check the description of the badge you’re purchasing.
How do I pick up my badge?
You will pick up your badge at the Columbus Convention Center in the registration area, located in the North Atrium (near the corner of Goodale and High Street). If you have registered in advance you will be able to pick up your badge from the “Scan and Go” area of registration.
Do I have to wear my badge?
Attendees are required to wear their badge at all times. Your badge grants you access into show areas. If you do not wear your badge, you will be denied entry.
What do I do if I lose my badge?
PLEASE DO NOT LOSE YOUR BADGE! Unfortunately, we cannot offer replacement badges. If you lose your badge you will need to purchase a new badge.
I’m having some difficulty with problem X, can you help?
We’ve tried to answer most questions on our website and on our social media platforms. If you’ve found you can’t manage to accomplish what you need to, or if you can’t find the answer to your questions, please e-mail registration@gama.org.
Do you offer game clubs, educators, library or military discounts?
Unfortunately, we do not currently offer discounts on our badges, other than our Early Bird discount. Instead of discounts that only allow a small number of people to attend the show at a cheaper price, we instead opted for a program that offers a discount to everyone! If you are looking for a discounted badge or potentially even a free badge, please consider volunteering to help make the show happen. Those who pay it forward by volunteering receive free badges for helping out as little as four hours a day. LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A VOLUNTEER
How do I buy a Child Pass?
We raised the age limit for the Childs Pass from 9 years to 12 years of age to allow for more family members to attend at no extra costs. To buy a Child Pass, you must first have a badge in your cart for an attendee age 16+. If you have any questions about this, please contact registration@gama.org for assistance PRIOR to purchasing your badges.
How can I get a refund on my Origins 2025 badge?
Refunds on badges purchased for 2025 are available through April 15, 2025. All refunds are subject to a 10% service fee to cover the credit card a fees from both the original purchase and the refund. There will be no refunds after April 15, 2025.
premier badge
How many hotel rooms can I reserve as part of my early access benefit?
All hotel reservations are subject to restrictions set by the individual properties, but typically the limit is two rooms per reservation. Check with the property you’re interested in for more details.
Will my events tickets also be mailed?
Any event you register for prior to the mailing deadline (April 1, 2025) will also be mailed to you. Any event added after that date will need to be picked up on-site as in previous years.
Events
How do I participate in an event?
You must have a badge to attend or register for an event. You may have the badge in the cart at the time you register for an event and check out for both at the same time if you have not already purchased your badge.
When you print your badge, tickets for the events you have registered for will also print.
If you are registering for events after you have already printed your badge, the full-service registration desk will print your tickets for you!
When can I register for an event?
You can register for an event from the time event registration opens until the time the event starts. Event tickets will print with your badge.
After you print your badge you can go to the Self-Service, Scan & Go to print any tickets purchased after you get your badge.
If regular events are now included in my badge, why do I need event tickets?
Most scheduled events have limited seating and can only accommodate a specific number of players. People who reserve event tickets will be seated first. Should an event sell out, you can still stop by the event to see if a seat opened up. If there are remaining seats at the start of the event, the GM will seat those waiting to play.
What are generics (generic tickets) and how do I get them?
Generics are tickets that can be used to buy a seat in an event after players with purchased event tickets have been seated. Generic tickets will be available at Registration. Please note that as a majority of scheduled events are included in your badge price, you will only need to use generics for upcharge events (free events do not require generic tickets). Should an event sell out, you can still stop by the event to see if a seat opened up. If there are remaining seats at the start of the event, the GM will seat those waiting to play.
How do event ticket refunds work?
Refunds for event tickets are given up to 24 hours prior to scheduled event time, or if an event has been cancelled. If the event is cancelled, the event ticket must have the signature from staff at the Event HQ in your area to be refunded.
NOTE: All refunds are subject to a 10% service fee to cover the credit card and TTE fees from both the original purchase and the refund.
Health and Safety
What is Origin’s COVID-19 policy for 2025?
Origins Game Fair is not requiring masks or proof of covid vaccination to attend Origins 2025. However, please be aware that if either the Centers for Disease Control or state/local governmental organizations require us to change this policy, we will do so to comply with governmental rules.
Are weapons allowed at Origins?
Real weapons and weapons resembling real weapons are not allowed at Origins. Cosplay weapons must be cleared by convention security and peace bonded. Visit the Help Desk near registration or the Security Office directly outside of the Exhibit Hall in the Main Concourse. Replica weapons purchased in the Exhibit Hall must be immediately secured in the purchaser’s vehicle or hotel room.
What is peace-bonding?
We utilize zip ties to mark items as safe and inspected. Once we have zip-tied your item, you are not permitted to remove it. Security will have zip ties on hand at the show. Visit the Security Office directly outside of the Exhibit Hall in the Main Concourse to peace-bond your item.
Are wheelchairs available?
The convention center has a limited number of manual wheelchairs available. They are stored at Public Safety Command. If you (or someone you know) needs a wheelchair, contact Public Safety directly at (614) 827-2547. A member of Public Safety will bring the wheelchair to you. You will be asked to exchange a photo ID for the wheelchair, which will be returned to you when you are done using the chair.
Is there a lost and found?
If you have lost an item or find an item during the show, please visit the Security Desk. If possible, found property will be returned to the owner. Any items not claimed will be brought back to the GAMA office after the close of the show.
VOLUNTEERS
If I want to volunteer should I buy a badge?
Please do not purchase a badge if you expect to receive one as a reward for volunteering at the show! A volunteer badge will be assigned to you after the approval of your volunteer hours. Any badges purchased before receiving your volunteer badge will be subject to the refund fees laid out during the registration process above.
What is required of an Origins Volunteer?
All volunteers are expected to be courteous, professional, and eager to help, in addition to the specific responsibilities outlined for the shifts they sign up for. All volunteers must submit to a background check. Learn more in the Volunteer Handbook.
Can my child volunteer?
Due to insurance and the requirement of a background checks for all GAMA volunteers, we require all volunteers to be over the age of 18.
Can I sign up on-site?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept volunteers on-site at Origins Game Fair. All volunteers must sign up in advance to allow for a background check and be placed in an area to work.
Families
Are children welcome at the show?
Absolutely! As a family-friendly show, Origins welcomes gamers of any age. Children twelve and under can attend the show for free with an accompanying guardian. Children thirteen and old must be registered for a badge.
Do you provide childcare?
Unfortunately, no. We don’t have the ability to offer these services. Parents/guardians are responsible for looking after any children in their care while attending Origins Game Fair.
Do you have a private breastfeeding area?
The convention center provides a designated area for nursing (by South Meeting Rooms) and offers two family restrooms (behind A210 and South Cafe & Marketplace).
Join the Team
How do I become a Volunteer?
We are always looking for passionate volunteers to help make Origins a great show! Learn more about volunteer opportunities here or join our Volunteer Facebook Group.
How do I host events?
Anyone can host an event at Origins! Event submissions will be open soon. If you are interested in running events, feel free to join our Game Master Facebook Group.
How do I demo for an exhibitor?
Most of our exhibitors are looking for new demo team members to join them at shows! If you find an exhibitor you’d like to work with, we’d recommend reaching out to them about any opportunities they have available. Check their websites and social media pages, they may be posting information there as well.
FIRST TIMER ADVICE
1. Don’t over-extend yourself.
The GCCC is large and there is a lot to do at Origins Game Fair. You can’t see everything, so just enjoy what you can. Make sure you get a good night’s sleep and take breaks throughout the show.
2. Stay Hydrated.
Water is important! When you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. Keep a water bottle handy and refill it regularly.
3. Ask Questions.
GAMA Staff, volunteers, GMs and exhibitors are all here to help! We are happy to answer questions and if we don’t know the answer, we can point you to someone who can. All of us were first-timers once too, and a few of us are first-timers right along side you! There is also a Help Desk located near registration, ready to answer all your questions!
4. Check Out the Game Library.
The Origins Game Library has more than 1,400 games for you to check out and play with your friends (or total strangers!) included with your badge.
5. Check out the events list.
Take a little time to look through the events list, coming soon! There are so many amazing events, most of which are included with your badge. You can usually find a seat at a seminar, and even events that are full can have seats free up. If you really are interested in an event, don’t be afraid to swing by the location at the start time to see if anything is available.
6. Try Something New.
It can be tempting to stick to games and activities you are familiar with. With so many events included with your badge, Origins is an amazing opportunity to try something new with no risk! Look for “Rules will be taught” designations in the event list or just walk the gaming hall and look for open seats!
9. Exhibit hall demos are fast and informative.
Want to experience the most games with the most flexibility? Exhibitors run tons of awesome demos throughout the show. Get a quick feel for a new game without committing to playing for hours.
10. Don’t miss the back rows of the Exhibit Hall.
The big publishers tend to be toward the front of the Exhibit Hall. They have amazing displays and incredible products to try, but don’t forget about the smaller/independent publishers and designers farther back. Your new favorite game may be hiding back there right now!