Going to a gaming convention? The essentials are pretty simple: your ticket, ID, phone, portable charger, payment method, water bottle, comfortable shoes and a practical bag.

Beyond those basics, what you should bring depends on the convention and how you’re attending. A one-day local event requires very little, while a three-day convention involving cosplay, tournaments or travel needs considerably more planning.

The goal isn’t to pack for every possible scenario. You want enough to stay comfortable and prepared without spending eight hours carrying a bag full of things you never use.

If this is your first event, our guide to what to expect at your first gaming convention covers the experience itself. For now, let’s make sure you actually bring the important stuff.

Contents

✅ 1. Gaming Convention Packing Checklist

If you’re looking for the quick answer, start here.

Essential Gaming Convention Items

For most conventions, bring:

🎟️ Convention ticket or badge
🪪 Photo ID
📱 Phone
🔋 Portable charger / power bank
🔌 Charging cable
💳 Card, phone payment or cash
🎒 Comfortable backpack or bag
💧 Refillable water bottle
🍫 Small snacks
👟 Comfortable shoes
🧥 Light extra layer
🧼 Basic personal care items
💊 Any personal medication you need

Depending on what you’re doing, you might also want:

🖊️ Pen or marker for autographs
🎧 Earplugs or headphones
🦸 Cosplay repair supplies
🛍️ Foldable tote bag for merchandise
📷 Camera
🎮 Controller or gaming equipment if required for an activity
🧴 Sunscreen if you’ll spend time outside
🩹 Small blister plasters or basic first-aid items

You won’t need every item on that second list. Someone attending in cosplay has very different needs from someone planning to spend six hours trying indie games and another two watching panels.

Check the Convention Rules First

Before packing anything unusual, check the event’s official rules.

Conventions may have policies covering:

Bag sizes
Outside food and drinks
Cosplay props
Replica weapons
Cameras and recording
Professional photography equipment
Alcohol
Gaming equipment
Restricted or prohibited items

This is especially important for cosplay props. Something perfectly harmless at home may still fall under a venue’s prop or security rules.

Our gaming convention preparation guide covers the wider planning process, including checking venue rules, schedules and travel before you go.

🎟️ 2. Bring Your Ticket, ID and Payment Method

These are the boring items right up until you forget one of them.

You can survive without a snack. Getting to the entrance and discovering the ticket is sitting in an email account you can’t access is a considerably worse start to the day.

Convention Ticket or Badge

Check how admission works before leaving home.

Your event might use:

A digital QR code
Mobile ticket
Printed ticket
Pre-mailed badge
Wristband
Ticket exchanged for a badge at registration

If your ticket is digital, download or screenshot it before arriving. Convention entrances can become crowded, mobile reception can struggle and this is not the ideal moment to discover your email app has decided it needs to authenticate again.

If you’ve already received a physical badge, put it somewhere obvious the night before.

Photo ID

Bring valid photo identification if the convention requires it for admission, badge collection, age-restricted areas or particular activities.

This may be especially important if:

Your ticket has your name on it
You’re collecting a badge
You’re attending an 18+ activity
You’re entering a tournament
You’re purchasing age-restricted products

Check the event’s requirements rather than assuming a photograph of your ID will be accepted.

Card, Mobile Payment and Some Cash

Most large conventions and vendors accept electronic payments, but having more than one payment option is sensible.

Card terminals can fail. Phones can run out of battery. Smaller vendors may have different payment arrangements.

You don’t necessarily need to carry a large amount of cash, but a small backup can be useful.

If you’re trying to keep your spending under control, decide on your merchandise allowance before you arrive. Our guide to how much it costs to attend a gaming convention includes example budgets covering tickets, food, travel and convention spending.

📱 3. Bring Your Phone, Portable Charger and Charging Cable

Your phone is probably the most useful thing you’ll carry around the convention.

It’s your ticket, camera, map, schedule, messaging device, payment method and emergency contact rolled into one small rectangle that will naturally choose convention day to reach 8% battery.

Start With a Fully Charged Phone

Charge your phone overnight and try to arrive with a full battery.

Convention days can be surprisingly demanding on it. You’ll probably use your phone more than usual for photos, videos, messaging friends, checking schedules, looking at maps and searching for information about exhibitors.

Weak mobile reception can also increase battery consumption.

A Portable Charger Is One of the Best Things You Can Bring

For a full convention day, a portable power bank is close to essential.

Choose one that’s small enough to carry comfortably and has enough capacity for at least one useful phone recharge. Make sure the power bank itself is charged before leaving your accommodation.

Also bring the correct cable.

Owning a beautifully charged power bank with no way to connect it to your phone is technically impressive but not particularly helpful.

Download Useful Information Before You Arrive

Don’t assume you’ll have perfect internet access inside a packed convention centre.

Before leaving, consider downloading or screenshotting:

Your ticket
Convention schedule
Venue map
Hotel details
Transport information
Important booking confirmations
Meeting points
Emergency contact details

If the convention has an official app, install and configure it before arriving rather than doing it while standing outside the entrance.

Do You Need a Camera?

For most people, a modern phone is enough.

A dedicated camera can be worthwhile if photography or content creation is part of your reason for attending, but it adds weight and may be subject to event-specific rules.

If you do bring one, check restrictions on lenses, tripods, lighting equipment and photography in particular areas.

🎒 4. Choose the Right Gaming Convention Bag

The best convention bag is large enough for your essentials but small enough that you don’t resent its existence by 3 pm.

For most attendees, a comfortable backpack is the easiest option.

What Should Your Convention Bag Hold?

A practical day bag should comfortably fit:

Water bottle
Portable charger
Charging cable
Snacks
Light clothing layer
Personal items
Small purchases
Any convention-specific equipment

You should still have a little spare room. Starting the morning with a completely full backpack means you’ve left nowhere for anything you collect during the day.

And conventions have a remarkable ability to produce stuff.

Stickers. Flyers. Pins. Freebies. Purchases. Promotional objects whose purpose you don’t entirely understand but which apparently must now come home with you.

Don’t Bring an Oversized Bag Unless You Need It

Bigger isn’t always better.

A huge backpack becomes tiring in crowds and can be awkward in queues, booths and packed expo halls. Some conventions also restrict bag sizes or require security checks at entry.

Check the venue rules before choosing your bag.

If you can comfortably attend with a smaller backpack, do it.

Consider a Foldable Tote Bag

A lightweight foldable tote takes almost no room in your backpack and can be extremely useful later.

If you buy merchandise, receive freebies or suddenly acquire more items than expected, you have somewhere to put them without carrying everything individually.

Just don’t use the existence of the spare bag as evidence that you should fill it.

Protect Valuable Items

Keep your wallet, phone and other valuables in secure compartments rather than loose external pockets.

Crowded conventions involve constant movement and lots of people brushing past one another. A zipped internal pocket is much safer than casually balancing your phone somewhere convenient.

If you’re carrying expensive cameras, handhelds or gaming equipment, use appropriate protective cases.

💧 5. Bring Water and a Few Snacks

Gaming conventions involve a surprising amount of walking, standing and waiting.

Staying hydrated and having something small to eat can make a huge difference to how you feel halfway through the day.

Bring a Refillable Water Bottle

If the convention permits it, a refillable water bottle is one of the most useful things you can pack.

Check whether the venue has refill stations and whether bottles need to be empty when passing through security.

You don’t need to carry an enormous bottle. Remember that you’ll be carrying its weight for hours.

Pack Easy Convention Snacks

A few compact snacks can help when you’re hungry but don’t want to abandon a queue or miss a panel.

Good options include:

Muesli or protein bars
Nuts
Crackers
Dried fruit
Small packaged snacks
Anything that travels well without creating a disaster inside your backpack

Avoid bringing food that melts easily, leaks or needs complicated preparation.

A chocolate bar that has spent four hours pressed against a warm power bank has ambitions beyond being a snack.

Snacks Aren’t a Replacement for Proper Food

Packing food doesn’t mean you should attempt to complete a 10-hour convention day on two muesli bars and optimism.

Plan time for an actual meal, particularly if you’re attending from morning until evening. Check the venue and surrounding area beforehand so you know what options are available.

Eating slightly earlier or later than the main lunch rush can also help you avoid some of the longest food queues.

Check the Venue’s Food Policy

Rules on outside food and drinks vary.

Some venues permit reasonable personal snacks and refillable bottles, while others have tighter restrictions. Medical and dietary requirements may also be treated differently.

Check the official convention or venue policy before packing your entire lunch.

The goal is simple: bring enough to keep yourself comfortable without turning your backpack into a mobile kitchen.

👟 6. Wear Comfortable Shoes and Clothing

If there’s one convention packing decision worth getting right, it’s your shoes.

Gaming conventions can involve hours of walking between halls, standing in queues, browsing booths and watching activities. Even relatively small events can turn into a much longer day on your feet than expected.

Comfortable Shoes Beat Impressive Shoes

Wear shoes you already know are comfortable for long periods.

Convention day is not the ideal time to break in a brand-new pair. Something that feels fine during a 10-minute walk can become considerably less friendly after eight hours on a convention floor.

Good convention shoes should be:

Comfortable for extended walking
Already broken in
Suitable for the venue
Secure enough for crowded spaces
Appropriate for any outdoor walking you’ll be doing

If you’re attending for several days, changing between two comfortable pairs can also help.

Dress for the Venue, Not Just the Weather

The weather outside doesn’t necessarily tell you what the convention hall will feel like.

Large venues can be cold because of air conditioning, while crowded expo halls can become surprisingly warm. A light layer you can easily remove gives you more flexibility.

Think:

Comfortable base clothing + light removable layer

If your jacket is bulky enough to become annoying when you take it off, you’ll spend half the convention carrying it.

Consider Blister Plasters

A couple of blister plasters take almost no room in your bag and can rescue a convention day if your feet start complaining.

They’re particularly useful if you’re travelling, cosplaying or attending a multi-day event.

Your feet have absolutely no interest in how exciting tomorrow’s schedule looks.

Look after them on day one.

🧼 7. Pack a Few Personal Care Essentials

You don’t need to bring your entire bathroom.

A small personal care kit can, however, make a long convention day considerably more comfortable.

Useful Personal Care Items

Depending on your needs, consider packing:

Hand sanitiser
Tissues
Deodorant
Lip balm
Sunscreen
Bandages or blister plasters
Hair ties
Any personal hygiene products you may need
Prescription or personal medication

Keep it compact. Most of these items are backups rather than things you’ll constantly use.

Don’t Forget Personal Medication

If you need medication during the day, make it one of the first things you pack.

Bring enough for the time you’ll be away and store it appropriately. If you’re travelling interstate or internationally with medication, check any relevant transport or destination requirements beforehand.

Don’t rely on being able to replace important medication near the venue.

Hand Sanitiser Is Particularly Useful

Conventions involve touching door handles, controllers, arcade machines, demo equipment and plenty of other shared surfaces.

A small bottle of hand sanitiser is easy to carry and useful before eating or after spending time using shared equipment.

You don’t need to spend the entire day disinfecting yourself after every button press.

Basic common sense is enough.

Sunscreen May Still Matter

If you’re queueing outside, walking between venues or spending part of the event outdoors, sunscreen may be worth bringing.

This is particularly relevant for Australian events where “I’ll only be outside for a little while” has historically been a questionable strategy.

🦸 8. What Should You Bring if You’re Cosplaying?

Cosplay changes the packing list considerably.

Alongside your normal convention essentials, you may need repair supplies, makeup, costume accessories and somewhere to store parts of the cosplay when you’re not wearing them.

The more complicated the costume, the more useful a small emergency kit becomes.

Build a Cosplay Repair Kit

You don’t need enough equipment to rebuild the costume from scratch.

Bring a few items capable of fixing the problems most likely to occur with your specific cosplay.

That might include:

Safety pins
Double-sided fashion tape
Small sewing kit
Spare fasteners
Velcro
Approved adhesive
Makeup for touch-ups
Hairpins
Spare costume pieces
Small repair materials

A broken strap or detached costume piece is much less dramatic when the fix is already sitting in your bag.

Check Prop Rules Before You Leave

Never assume a cosplay prop is permitted simply because it looks obviously fictional.

Conventions and venues may have rules covering:

Replica weapons
Prop dimensions
Sharp edges
Projectile mechanisms
Metal components
Prop inspection
Required peace bonding or identification

Check the event’s current cosplay and weapons policy before attending.

If you’re travelling by plane, you also need to consider airline and airport security rules separately from convention rules.

Think About How You’ll Carry Your Costume

An elaborate cosplay might be comfortable for photographs but less enjoyable after several hours of walking.

Consider whether you’ll need:

Comfortable backup shoes
Normal clothes
Storage for removable pieces
A bag for props
Water that’s easy to access
Somewhere to make repairs

If your costume is particularly large or complicated, attending with a friend can make logistics much easier.

Don’t Sacrifice Basic Comfort

A great cosplay should add to your convention experience, not make you miserable for the entire day.

If something becomes painful, unsafe or unbearably uncomfortable, change it.

The character you’re cosplaying probably wouldn’t spend nine hours ignoring a blister either.

Probably.

🎮 9. Useful Extras for Gaming, Autographs and Merchandise

Once the essentials are covered, there are a few optional items that can make particular convention activities easier.

What belongs in your bag depends on what you actually plan to do.

For Game Demos and Tournaments

Most convention gaming setups provide the equipment you need, but certain tournaments, LAN activities or community events may ask participants to bring something specific.

This could include:

Controller
Headset
Mouse
Keyboard
Handheld console
Charging cable
Account login information
Tournament registration details

Check the activity rules before packing gaming equipment.

There’s no benefit in carrying a controller around all day if every station already has one.

For Autographs

If you’re hoping to get something signed, bring the item and an appropriate pen or marker.

Consider how you’ll protect it afterwards. A signed poster folded into the bottom of a backpack underneath two water bottles isn’t going to emerge looking like a collector’s item.

A rigid folder or protective sleeve can be useful for:

Posters
Art prints
Photographs
Signed cards
Flat collectibles

Also check whether the convention or guest has specific autograph rules or fees.

For Merchandise

If shopping is part of your plan, think beyond simply carrying money.

A foldable tote can handle additional purchases, while protective sleeves or a rigid folder are useful for prints and artwork.

Collectors buying delicate or expensive items may want extra padding or a suitable case.

If you’re flying home, remember to consider luggage space before purchasing anything enormous.

That giant statue still needs to get from the convention floor to your house somehow.

For Meeting Other Gamers

You don’t need anything special to meet people at a gaming convention.

If you’re attending for networking, content creation or industry reasons, however, having an easy way to exchange contact details can help.

That might be:

QR code linking to your profile
Social media account
Discord username
Digital business card
Traditional business cards

Keep it simple.

Nobody wants to watch you spend four minutes trying to remember which variation of your username has three underscores.

⚠️ 10. What Should You NOT Bring to a Gaming Convention?

Packing well isn’t only about deciding what to bring.

It’s also about leaving unnecessary, inconvenient or prohibited items at home.

Don’t Bring Prohibited Items

Convention rules vary, but commonly restricted items can include certain:

Weapons
Replica weapons
Sharp objects
Oversized props
Alcohol
Glass containers
Drones
Professional recording equipment
Large bags
Outside food or drinks

Don’t rely on a generic convention packing list for this.

Check the rules for the actual event you’re attending.

Security policies can differ significantly between venues and conventions.

Don’t Carry Too Much

Overpacking is probably the most common packing mistake that doesn’t feel like a mistake until several hours later.

You probably don’t need:

Multiple heavy drink bottles
A full laptop unless you have a reason for it
Several gaming devices
Every charging cable you own
Large amounts of food
Bulky clothing you won’t wear
“Just in case” items with no realistic use

Before putting something in your bag, ask:

Am I genuinely likely to use this today?

If the answer is no, leave it behind.

Avoid Unnecessary Expensive Gear

Don’t bring expensive electronics or collectibles simply because you can.

If you’re not planning to use your laptop, handheld console, premium headphones or camera, leaving them safely at home reduces both weight and worry.

Bring the equipment that supports what you’re actually doing.

Don’t Pack Anything You Can’t Comfortably Carry

Remember that you’ll potentially be carrying your bag for most of the day.

A backpack that feels slightly heavy in your hotel room can feel considerably heavier after hours of walking.

Ideally, you should leave home or your accommodation with some spare space and a bag that already feels comfortable.

You’ll probably acquire more things during the day.

Conventions are very good at that.

📅 11. What Should You Pack for a Multi-Day Gaming Convention?

A multi-day convention doesn’t mean carrying several days of supplies around the venue at once.

Keep most of your clothing, toiletries and travel items at your accommodation, then repack your day bag each morning with only what you need.

Pack Enough Clothing for the Trip

For a convention weekend, your main luggage might include:

Fresh clothing for each day
Comfortable shoes
Spare socks
Sleepwear
Toiletries
Chargers
Medication
Weather-appropriate clothing
Cosplay outfits and accessories
A separate bag for dirty clothes

Packing an extra T-shirt and pair of socks can also be useful, particularly if you’re travelling during hot weather.

Reset Your Convention Bag Each Night

Don’t simply drop your backpack on the hotel floor and pick it up again the following morning.

Spend a few minutes resetting it.

Recharge your phone and power bank, refill anything you’ve used and remove the collection of flyers, receipts, empty wrappers and mysterious promotional objects that accumulated during the day.

Check tomorrow’s schedule too. You may need completely different things for a tournament, cosplay competition or autograph session.

Leave Space in Your Main Luggage

If you expect to buy merchandise, don’t arrive with a suitcase already packed to maximum capacity.

Leave some room for purchases or bring a lightweight additional bag if your airline and travel arrangements allow it.

This becomes particularly important when attending one of the best gaming conventions in the world as part of a larger trip. Merchandise that seems easy to carry around the expo hall still needs to survive the journey home.

Keep Important Items Together

Tickets, passports, wallets, medication and other important items should have a consistent place throughout the trip.

Constantly moving them between bags makes things easier to lose.

You want your final morning to involve deciding which panel to see first, not conducting an archaeological excavation of your hotel room for your passport.

❓ 12. Frequently Asked Questions About What to Bring to a Gaming Convention

Should I Bring a Backpack to a Gaming Convention?

For most people, yes.

A small or medium backpack is useful for carrying water, a portable charger, snacks, personal items and small purchases. Choose something comfortable enough to wear for several hours and check whether the convention has restrictions on bag sizes.

Avoid bringing a larger bag than you realistically need.

Should I Bring Cash to a Gaming Convention?

It’s worth having a small amount of cash as a backup, although many conventions and vendors now accept cards or mobile payments.

Payment options vary between events and individual sellers, so check the convention’s information beforehand.

Using a predetermined spending allowance can also help if you’re trying to control merchandise costs.

Should I Bring a Portable Charger?

Yes, particularly if you’re attending for a full day.

You’ll probably use your phone for tickets, schedules, maps, photos, messages and payments. A compact power bank and the correct charging cable can prevent a low battery from becoming a problem halfway through the convention.

Remember to charge the power bank itself before you leave.

Can I Bring Food and Water?

It depends on the convention and venue.

Many events allow some personal food or refillable water bottles, but policies differ. Security requirements may also require bottles to be empty when you enter.

Check the official venue rules before packing food or drinks.

Can I Bring My Own Controller?

Sometimes, but don’t bring one unless you have a reason.

If you’re entering a tournament, LAN or other organised activity, check its equipment rules. Standard convention demo stations will generally provide the equipment required to play.

What Should I Bring for Autographs?

Bring whatever you want signed, along with an appropriate marker if the guest or event doesn’t provide one.

A protective sleeve, folder or rigid document holder is useful for keeping signed photographs, posters and artwork safe afterwards.

Check autograph policies and prices before attending because arrangements can vary between guests and events.

What Should I Bring to My First Gaming Convention?

For a first convention, keep things simple.

Bring your ticket, ID, phone, portable charger, payment method, water bottle, small backpack, comfortable shoes and a few personal essentials.

You don’t need specialised gaming equipment or an enormous survival kit.

If you’re still unsure what the day itself will be like, read What to Expect at Your First Gaming Convention before you go.

✅ 13. Final Gaming Convention Packing Checklist

Before you leave home, run through this final checklist.

You won’t need every optional item, so use it as a master list and choose what matches your convention plans.

🎟️ Essentials

Convention ticket, badge or QR code
Photo ID
Wallet
Card / payment method
Small amount of backup cash
Phone
Required medication
Accommodation details if travelling
Transport information

📱 Tech

Fully charged phone
Portable charger / power bank
Phone charging cable
Convention app
Downloaded or screenshot ticket
Downloaded venue map
Saved convention schedule
Camera if genuinely needed
Relevant gaming equipment if required

🎒 Day Bag

Comfortable backpack or approved bag
Refillable water bottle
Snacks
Light clothing layer
Foldable tote bag
Tissues
Hand sanitiser
Sunscreen if required
Blister plasters
Personal care items

👟 Clothing

Comfortable shoes
Comfortable clothing
Weather-appropriate outer layer
Spare socks if useful
Hat or sun protection for outdoor areas

🦸 Cosplay

Costume
Props permitted under event rules
Makeup
Comfortable backup shoes
Safety pins
Fashion tape
Small repair kit
Spare fasteners or costume pieces
Storage for removable parts

🖊️ Autographs, Gaming and Merchandise

Item you want signed
Pen or marker
Protective folder or sleeve
Controller or equipment required for tournaments
Merchandise budget
Spare bag space for purchases

🧳 Multi-Day Convention

Fresh clothes for each day
Toiletries
Sleepwear
Additional medication
Main device chargers
Spare convention clothing
Bag for dirty clothes
Enough luggage space for purchases

⚠️ Final Check Before You Leave

Ask yourself five things:

Do I have my ticket?
Do I have my ID?
Is my phone charged?
Is my power bank charged?
Can I comfortably carry everything I’ve packed?

If the answer to all five is yes, you’re in pretty good shape.

You don’t need to prepare for every possible convention emergency. Pack the things you’re genuinely likely to use, check the event rules and keep your bag light enough that carrying it doesn’t become an activity of its own.

If you haven’t finished organising the rest of your trip, use our guide to preparing for a gaming convention to work through tickets, travel, accommodation, schedules and budgeting.

Then you’re ready to go.

Ticket? Check. Phone? Check. Comfortable shoes? Check.

Now try not to spend your entire merchandise budget in the first 20 minutes.