GX2 FAQ
How do I register for GX2? What are venue passes and event fees?
Please note that each event has its own entry fee to compete in that game. You'll see these in Step 2 of registration.
Venue passes are your entrance badges. The passes available this year include competitor passes and spectator passes.
Competitor registration ends on January 27th at 11:59 PM PST
Online spectator pass purchases end on February 7th, 2025
Onsite purchases of 1, 2, or 3 day spectator passes begin at 9AM on February 14th.
All attendees will need a competitor pass to compete in the official Genesis events and any side events (subject to in-person additional registration). Otherwise, a spectator pass will suffice for basic entrance.
Please note: NO REFUNDS FOR ALL PASS TYPES (Competitor or Spectator)
GX2 finals will be held in the San Jose Civic Center across the street from the Convention Center. There is no separate pass to watch top 8 Sunday Finals. Seat location is first-come-first-serve, and the first few rows in front of the stage are reserved for volunteers and VIPs. Check the start.gg page for a tentative schedule.
Where do my fees go?
Venue fees, in general, go to the organizers who use these fees to run the tournament itself. Some of these costs include, but not limited to, paying for the venue, internet access, streams, console/equipment rentals, and paying staff. Event fees always go directly into the prize pool for that event. So if 1000 people enter a $10 event, the total prize will be at least $10,000.
I got my venue and event passes, when do I see my bracket and schedule?
You can view this by going to your Tournament Dashboard on start.gg.
The Dashboard is the best place to look at information relevant to you and your selected events. Pools will be made final approximately a week before the event. Please keep an eye on the Genesis social media pages for updates regarding bracket finalization and any schedule changes.
What do I do when I show up to the venue?
1: Proceed through security which is stationed just inside the front entrance of the Convention Center
2: Pick up your badge at the check-in room
2: Make sure you know your schedule
4: Show up to your pools on time
All GX2 events (with the exception of TCG events) will take place in Halls 1-3. You will need to show your badge in order to enter the halls.
Where and when can I pick up my badge?
Badge pickup is located through the farthest left set of green doors on the second floor.
Directions: enter convention, up the escalator/stairs, make a left, walk towards the end of the concourse floor. Enter doors on your right, following instructions from GX2 volunteers regarding getting in line. Please also look for signs placed throughout the concourse showing direction.
Please have your picture ID (license, passport, school ID, etc.) and proof of registration (email confirmation or start.gg registration page) out and ready to show the GX2 volunteer. Please note: your picture ID legal name needs to match your registration name. GX2 staff and volunteers understand that not all attendees’ recognize their legal name as their preferred name. We just need to ask for verification.
The volunteer will give you the badge and lanyard. Please ensure that this is worn and visible on your person at all times. Security will be stopping those who do not have their badges on and visible at all times.
DO NOT LOSE YOUR BADGE!
You MUST pay full price to replace them if you lose them!
If you are given the title of staff, vendor, media, or VIP, there is a designated line for your badge pickup. Please follow VIP/Staff signage for directions.
Badge pickup and purchases are available:
Thursday 6pm-10pm (no venue access)
Friday 8:30am-10pm
Saturday 8:30am-7pm
Sunday 9am-7pm
Please allow ample time before your first pool for parking, locating the check-in desk, waiting in line and entering the venue. Estimated wait times vary from 15mins to 1hour, depending on peak traffic.
Can I pick up a badge for someone else?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: In the event of extenuating circumstances, please locate one of the check-in leads to discuss the situation. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis.
What do I do if I’m only coming for Sunday Top 8?
Please go directly to the Civic Center ticket booth.
If you’ve already purchased your Top 8 ticket, show your picture ID and proof of registration in order to pick up your badge. If you need to purchase a ticket, that can be done at the ticket booth.
What are the details of the Top 8 program?
Our finals are held at the Civic Center across the street from the Convention Center.
For those who only want to watch top 8 and not attend the rest of the tournament, please purchase a 1-Day Spectator pass and show up on Sunday to the Civic Center
This year, doors will open around 9:30am and the event is estimated to finish around 11pm. We are unable to provide an exact end time due to the fluctuation in individual match times. There will be food available for purchase in the venue.
Bracket
How do I find where and when I'm supposed to play my match?
Once tournament brackets are published, attendees will be able to see their schedule on smash.gg by going to their Dashboard. On the dashboard, competitors will see their event registration and their pool. Please note the letter and number associated with your pool.
Every event will have a pool named with a letter and a number, like "A112" or "K601." The letter refers to the "wave" of the bracket. Each wave is a designated block of time (1.5hrs), which you'll be able to see on a schedule that we'll publish along with our brackets.
REMEMBER TO SHOW UP ON TIME! Pool captains will receive permission to disqualify attendees from the bracket if they are 10 minutes late.
The number of your pool indicates the station number. A station is a group of 3-8 setups/consoles, and each game will have its own set of station numbers, which will be on clearly visible signs. Please show up to your station 10 minutes before your pool starts. If you show up more than 10 minutes late, you might be disqualified.
For example, if you're in pool A611 for Ultimate and Wave A is scheduled for Friday 10am-12pm, you will enter the venue hall by 9:50am, locate the area of the venue with the Ultimate setups, and look for the sign with 611 on it. Each pool will have a “pool captain,” who is responsible for running the pool, and generally, they will have a special shirt on and be holding a clipboard.
Find the pool captain for your pool, give them your gamer tag and they will help you with the rest!
I’m at my pool, now what?
Your pool captain will either be wearing a distinct ‘volunteer’ shirt and/or have a clipboard with a paper bracket. Check in with them and give them your name, and stay near your pool station while you wait for your pool captain to call your matches. If you have questions about rules or procedures, your pool captain will be there to help you. When you are done with your match, it is the winner’s responsibility to report the score, but it is encouraged that you confirm that the match is reported correctly regardless of who wins. All brackets unless noted otherwise are double elimination brackets. If you have questions regarding this, please ask your pool captain for more details. Always stay near your pool until you are either eliminated or have advanced to the next round!
I need to step away from my pool while I’m still in, what should I do?
If you need to step away from your pool while you are still in for a small bathroom break, a phone call, or some other reason, please talk with your pool captain before leaving. From when you leave, there will be a 5 minute timer started when your next match is called. If your pool captain cannot find you for your later matches, you may also be disqualified.
My setup started having a technical issue, what should I do?
Do not move or disconnect any setup/equipment that do not belong to you. If there is a technical issue with a setup, contact your pool captain. If you are unable to find your pool captain, you can make your way to the TO desk to speak to either a senior volunteer or a Genesis staff member.
Where can I find the rules for the competitions?
Do I need my own controller?
Yes. We do not rent controllers, but there will be controller vendors onsite you can buy from. Be aware that these controllers will not be base controllers like what you would find at a store, so prepare accordingly. You may also ask competitors around you if you may borrow their controller, however it is up to the discretion of that player to lend you their controller.
General FAQ
Is there security at the venue?
Yes, the main entrance will have security/badge checkers, in addition to roaming security. To assist with crisis response, Genesis has a dedicated team to help interface between the hired security team and the attendees. This team can be reached at any point by calling or messaging (408) 681-9058. We also have supervisors inside the venue. If you have an issue with misconduct or harassment with any attendee or staff member, please call or message the number above.
Genesis has a zero tolerance policy for poor conduct and violations of our Attendee Agreement. If you have questions regarding our Code of Conduct, please see the GX2 Attendee Agreement or speak to our safety team by calling (408) 681-9058. The Genesis Safety team is committed to helping any and all attendees in any situation where you may feel unsafe or in any sort of crisis. If you are struggling with any issue onsite, please do not hesitate to call or message the team. A member of this team will be onsite at all times during the event, including overnight.
Do you have any age restrictions or special rules for those under 18?
If you are under 18, you need explicit parental permission to attend GX2. For ages 14-18, your parents do not need to accompany you the whole time, but if they don't, they must contact us directly by email (hello@genesis.gg) and designate a temporary adult guardian for you for the weekend (like a sibling or a friend). For ages 13 and under, a legal adult guardian must accompany you.
What else is there to do at Genesis X2?
So you got knocked out, or you’re waiting in between your pools, and you need something to do. You can:
Play friendlies in any game
Watch some matches on the stages
Attend one of our Panel discussions
Check out our Artist Alley with community artists, vendors, and sponsors (list TBD)
Hop on any of our freeplay arcade machines
Hang out at Guildhouse, a nearby bar just around the corner from Genesis
If you’re still itching to compete, we will also have some brackets on demand with prizes, which will start on Saturday afternoon; signs will show you where to sign up
You can also sign up for any of our side events before 11am Saturday. Signups will be available at the TO desk.
Visit downtown San Jose
What is the “Low-Stim Room?”
Our Low-Stim Room is a quiet, cozy space designed for anyone needing a break from the event. Featuring warm lighting, reduced noise, and comfortable seating, it provides a calm environment to relax, recharge, and unwind. Whether you need a moment to de-stress or simply rest, this space is here to help you feel at ease before returning to the action.
Is there a Lost & Found?
There is a Lost & Found located at the TO desk. If there is a bag that is left unattended, please call our safety team at (408) 681-9058 and give a description of the bag and the location of the unattended bag.
Is outside food and drink allowed?
No outside food will be allowed into the venue. However, there will be concession stands located in the foyer in front of Hall 2 (the blue hall). Water stations will be located throughout the venue and can be used as needed to fill up refillable containers.
Drinks (even with sealable lids) will not be permitted on the tables where setups are located. If you need an exception for this, please see the TO desk.
I have more questions that aren’t answered here
Email us at hello@genesis.gg, or DM us on Twitter @Genesis_smash.