"Should Tournaments have a fee?" Topic

One of my FLGSs has free tournaments; you show up, and play for bragging rights

The other has a $25 USD fee which is returned as prizes: usually 50,30,20% of the pot.

Should tournaments have fees and prizes? Does that attract the wrong people?

I would think a nominal fee of $10 USD-20 would be good for a tournament that wants players to sign up or reserve a spot in advance. The fee can be used for prizes or even refunded if you show up. One or more no shows can be disruptive to a tournament

Why not?
If you don't like it, don't go. 🤷

Fees and prizes seem good to me. It provides incentive for people to commit so good for the organizers.

For me I would want to get a few games played even if I wasn't going to win the tournament so the event would have to be set up so as people were knocked out there was still a space to play and a way to get an opponent.

Shops which provide free gaming space tend to eventually go out of business, from what I've seen in my city, over the past two decades. They provide: heated/air conditioned space; tables; terrain; and a safe space where parents often leave their teen-aged children unsupervised with strangers all around them.

A gaming store can only sell so much product (unless you are GW, who changes the rules, changes the allowed figures, periodically, forcing fans to "upgrade" buying new products ever couple of years). Once their customers buy everything they need, the sales drop off, and now they are running a charity house for gamers who pay them nothing…

I believe that charging a table fee, alone, is valid. You get what you pay for, and if you do not pay, don't expect those good times to last. Cheers!

I have no problem with (reasonable) fees. I personally would have zero issue with a $10 USD fee. $20 USD, possibly. More than that and I'm not interested. However, the organizers are welcome to charge anything they like as its their event.

I used to pay $5 USD a session for D&D in a local game store. They credited 50% back toward purchases if you wanted. It was completely worth it to me.

I also used to pay $5 USD to $10 USD to enter wine or beer festivals (with reasonably unlimited sampling) and now these things are $75 USD, $100 USD, and up around here with $8 USD or more per refill. No thanks! A handle is still $10 USD at a local grocery store. lol

Tournaments can happen at stores, conventions, and other places. As mentioned, many tournaments are free. The organizers are frequently more or less volunteering their time. It can be a big undertaking. If they were to charge a nominal amount, I have no problem with them keeping a portion to run the show, but I would like to see at least some prizes even if low value.

Fees for everything are kind of a sign of the times. I know inflation rates are officially still reasonably low, but it seems like almost all small purchases have doubled in price over the past few years. Pay $20 USD to park, $100 USD for a not particularly expensive dinner for two. Add tax and tip and the evening just cost you $150. USD It makes a day at a game store in a tournament for $20 USD seem like a great deal.

With costs these days, Its hard to do anything for free. Luckily I like nature and they haven't figured out how to gouge me for hiking yet.

Some people will want this and some won't. If there are people willing to pay and it makes sense, organizers can charge. Not too different from paying to get into a convention and then playing "for free".

"Is this a game of chance?"
"Not the way I play it."

"I am shocked. SHOCKED to see a Magic the Gathering tournament where you have to pay to play!"

"Not only are ye a cheat. Yer a gutless cheat as well."
(Did Doyle Lonegan play MtG? 🤔)

All our competitions have a fee for those engaging. These could vary between NZ$40.0 to NZ$60.00 ($25-$40 US).
These pay for hall hiring fees, trophy creation and sometimes other costs.

I think a small fee is reasonable, especially if there are expenses that need covered.

The Warhammer crowd has already moved way beyond some of the pricing listed here. There is a company called Green Banner Events in the western U.S. who regularly charge $90 USD-125 for tournaments. Judging from images and posts here on Utah wargaming groups they don't seem to be having problems filling the slots, getting pretty good attendance at their events.

If there are prizes then an extra fee to pay for them should be expected.

Ditto to 79thPA. this is especially true it there are some nominal prizes awarded, such as trophies or plaques. $5 USD (4GBP)