What is RuneFest?

RuneFest is the world’s biggest and best real world celebration of all things RuneScape. Meet with 2000 of your favourite Jmods, content creators and fellow players, take part in RuneScape activities, learn first hand about upcoming content and immerse yourself in all things Gielinor. With big stage entertainment, parties, competitions, the Golden Gnomes awards, LAN zones, goodie bags, merchandise stalls and includes weekend entry to Insomnia, the UK's biggest gaming festival... it's the XP of a lifetime!

Where and when is RuneFest 2024?

This year’s RuneFest will be held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on September 7th and 8th 2024.

The venue is easily accessible by plane, train and other methods of transport – please check the ‘Travel’ section for more information. There are plenty of hotels, bars, restaurants and other facilities in the area immediately surrounding the venue. For more information on the NEC please see here: https://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/visitor-faqs/

What is the schedule of events at RuneFest?

More information on content and schedule will be revealed closer to the event but you can expect a weekend of activities, reveals, and Gielinor-themed fun, all shared with like-minded fans.

What is Insomnia the Gaming Festival?

Founded in 1999, Insomnia the Gaming Festival originated as the i-Series; a small LAN event where gamers could come together and play together as part of one community. Now it has grown to the UK’s largest gaming festival, welcoming 30,000+ visitors twice a year for a weekend of celebrating all things gaming.

This year, RuneFest and Insomnia are partnering and will be running concurrently in separate halls within the NEC. Your RuneFest ticket also gets you access to all the fun of Insomnia all weekend long.

Will the Golden Gnomes be at RuneFest this year?

The Golden Gnomes are an annual competition held to recognise contributions from the RuneScape fan community. The 2024 Golden Gnomes will be held at RuneFest this September. They will also be livestreamed for those unable to make it in person.

What food and drink will be available at the event?

There will be several food vendors catering to a variety of dietary needs at the event. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and shops in the immediate vicinity of the NEC.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, but bringing alcohol into the venue is not permitted.

Will there be unique RuneFest merchandise?

As with previous RuneFest events there'll be an official hoodie and t-shirt available to pre-order and personalise in advance. There'll only be limited stock available from the merch store during the weekend of the event, so your best chance of getting the size you want will be to pre-order. Sign-up for marketing emails on the See Tickets platform to be the among the first to get full details of this year's design and how to pre-order at an early bird price.

Is there anywhere to leave/store luggage?

Yes, there are cloakrooms which will charge £1 per item and will be open during show hours.

Items cannot be left overnight, any items left at the end of the day will be transferred to lost property.

More information can be found at https://www.thenec.co.uk

Is there a night before party this year?

There is no official Jagex-organised night before party, however Insomnia the Gaming Festival is open on Friday and entry is included in your RuneFest ticket so you can meet up with clanmates there.

There will be a Saturday night party for all RuneFest guests in the main stage area as well as a 99 Achievement Party in the LAN area.

What does my RuneFest ticket include?

Your ticket includes full access to the entirety of RuneFest on both Saturday and Sunday, an exclusive RuneFest goodie bag, and weekend access to Insomnia the Gaming Festival from Friday to Sunday (access to the Insomnia LAN is not included).

Is RuneFest a separate event or is it part of Insomnia the Gaming Festival?

RuneFest is a separate event to Insomnia and will take place in a different space within the NEC. You are welcome to check out what Insomnia has to offer or stay at RuneFest for the duration of the weekend – it's entirely up to you.

Only those who have bought a RuneFest specific ticket will be able to attend RuneFest.

How much are RuneFest tickets?

Tickets are priced at £150 for early bird (first 500 tickets) and £175 for standard, plus See Tickets platform booking fees (£7.35 for early bird, £8.47 for standard).

How do I buy RuneFest tickets?

Once tickets are live you will be able to buy them from our ticket provider See Tickets through the link on the homepage.

RuneFest tickets are exclusively sold through our official ticket vendor See Tickets. Any tickets found on alternative vendors are unofficial and are not affiliated with Jagex or RuneFest. Please avoid these 3rd party vendors to avoid the risk of purchasing non-valid tickets or price-hiked (scalped) tickets.

See Tickets customer service is available 24/7. Response times will vary based on the current workload of See Tickets Customer Service and they will respond as soon as possible.

If you need something answered directly by the event organisers please email us at support@runefest.com. We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible but please be aware our working hours are Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00.

Can I buy a ticket for one day of the event only?

We only have full weekend tickets available this year so guests can enjoy all the of the experiences the different days have to offer. The Saturday will be focused on the main stage with lots of reveals and fun events to enjoy while the Sunday will be focused on everything that makes the RuneScape community amazing with plenty of panel discussions and a community area.

Can I buy a RuneFest ticket that excludes Insomnia access?

As the two events are partnering this year all RuneFest tickets include access to Insomnia.

If I'm looking to attend the Insomnia LAN as well, will I need to purchase another ticket separately?

Yes, If you are looking to attend RuneFest and the Insomnia LAN, buy your RuneFest ticket first, Insomnia LAN upgrade options will be available on the Insomnia website once the next Insomnia show goes on sale. Keep your eyes peeled for more information on how to add-on the Insomnia LAN Party to your RuneFest ticket.

Do I need to print my tickets?

No need to print – please have your ticket confirmation email handy and staff will scan your QR code on the door.

I’ve given my tickets to someone else but it is my name on the ticket, will that matter?

No, we check the barcode on the ticket and not the name, so this won’t matter.

Do I need to bring an ID?

You do not need ID to check-in, only to purchase alcohol on site, or if you are collecting an indoor camping wristband (more information on this in the Camping section).

Do you provide disabled/carer/companion tickets/discounts?

We do not provide concessions, however, we can provide a free carer ticket for those who receive Disability Living Allowance/Personal Independence Payments.

When you buy a ticket, you will be able to select a free Companion ticket. When you check out, you will be asked to supply evidence.

Evidence Accepted:

• Copy of DLA, PIP or Adult Disability Payment entitlement letter
• Evidence of registered severely sight impaired (blind)
• CredAbility Access Card (with +1 icon)
• Copy of Attendance Allowance letter
• Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
• Any other relevant documentation*

* Please note: If you are unable to upload appropriate documentation this may result in your order being cancelled. We appreciate your cooperation.

Do I need to be with my child inside the event?

Due to the nature of the event being very busy and loud, we ask that any children under the age of 16 are accompanied by an adult.

Where do I buy camping tickets?

Camping tickets are purchased as an add-on. You will be given the option to purchase them when buying your tickets.

Can I resell my tickets?

Unfortunately, as per See Tickets’ terms & conditions, point 2 under “Purchasing Tickets”:

Tickets you purchase are for personal use. Except as we may agree, you and your party must not re-sell or transfer (or seek to re-sell or transfer) the tickets in breach of the applicable terms. A breach of this condition will entitle SEE or the Promoter to cancel the tickets without prior notification, refund, compensation or liability.

Full See Tickets terms & conditions can be found at https://www.seetickets.com/content/partial/terms-and-conditions

What does my camping ticket include?

With your ticket, you are allocated the relevant space; this can be for a tent, airbed, camp bed, or roll mat. We request that you bring the correct sized item for the space you have purchased. If you are outside your allocated area, we will ask you to take down your tent to bring you in line with the area size you have purchased.

What is the age restriction for indoor camping?

Camping is available for anyone who is 16 and over; we do not allow anyone under 16 to camp in the camping hall. You are required to bring ID in order to collect your indoor camping wristband.

How much space do I get with a camping ticket?

The space allowed for each camping ticket is 2.6 x 1.6 metres.

Allocation of spaces

Spaces are allocated on a first come, first served basis. For the best chance to pitch by your friends we ask that you all arrive together.

What are the showering/changing facilities?

There will be individual electric showers available in the camping hall with a small communal area to change in; there are also toilets available at the venue where you can change clothes.

Where do I buy camping tickets?

Camping tickets are purchased as an add-on to any valid RuneFest ticket.

What is the address?

NEC North Ave Birmingham B40 1NT UK

https://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/getting-here/

By Train

If you’re heading to RuneFest by train, you’ll find us located less than a ten-minute walk from Birmingham International Railway Station. You’ll find many train services connect directly to Birmingham International, however, if you’re travelling from further afield you may need to catch a connecting train at Birmingham New Street, which is only a 15-minute journey away.

By Bus or Coach

Coach services are operated by National Express and Megabus, with over 120 daily services from across the UK to Birmingham Airport. From here you can get to the NEC in a matter of minutes on the free air-rail link. If you’re jumping on a bus in Birmingham City Centre you can take the 900 service (one every 15 minutes, takes 30 minutes) or the 97 (one every 30 minutes, takes 45 minutes). Local bus services also run every 30 minutes throughout the day to Solihull (service 966) and Coventry (service 900).

By Car

You’ll find the NEC and Birmingham International Airport both clearly signposted from all motorways and major routes including the M42, M40 and M6. If you’re using your trusty sat nav to get here simply enter the postcode B40 1NT.

By Plane

The NEC is just minutes away from Birmingham International Airport, making it ideal for our many international guests to get here. Simply jump on the free and fast air-rail link to Birmingham International Railway Station which only takes 90 seconds and runs every two minutes. When you arrive just head straight through to the NEC.

How do I book parking?

Parking is in the East Car Parks. A parking permit costs £5 per day and is only available to book online. More information can be found on the NEC website. Book parking here https://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/parking-at-the-nec/

How far is the parking from the event?

Parking is on the NEC complex and not far to walk from the customer car parks to the Halls; there is also a free shuttle bus if you prefer.

For all things relating to the venue, including any disabled support you require, we recommend that you head to https://www.thenec.co.uk

Can I film/take pictures at RuneFest?

Yes, you are welcome to take pictures or film within the event as much as you like, provided you do not plan to use anything for commercial purposes. However, if you are going to film other people we suggest that you get their permission first.

What happens with pictures taken at Insomnia?

By entering the festival site you agree to grant the event permission to use your image in any publicity, marketing or promotional materials. Please refer to our full T&Cs here.

How will the NEC and/or Event Organisers keep me safe?

The NEC Group has extensive knowledge and experience in ensuring the safe delivery of events, exhibitions and concerts across its venues, using a wide range of solutions.

The NEC is constantly reviewing their measures to ensure that they remain effective and proportionate.

West Midlands Police and Counter-Terrorist Security Advisors work in partnership with them at the venue, often deploying a variety of resources to work alongside those of our team. These include a number of overt and covert security measures, so whilst you may not see all operational security activity, you should be assured that it is ongoing, often behind the scenes, to prevent crime and keep you safe whilst you enjoy your visit.

The NEC has multi-layered security measures and procedures in place including:

• State of the art CCTV monitoring and communications centres
• Walk Through Metal Detector security arches
• Search and screening technology
• Bag searches at venue entrances
• A Response and Conflict Management team
• Behavioural Detection team
• Dedicated Security Dog team
• An onsite West Midlands Police team
• Vehicle checkpoints
• Hostile Vehicle Mitigation protection

The NEC periodically deploys highly-visible resources to deter, detect and disrupt a range of criminal activity, providing reassurance to our customers, so please don’t be surprised if you see both uniformed and plain-clothed officers in and around our venues.

What can you do to help?

We encourage you to arrive at the venue as early as possible, to allow more time for enhanced security checks.

It is best for everyone to only bring essentials and note that bags and suitcases may be searched. Some items and bags of a certain size may not be allowed into some events. The NEC does have on site storage facilities at an additional cost, but please check event pages on the NEC website ahead of your visit to see if there are any specific bag size policies.

Their security teams work hard to keep you safe, please help them by cooperating with their requests.

You have an important role to play in helping us by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right, for example any unattended items or someone acting suspiciously. You can report anything suspicious to any of our security officers or the Police.

Remember: ‘See It. Say It. Sorted.’