The NYCC 2016 Main Stage Guide

Even though many of New York Comic Con’s biggest panels have been expanded to larger venues like Hammerstein Ballroom and Madison Square Garden, the Javits Center line-up is still better than ever. With big names like Impractical Jokers, Stranger Thing‘s Millie Bobby Brown, Gotham, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., you’ll definitely want to make your way over to the Main Stage at some point.

The Main Stage Presented by AT&T will continue the tradition of being cleared after each panel, but with a new twist. Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn for the coveted wristband for entry for the panel, you now only need your badge for entry.

In the morning, head to the Queue Hall and get in line for the panel that you would like to see. Tap your badge when you get to the front of the line and the panel will be encoded into your badge when you arrive back at the Queue Hall. The system will reserve your spot so that you don’t have to wait in line all day; you will be free to roam around the showroom floor as you please. To gain entry to the panel, arrive 35 minutes before it starts so you can get inside in time without missing anything.

Unfortunately, there will be no overflow space, so if you would like to attend a panel make sure you get in line as early as possible since they will be capping the line at capacity.

You must be present to tap your badge; nobody else will be able to tap it for you. If you leave the line for any reason before your badge is tapped, you forfeit your spot in line and will need to go to the back.

The main stage is the only panel hall that is cleared throughout the weekend, so if you want to camp out in a room and stay there for the entire day, that’s possible elsewhere. I suggest planning out your schedule through the NYCC app so you can keep track of everything that is going on. It’s also useful for finding other panels just in case the one you want to go to fills up!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *