M.A.G.E. 2025 on a Shoestring: Budget Hacks for Every Type of Attendee

So, you’re hyped for M.A.G.E. 2025—the Minneapolis Anime and Gaming Event happening October 31 through November 2, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis. You’ve already got visions of cosplay contests, gaming tournaments, and Artist Alley dancing in your head like an anime opening sequence. There’s just one problem: your wallet is crying harder than a shōnen protagonist in episode one.

Don’t panic. Attending a convention doesn’t have to mean eating instant ramen for the next three months (unless you want to, in which case—respect). You can do M.A.G.E. on a budget and still have an amazing time. Whether you’re rolling solo, heading in with friends, or dragging the whole family along, there are plenty of ways to save money without missing out on the fun.

Lodging Hacks: Where You Sleep Matters (and How You Split the Bill)

The Hyatt Regency is the official convention hotel, and let’s be real: at $135 per night, it’s a steal compared to the average downtown Minneapolis rates of $250 a night. Plus, staying onsite means you don’t miss late-night events (which often go until 2 a.m. or later). You’re right in the thick of it, and that convenience is priceless… well, not priceless, but worth budgeting for.

Here’s how you can trim the cost:

• Split rooms with friends. If you have four people in one room, that $135 drops to under $35 each per night. Even with taxes and fees, it’s cheaper than a single night out in the city.
• Consider crash space. Some cons have room-share boards or Discord groups where attendees connect for splitting costs. Be cautious, but it’s an option.
• Day-pass approach. If you’re local, you can skip the hotel altogether and just commute. A parking sticker discount is offered for attendees, so you won’t bleed out $40+ a day on parking ramps. Public transit is another option (more on that in a sec).

Bottom line: If you can, stay onsite and split the cost. If you can’t, at least grab those parking discounts or plan a transit route to keep expenses low.

Food: Feeding Yourself Without Starving Your Wallet

Food is where con budgets get wrecked—those $12 convention hall burgers add up fast. Luckily, M.A.G.E. has your back with the ConSweet, which offers free ramen, rice, and soda to all attendees. Yep, you read that right—free food. You could technically eat ramen all weekend and save big, though your body might not thank you afterward.

Outside of that, here’s the play:

• Bring your own snacks. Granola bars, trail mix, instant coffee packets—cheap fuel to keep you going.
• Local hidden gems. Downtown Minneapolis has some budget-friendly eats within walking distance. Pizza by the slice shops, food trucks, and casual diners are much cheaper than hotel restaurants. The Nicollet Mall area has quick-service spots like Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, and noodle shops where you can eat for under $10.
• Share meals. Order a large pizza with friends instead of individual meals—it cuts the cost way down.
• Hydration trick. Bring a refillable water bottle. Buying bottled water onsite will slowly siphon your money like an RPG health drain.

Your stomach doesn’t have to suffer to stay on budget—you just need to avoid the overpriced con-center grub.

Tickets: Buy Early, Save Big

Let’s talk tickets. Weekend badges are $40, but if you register early, you can snag one for $37. That’s not only cheaper, but it also helps the con plan better. Single-day passes are $30, with Sunday being only $15. VIP badges run $150 if you want perks, but if we’re talking budget mode, the standard weekend badge is your best deal.

Moral of the story: Buy early. Three bucks may not sound like much, but that’s a snack or a gacha keychain later.

Events You Can’t Miss (and Why They’re Worth the Price of Admission)

You’re paying for the experience, so let’s get into what makes M.A.G.E. a must—even if you’re penny-pinching.

Panels

Panels are the backbone of most conventions, and at this one, they’re included in the price of your badge—so it’s basically free entertainment waiting for you. You’ll see the standard lineup of industry professionals, voice actors, and creators sharing their experiences, but the real wild cards are the fan-run panels. These are where attendees like you step up to the mic and shape the programming, which means anything could happen.

Sure, you might catch someone breaking down the intricacies of building the perfect gaming setup, but the next panel room over could be about planning your own event from scratch—complete with all the behind-the-scenes chaos that nobody talks about. One host might walk you through tourist scams to avoid when traveling to Japan, while another could share their adventures experimenting with container gardening in tight city spaces.

Other times, panels can lean into the intellectual or tech-savvy. You might find yourself in a lively debate about AI technology or even a thoughtful discussion on how virtual reality is changing the classroom. Or maybe you’ll stumble into a session on digital marketing, where a fellow fan explains how they built their side hustle into something more sustainable.

Not every panel has to be serious, though. Some might dive into designing minimalist living spaces, while others could cover lighter (and tastier) territory—like sharing cooking techniques for the busy anime-fueled fans or talking about the joys and challenges of going vegan. If you’re looking to broaden your horizons, you could even sit in on a panel about learning a second language or strategies for generating great business names.

The point is: fan-run panels are unpredictable by design, and that’s their charm. They could be hyper-nerdy, practical, hilarious, or surprisingly heartfelt. You never really know until you sit down, and that’s what makes them one of the most rewarding parts of the convention experience.

Gaming Tournaments

The gaming rooms are seriously stacked, and they don’t just cater to one crowd. Expect rows of console and PC setups running everything from casual party games to hardcore competitive titles. Fighting games like Street Fighter, Tekken, and Super Smash Bros. are always the stars of the show, pulling in both seasoned competitors and people who just want to cheer from the sidelines. PC gamers can usually find everything from shooters to MOBAs, and if tabletop is more your style, there’s a whole hall dedicated to board games and card battles. The real showstopper? Massive sessions like life-size Catan, where you’ll literally become a playing piece.

Most tournaments are covered by your badge, so you can hop in without extra fees. The exception is when there’s a big prize pool on the line—those will sometimes have an entry cost. Pro tip: check the schedule early, because bracket spots fill up fast, and nothing stings more than realizing signups closed while you were in line for coffee.

Cosplay Contest

Even if you don’t sew a single stitch, the cosplay contest is worth blocking out time for. Think of it as the convention’s runway show, where creativity, craftsmanship, and pure fandom pride collide. You’ll see everything from screen-accurate armor builds to wildly inventive mashups no one else could have imagined. For first-timers, it’s one of the best ways to experience the heart of con culture—an audience full of people cheering for the artistry of the community. For veterans, it’s a chance to pick up techniques, see familiar faces, and maybe start plotting your own future entry. Bonus: it’s included with your badge, so no excuses.

Vendor Hall & Artist Alley

This is the danger zone for your wallet. The Vendor Hall is loaded with official merch: plushies, Blu-rays, collectibles, apparel—you name it. It’s great if you’re looking for something licensed, like that One Piece figure you’ve been eyeing online. But the real gems are in Artist Alley, where independent creators sell original prints, keychains, zines, handmade jewelry, and custom commissions. You’ll find things here you literally can’t get anywhere else.

Navigating this section of the convention requires some serious money-saving survival strategies:

• Set a cash budget. Decide your limit beforehand and bring only that amount in cash. It’s way harder to impulse-buy when you’re counting bills instead of swiping a card.
• Do a lap first. Walk the whole hall before buying anything. It prevents that sinking feeling of finding something cooler (and maybe cheaper) at the last table.
• Prioritize artists. Your dollars go directly to small creators who pour their hearts into their work. Plus, you walk away with something unique.

Late-Night Dances & Concerts

This is where the energy goes from “daytime con mode” to full-on party. The convention usually runs EDM-style dances, themed concerts, and even the Fantasy Ball, where cosplay and ballroom vibes meet in the best way possible. They’re all included in your badge, which makes them some of the best value events of the weekend. If you’re staying at the hotel, you’ll thank yourself—there’s nothing better than stumbling back to your room at 2 a.m. instead of figuring out rideshare logistics in a costume.

For first-timers: don’t be shy about just showing up. The dances and concerts are open, welcoming, and designed to be fun whether you’re in full cosplay or just jeans and a hoodie. For seasoned attendees: bring hydration. Seriously. You’ll dance harder than you think.

Special Guests & Autographs

Guest lineups change each year, but voice actors like Greg Ayres, Quinton Flynn, and Oscar Seung are often on the roster. Autograph sessions are a highlight, and many include one free signature on an item you bring. Some guests charge for extras or premium items, so plan ahead. If you want something signed without buying expensive new merch at the con, bring along a Blu-ray slip, official art book, or a figure box from your collection.

Pro tip: lines move fast if you’re ready. Have your item out, opened to the right page, or unboxed so you don’t fumble under pressure. And always thank the guest—politeness goes a long way.

Maid Café

The Maid Café is one of the few extra-cost events, and it’s not included in your badge. What you’re paying for is the experience: themed service, lighthearted games, snacks, and a chance to hang out in a uniquely Japanese-inspired setting. It’s whimsical and fun, but if you’re on a budget, you can skip it without fear of missing a “core” con activity. If you do splurge, reserve early—seating fills up fast.

Escape Room

This year’s themed escape, Escape from the Cabin of the Cackling Man, adds a spooky, puzzle-solving twist to the weekend. It’s another ticketed event, so budget-conscious attendees might give it a pass. But if you love group challenges and don’t mind a little adrenaline, it’s a great side adventure that mixes mystery with interactive theater. It’s especially fun if you’re attending with friends and want a break from the usual panel-hopping.

Free Swag: The Budgeter’s Best Friend

One of the best-kept secrets of cons is the free swag. M.A.G.E. is no exception—you can score posters, pins, stickers, and sometimes even sample games or energy drinks just by wandering the halls. The ConSweet alone (free ramen and soda) is practically a sponsorship for broke attendees.

Pro tip: Check out the Exhibit Hall toward the end of the weekend. Some vendors hand out freebies or steeply discount items to avoid hauling inventory home.

Public Transit & Getting Around

Parking downtown is around $18 a day with the con discount, but if you want to save even more, Minneapolis has a solid public transit system. The light rail and bus lines can get you near the Hyatt for just a couple of bucks per ride. If you’re staying further out, a weekend transit pass might be cheaper than paying for parking every day.

Budget Challenge: A Full Weekend on the Cheap

Let’s do a quick thought experiment—how much could you spend and still get the full experience?

• Weekend Badge (early registration): $37
• Hotel split 4 ways (2 nights): ~$70
• Food: $20 (using ConSweet for meals, plus snacks/groceries)
• Merch Budget: $50 (cash-only limit)
• Parking/Transit: $15 (if you use discounted parking or a transit pass)

Total: $192 for the whole weekend.

Not bad, considering that includes your hotel, food, entertainment, and even a little merch. Trim the hotel and commute instead, and you could get through M.A.G.E. for under $120 total.

Maximizing the Experience (Without Spending More)

The biggest mistake con-goers make is treating the weekend like a free-for-all and hoping everything falls into place. If you want to save money while still getting the most out of your badge, planning your schedule is essential. The program will be crammed with panels, shows, and activities running back-to-back, so marking your must-sees ahead of time prevents you from missing the highlights. Skipping something important often leads to spending on “filler” activities later—and that’s the opposite of budget-friendly.

Another underrated money saver is networking smartly. Making friends at the convention doesn’t just add to the fun—it can also cut costs. Whether it’s splitting meals at nearby restaurants, sharing a ride to the venue, or even pooling for a hotel room, having con buddies can lighten the financial load. And let’s be honest—experiencing panels, gaming, or late-night karaoke with a group is way more memorable.

One area where attendees often overspend is on forgotten essentials. A dead phone with no charger, a torn cosplay without a repair kit, or even the headache of forgetting medication means you’ll end up paying inflated prices to replace things. Packing essentials—chargers, small sewing supplies, over-the-counter meds—saves you both money and stress.

When it comes to spending, it’s all about prioritizing. If your heart is set on merch, give yourself a strict budget and stick to it. On the flip side, if you value experiences more—panels, concerts, and interactive activities—then skip the swag splurge and channel your resources into moments you’ll actually remember.

Finally, while planning is important, don’t let it box you in. The reality is, staying flexible is where some of the best con memories are made. That random fan panel you stumbled into because your first choice was full? It might end up being the highlight of your day. Some of the most entertaining and unexpected moments happen when you’re willing to go off-script.

Why M.A.G.E. Is Worth It (Even on a Budget)

At the end of the day, M.A.G.E. isn’t just about spending money—it’s about being part of a community. You’ll get panels that inspire you, cosplay that blows your mind, gaming marathons that keep you up way too late, and the chance to meet people who love the same nerdy things you do. And you don’t need to spend hundreds to feel that magic.

With some smart hacks, you can do the whole weekend on a budget and still walk away with great memories, maybe a couple of art prints, and hopefully not too much ramen-induced regret.