Registration // Share the Stage
Be a Panelist
The 2026 submission window has closed. Accepted panelists can review the requirements, logistics, and reimbursement guidance for convention weekend.
Closed July 12, 2026
Panelists age 15+
45-minute minimum
2026 submissions are closed
- Submission deadline
- Sunday, July 12, 2026
- After approval
- Confirm within 10 days
- Last panel changes
- August 31, 2026
Submission window closed July 12
Programming // Built by Fans
Bring a room to life
Fresh ideas stand out
Share What You Know
Bring an academic presentation, workshop, or deep dive that gives attendees something meaningful to take home.
Create a Shared Moment
Lead a roundtable, game show, or interactive experience that turns a room full of fans into a community.
Pitch Something Fresh
Help us build a varied schedule with a clear concept that feels distinct from commonly submitted fan panels.
Application Flow // Four Steps
From idea to stage
- 01
Build the concept
Choose a clear format, audience rating, run time, and honest estimate of attendance.
- 02
Gather your details
Collect every presenting panelist’s legal name, email, and accurate convention availability.
- 03
Submission window closed
The 2026 application deadline was Sunday, July 12. Accepted panelists should keep notifications on.
- 04
Watch for a decision
Approval, waitlist, and denial notices arrive through Eventeny. Confirm an approval within 10 days.
Panel Ops // Read Before Applying
Rules & Guidelines
The lead panelist is the primary contact and is responsible for sharing schedules and check-in procedures with every presenter.
Guideline 01Confirmations & Cancellations
- Keep an eye on your email and Eventeny after submitting, especially if Eventeny email notifications are turned off. Approval, waitlist, or denial decisions may arrive shortly after submission or closer to the application deadline.
- Confirm your continued interest within 10 days of receiving an approval decision so all applications can be processed on time.
- Waitlisted panels may be adjusted at the panelists’ discretion.
- Keep the panel on the waitlist if you can have it ready; the team may ask you to fill a slot after a last-minute cancellation.
- You may withdraw at any time if you need more preparation or if your status determines whether you attend Matsuricon.
- The team will verify your continued interest after the first round of approvals.
- At least 15 waitlisted panels were added to the final 2025 schedule, so a waitlist is not a denial.
- You may cancel an accepted panel without penalty through August 31, 2026. Later cancellations, except case-by-case emergencies, count as a no-show and result in a one-year ban from presenting panels.
Guideline 02Content Dos & Don’ts
- “Ask a Character” panel submissions are no longer accepted.
- Workshops, academic presentations, roundtables, game shows, fan panels, and new formats are welcome.
- Distinct, diverse content matters. Similar game shows and fan panels are often submitted, and only the concepts that create a varied schedule can be approved.
- Matsuricon does not supply prizes, workshop materials, or presentation devices.
- Workshops may charge for supplied materials. Put the cost and accepted payment methods in the panel description so attendees know before arriving.
- Rate your content accurately. Review the Ratings and Guides information in Policies & Safety.
Guideline 03Panelist Requirements
- Presenting panelists must be at least 15 years old by the convention.
- Panelists under 18 may not present 18+ panels. Legal IDs are checked at the door for all attendees and panelists entering 18+ panels.
- Every presenting panelist’s legal name and email must be included on the submission form.
- Legal names are private and are only used to verify identity against legal ID. They are not posted or shared publicly.
- Panelist changes may be made through August 31, 2026. Later changes are not guaranteed, and Registration cannot add a presenter simply because they purchased a panelist badge.
- All panelists must remain reachable through Eventeny, or by email in extenuating circumstances, throughout the process.
Guideline 04Timing
- The minimum panel slot is 45 minutes, followed by a 15-minute changeover. Panels under 45 minutes are not accepted, and panels ending before 75% of their assigned time are not reimbursed.
- Rehearse in advance and provide detailed timing. A staff member will alert you at the end of the slot so the room can be cleared for the next panel.
- Failure to arrive within 10 minutes of the start time results in a one-year panelist ban, except for emergencies evaluated case by case.
- Provide every date and time you are actually available. Selecting only one slot means the team should assume you do not want to present if that slot conflicts with guest programming.
- List preferred time slots separately in the application’s “Additional information” section.
Guideline 05Rooms
- No food or beverages may be brought into or distributed in event rooms.
- Most rooms use a lecture-hall setup: a stage, up to four chairs, up to four microphones, one projector, and lecture seating. Request a different room style in the Room section of the application.
- Give the most accurate attendance estimate possible so the team can assign a room with appropriate capacity.
- The GCCC and Hyatt do not allow standing room in panel spaces; every attendee must be seated.
Guideline 06Tech Requirements
- Matsuricon does not offer Wi-Fi, so plan for an offline presentation.
- Bring everything needed to connect your own device to a projector.
- Projectors accept full-sized HDMI. Cables may be available, but presenters should come prepared.
- Bring every necessary adapter, charging cable, and accessory; the team does not keep them on hand.
- Ask the door person for help if a tech issue occurs.
- Technical troubleshooting uses presentation time, so test your setup before the panel.
Guideline 07Badges & Reimbursement
- Every presenter must have a badge to present.
- You do not need to check in ahead of your assigned panel.
- Arrive at the panel room at the assigned time and check in with the door person using your legal name or legal ID. Each presenter must stay for the entire panel to receive reimbursement.
- Panelist badges are available only to approved panelists. Use the purchase link in the approval email to expedite reimbursement.
- Badges purchased outside the panelist link, except premium badges, will be converted to panelist badges after confirmation.
- The panelist badge has a fixed price. Approved presenters without a purchased badge will continue to receive purchase reminders.
Community Standard // Be Gracious
Show up with respect
Expectations of Conduct
Whether all, some, or none of your panels are accepted, please be gracious. A declined submission does not mean your work is not valued; it simply may not fit this year’s goals or schedule. When possible, the team will suggest changes that may strengthen a current or future application.
Bullying or shaming within the panel community is not tolerated. Matsuricon may remove a panel from the schedule for any reason and may withdraw panels or panelists who break the Code of Conduct at any time.
Reimbursement Checklist
- Purchase through the panelist badge link in your approval email.
- Use the same legal names and email addresses entered during registration.
- Check in with the door person at the assigned panel room and time.
- Remain present for the full panel so staff can confirm completion.
At-door badge purchases are non-refundable
Please Note // Keep Records Consistent
One submission, one accurate team
The lead panelist is Matsuricon’s primary contact and must relay schedule and check-in information to every presenter. Even so, a valid email is required for all panelists. Missing or incorrect contact information can prevent reimbursement.
If you submit multiple panels, use the same legal name and email every time. Consistent records let Registration match each person to the correct badge and prevent presenters from being missed because of spelling changes, nicknames, or multiple email addresses.
Panel Ops // Direct Line