Esports

Halo Fest

Welcome back to another installment in our Halo Fest blog series where we provide updates on what you can get excited about at Halo Fest!



If you’re just joining us, you can hit the links below to catch up:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-february">February Update</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-january">January Update</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-december">December Update</a></li>
</ul>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING UPDATE</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-165429" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/MarkV-Spartan-Cosplay.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As usual we’ll kick things off with a brief ticketing update. Halo Fest Convention Tickets are now over 80% sold out. We are officially in the final stretch and are expecting to sell out very soon.



To lock in your spot at Halo’s 25th Anniversary bash head to <a href="https://halofest.com/tickets" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">halofest.com/tickets</a>.





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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">ESPORTS</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-165565" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/03/Master-Chief-in-Audience-69c6fde221136.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



This month we’re diving into esports at Halo Fest! When we first announced Halo Fest at HaloWC, we also shared that an HCS Invitational would be part of the celebration. Today we’re sharing the initial details, with more to come later in the summer – let’s jump in!



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">HCS INVITATIONAL</h1>



The HCS Invitational is an invite-only tournament that is just one component of the esports/competitive experience at Halo Fest. The tournament will be played on Halo Infinite, leveraging of course, the latest HCS maps & modes. We’re excited to confirm that the prize pool for the tournament will be $150,000!



We also want to share a bit about the considerations we’re making for the invitation process. It’s not an exact science, and we won’t be using a points criteria. Our goal is to create a competitive spectacle that delivers epic entertainment for Halo fans both onsite and watching online.



Here are some of the factors we’ll be considering for invitations:



<ul>
<li>HCS partnered teams that are still actively involved in the community/ecosystem.</li>



<li>Top pros or teams competing consistently (and performing well).</li>



<li>Positive contributors to the Halo community and franchise.</li>
</ul>



Please note that the invites won’t be an even mixture of the above criteria. You can think of them as filters to help us make what will ultimately be a very hard decision. We’re expecting invites to go out late Summer / early Fall.



In terms of format, the tournament will field 8 teams in a mix of pool play and double elimination bracket. It’s important to keep in mind that the Halo Fest Convention is a two-day event, and while we haven’t finalized schedule yet, we’re expecting teams to be eliminated on the first day.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">OPEN COMPETITION</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157252" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Playing-Halo-CE.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In addition to the HCS Invitational, we’ll also have plenty of open competitions for attendees to participate in themselves. Our goal here is to offer something for everyone: various team sizes including solos, as well as various Halo games in celebration of 25 years of Halo. Some of final matches of the Open Competitions may also take place on the esports stage!



More details are to come, and today we’re excited to confirm that $50,000 in prizing will be awarded across the Open Competitions at Halo Fest.



Which tournament formats or games would you like to compete in? Be sure to drop me a line on Twitter <a href="https://x.com/Tashi343i" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HERE.</a>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



The road to Halo Fest continues and each day that passes we are excited to put on a great event and great show for everyone in the Halo community. We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone later in December!



Thanks,



Tashi

Tashi

Esports at Halo Fest (March Update)

Community

Welcome back to another edition of the Halo Fest Update Series – today we’ve got some big announcements that we’re excited to share with you.



Before we do that, if you’re new to the series and want to catch up, you can hit the links below: 



<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-january">January Blog</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-december">December Blog</a></li>
</ul>



Alright, as usual, let’s start with a ticketing update.



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</div></figure>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING UPDATE</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157224" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Halo Fest tickets continue to sell at a fast pace, and today I can confirm that the Halo Fest convention is now over 75% sold out. Folks – I think pretty soon in one of these updates I’m going to be talking about how it’s sold out and when that happens you’ll want to be one of the people who says, “Good thing I bought my ticket early!” instead of one of the people who says, “I wish I didn’t wait so long!”.



So, if you’re on the fence about going, time is running out! For those who have secured your spot already, enjoy the ride!





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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">GAMES DONE QUICK</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1024x576.jpg" alt="Fans celebrating at Games Done Quick" class="wp-image-163470" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/GDQ.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Speedrunning is a critical part of the Halo franchise. For decades, Halo speedrunners have dazzled us and broken our brains competing against each other to complete Halo campaigns with the fastest times. Sword canceling vast distances, breaking through the geometry and skipping huge swaths of levels (there are designers shaking their fists somewhere) all in the name of great fun, entertainment, and some healthy competition.



Well today we’re excited to announce that we’ve partnered with the amazing team at Games Done Quick to host an official Halo Games Done Quick live at Halo Fest later this year. It was important to us that we provided an authentic and community-centered experience, and we couldn’t think of anyone better to collaborate with than the fine folks (and Halo fans!) at Games Done Quick.



Whether you’re onsite or at home, you’ll be able to watch two full days of speedruns and challenge runs across various games from the Halo franchise featuring the world’s best Halo speedrunners. And of course, the GDQ team will be taking donations on behalf of a great charity we will share later.



For details, keep it locked to <a href="https://x.com/GamesDoneQuick">Games Done Quick</a>‘s social media for game selections, runners, and schedule. We can’t wait to watch the community completely break and dismantle these games for all of our entertainment pleasure!



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">ARTIST COMMISSION</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1024x576.jpg" alt="Halo Fan Art by Outlet Chief" class="wp-image-163512" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/02/Outlet-Chief.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



(Fan Art by <a href="https://x.com/OutletChief729">Outlet Chief</a>)



As you have hopefully noticed about Halo Fest, a key theme is community involvement. We started talking about this with the various contests last month, speedrunning, and now we’re excited to confirm that we’re commissioning artists in the Halo community to create art that will be shown and shared at Halo Fest!



The spirit of the idea is that as you’re walking through the halls at Halo Fest, you’re not only seeing iconic official art from the Halo franchise but also incredible community-made art to serve as a reminder that this franchise is nothing without you all – the community.



Here are just a few of the artists we’ve confirmed to be working with:



<ul>
<li><a href="https://x.com/John_Grosjean">John Grosjean</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/Soul_ant19">Soul</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/2204Design">2204</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/mrgruntington">MrGruntington</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/OutletChief729">Outlet Chief</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nsclark98">NSClark</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/Rythayze">Rythaze</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/noui_nono">Nouichi</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/VincentGat">Vin Gattuso</a></li>



<li><a href="https://x.com/hartwell_design">Hartwell Design</a></li>
</ul>



In addition to community artists, we’re also commissioning artists who have created official Halo art over the years whether they were independent, at Bungie, or at 343 Industries.



We can’t wait to see what amazing creations these artists bring to life and are excited to share them with the world!



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



We’ve still got some time to go before Halo Fest is here but the team is starting to cook! Is there anything you’re interested in learning more about? Hit me up on <a href="https://x.com/Tashi343i">Twitter</a>! 



We’ll see you next month. 



Thanks, 



Tashi

Halo Fest – GDQ & Community Artists (February Update)

Happy New Year! It’s finally 2026 and that means that <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/halofest">Halo Fest</a> is happening THIS YEAR!



We’ve still got a long way to go, but the studio has been cooking and each month we’re using this blog series to keep you, the Halo community, in the loop on what’s going down at Halo Fest. 



Last month we talked all about ticketing which you can find here: <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-december" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Halo Fest December update</a>



And this month we’re going to start with ticketing as well – let’s get started!



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</div></figure>



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETING</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-160778" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Cosplay-Chief-Family.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



We have been absolutely blown away by the response to Halo Fest at this point – here are some fun facts:



<ul>
<li>VIP sold out within the first few seconds.</li>



<li>Across concert and convention, more tickets were sold in 5 minutes for Halo Fest than all of HaloWC 2025 (which was the biggest HCS event ever).</li>



<li>In roughly 24 hours, the Halo Fest concert sold out and total tickets sold across concert and convention double what was available for HaloWC 2025.</li>
</ul>



I guess you’re all excited about Halo Fest huh? We are too!



So, where do we stand today? As of right now, the Halo Fest Convention is nearly 70% sold out, and we’re expecting that we will be fully sold out within the next few months. While the concert is sold out, there are still tickets available for the convention, so please don’t wait to secure your tickets if you’re looking to attend. We’ll see you there!





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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONTESTS</h1>



For Halo Fest 2026, it’s important to us that the community is directly involved in being part of the event – and one of those ways we will accomplish this is by hosting contests. Over the past few years at HaloWC we’ve held cosplay contests and for Halo Fest we will be expanding all of the contests for the big event.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">COSPLAY CONTEST</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020-1024x576.jpg" alt="A group photograph of cosplayer contestants from the Halo World Championship Community Cosplay Contest." class="wp-image-153924" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/10/HWC25-2_1020.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Each year at HaloWC we host a $5,000 cosplay contest and we’re excited to confirm that for Halo Fest we have DOUBLED the prize pool to $10,000. Cosplay is an important part of the Halo community and we want to see all of the greatest pieces on display. Each year we are blown away by the level of creativity and craftsmanship, and we expect that level to rise even further for Halo Fest.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">MAKER’S CONTEST</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest-1024x576.png" alt="Assortment of fan created helmets at the Maker's Contest booth at the Halo World Championship." class="wp-image-160848" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Makers-Contest.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



At HaloWC 2025 we debuted a new contest for those who just can’t stop being creative – the Maker’s Contest. Rather than full armor sets, the Maker’s contest is for those specializing in gadgets, weapons, helmets, and other similar items from the Halo universe. We offered a $2,500 prize pool at HaloWC and all spots were filled with your incredible crafts. This was a test run for us and for Halo Fest the Maker’s Contest is returning and once again the prize pool has DOUBLED to $5,000. We can’t wait to see what you all make for Halo Fest!



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">FORGE CONTEST</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge-1024x576.jpg" alt="Header image for the Halo Infinite Forge series showing a Monitor" class="wp-image-45890" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2022/09/HaloInfiniteForge.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



In partnership with <a href="https://www.forgehub.com/">ForgeHub</a>, we’re excited to announce that we will be hosting a Halo Fest Forge Contest for those who love to build maps and experiences in Halo Infinite for others to play. This contest will begin later this Spring with the intent of having the final judging and playable experiences available on the show floor at Halo Fest for fans in attendance to go hands on with. This will also feature a $10,000 prize pool! Be on the lookout for more details from ForgeHub in the coming months.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">SHORT FILM CONTEST</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST-1024x576.png" alt="" class="wp-image-160834" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST-1024x576.png 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST-300x169.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST-768x432.png 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST-1536x864.png 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST-1568x882.png 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2026/01/Film-Contest-ODST.png 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Over the years Halo fans have been inspired to pick up their cameras (both digital and physical) to tell stories from the Halo universe – ones to make us say, “wow,” ones to make us laugh, and ones to hit us right in the feels. For Halo Fest 2026, we wanted to officially support this craft and will be hosting a $10,000 contest split across the following categories:



<ul>
<li>Live Action: Predominately live action with human actors filmed with physical cameras, can include FX, 3D models, etc.</li>



<li>3D Animated: Predominantly 3D animated, can include stop motion.</li>



<li>2D Animated: Predominantly 2D animated, flat, “hand drawn”, anime/cartoon, can include stop motion etc.</li>



<li>Machinima: Filmed by capturing in-game acting - FX and other animations can be added on top.</li>



<li>Montage: Gameplay highlights montage with music playing over.</li>
</ul>



The purpose of today’s contest announcements was to ensure the community had an ample heads-up and could start planning to enter the contests. The specific rules for the contests will be arriving in the coming months.



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



What do you want us to cover in next month’s blog? Shoot me a tweet over at <a href="https://x.com/Tashi343i" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://x.com/Tashi343i</a>  



Once again, thank you to everyone planning on coming to Halo Fest – we cannot wait to host you and the entire community for an amazing celebration of all things Halo. 



Thanks, 



Tashi

Halo Fest – Contests (January Update)

Halo25Together

As part of our <a href="https://aka.ms/Halo25Launch">25th anniversary celebration</a>, we’ve teamed up with Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) to offer a Spartan-sized Supper Fan Club just before <a href="https://www.halofest.com">Halo Fest</a>!



The <a href="https://www.mopop.org/programs/supper-fan-club">MOPOP Supper Fan Club</a> dishes out unforgettable evenings where pop culture and cuisine collide. On December 9, MOPOP’s master chefs are inviting Spartans of all stripes to indulge in sumptuous eats on a Great Journey through curated courses of Halo-themed fare.



Featuring Halo-themed bites and cocktails, table-side multiplayer, interactive experiences, and curator-led stories from the ONI’s most redacted dossiers, this limited-seating event promises as much excitement as a legendary campaign run.



The Halo x MOPOP Supper Fan Club serves up heroic helpings for one night only on December 9, 2026. <a href="https://www.mopop.org/events/supper-fan-club-halo">Get tickets now</a> for a taste of the action.



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All year long, we’ll be inviting Halo fans to share their favorite Halo memories, celebrate Halo’s iconic legacy, and vote on community polls to help us tell the whole Halo story.



Whether you’re a battle-hardened Spartan or a Halo rookie, we hope you’ll join the fun by sharing your Halo story through our <a href="http://aka.ms/Halo25TogetherMemories">official submission form</a>, on social media using hashtag #Halo25Together, in our <a href="https://www.discord.gg/halo">official Discord server</a>, or on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/halo">r/Halo</a> with the #Halo25Together tag.

Mutinous Core

Reserve your seat today.

Halo x MOPOP Supper Fan Club

Hello Halo fans! In 2026 the Halo franchise is celebrating 25 years of incredible moments that you, the Halo community, have shared together. In order to properly celebrate the occasion, we are hosting Halo Fest right here in Seattle on December 11-13, 2026.  



You can read our announcement blog here:



<ul>
<li> <a href="https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/halo-fest-announced">Halo Fest Announcement</a></li>
</ul>



As we did with HaloWC 2025, we’re starting a monthly blog series to keep you up to date on everything you need to know for Halo Fest. And like we did with that blog series, we also want this to be a conversation. What would you want to see or do at Halo Fest? What would make it an unforgettable experience for you and your friends/family? I’ll be asking questions like this each month and we’d love to hear from you! 



Okay, so this month we’re talking about ticketing!



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Halo Fest 2026 Ticket Announcement – 25 Years of Halo" width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_phwqZMFwLY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETS</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157196" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Fans-Waiting-at-Doors.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



As announced at HaloWC, tickets will go on sale for Halo Fest on Wednesday December 10, 2025 @ 10am PT. Tickets will be available on TIXR.





We highly encourage making an account ahead of time to ensure a speedier checkout when tickets go live.



For those uninitiated, Halo Fest is comprised of two parts: 



<ul>
<li>Concert: Friday December 11, 2026 @ <a href="https://www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroyahall?%40%40item_date=%3E12%2F9%2F2025">Benaroya Hall </a></li>



<li>Convention: Saturday-Sunday December 12-13, 2026 @ <a href="https://seattleconventioncenter.com/venues/summit-addition">Seattle Convention Center (Summit)</a> </li>
</ul>



When you go to grab your tickets for the concert, you’ll see a seat map where you’ll be able to select which seat(s) you’d like to sit in. Ticketing prices and ranges are based on what’s common for Benaroya Hall – the closer to the stage the more pricey the tickets are.



For the convention, the tickets available are standard general admission which will get you access to the hall on Saturday/Sunday of the event.  



In one fell swoop, you’ll be able to snag your tickets for the concert and the convention in one checkout flow. 



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">TICKET OPTIONS</h1>



Halo Fest spans three days across two different portions, and we wanted to ensure the options were both flexible but also simplified as much as possible.  



<ul>
<li>Concert: Prices range from $75-$225 (Based on Seat Selection!)</li>



<li>Concert VIP Add-on: $50 (Limited Quantity!)</li>



<li>Convention: 2-Day GA Tickets for $75</li>



<li>Early Bird GA Tickets: $60 (Limited Quantity!)</li>



<li>Convention VIP Add-on: $200</li>
</ul>



Ahead of tomorrow’s ticketing release, we’ve made some updates to our VIP offers. VIP options for the concert and the convention are now offered separately, meaning fans who want to be VIPs for the convention do not also need to be VIPs or attendees for the concert and vise versa. Quantities for both VIP passes are limited, so be sure to grab yours early!



How it works:



<ul>
<li>Concert: When purchasing your concert tickets and selecting your seats, you’ll have the option at checkout to select the Concert VIP Add-on.</li>



<li>Convention: When purchasing your convention ticket, you’ll have the option at checkout to select the Convention VIP Add-on.</li>
</ul>



If you’re attending both events but only want VIP access for one, no problem—you can purchase just the VIP pass you want.



Concert VIP includes:



<ul>
<li>Early Entry to Halo Fest Concert</li>



<li>Exclusive Concert Swag</li>



<li>and more!</li>
</ul>



Convention VIP includes:



<ul>
<li>Early Entry to Halo Fest Convention</li>



<li>VIP Swag Bag</li>



<li>Exclusive Meet and Greet Opportunities</li>



<li>and more!</li>
</ul>



We sent out surveys to VIPs after HaloWC 2025 and will be using that feedback to help improve the VIP experience even more!  



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">IMPORTANT INFORMATION</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157266" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Benaroya-Hall-Halo-Fest.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



There are 2,500 seats at Benaroya Hall, and with our stage configuration and reserved seats for special guests, we’re looking to sell about 2,230 tickets. This is significantly fewer tickets than what will be available for the Halo Fest convention. NOT EVERYONE ATTENDING HALO FEST CONVENTION WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE CONCERT.  



We’re expecting the concert to sell out first, so if the concert is something that’s really important to you – please do not wait to get those tickets first. Once it sells out, there won’t be more seats available!



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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO </h1>



The blog series will continue in January where we’ll be talking about the various contests that we’ll be hosting. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="894" height="231" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/image.png" alt="" class="wp-image-157040" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/image.png 894w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/image-300x78.png 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/image-768x198.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 894px) 100vw, 894px" /></figure>



If we do a short film contest, what categories should we support? Are there any other types of contests we should consider hosting?  



Ping me on twitter and let me know! 





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<h1 class="wp-block-heading">CONCLUSION</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-157224" srcset="https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-300x169.jpg 300w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-768x432.jpg 768w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing-1568x882.jpg 1568w, https://wpassets.halowaypoint.com/wp-content/2025/12/Cosplay-Spartan-Pointing.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



We have been sincerely blown away by the excitement since the announce of Halo Fest already, and to the fans already changing their twitter names to include Halo Fest already – we love you for that. That gets us even more excited to host a great event for the whole community.  



Tickets are on sale soon – we hope to see you there!



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading">HALO FEST FAQ</h1>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>When will Halo Fest 2026 take place?</td><td>Halo Fest will take place in Seattle, WA December 11th-13th, 2026.</td></tr><tr><td>What is happening at the event?</td><td>The Halo Fest concert will take place on December 11th, 2026 at Benaroya Hall. The Halo Fest convention will take place December 12th-13th, 2026 at the Seattle Convention Center (Summit Building)</td></tr><tr><td>What is the Halo Fest Concert?</td><td>On Friday, December 11, 2026, join us at Benaroya Hall for an orchestral journey through 25 years of Halo, performed by the Seattle Symphony. It will be a night of music and visual storytelling celebrating the history and culture of this incredible franchise we all love. This is the first official Halo concert – you won’t want to miss it!</td></tr><tr><td>What is the Halo Fest Convention?</td><td>On Saturday and Sunday, December 12–13, 2026, we’re taking over the Seattle Convention Center (Summit Building) to celebrate all things Halo. Built for every kind of fan, Halo Fest features special guests, developer and community panels, cosplay, art, an HCS Invitational tournament, meetups, open competitions, and a few surprises we’re not quite ready to share. And of course – plenty of Halo to play with your friends!</td></tr><tr><td>Where is the event taking place?</td><td>Halo Fest Concert Benaroya Hall https://www.seattlesymphony.org/benaroyahall 200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101 Halo Fest Convention Seattle Convention Center (Summit Building) https://seattleconventioncenter.com/visitors/visitor-resources 900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101</td></tr><tr><td>Where can I purchase tickets?</td><td>You can purchase tickets by going to HaloFest.com/tickets or halofest.tixr.com/tickets</td></tr><tr><td>What are my ticketing options?</td><td>Concert Tickets are based on your chosen seat and range from $75-$225. Convention Tickets are all 2-Day General Admission (GA) tickets at $75. There are a limited number of Early Bird Discount tickets at $60. There are also VIP add-on options for each event. Concert VIP Passes are $50. 2-Day Convention VIP Passes are $200.</td></tr><tr><td>What do I get with the Concert VIP Pass?</td><td>Halo Fest Concert VIP Pass includes: Early Entry to Halo Fest Concert, exlcusive concert swag, and more!</td></tr><tr><td>What do I get with the Convention VIP Pass?</td><td>Halo Fest Convention VIP Pass includes: Early Entry to Halo Fest Convention, VIP Swag Bag, exclusive meet and greet opportunities, and more!</td></tr><tr><td>Does my child need a ticket to attend the CONCERT?</td><td>Children of five (5) years and older are welcome, but they must have a valid ticket.</td></tr><tr><td>Does my child need a ticket to attend the CONVENTION?</td><td>Children 5 and under can attend for free and do not require a ticket, badge or wristband. They must be accompanied by an adult at all times. A parental consent form is required when the adult picks up their badge onsite. FORM: https://aka.ms/hcs-parental-form</td></tr><tr><td>Do you have appropriate seating and parking for individuals with medical conditions?</td><td>This event is ADA complaint and accessible. See below for details by venue. More information can be found by emailing halo_fest@efg.gg CONCERT: Benaroya Hall is barrier-free and meets or exceeds all criteria established by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Requests for accommodations should be made when purchasing tickets. CONVENTION: The Halo Fest Convention is ADA compliant and accessible. More information can be found by emailing halo_fest@efg.gg</td></tr><tr><td>Are pets allowed?</td><td>Only service animals are allowed at the event.</td></tr><tr><td>I have other questions – where’s the best place to ask them?</td><td>You can email us at halo_fest@efg.gg</td></tr><tr><td>What if my tickets are lost or stolen?</td><td>If you selected to pick up your tickets onsite, you will receive a confirmation email from TIXR with a QR code. Please bring a digital or print copy of the QR code to pick up your ticket at registration.</td></tr><tr><td>Do you offer military or senior citizen discounts?</td><td>If you are purchasing a ticket online – please use the code MLT10 (for Military) or SNR10 (for Senior) to receive 10% off your ticket. For the Military discount, please be prepared to present your Military ID. For a senior discount, you must be 55+ years of age. Any questions about codes or eligibility please email Halo_Fest@efg.gg</td></tr><tr><td>What if the event is cancelled?</td><td>If the event is cancelled all tickets purchased will be refunded in full.</td></tr><tr><td>Can I show my tickets on my phone at the door, or do I need physical tickets?</td><td>Concert: You may show either a digital ticket or a printed ticket. Your QR code will be scanned upon entry. Convention: Onsite Pickup: You can present the QR code from your confirmation email at registration check-in. Once your QR code is scanned, you’ll receive your physical badge, which grants entry to the event. (QR codes are scanned only once.) Mail Delivery: If you choose the mail option, your badge will be shipped to you before the event. You must bring this physical badge with you to gain entry.</td></tr><tr><td>What should I do if I don’t receive my tickets, or ticketing info?</td><td>Please contact halo_fest@efg.gg</td></tr><tr><td>Is my multi-day convention ticket good for either or both days?</td><td>2-Day General Admission (GA) tickets are acceptable for both days of the event.</td></tr><tr><td>If I opted in for mailed tickets, when will I receive my order?</td><td>Orders ship out 2-3 weeks before the event. You’ll get a tracking email once your package goes out.</td></tr><tr><td>What address will my tickets/credentials ship to?</td><td>Tickets/credential ship to the shipping address you enter at checkout, not the billing address.</td></tr><tr><td>Can I pick up tickets/credentials at Will Call?</td><td>If your order does not qualify for mail fulfillment, if you opt out or if your package was not successfully delivered; please pick up at Will Call onsite. A valid ID is required for pickup.</td></tr><tr><td>Will all tickets be mailed?</td><td>Only orders placed before the mail fulfillment cutoff date that opt in and pay for shipping will include shipment. Orders made after that date or orders that opted for electronic delivery must use Will Call pickup.</td></tr><tr><td>What time do the doors open?</td><td>Check back here for door open times. Door open times and schedules are subject to change</td></tr><tr><td>Do you offer refunds?</td><td>Purchasers must request a refund through Tixr. Refund requests will not be accepted after 11:59pm PST on December 7th, 2026. No tickets may be exchanged for event credit with Tixr or Halo Studios/HCS events. Tickets are non-transferable. In the event that the event is canceled due to the organizer, refunds will be processed for all purchasers.</td></tr><tr><td>Are there any prohibited items?</td><td>Check back closer to the event for updated information</td></tr><tr><td>What is your bag policy?</td><td>Check back closer to the event for updated information</td></tr><tr><td>What are the closest hotels to the event venue?</td><td>Please use <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/Hotels/@47.6122766,-122.3346307,16.24z/data=!4m15!2m14!3m6!1sHotels!2sSeattle+Convention+Center+%7C+Arch,+705+Pike+St,+Seattle,+WA+98101!3s0x54906ab5090f3cc7:0x38d32c762126bc69!4m2!1d-122.3314234!2d47.6118106!5m5!5m4!1s2024-10-03!2i4!4m1!1i2!6e3?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTIwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D">this link</a> to find nearby hotels options and rates.</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Halo Fest – Tickets Available Now (December Update)

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of the Halo franchise and the game started it all – Halo: Combat Evolved. A momentous occasion such as this calls for a celebration!



Today at the Halo World Championship we announced the return of Halo Fest – a community event for you and all of your Halo-loving friends to celebrate the franchise and for any reason you may love it. If you’re a fan of the campaigns, the universe, the rich characters – Halo Fest welcomes you. If you love the music and anytime you see a saxophone you think of Halo 3: ODST – Halo Fest welcomes you. If you love all forms of multiplayer including cooperative and competitive – Halo Fest welcomes you. And if the community at large is a big part of why you continue to love this franchise – Halo Fest welcomes you all.





Over the course of the next year, we’ll be providing monthly updates on Halo Fest where you can learn more, but here are the initial details.



Halo Fest is a three-day event spanning December 11-13, 2026, and is comprised of two components: the Concert and the Convention.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONCERT</h2>



Music plays a critical role in the Halo franchise and in the hearts of fans around the world. If you’re like us, the first few monk chant notes alone are enough to give you goosebumps. For the first time ever, Halo will be hosting an official full-length concert celebrating 25 years of the iconic scores that played a part in making Halo the cultural touchstone it is today. The Concert will take place at the beautiful Benaroya Hall and performed by the legendary Seattle Symphony – you won’t want to miss this!



The basics:



<ul>
<li>December 11</li>



<li>Benaroya Hall</li>



<li>200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CONVENTION</h2>



If you’ve ever been to the Halo World Championship you’ll have noticed that the event offers more than just an esports competition, but rather acts as an annual pilgrimage for the whole community with the Community Stage, voice actors in attendance, cosplay contest, meetups, and more. Halo Fest will be the realization of that vision. In the Summit building of the convention center has a larger footprint than the Arch where HaloWC has been historically held and we plan on offering twice as many tickets compared to this year’s HaloWC.



No matter why you love Halo, we want you to feel at home at Halo Fest and have plenty to do with your fellow community members.



<ul>
<li>The basics:</li>



<li>December 12-13</li>



<li>Seattle Convention Center (Summit Building)</li>



<li>900 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TICKETS</h2>



Halo Fest tickets will be going on sale in just two months on December 10, 2025. In the November blog we will provide a full deep dive on the ticketing packages and what to expect. We will be offering tickets for both components on one ticketing platform, and fans will have access to both the Concert and the Convention on the same day. Please note that the capacity at Benaroya Hall of the Concert is significantly less than the capacity at the Convention. We expect the Concert tickets to sell out first and foremost so please keep that in mind as you’re determining your Halo Fest plans.



CONCLUSION



We are very thankful to have such a vibrant community who loves Halo from Year 1 to Year 25. And at Halo Fest, you will be able to take part and celebrate with the community like you never have before. Be on the lookout for next month’s blog where we’ll share more about the event and ticketing information.



Thanks,



Tashi



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<a id="_msocom_1"></a>

Esports at Halo Fest (March Update)

Halo Fest – GDQ & Community Artists (February Update)

Halo Fest – Contests (January Update)

Halo x MOPOP Supper Fan Club

Halo Fest – Tickets Available Now (December Update)

Halo Fest Announced