Taking my six year old to Worlds Day 1 in Texas

In August I got three tickets to Day 1 of the Swiss Stage in Texas, after losing the presale lottery, and wrote that the only thing that could ruin it was T1 not qualifying.

T1 qualified. They arrive as the defending champions. So the plan survives, and now I have the slightly less glamorous job of working out how to take a six year old to an esports arena for a full day.

Here is what I have found out, in case you are doing the same.

The day itself

Day 1 of the Swiss Stage is 23 October at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, and it starts at 12pm CDT.

Swiss rounds one and two are single games rather than best of three, which I have decided is lucky. More matches, each one shorter, and no three-hour series to sit through. For a child's first live esports day that is about the best format you could ask for.

The rules that actually affect you

I went through Riot's venue policies properly, because turning up with the wrong bag and a tired child is a bad way to start.

Bags. Texas allows small bags under 4.5 by 8.5 inches, or a clear bag under 14 by 14 by 6. That is the one that catches people out. The normal parent instinct is a backpack full of snacks and spare everything, and that is not getting in. A clear tote within the limit is the way.

Children. Under 14 must be with an adult who is 19 or over. Children under 2 do not need a ticket in Texas but must come in with an adult. Mine is six and ticketed, so that is settled.

Prams and buggies are not allowed, at either venue, and there is nowhere to store belongings. Worth knowing if your child is younger than mine.

Re-entry is allowed on the Swiss days, 23 to 31 October, with a wristband. It is not allowed for the knockouts in November. Being able to walk out, get air and food, and come back is the single most useful fact I have found, and it is the reason I am relaxed about a full day.

Strobes and flashing lights are used throughout. I would rather know that in advance than find out when it starts.

Filming on your phone is fine, professional camera gear is not.

Cosplay is welcome within sensible limits: no full face coverings, no realistic weapons, nothing enormous.

What I am actually planning

• Arrive early, find our seats, and walk the whole place once before it fills up, so she knows where everything is.
• A clear bag, inside the limits, with water, snacks and ear protection. An arena crowd is loud and six year old ears are not.
• Leave at some point during the afternoon, deliberately, before she needs to. Re-entry exists; I plan to use it.
• No expectation that she watches every game. If she lasts two matches and then wants to look at the merch and the crowd, that is a good day.

The part I am not saying out loud

I have been watching this game since I was a teenager, mostly alone, at bad hours, on a stream. Being in the building, with my wife and my daughter, while T1 play, is the version of that I would not have believed fifteen years ago.

So I am managing my expectations about the crowd, the noise, and the chance that a six year old decides the best part of the day was a pretzel.

Afterwards

I said I would document it properly, and I will: photos, what the venue is actually like, how long the day really runs, and an honest note on whether taking a small child was a good idea. That post will land after the 23rd.

If you are going too, the full Worlds schedule with every start time is here. And if you are a Riftbound collector, note that the 23rd is also Radiance release day, so your local store's launch and Day 1 are the same day.