Squad Goals: How to Con Like a Pro with Your Friends at M.A.G.E.

If there’s one thing anime conventions have mastered, it’s the art of creating chaos and joy in equal measure. Now, toss your friends into the mix, and suddenly your weekend isn’t just a convention—it’s a quest. From coordinating cosplay themes to figuring out where the heck to eat when everyone is simultaneously starving but “not in the mood” for the same thing, group con-going is its own kind of adventure.

That’s why if you’re headed to M.A.G.E. 2025—happening October 31 through November 2, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Minneapolis—you’ll want to roll in prepared. This event isn’t small. It brings together nearly 4,000 fans of anime, gaming, sci-fi, and all-around geek culture for three days that stretch from morning panels to 2 a.m. raves. And the only thing better than diving into that frenzy solo is navigating it with your squad. Done right, it’ll be the kind of weekend you still reference months later. Done wrong, it could turn into a logistical nightmare complete with missed panels, hanger-fueled arguments, and regrettable Uber Eats bills.

Step One: Squad Planning 101

Before you even hit Minneapolis, get your group on the same wavelength. You don’t need a military operation, but you do need some basic coordination.

Start with the official con app or a shared group chat. The app will have the schedule (and if M.A.G.E. is anything like past years, it’s packed with simultaneous events). Drop the schedule into a group chat and have everyone mark their personal “must-sees.” That way, you’ll spot overlap—like if everyone wants to hit the cosplay contest, the escape room, and at least one late-night dance—and can plan around it.

The key? Don’t expect to do everything together. A good squad con experience balances group hangs with guilt-free solo exploration. Agree in advance that it’s fine to split off—maybe two people want to spend three hours in tabletop gaming, while others prefer to wander Artist Alley. Build in regroup points (like dinner or a big mainstage event) so you still have shared highlights.

The Convention Core: Events You Can’t Miss

Now, let’s talk about what’s actually on the table at M.A.G.E. This isn’t a one-track con; it’s a sprawling buffet of anime, gaming, and fandom culture, and if your squad doesn’t have a rough idea of what’s worth prioritizing, you’ll spend half your time arguing in the lobby.

Here’s what you’ll want to factor into your group game plan:

Cosplay Contest

This is where legends are made. M.A.G.E.’s cosplay contest draws competitors who put serious craftsmanship into their builds. Whether your squad is participating or just cheering, this event is worth blocking out time for. Judges award everything from Best Performance to Best in Show, and the creativity is jaw-dropping. Bonus: it’s also one of the best times for group photo ops, since everyone’s costumes are on full display.

Vendor Hall & Artist Alley

This is shopping heaven, and your group should plan at least one big walkthrough together. The Vendor Hall is where you’ll find plushies, figures, and licensed merch, while Artist Alley is indie creator central—prints, fan-made crafts, and commissions galore. Pro tip: budget ahead. Decide if you’re comfortable splitting costs on certain items (like if you all want to commission matching art pieces). Even if you split up here, regrouping to show off your finds is part of the fun.

Musical Events & Late-Night Dances

M.A.G.E. doesn’t roll up the sidewalks at midnight. From concerts to EDM raves, music is a huge part of the weekend. There’s even a Formal Fantasy Ball if your squad wants to trade sneakers for something a little fancier. Group hack: coordinate outfits or cosplay themes so your photos look epic. And remember—hydration breaks are mandatory. Dancing until 2 a.m. is fun, but being the friend who faints on the dance floor? Less so.

Room Parties

Con-approved room parties are legendary for a reason. These aren’t just about drinking—they’re themed hangouts where you’ll meet new people, discover niche fandoms, and maybe play a spontaneous round of Cards Against Humanity with strangers. If your squad is hosting, remember you need pre-approval to avoid noise complaints. If you’re attending, set a buddy system. These parties are fun, but conventions are crowded, and it’s easy to get separated.

Maid Café

Yes, it’s extra-ticketed, but yes, it’s worth it. The Royale Maid Café at M.A.G.E. is where your group can sit down for snacks, games, and the kind of themed service that feels straight out of an anime episode. It’s especially fun with a squad because you can share snacks and laugh through the performances together.

Escape Room: “Cabin of the Cackling Man”

If your squad thrives on teamwork (or at least pretending you know how to solve puzzles), this is a must. The escape room blends creepypasta vibes with retro gaming references, and the puzzles are designed for group brainpower. Warning: this is where group dynamics get tested. Somebody will try to brute-force a lock, somebody else will obsess over one clue for twenty minutes, and one friend will suddenly turn into Sherlock Holmes. Either way, it’s squad bonding gold.

Video & Tabletop Gaming

For gamers, M.A.G.E.’s video game room is open late with tournaments all weekend, while the spot for tabletop gaming has everything from board game demos to life-size Catan. These spaces are perfect for squads because you can sit down, play, and naturally meet other fans. If your group gets competitive, maybe stick to co-op games unless you’re prepared for lingering grudge matches.

Special Guests

The guest lineup is always a mix of voice actors, martial arts performers, and other fandom personalities. For 2025, names like Greg Ayres, Quinton Flynn, and Tom Fahn are already announced. These panels and autograph sessions are big draws, so coordinate early. Decide whose autograph sessions are priority for the group and make a plan—lines can get long.

Fan-Run Panels: The Wild Cards

One of the best-kept secrets of M.A.G.E. is the fan-run panel lineup. Unlike the big-name guest panels, these are powered entirely by attendees, which means you never quite know what you might stumble into. That unpredictability is what makes them so fun.

Some panels might dive into pure fandom. You could find a discussion on dream gaming setups or a live “what-if” debate about anime characters. Another panel might focus on showing attendees how to build a website, while yet another could be a cosplay dance tutorial where the audience gets roped in. If your squad loves laughing together—or laughing at each other—these panels are perfect for bonding.

But fan panels aren’t just about the nerdy stuff. You might come across someone sharing tips on spotting souvenir traps in Japan, while another panel could explore how to sell event tickets online without getting burned. There could be a session about digital marketing for creatives, or maybe someone will demonstrate how to make a game from scratch. The topics could be surprisingly practical—or unexpectedly geeky.

Hobby-focused panels might also pop up at any given time. One could show small space gardening tricks for apartment dwellers, while another might walk attendees through minimalist space design. You might even stumble into a panel offering advice on learning basic Chinese or other beginner language tips. These hobby sessions are often hands-on, casual, and surprisingly engaging.

Lifestyle panels are another wildcard. You could find a session on cocktail recipes for beginners, or maybe one about going vegan without losing your sanity. Another might explore meditation techniques or other strategies for keeping stress in check during a hectic convention weekend. Often, these sessions are a mix of practical advice and silliness, which keeps things entertaining for a group.

The beauty of fan-run panels is how interactive they are. You might be quietly taking notes in one room, then laughing uncontrollably in the next. Some panels might involve audience participation, others might include Q&A sessions where someone explains VR technology for the classroom, right after a cosplay dance demo. They’re unpredictable, sometimes messy, and often hilarious—but that’s exactly why your squad should carve out time for them.

Food: The Tricky Part of Group Con Life

If there’s one thing that will test your squad’s patience, it’s food. Con hunger hits fast and hard. Luckily, M.A.G.E. has the ConSweet, which offers free ramen, rice, and soda. It’s great in a pinch, but you’ll want real meals too.

The Hyatt Regency is downtown, so there are tons of restaurants nearby. Group hack: pick a few “go-to” spots in advance. Maybe a pizza place for delivery, a sit-down diner for slower meals, and a grab-and-go café for when you need to refuel between panels. Decide if you’re splitting costs evenly or going Dutch each time—it saves a lot of awkward math mid-meal.

If your squad is staying in the hotel, late-night delivery is your friend. Just remember, a room full of cosplayers devouring Pad Thai at midnight is fun—until someone spills soy sauce on their handmade costume. Bring snacks for emergencies and designate one backpack as the “snack bag” so no one hits the hanger wall.

Tickets: Lock Them Down Early

Here’s the boring-but-important bit: get your tickets early. A weekend badge is $40, but if you register in advance you can snag it for $37. Single-day passes are $30, and Sunday is a bargain at $15. There’s also a VIP badge at $150 if you want exclusive perks.

Why does early matter? Two reasons. First, you save money. Second, it helps your group lock in plans—no “I’ll see if I can still get a badge” chaos the week before. Plus, badges sell out, especially for extras like the Maid Café or escape room. If you want your squad all in the same session, buy early.

Squad Survival Tips

Okay, now that we’ve run through the big events, let’s talk strategy. Con weekends can be a whirlwind, and keeping your squad sane (and having fun) takes a little planning. Here are some tips to make sure everyone survives—and thrives—all weekend long:

Set Checkpoints. Don’t just vaguely promise to “meet up later.” Pick specific times and locations, like “after the cosplay contest, meet by the big banner in the lobby” or “before the Maid Café, regroup at the fountain near the main entrance.” You can even rotate who’s responsible for checking the group chat so nobody’s left wandering aimlessly. Having a couple of backup spots is smart too—sometimes lines run long or someone gets distracted by the Dealer’s Room.

Pack Smart. One backpack for the group can be a lifesaver. Fill it with water, snacks, phone chargers, spare batteries, a mini first-aid kit, safety pins, stain remover wipes, and yes… deodorant. Con floors are huge, lines can get long, and nothing kills morale faster than being hangry or overheated. If your squad is ambitious, you can even pack a mini toolkit for cosplay fixes—think extra Velcro, glue sticks, or a needle and thread for last-minute emergencies.

Respect Solo Time. Not everyone has the same stamina, and that’s okay. Some friends might want to marathon gaming tournaments, while others just want to hit panels and chill. Let them tap out guilt-free. The key is to communicate ahead of time and maybe schedule a few solo breaks—so everyone gets their must-do experiences without feeling dragged along or left behind. Bonus: solo adventures often lead to unexpected surprises, like discovering a tiny artist alley booth or catching a fan panel that none of your friends knew existed.

Budget Like Adults. Conventions can be money pits. It’s easy to blow a weekend paycheck on merch, snacks, and surprise activities. Before you go, have each friend set a personal spending cap, and consider pooling cash for group essentials like meals or rideshares. Apps like Splitwise or Venmo make it painless to track who owes what. And remember, small food hacks like sharing snacks from the ConSweet or bringing your own reusable water bottles can save a ton.

Group Cosplay = Great Photos. Coordinating cosplay with friends—whether it’s matching characters, themed color palettes, or even casual coordinated outfits—makes for legendary photos that your squad will laugh at and share forever. But don’t stress if not everyone wants to participate. Sometimes the best shots are spontaneous: someone photobombing a serious group pose, or a random epic prop in the background. Pro tip: plan a few photo stops at iconic spots in the hotel or near big banners to avoid hunting around the crowded con floor.

Plan for Quick Regroups. Even with checkpoints and solo time, your squad will inevitably scatter. Make a quick plan for emergency regrouping—like sending a “panic emoji” in your chat when someone’s lost, or agreeing to meet at the nearest café if phones die. This avoids the “where is everyone?” chaos mid-day and keeps the vibe fun instead of stressful.

Be Flexible, But Communicate. Some events will have long lines, sudden schedule changes, or unexpected surprises. Keep the mood light, check the official con app for updates, and be honest about what each person wants to do. Flexibility is the name of the game—sometimes the best memories come from ditching a plan and chasing a last-minute opportunity, like a surprise concert or an impromptu dance-off.

Take Mental Notes for Next Year. Even if things don’t go perfectly, observe what worked and what didn’t. Did everyone love the cosplay contest but hate the long lunch lines? Did splitting up for panels actually save time? Sharing feedback afterward will make your next squad con weekend even smoother.

Squad Up for Maximum Fun!

Conventions like M.A.G.E. are chaotic, exhausting, and occasionally overwhelming. But when you roll in with a squad that knows how to balance planning with spontaneity, the payoff is unbeatable. You’ll cheer together during the cosplay contest, laugh yourselves silly in a random fan panel about balcony gardening, dance until 2 a.m. at the rave, and collapse in your hotel room with delivery pizza while swapping stories about your favorite moments.

And months later, when someone drops a reference to “that time we couldn’t figure out the escape room puzzle and almost lost to the Cackling Man,” you’ll all still laugh.

That’s the magic of going to M.A.G.E. with friends. It’s a full-on squad adventure!