There are important changes to the Gulf Wars 2026 Early-On Policy. These changes apply to EVERYONE wishing to enter site prior to Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 1 p.m., including but not limited to all event staff, land agents, merchants, and merchant staff. These changes will allow us to troll in attendees early with the required paperwork, instead of having to follow up with everyone.
You will no longer be given the option to select an early arrival date during registration. Instead, there will be a link provided in your registration confirmation email where you can APPLY for early-on access. All early-on access will require Department Head and Autocrat approval as well as a fully paid registration in order to be added to the approved list. An application does not guarantee approval. Make sure you get an approval email.
Note, anyone without an approval email will be turned away at the gate and will not be allowed to enter site until 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. No exceptions.
In order to be able to provide for additional servicing on the sanitation equipment necessitated by the high number of early-on attendees we have traditionally had, additional charges are being implemented this year as follows:
- Staff members are allowed one Adult rider in the same vehicle for free.
- This applies to land agents as well.
- Merchants will be allowed three Adult staff for free per 600 sq ft of merchant space that has been reserved, up to a maximum of 12, including the merchant.
Any additional early-on Adult riders or staff will be charged $15 per person that must be pre-paid prior to arriving on-site.
- No money or credit cards will be accepted at the door for early-on, and no on-site registrations will be available at the door until Saturday at 1 p.m.
- There is no additional charge for minors, but they must be on the approved list. Minor waiver policy is in effect for for early-on, so all paperwork must be presented upon arrival.
