DEF CON 2026 — Complete Attendee Guide
DEF CON is the world's largest hacker convention — a chaotic, brilliant, and uniquely Vegas experience. Tens of thousands of hackers, security researchers, and curious minds converge for talks, villages, CTF competitions, and parties. DEF CON 2026 moves to the Las Vegas Convention Center, giving the con more space than ever. Here is what you need to know.
Quick Info
In This Guide
Registration
DEF CONBadge Pickup — Location & Hours
DEF CON badges are sold at the door — cash only. There is no online pre-registration for DEF CON general admission. Arrive early on Thursday morning to avoid the longest lines. Badge pickup and sales open around 8:00 AM. Bring cash (exact amount varies year to year, typically around $400–440). Electronic badges are a collector's item and part of the DEF CON experience.
Schedule
DEF CON Show Floor Hours
Villages and CTF competitions often run later than official hours. Unofficial parties and meetups run well past midnight. Sunday is the closing day with shorter hours.
Transportation
How to Get to DEF CON
Parking
The LVCC has large surface lots and a parking garage surrounding the complex. Expect to pay $15–25 per day during major shows. Lots fill up fast — arrive before 9 AM or consider rideshare instead.
Public Transit / Monorail
The Las Vegas Monorail has a dedicated Convention Center station with direct service to Strip hotels from MGM Grand to the Sahara. A single ride is $5 and a full-day pass is $13. During peak convention hours the monorail is often faster than driving.
Rideshare (Uber / Lyft)
Uber and Lyft have a designated pickup and dropoff area on Convention Center Drive. Surge pricing is common during morning arrivals and evening departures — stagger your schedule to avoid the rush.
Walking from the Strip
The north end of the Las Vegas Strip is about a 15-minute walk from the LVCC. The monorail makes it easy to reach central and south Strip hotels in under 10 minutes.
Food & Drink
Where to Eat During DEF CON
- In-N-Out Burger — directly across Paradise Rd, walkable in 3 minutes
- Peppermill Restaurant — classic 24-hour Vegas diner, 10-minute walk south on the Strip
- Resorts World — 10-minute walk north with dozens of restaurants including Carversteak and Genting Palace
- Wynn / Encore — 15-minute walk or one monorail stop with world-class dining
- Westgate Las Vegas — connected via skybridge from the LVCC North Hall
- Convention center food courts — available inside the West Hall and Central Hall during major shows
Insider Tips
DEF CON Tips for First-Timers
- Bring cash. DEF CON badges are cash-only at the door, and some villages and vendor areas are also cash-preferred.
- The DEF CON badge is electronic and interactive — solving the badge puzzle is part of the fun. Check the badge hacking village.
- Leave your work laptop at home. Bring a burner laptop or a clean device. The network at DEF CON is famously hostile (Wall of Sheep).
- Disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC on your phone when not actively using them. Seriously.
- The villages are the best part of DEF CON. Lockpicking, car hacking, social engineering, hardware hacking — spend time exploring them.
- Hydrate aggressively. August Vegas + convention center + walking = dehydration. Bring a water bottle.
- Talk to people. DEF CON has a uniquely open and friendly culture. Everyone from first-timers to legendary researchers is approachable.
- Check the DEF CON forums and r/defcon for the unofficial party list. Some of the best events are invite-only or word-of-mouth.
- The LVCC is a large campus — download the DEF CON app and review the map before you arrive. Villages, talks, and CTF zones are spread across different halls and rooms.
- If you want to attend the closing ceremonies and Capture the Flag awards on Sunday, arrive early. Sunday hours are shorter (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) and the CTF finals draw a crowd.
- Plan your talk schedule in advance, but be flexible. DEF CON talks fill rooms fast and some sessions are standing-room only. If you miss a session, official recordings are typically released weeks after the conference.
After the Show
DEF CONAfter Dark — Nightlife & After Parties
DEF CON parties are legendary — vendor-sponsored events, hacker meetups, and impromptu gatherings happen across Vegas all weekend. The official DEF CON party is not to be missed. Beyond the hacker scene, the Vegas Strip is right there, and after a full day of talks and villages, a proper nightclub or pool party hits differently. The LVCC's location at the north end of the Strip makes Zouk at Resorts World (adjacent to the LVCC) and XS at Wynn (one monorail stop south) the most convenient nightclub options. August is peak pool party season — Encore Beach Club at Wynn is a perfect afternoon escape between sessions.
Zouk Nightclub
Nightclub
At Resorts World, a short walk from the LVCC. The newest mega-club in Vegas with a sound system that hackers appreciate.
XS Nightclub
Nightclub
At Wynn Las Vegas. The outdoor pool area in August is unbeatable. Cool down after a day of CTF.
Encore Beach Club
Dayclub
August is peak pool party season. EBC at Wynn is an easy monorail stop from the LVCC and offers world-class DJs in a poolside setting.
Tao Beach
Dayclub
The Venetian’s rooftop dayclub is walking distance from the LVCC. A perfect afternoon escape during DEF CON weekend.
Marquee Nightclub
Nightclub
At The Cosmopolitan. Multi-level club with the Library room for those who want a more chill vibe.
Drai's Nightclub
Nightclub
The multi-room concept and live performances make Drai's a unique alternative to the EDM mega-clubs.
DEF CON — FAQ
Where is DEF CON 2026?
DEF CON 2026 is at the Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89109.
What are the DEF CON 2026 dates?
DEF CON 2026 runs from Thursday, August 6 through Sunday, August 9, 2026.
How much does DEF CON cost?
DEF CON badges are sold at the door, cash only. The price is typically around $400–440. There is no online pre-registration for general admission.
Do I need to register for DEF CON in advance?
No. DEF CON general admission badges are sold at the door on a first-come basis. Arrive early Thursday to minimize wait times.
Is DEF CON safe for my devices?
Bring a burner device or clean laptop. Disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use. The DEF CON network is intentionally hostile for educational purposes (Wall of Sheep). Use your mobile data or a personal hotspot.
What should I wear to DEF CON?
Whatever you want. DEF CON has no dress code. Comfortable clothes and shoes are the only requirements. Many attendees wear hacker-themed t-shirts.
What are the DEF CON villages?
Villages are community-organized areas at DEF CON focused on specific security topics. Examples include the Lockpick Village, Car Hacking Village, Hardware Hacking Village, Social Engineering Village, RF Village, and dozens more. Each village runs its own talks, workshops, and contests. The villages are often where the most hands-on and technically deep content happens — plan to spend significant time in the ones relevant to your interests.
What is the DEF CON CTF competition?
DEF CON CTF (Capture the Flag) is one of the most prestigious cybersecurity competition events in the world. Teams compete over multiple days in a jeopardy-style or attack-defense format, solving increasingly difficult challenges. The finals run at DEF CON itself. Winning DEF CON CTF is considered a top achievement in competitive security. Even casual attendees can watch the competition and leaderboard updates live.
How much does DEF CON 2026 cost?
DEF CON badges are sold at the door, cash only. The price is typically around $400–440 for the current year badge. There is no early-bird pricing or online pre-registration for general admission. Exact pricing is announced on the DEF CON website closer to the event. Some specialized workshops and villages may have separate fees.
What hotels are near DEF CON 2026 at the LVCC?
DEF CON 2026 is at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The most convenient hotels are Resorts World (adjacent), Westgate Las Vegas (connected via skybridge), and the Sahara Las Vegas (short walk north). Mid-Strip hotels like Wynn, Encore, and The Venetian are about a 15-minute walk or one monorail stop. If you want to also attend Black Hat at Mandalay Bay, consider a central Strip hotel that puts both venues within easy reach.
What restaurants are near the LVCC for DEF CON?
In-N-Out Burger is directly across the street from the LVCC on Paradise Rd — a DEF CON institution. Resorts World (adjacent) has dozens of dining options including Carversteak, Genting Palace, and many casual options. Wynn and Encore Las Vegas (15-minute walk or one monorail stop) offer upscale dining. Westgate Las Vegas (connected via skybridge) has the International Food Hall with multiple casual options. The LVCC has internal food court options during show hours.
What is the official DEF CON party?
The official DEF CON party is typically held on Saturday evening and is included with your badge. It features music, performances, and the famous DEF CON atmosphere. The location and format change year to year — check the DEF CON website and app in the weeks before the event for the official party announcement. Vendor-sponsored parties throughout the week are separate events, often announced through vendor booths and social media.
Can beginners attend DEF CON?
Absolutely. DEF CON welcomes everyone from curious students to world-class researchers. The culture is intentionally inclusive. Villages often run beginner-friendly workshops, and many talks are accessible to those new to security. The best approach for first-timers is to read the DEF CON FAQ on the official website, join the DEF CON Discord before the event, and arrive with an open and curious mindset.
How is DEF CON different from Black Hat USA?
Black Hat is a commercial conference with a professional focus — it includes paid trainings, sponsor-heavy Business Hall, and polished briefings. DEF CON is community-run, anarchic in the best sense, and strongly anti-commercial in ethos. Black Hat attendees tend to be industry professionals and corporate buyers; DEF CON draws researchers, students, government officials, and hackers of all backgrounds. The two events overlap geographically during Hacker Summer Camp, but the culture is distinctly different.
Is there parking at the LVCC for DEF CON?
The Las Vegas Convention Center has surface parking lots and a parking garage. Parking costs $10–20 per day during DEF CON. Lots fill early on opening day — arrive before 9:00 AM if you want to park on-site. The Las Vegas Monorail has a Convention Center station, and Resorts World is adjacent and walkable. Rideshare is widely available and often the most stress-free option.
Are there nightclub guest lists during DEF CON weekend?
Yes. NoCoverVegas offers free guest list entry to nightclubs near the LVCC during DEF CON, including Zouk at Resorts World (steps from the convention center), XS and Encore Beach Club at Wynn (one monorail stop), and Tao Beach at The Venetian. Sign up on our free guest list — no cover charge for the nightclub or pool party of your choice. The security community takes nightlife seriously during Hacker Summer Camp.
Related Pages
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DEF CON
Convention overview, dates, and details
DEF CON Nightlife
Best nightclubs and after-parties for attendees
Wynn & Encore
Nightlife and hotel guide for DEF CON attendees
The Cosmopolitan
Nightlife and hotel guide for DEF CON attendees
Caesars Palace
Nightlife and hotel guide for DEF CON attendees
All Hotels
Browse every Las Vegas hotel with nightlife access
Pool Parties & Dayclubs
Free guest list to every Vegas pool party and dayclub
After the Show
Top Las Vegas Nightclubs for DEF CON Attendees
XS Nightclub
Wynn Las Vegas
OMNIA Nightclub
Caesars Palace
Hakkasan
MGM Grand
Marquee Nightclub
The Cosmopolitan
TAO Nightclub
The Venetian
Zouk Nightclub
Resorts World
Drai's Nightclub
The Cromwell
LIV Nightclub
Fontainebleau
Gentlemen's Clubs
Las Vegas Strip Clubs During DEF CON
All options below offer free guest list entry and complimentary transportation from your hotel — no cover, no minimums.
Sapphire Las Vegas
Crazy Horse III
Treasures
Hustler Club
Spearmint Rhino
Peppermint Hippo
Kings of Hustler
Palomino Club
Little Darlings
Deja Vu Showgirls
Dayclubs & Pool Parties
Pool Parties During DEF CON
Convention sessions typically wrap by 5 PM — the perfect window for a pool party. Dayclubs operate March through October with free guest list entry.
See all pool parties →Las Vegas Nightlife — All Resources
Nightclubs
Pool Parties
Free Guest List for DEF CON Attendees
Get On The List
Free nightclub entry + free guest list entry at your hotel during DEF CON