Registration is OPEN!!

Gaming Hoopla 2021 UPDATE

Based on the current information from Illinois, the state has finally reached  “Phase Five”, which means no COVID-related restrictions, so The Gaming Hoopla is a GO!!
The Gaming Hoopla
October 1-3, 2021
Registration open

Below is a quick summary of those details that are different for 2021, but the major change will be that all attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination. Proof of vaccination means:
  • Showing a photo, scan, or your original vaccine card. The name of the vaccine card must match the name on the badge
  • Fully vaccinated = 14 days after either your second shot or your single Johnson & Johnson shot
If you are not able/willing to show proof of vaccination, or not enough time has lapsed to ensure full protection, then you will be denied entry to the Hoopla. We recognize that this decision may alienate some potential attendees, but we simply are not willing to compromise on the highest standard of public safety. As a charity for cancer research and treatment, some of our Hoopla attendees may be at a higher risk due to particular types of cancer or cancer treatment, so we will continue to hold ourselves to the highest level of safety on their behalf. 

What will be the same:
  • The Best Raffle EVER - will be as awesome as ever, with a mix of new items and those that were intended for 2020
  • Silent Auction - will be moved to a new area with significantly more space!
  • Events - As before, we will use TableTop.events and attendees can both create and register for specific game events
  • Library - The Gaming Hoopla will provide our entire library of board games available to borrow for free to all attendees (as usual)

What will be different:
  • Play n’ Win - the Play N’ Win section will not be present for 2021
  • Tournaments - Likewise, we will skip most of our regular tournaments for 2021
  • VIG Reception - We will be pausing the VIG reception for 2021, but we will make sure that VIG get some extra special goodies for their generous, additional support of The Hoopla
  • Weekend Badges only  - In deference to possible capacity restrictions, we will be selling ONLY full, weekend-long badges to help regulate the upper cap of attendees allowed at any given time. Single day tickets should return in 2022. 
  • On-site Badge Sales - All attendees will need to register for a badge BEFORE The Hoopla, and on-site badge sales will not be allowed.
  • Proof of Vaccination - Be prepared to show proof of vaccination when you check in to receive your badge for The Hoopla. 

What is still unknown:
  • Masks - it is unknown if there will be any mask requirements in early October, but The Hoopla will adhere to the requirements for both the state of Illinois and any rules enforced by Doubletree. As it stands at the moment with Illinois in Phase 5, masks will NOT be required for attendees. For those attendees who would prefer to wear masks while gaming (or who need to do so for medical reasons), the Hoopla will provide a gaming space that is specifically mask-only to both enter, observe, and/or play. Complimentary masks will also be available for free for those who need or desire one.
  • Exhibitors - We likely will have at least one exhibitor selling product at the 2021 Hoopla, but those details are still TBD

As mentioned above, registration for badges will open on July 1st, 2021 and continue through Sept 29th. On-site badge sales will NOT be allowed, so you must register before The Hoopla begins. 


Gaming Hoopla 2021

Important Dates

Badge Registration Opens - July 9th, 2021
Event Submission Opens - July 9th, 2021
Event Sign-Up Opens - TBD
Event Submission Ends - TBD
Online Registration Ends - Sept 29th, 2021
Event Sign-up Ends - TBD
Event Starts! - Oct 1, 2021

Hours

Friday 10/1, 10:00am - 2:00am
Saturday 10/2, 8:00am - 2:00am
Sunday 10/3, 8:00am - 6:00pm
Doors open 30 minutes before event

On-site badge sales will NOT be available for 2021. Please make sure you register by Sept 29th, 2021!

Badges

Weekend - $50
VIG - $95

The Gaming Hoopla is dedicated to making sure that all people feel welcome and safe at all Hoopla events.
​To learn more about our rules and harassment policies, click here.

2019 Gaming Hoopla Recap

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Gaming Hoopla 2019 is over and we hope you guys had as much fun as we did! Once again, this year we broke some Hoopla records:
  • We had a whopping 477 scheduled events, as well as lots of open gaming from the Hoopla Games Library and the Play And Win table!
  • We had a record total of 575 unique attendees!
  • Our Silent Auction raised a record $4,400!
  • Best of all, we donated $26,422 to Aurora Cancer Care!!
We want to give a special thanks to all of our attendees who came out to support us, especially those of you that ran events and participated in our Silent Auction. We couldn't do this without you, and we wouldn't want to!
We also want to thank the generous sponsors and amazing exhibitors. You are what makes the event so profitable for Aurora Cancer Care and makes our record setting donations possible!
Last, but not least, we want to thank our special guests, Erin Hareng of Aurora Cancer Care and friend of the Hoopla Lee Maile, for coming and speaking during our closing ceremonies. Hearing from you guys personally is what makes everything we all do for Gaming Hoopla worth it!  We're energized and looking forward to a great Hoopla in 2020!

All of our proceeds go to
Aurora Cancer Care.
Aurora Cancer Care raises funds for leading-edge cancer research and compassionate care at Aurora Heath Care facilities throughout eastern Wisconsin. Their work helps patients, supports families, and builds cancer awareness across our community.
To learn more, click here.


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Click here to help the Hoopla and Aurora Cancer Care with a tax deductible donation.

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