Frequently Asked Questions
When is UK PonyCon?
UK PonyCon takes place on Friday 30th October, Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November 2026. The opening times are 6.30pm - midnight on Friday, 10am - midnight on Saturday and 10am - 6pm on Sunday.
Where is UK PonyCon?
UK PonyCon takes place at The Venue@DMU and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre, in Leicester, England. Check out Getting Here for more details.
Where can I buy tickets for UK PonyCon?
Find all the information you need on the tickets page of this website. Tickets for 2026’s event are only available online in advance through our website. Tickets were released at 6pm on Saturday 18th April 2026. Tickets are subject to capacity limits.
Do you expect tickets to sell out?
It is likely that tickets for UK PonyCon 2026 will sell out, particularly for sponsor, Saturday and full-weekend tickets. While we have increased capacity this year compared to 2025, we believe demand to attend UK PonyCon is high. In 2025, tickets were released on Saturday 12th July 2025 and Gold Sponsor tickets sold out in 2 minutes, Silver Sponsor tickets sold out in 1 hour and Bronze Sponsor, Saturday and Weekend tickets sold out on 22nd July 2025.
Is UK PonyCon suitable for children?
Yes! UK PonyCon is an event which is primarily aimed at collectors and adult fans of the franchise, but UK PonyCon welcomes fans and collectors of all ages, with a variety of events to suit the different ages and types of attendees. All people aged 17 and under must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or over at all times. While children are welcome to stay for the evening and late night entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, we expect most families will prefer not to stay, with no events targeted towards children.
Can I cosplay?
Yes! Cosplay is permitted and highly encouraged – we love seeing the amazing costumes bringing our favourite characters to life. Please read the rules for information on permitted costumes, weapons and props.
How do I get a stall at UK PonyCon?
Please read about selling at UK PonyCon on our stalls page.
Will I receive my tickets in the post?
No, we do not send printed tickets. Instead, we will email them to you, separately to the order confirmation email. Please ensure that you have the separate tickets email on a mobile device or print out your tickets to show us when you arrive.
Where is my ticket email?
Tickets are sent by email, separate to the order confirmation. Most ticket emails arrive within 15 minutes, but please allow up to 48 hours after purchasing your tickets. Please check your spam or junk folder. If 48 hours have passed since buying your tickets and you still have not received them, please email us at store@ukponycon.co.uk with your order number and we’ll investigate and re-send the tickets.
What do I need to bring to collect my tickets?
When you arrive at UK PonyCon please have one of the following documents ready to show us (either printed or on a mobile phone screen):
The ticket email with the QR code; one per person
A replacement order confirmation email or letter issued by UK PonyCon, showing the order number and your email address
If your ticket has been purchased for you by someone else and they will not be collecting the tickets, they should have entered your name during checkout. If not, please ask them to email us as soon as possible and no later than 14 days prior to the convention.
We may ask for ID to confirm you are the ticket holder. We will accept the following as proof of ID: a passport, driving licence, other photo ID showing the PASS logo or a credit or debit card. If you arrive without valid ID or the name on the order does not match the name of the person collecting the tickets, we may not be able to admit you to the event.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this policy.
Can I sell my ticket? Can I buy a ticket from someone else?
We recommend against buying tickets from any source other than our website, for your own protection. Tickets may only be transferred in accordance with the terms and conditions.
Criminals regularly pose as genuine event attendees who can no longer attend an event and offer to sell their ticket to you. They often have convincing emotional stories to gain your trust and sympathies. Suspected ticket fraudsters have previously targeted attendees of UK PonyCon. If you pay them, there is no guarantee that you will gain entry to the event. They may not send you any ticket, they may send you a fake ticket, or they may send you a genuine ticket that has been cancelled or sent to other victims. UK PonyCon cannot assist you if you are the victim of ticket fraud. Please report all fraud to Report Fraud.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns about this policy.
Can I have a refund for my ticket?
Once purchased, tickets are non-refundable, except for the circumstances described in the terms and conditions.
Can I come and go from UK PonyCon as I please?
Yes! When you arrive at UK PonyCon we will issue you with a lanyard and badge to wear, which you can use to re-enter the event. For Friday-only tickets, a wristband is issued instead. Please make sure this is visible at all times within the convention.
Is there somewhere to leave coats or bags at the venue?
We will have coat rails where outdoor coats can be left unattended at your own risk. Currently we have no plans to operate any other cloakroom facilities. Secure left luggage facilities are available in Leicester for a small cost by third-party companies, such as Stasher. Also consider asking your hotel if they can store your bags before or after checkout.
What are you doing to ensure the safety and security of attendees?
All attendees should be prepared to have their bags searched on entry and re-entry to the event. Attendees refusing a bag search will have their tickets revoked, will not be permitted to enter the event and will not receive a refund.
We will follow government COVID-19 risk mitigation measures. This may include mask wearing, social distancing, capacity limits, event/talk pre-registration and/or testing. It is too early to specify exactly what measures we will be taking. Further information regarding the measures we are taking will be released nearer the time of the event.
First aiders and security staff will be on-site to help attendees.
Do I need to accompany my child?
Children aged 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over at all times.
Can I bring my pet?
Only guide and assistance animals will be allowed into UK PonyCon, please see our accessibility statement. No other animals or pets will be allowed into the convention. Emotional support animals (registered or otherwise) are not permitted.
Can I trade with other people at the convention?
Pre-arranged trades and impromptu swaps are permitted, however advertising or displaying stock for sale or trade is not permitted unless you are a stallholder.
Will I be able to buy refreshments at the convention?
Food and drink will be available to purchase from outlets at the event. See the food and drink page for more information about the available catering options.
Only alcohol purchased on-site may be consumed on-site.
Can I consume my own food and drink at the event?
In general, no. Exceptions to this rule can be made on medical grounds, such as sugary foods to manage diabetes. Alcohol must not be brought on site for any reason. Consider taking a picnic in Castle Gardens, just a few minutes walk away.
Do personal assistants/carers go free?
Please read our accessibility statement for information about tickets for carers and personal assistants.
Can I volunteer at the convention?
We are always on the look out for more volunteers! Please see our volunteering page for information on how to volunteer.
Is there a cash point or ATM at the convention? Do you accept card payments?
There is no ATM within the convention building.
The closest free-to-use ATMs are located at the Tesco Leicester Superstore (LE3 5NJ, 4 minute walk) and Tesco Bede Island Express (LE2 7HN, 5 minute walk).
For locations of more ATMs, see https://www.link.co.uk/cash-locator.
Some stalls will accept card payments, but some will not. Please be prepared to pay using cash. The UK PonyCon merchandise stall accepts payments by pound sterling cash and Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Can I smoke or vape at UK PonyCon?
Smoking and vaping is strictly prohibited within all buildings and enclosed temporary structures at UK PonyCon. Smoking and vaping is also prohibited in the immediate vicinity of the building. Please be considerate when choosing where to smoke or vape, and be prepared to move to another location if asked to do so by a member of staff.
Still have a question that hasn’t been answered? Get in touch!