Use our online registration system to register for Anime Central! Both full weekend and single day memberships are available for attendees.
Attendee Membership, Pass and Ticket Details
In order to attend Anime Central, you will need to purchase a MAPS membership through the registration portal. MAPS memberships are your pass to Anime Central and will allow you to access events, programming, Artist Alley and the Exhibitor Hall. MAPS memberships can either be purchased before the convention or at the convention.
When you purchase a membership (full weekend access) or a membership pass (single day access), you are purchasing a non-refundable, non-transferable membership for the Midwest Animation Promotion Society (MAPS) that allows you to attend Anime Central. Membership is required for all ages. A photo ID is REQUIRED for onsite membership/pass purchases and badge pickup for attendees aged 16 and older. All membership badges must be picked up by the individual listed on the membership badge.
Register as an attendee for ACen
Attendee registration for Anime Central 2027 opens later this year
Looking for other registration types?
See our pages for: Retailers, Artists, Live Events, and Press.
Attendee Registration Types and Pricing
Pricing for the various types of memberships to attend Anime Central will be released when registration for our next event opens up later this year.
Single Day Access
Limited Quantities
Single day access passes are not eligible for mailing. At the convention, Friday and Saturday passes can be purchased or picked up the day of their use or after 4pm the day before their use. Sunday passes can only be purchased or picked up on Sunday. Passes are valid on the day of stated use until the following day at 8am (e.g. a Friday pass can be purchased after 4pm on Thursday and stays valid until 8am on Saturday).
Membership Badge Mailing
Attendee memberships that are fully paid by April 1st are eligible for badge mailing at an additional $5 per membership badge. Mailing is only available for purchase until April 1st. All other membership purchases will be available for pickup with photo ID during the convention at a Will Call station in the registration hall. Membership badges will be mailed in late April, and we will make an announcement when badges have been mailed.
Accepted Payment Types
- Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard or Discover cards. Security code is required
- Apple or Google Pay Digital Cards: Visa, MasterCard or Discover cards. Security code is required.
- Debit Cards: with the Visa, MasterCard or Discover logos on them are accepted.
Not Accepted Payment Types
- American Express cards and tap to pay are not accepted.
- Cash is not accepted for pre-registration or at the convention for attendee registration.
Lost Badges
You can get one replacement from the Service Desk booth (Help Desk) for a $40 fee. Any additional replacements will be at full membership price.
Available Discounts on Memberships
Register as a Group
A group discount applies to online purchases of full weekend adult memberships only. There is no group discount offered at the convention, and it does not apply on top of any other discounts. Complimentary memberships cannot be part of a group.
20 of more People
$5 Discount per Person
If you are purchasing memberships as a group, make sure that ALL your group members are added before checking out. Additional group members cannot be added after the group has checked out. Any additional memberships needed will need to be purchased separately from the main group at the normal rate.
Group mailing is $5 per membership. The first person entered in the group is considered the group leader and all membership badges with mailing purchased will be sent to the group leader. Any group memberships that DO NOT have mailing purchased or are not eligible for mailing, must be pickup onsite by the individual member and cannot be picked up by anyone else.
Register at a Convention Road Show
Road Show is our term for an ACen registration team appearance at another convention, where memberships can be purchased at a special rate. We run games and contests, answer questions, and have a great time doing our very best to get the word out about our show. Whenever we appear—that’s the best rate you’ll find anywhere, lower than the earliest early-bird price. To qualify for the special rate, you must be in attendance at the convention we are road showing at and must have a badge to that event. A photo ID is REQUIRED for onsite membership purchases for attendees aged 16 and older. Registration must be finalized during the event with our Road Show team members.
Badge mailing can also be purchased at the road show for an additional $5.
Roadshow: Full Weekend Membership
Discount of $20 off Current Tier Pricing
Register as a Professional
Anime Central is pleased to offer professional discounts on full memberships for those who fall under one or more of the following categories: Librarian, Teacher or School Club Sponsor, Convention Runner, Anime/Manga Industry Professional. Credentials must be provided during the registration process. Badge mailing can also be purchases for an additional $5.
Professional/Industry Membership
$50
Registration for Public Service Members
Full service memberships are for our attendees who are actively serving or have veteran status with the military or emergency services (law enforcement, fire, EMT, etc.). The service member discount is only applicable for the serving or veteran member, this is NOT applicable for spouses or family members.
Service members can purchase memberships either through the online service member registration portal or onsite. The attendee must present an ID or credentials showing an actively serving or veteran status with the military or emergency services. Badge mailing can also be purchased for an additional $5.
Public Service Members
$50
Children's Day Registration
On Sunday, May 18th ONLY, all children 12 & under accompanied by a paying or qualifying registered adult are FREE!!! Maximum of 2 children per paying or registered adult. All children must be registered.