The 2023 Halo World Championship event is almost here to bring Year 2 of HCS to a climactic conclusion with a $1,000,000 prize pool – save the date on your calendars for October 13-15.
With the return of the Community Stage, the cosplay contest, partnered team booth activations, and some special guest appearances, let’s get you a debrief on everything happening that’s going to make this the biggest year of HCS yet!
We’ll be updating this blog with new information over the coming weeks as new announcements are made regarding special guests, panels, and other elements of the event.
What is the Halo World Championship?
The Halo World Championship is not just the culmination of a year of HCS, but a celebration of the Halo community where there is something for every type of Halo fan to enjoy. From campaign to competitive, and everything in-between, the Halo World Championship is an event for everyone that provides epic entertainment against the backdrop of thrilling competition.
In the hallowed halls of the Seattle Convention Center, you’ll be able to meet with Halo developers, see jaw-dropping cosplays of characters and creatures from the Halo universe, and get hands-on with previews of the upcoming content in Season 5 of Halo Infinite. The Community Stage panels promise another round of conversation and chaos with a slew of special guests.
The event itself plays host to the final showdown between the best professional competitive Halo teams from across the world – a climactic clash of titans with a prize pool of $1,000,000 on the line.
But the competition doesn’t end there, as we’ve got some additional prize-winning opportunities at the event.
- 4v4 Prize Pool: $1,000,000
- FFA Prize Pool: $25,000
- Cosplay Contest: $5,000
- MCC/H5/Infinite Side Tournaments: $5,000
Like we had at Ft. Worth, the Halo World Championship will also have some “side tournaments” in Halo: MCC, Halo 5, and Halo Infinite that attendees can sign up for on-site for free. Further details on this will be announced soon.
For full details on the tournament breakdown, check out our 2023 Halo World Championship announcement blog from earlier this year.
Get Your Tickets!
- Venue: Seattle Convention Center
- Address: The Arch, Halls DEF, 705 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
The 3-day VIP package ($250) has officially SOLD OUT, but you can still secure your 3-day General Admission ticket ($75) to make sure you don’t miss the biggest Halo event of the year! Full details on tickets can be found in the link above.
Single-day tickets will be sold at the door to make sure you can join in the fun as well!
Partnered Team Discount Codes
Support your favorite teams and use any of the codes below at checkout to receive a 10% discount on your tickets – you save 10%, the teams receive 10%.
- CLOUD9
- COMPLEXITY
- FAZE
- NAVI
- OPTIC
- SENTINELS
- SPACESTATION
- QUADRANT
Additional discount codes at checkout include:
- MILITARY DISCOUNT: MLT for 10% off
- SENIOR DISCOUNT: SNR for 10% off
Event Schedule
Special Guests
We’ve got a bunch of special guests joining us for the Halo World Championship this year, from actors to authors and beyond.
Steve Downes & Jen Taylor
Last year, the Halo World Championship played host to Steve Downes (the voice of Master Chief) and Jen Taylor (Cortana, Dr. Halsey, The Weapon), and we’re thrilled to announce that this dynamic duo will be back again this year to meet with fans and take part in Community Stage panels. Jen and Steve will be on-site Friday and Saturday.
Keith David
With over three hundred roles across film, stage, television, and other media, you perhaps know him best as the Arbiter. Keith David is coming to the Halo World Championship this year, marking the first time ever that the Master Chief, Cortana, and the Arbiter will be in the same room—it’s going to be an unforgettable and historic time on the Community Stage this year! Keith will be on-site Friday and Saturday.
Troy Denning
Author of seven Halo novels, including the story of the Master Chief and Blue Team, Veta Lopis and her ONI Ferret team, and most recently the return of the Arbiter and Spartan Vale in Halo: Outcasts, Troy Denning will be joining us to talk about all things Halo fiction.
Marcus Lehto
A game development veteran and the “father” of the Master Chief during his time working on Halo at Bungie from 2001-2010, Marcus Lehto will be at the 2023 Halo World Championship to meet with fans and join us on the Community Stage for a discussion about the earliest days of Halo.
Community Stage
Similar to last year, attendees can expect a variety of fun, engaging panels and activities – from Community Playdates and deep dives into Season 5 of Halo Infinite, to memorable moments with special guests.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Community Playdate: Halo Infinite Season 5
Members of the HaloWC audience join 343 Industries’ Unyshek and Ron to go hands-on with new Halo Infinite Season 5 content and earn the coveted Unicorn of Ice rewards.
Forge Fundamentals: Season 5 & AI Toolkit
Join members of the Forge Team for an early look at Season 5 as they build unique PvE experiences and showcase Halo Infinite’s upcoming Forge AI Toolkit live on the Community Stage.
MCC: Digiste
Discover the depths of the Digsite team’s efforts to restore cutting room floor content from Halo’s ancient past with special guest Marcus Lehto.
Great Journeys: A Fireside Chat With Halo Voice Legends
Join Steve Downes, Jen Taylor, and Keith David for a fireside chat about their storied careers, funny moments, and fond Halo memories.
Halo: Madlibs Evolved!
HaloWC audience members help fill in the blanks of iconic Halo quotes, which are then read in-character by Steve Downes, Jen Taylor, and Keith David.
Building an Audience: Community Creators
Iconic community members UberNick, Alyek, OathxX, and HiddenXperia share their journey and provide insights for creating successful video content about Halo.
Canon Fodder Live
Halo lore returns to HaloWC in a new edition of Canon Fodder LIVE, featuring fun fiction discussion and a chat with special guest Troy Denning.
Spartan Chatter: Season 5 Reveal
Join members of the 343 Industries team to learn more about what’s coming with Halo Infinite Season 5: Reckoning when it launches on October 17.
Scene Readings with Steve, Jen, and Keith
HaloWC audience members have the opportunity to join Steve Downes, Jen Taylor, and Keith David as fan-favorite scenes are performed from across the series.
Forge Ahead: Community Creations
Legendary Forgers reveal the secrets of their best Halo creations while sharing insights on how to build maps and modes that will leave a lasting impression on the community.
Legendary Pictionary
The Halo World Championship isn’t the only clash-of-titans competition closing out Year 2 of HCS. Legendary voice actors, authors, 343 developers, and audience members will meet for the ultimate battle of Halo-themed Pictionary!
Halo Book Club (Featuring Troy Denning)
Troy Denning has written over half-a-dozen Halo novels, covering the adventures of Blue Team, Veta Lopis and the Ferrets, and most recently the return of the Arbiter and Spartan Vale in Halo: Outcasts. Join us for a fireside chat with the acclaimed author, featuring community guests!
Halo Voice Actor Downhill
Halo’s legendary voice actors answer YOUR questions live!
Cosplay Contest
The Cosplay Contest returns to the Halo World Championship, with a $5,000 reward up for grabs!
The Halo community boasts some of the most incredible cosplayers in the galaxy, bringing the Halo universe life with jaw-dropping dedication and detail. (Last year, WexyLex’s Halo: Reach Skirmisher was the star of the show, even performing Cortana’s emotional farewell scene alongside Jen Taylor!)
This year, contestants will compete in two initial heats of 12 participants (for a total of 24 participants) on Friday and Saturday and will be judged on four categories: Execution, Creativity, Complexity, and Accuracy. The three contestants with the top scores in each heat will move on to the final, held on Sunday, on the HCS Main Stage.
The Cosplay Contest has its own unique ticket – the Cosplay Contest Pass, which you can get here.
The Cosplay Contest Pass ($75) includes general access to the event for all three days and enables your participation in the Cosplay Contest. Cosplayers should pick which of the initial Heat 01 days work best for them, and each day is capped at 12 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Note that should you be invited to the Cosplay Contest Finals, you MUST be available to participate on Sunday, October 15 (time is TBD).
If you already purchased a General Admission or VIP Pass, you will be refunded the value of the General Admission Pass within the next 24-48 hours after purchasing a Cosplay Pass.
In order to facilitate communication, contestants will be asked to join the official Halo Discord server.
Registration: If you're interested in participating, please make a submission to HaloWC 2023 Cosplay Contest Form
- Once capacity for each day is reached, you make make your interest to particpate known by being added to the waitlist (same form)
- You'll be contacted if a spot is available
- No purchase necessary
Schedule (2-day event)
- Friday - Day 1 Qualifiers (up to 12 participants)
- Saturday - Day 2 Qualifiers (12 participants)
- Top 3 scores as determined by the judges from both qualifiers will be invited to the finals taking place Saturday evening
Rules
HaloWC 2023 Cosplay Contest Rules
Partner Booths
Halo Gear Shop
Stop by the Halo Gear booth with your fireteam and bring a piece of the 2023 Halo World Championship back home with you! The shop will have event exclusives, new Halo gear and more all weekend.
And if you’re not able to make it, keep an eye out on the Official Gear Shop as a limited selection will also be made available, and be sure to follow @HaloGear for all the latest.
Gamers Outreach
Gamers have the power to help, and the Haloo community has always stepped up to support their fellow spartan. Learn more about this incredible foundation at their booth and learn what you can do to make a positive impact.
Marines
Channel your inner warrior at the booth hosted by the Marines. Back for their second year, there will be activities and challenges for you to test your mettle and see if you have what it takes to lead the pack.
Team Booths
Looking to get a little competitive? Several of the partnered teams will have booths onsite with activations and merch to get you excited, kitted out, and ready to cheer them on to victory.
Photo Booth
The Halo World Championship is all about making memories with friends and fans, so grab your fireteam and take a snap to as part of this Halo celebration.
On-Site Action
It isn’t a Halo event unless you can jump in and play with friends! Be sure to grab a seat and get hands-on with the playable experiences on-site all weekend.
We’re looking to bring Season 5 of Halo Infinite to the event ahead of its launch on October 17, and here are some of the great opportunities that await fans looking to get ahead.
Friday: The SENCity 2v2 Throwdown
- Season 5 with Bandit EVO Starts
- 5K Prize Pool
- Pre-Register: Halo Championship Series 2023
Saturday: 4v4 Free-Play all day!
- CTF on Forbidden
- Slayer on Forbidden
- Extraction on Prism
Where to Watch & Twitch Drops
If you’re looking to experience the Halo World Championship and its myriad offerings from the comfort of your home, then be sure to tune in to Twitch and YouTube.
Follow and subscribe to each account to ensure you’re not missing any of the action – whether that action is the final series of showdowns leading to the grand finale that will crown the championship team of 2023, or the offerings of the Community Stage.
For Competitive & Main Stage Action
Check out the official HCS channels on both YouTube and Twitch.
NOTE: For even more details about the tournament action, sure to check out the HCS blog!
For Panels & Community Stage
Check out the official Halo YouTube and the Twitch Gaming Channel.
The countdown to the 2023 Halo World Championship is on, so be sure to secure your tickets today and get ready for the most exciting Halo event of the year!
Gather your fireteam, it’s time for a Halo celebration for the ages!