DEF CON
DEF CON 35 (2027) · Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall
- Next dates
- DEF CON 35 (2027): August 5, 2027 to August 8, 2027, Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall
- Venue
- Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
- Organiser
- DEF CON Communications, Inc.
- Who can attend
- Anyone with a badge; no age limit, but an adult atmosphere, and minors should be with a parent or guardian
- Tickets/badges
- One price for everyone. DEF CON 34 (2026): $540-$580 online at shop.defcon.org, depending on date, or $500 cash at the door. Children under 8 do not need a badge.
- Typical length
- Four days, Thursday to Sunday
- First held
- 1993, in Las Vegas
- Attendance
- Roughly 25,000-28,000 in the last pre-COVID years; DEF CON 27 set a record of approximately 30,000 (organiser figures)
- Official site
- defcon.org
About
DEF CON has been part of the hacker community for over three decades. It mixes talks with contests, villages, workshops and parties, and its organisers say it is "what you make of it": most of its events began as attendee ideas.
Its founder, known as The Dark Tangent, started DEF CON in 1993 as a party for members of a hacking network that was shutting down, and the conference has been in Las Vegas since DEF CON 1. The name nods to the film WarGames, to the military term "Defense Condition" and to the DEF key on a phone keypad.
DEF CON says attendance ran at roughly 25,000 to 28,000 in its last pre-COVID years, with a record of about 30,000 at DEF CON 27. It now fills the Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall, with villages, contests and talks under one roof.
What to expect
DEF CON 35 runs Thursday August 5 to Sunday August 8, 2027. On the DEF CON 34 venue page, the con opened by 8 AM daily, stayed open until 2:30 AM Thursday to Saturday, and closed Sunday after the closing ceremonies, typically around 6 PM. Check defcon.org for 2027 times.
Walkers and taxis use the West Convention Center entrance at 3150 Paradise Road. The Las Vegas Monorail has a convention center station, and the free LVCC Loop runs between West Hall, Central Hall and South Hall stations. For DEF CON 34, the Rio offered a discounted room block with a free shuttle to West Hall.
Expect talks, villages, workshops, contests including capture the flag, and official music events on Friday and Saturday nights. West Hall has its own food court, chill-out areas and bottle-filling stations.
More Las Vegas events
Plan the trip
Good to know
- Badges can be bought online or with cash at the door, and online registration is not required. DEF CON gives no discounts for students, veterans, government staff or press; speakers, Goons and Black Badge holders get in free.
- Photography: public photos are allowed, but photographing people in hallways and lines without consent is not, crowd shots are strongly discouraged, and smart glasses and other devices that can record without a clear indicator are banned.
- Smoking and vaping, including marijuana vaping, are 100% prohibited on LVCC property; you must go outside to the parking lots or sidewalks to smoke.
- You must be 21 to reserve a hotel room, even though DEF CON itself has no age limit.
- It will be very hot. DEF CON advises high-SPF sunscreen, plenty of water and avoiding long walks in the sun.
Questions about DEF CON
When is DEF CON 35?
DEF CON 35 is August 5-8, 2027 at the Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall. DEF CON is generally held in the last week of July or the first week of August, and the organisers note that many people arrive a day early and stay a day later.
How much does a DEF CON badge cost?
For DEF CON 34 in 2026, online badges at shop.defcon.org cost $540 early, $560 regular and $580 late, each including a $20 processing fee, while cash at the door was $500. Everyone pays the same price: there are no discounts for students, government, media or well-known hackers. Prices for DEF CON 35 had not been posted.
Can kids attend DEF CON?
DEF CON has no age limit, and children under 8 do not need a badge. The organisers warn that it is generally an adult atmosphere, with adult language and alcohol, and say minors should be accompanied by a parent or guardian who supervises them constantly. You must be 21 to reserve a hotel room.
Where is DEF CON held?
DEF CON is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center's West Hall, 3150 Paradise Road. Walkers and taxis use the West Convention Center entrance. The Las Vegas Monorail stops at the convention center, and the free LVCC Loop connects West Hall with the Central and South Hall stations.
Do I need to register in advance for DEF CON?
No. Online registration through shop.defcon.org is available, but it is not required: you can pay cash at the door, which DEF CON says comes with its famous LineCon queue. Press must email DEF CON for credentials and still pay the same badge price.
Can I take photos at DEF CON?
Public photography is allowed, and people on stage at events and contests may be photographed. Photographing people in hallways, in lines or hanging out without consent is not allowed, crowd shots are strongly discouraged, and photos are banned in the CTF room without consent. Smart glasses that record without a clear indicator are prohibited.