Dear Participants,
We’ll be on-site starting Thursday at noon (August 13, 2026) and will be harder to reach.
Wildfire Risk
Current weather conditions indicate a high risk of wildfires.
Therefore, we ask that you remain very vigilant, do not smoke outside the campsites, and under no circumstances throw anything onto the grass that could start a fire. Please feel free to bring more fire-extinguishing supplies than required.
Parking Lots
It is not permitted to drive into the parking lots outside of their operating hours (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.). If you arrive earlier or later, you’ll need to park your car elsewhere temporarily.
Upon arrival at the parking lots, please wait at the entrance for a parking attendant. In the meantime, turn off your engine to let the vehicle cool down.
If you need to park immediately after a long drive, please take 15 minutes to let your vehicle cool down on a paved surface before entering the parking lot.
Gate, Lock, Accessibility
The main gate to UTOPION will be secured with a combination lock. To obtain the code, call the following number: 0151 44969298. The number is also posted on the gate.
Check-In Starting Sunday
All setup teams can check in at the Orgaplex on Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. From Monday through Wednesday, check-in is available at the gate between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Anyone who arrives earlier will have to wait! Please be sure to have your ID card, passport, or driver’s license and your e-ticket (printed or on your phone) ready. If you’re arriving by car, please make a note of your license plate number.
Weekend tickets: Please stop by the Orgaplex immediately upon arrival.
Early Arrival
Since we need to set up infrastructure earlier due to the large number of participants arriving early, we’re charging a small fee for this. On Sunday and Monday, the fee is 10 euros each day; on Tuesday, it’s 15 euros. This means that if you arrive on Sunday, you’ll need to pay 35 euros in cash at check-in.
One-Way System / Parking Lot
Your campsites will be signposted. As last year, the route to the parking lots will lead through the forest. As you know, our parking space is limited. That’s why we have a parking attendant on duty. They’ll be available to assist you from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
You must follow the instructions! Since it’s extremely important that cars are parked properly, you may only drive your car into the parking lot during these hours. Please have your completed, legible parking ticket ready. This is the only way you’ll gain access to the parking lots. The one-way street map, which is also available at check-in, can be found here: https://epic-empires.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/EE_EinbahnstrassenkarteGelaendekarte_A4_2026_RZ_HEx4.pdf
Please remember that you may only stop on the UTOPION grounds briefly to unload, but not to park!
Parking and stopping are strictly prohibited in all areas marked with black-and-yellow caution tape, whether laid out flat or in a “bundle.” These include exits, thoroughfares, emergency routes, and turning circles. These areas must be kept clear at all times.
Wheel Chocks for Trailers
If you’re arriving with a trailer, please bring wheel chocks to secure it in the parking lot, as the lot is partially on a slope. Anyone who doesn’t bring wheel chocks will not be allowed to park in the North Parking Lot (P1)!
Shuttle
The parking lot (P2) in Bexbach, which is a bit further away, will be filled first. Only after that will parking be available at the northern parking lot (P1), which borders the festival grounds. This year, there will be a shuttle service organized in collaboration with your camp organizers. Please contact your camp organizers directly regarding this.
Firewood and Picnic Sets
Firewood will be delivered to the camps on Saturday, August 15, starting at 9:00 a.m.
Pick up picnic sets at the Orgaplex: Monday: 3:00–6:00 p.m.; Tuesday: 12:00–5:00 p.m.
Please make sure that, if possible, everything has been picked up by Tuesday evening.
Fire Pits
A solid sand base (with no grass growing through it) at least 3 cm thick must be installed beneath every fire pit. The edge of the sand base must extend beyond the edge of the fire pit by half the height of the fire pit, but at least 20 cm.
Example: A fire bowl is 40 cm in diameter and has a rim height of 20 cm. The sand bed must therefore have a diameter of 80 cm (40 cm diameter plus 2 × 20 cm minimum clearance). In front of stove doors, the sand bed must be 40 cm wide, but only 20 cm wide all around the stove body.
Acceptable fire extinguishing agents include powder, foam, or water fire extinguishers weighing at least 6 kilograms, two 10-liter buckets of water, or a filled bucket pump. This extinguishing agent must be available for each fire pit. Fire extinguishers must be valid under German law, meaning they must be valid for 2 years from the date of purchase or since the last inspection. Expired fire extinguishers, CO₂ extinguishers, fire blankets, etc., are helpful and useful as supplementary fire-fighting equipment.
Tavern Cards
Tavern cards will continue to be available this year; you can purchase them directly at check-in or in the tavern. One card is worth 25 €. Cash payments are not accepted in the tavern. Partially unused tavern cards can be exchanged for a refund on Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the tavern(!). Cards from previous years remain valid.
Pregnant women and people recovering from surgery
These individuals can mark themselves with pink glow sticks and must not be attacked. Please obtain the glow sticks on your own in advance. An emergency supply is available at the Orgaplex.
Medical Services During the Event
The Malteser tent will be located on Panzerstraße in front of the containers starting Tuesday, August 18. If, in an emergency, no event staff member is present to alert the medical service, you can reach the Malteser at the following number: 0151 17437345. Use this number ONLY IN AN EMERGENCY! Please note that the Malteser will not be on site between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Please notify an event staff member and call emergency medical services in case of an emergency.
Stefan-Morsch Tying-In
The Stefan-Morsch Foundation will be on site again and offering typing for stem cell donation. You can find them on Tuesday from 12 PM to 6 PM and Friday from 6 PM to 9 PM at the top of Panzerstraße.
Photographer Policy and Film Crews
There are six photographers: Theresa, Calle, Hagen, Nummi, Thoralf, and Hannah on Saturdays.
Only these photographers are authorized (and briefed) to take photos on the grounds. If you’re taking photos in your own camp, please check with the camp organizers in advance. Under no circumstances should you disrupt the game. Also: smartphones and tablets—it’s not just a pain at concerts—they’re just as disruptive at LARPs.
IT Code Word for Delicate Situations
There are two ways to defuse or avoid situations using code words:
- Really, Really, Really: IT stop command. This person must be removed from the situation immediately.
- “Blinders”: Cover your eyes with your hand and look at the floor. This is the signal that you don’t want to be teased. If something makes you feel truly uncomfortable, you can, of course, also state that very clearly. The code word is intended for situations where a person feels uncomfortable interrupting the IT game.
IT-SLs
Since 2025, in addition to the OT team members (wearing blue, green, or beige shirts), we’ve also had IT-SLs. They can be recognized by their yellow bags.
Whether it’s questions about the rules, safety concerns, or scene support—feel free to approach them at any time. As always, they’re there for you. Just in an immersive way.
The OT-SL team will, of course, remain available in the background for anything. But if there’s an urgent issue right in the middle of a scene, don’t hesitate to reach for the yellow bag.
Speakers
The use of speakers of any kind for playing audio is strictly prohibited on the Utopion. Exceptions apply to:
Cell phones and two-way radios used exclusively for conversations.
Devices designed to replace or imitate human speech (voice distorters, etc.). These may be used up to a measured volume (at a distance of 1 m) of 50 dB. Stationary or permanent installations must be reported to the EE Organizing Committee. Portable devices must be calibrated accordingly; the organizing committee may measure volume levels at any time. Only speech may be played. Please register with:
A violation will result in the confiscation of the device and, in repeated or particularly serious cases, may lead to exclusion from the event and potentially to expulsion from the event.
Pufferfish Awareness
Epic Empires is meant to be a safe space for everyone—free from discrimination, assaults, and boundary violations. To ensure this, we’re developing an awareness program: It protects and supports—without passing judgment. If you feel uncomfortable, have been harassed, or simply need to step away for a moment: You’re not alone. Speak to a member of the organizing team (e.g., SL, Tavern staff, team member) and say the code word “Kugelfisch.”
Oak Processionary Moth
This year, there were no reports of oak processionary moths (EPS) on the grounds. However, if you do find any signs of the EPS, please let us know.
Rabbit Plague/Tularemia
In 2026, dead rabbits infected with the zoonotic disease tularemia were found in camp areas. This is no cause for panic, as the disease can only be transmitted through the following:
- Consumption of infected animals or contaminated water
- Bites or scratches from infected animals
- Contact transmission (e.g., touching a dead animal and then rubbing your eyes)
If you find dead animals: Do not touch them and contact us, the organizers! We’ll take care of everything else. You should wear a mask in the area where the animal was found.
Soap and Toilet Paper
Soap will be provided in the containers, but not toilet paper. Please bring your own.
We’re now entering the final stretch—we’ll be on-site starting Thursday evening and are looking forward to a fantastic EPIC EMPIRES 2026!
See you next week at the latest!
Your EPIC EMPIRES Team