> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rivalryze.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rivalryze.com/contests/access-policies.md).

# Access Policies

The **Who can join?** card, on the last step of creating a Contest, decides who is allowed in. It never affects which games count. There are four options:

| Option                          | Who can join                                                                |
| ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Guild Contest** (Recommended) | Members of the guild you pick. You can narrow it to specific Discord roles. |
| **Public**                      | Anyone on RivalRyze.                                                        |
| **Invite Only**                 | Players you invite, plus players whose join request you accept.             |
| **Password Protected**          | Anyone with the password.                                                   |

[Guild Versus Guild](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md) Contests can only be **Public** or **Password Protected**.

## Guild Contest

"Only members of your Discord server can join. The battle gets its own thread in your server."

**For the host:**

* Pick the guild under **Guild \***. You can use a guild you own or help run, or any guild you're in that lets members create Contests. If none qualifies, you'll see "You have no eligible guilds to deploy contests to."
* The guild needs the RivalRyze bot (see [Adding the Bot to Your Server](/for-guild-admins/adding-the-bot.md)).
* Only Guild Contests can hand out [Guild Rewards](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md#guild-rewards-discord-roles) (Discord roles as prizes).

**For joiners:** you need to be a member of that guild, either on RivalRyze or in its Discord server.

### Specific roles only

Turn on **Restrict to specific roles** and pick one or more roles: "Only guild members with one of the selected roles can join this battle." If you leave the role list empty, every guild member can join.

To join a role-restricted Contest, you need your Discord account connected to RivalRyze and at least one of the selected roles in that server. See [Connecting Discord](/connecting-gaming-platforms/discord.md).

## Public

"Anyone on RivalRyze can join." Players see a **Join** button and are in once they pay the entry fee.

## Invite Only

"Only players you invite can join."

**For the host:**

* Invite players while creating the Contest (**Invite Users \***, "Pre-invite users to this battle"), or later from the Contest page with **Invite Rivalz**.
* Players who weren't invited can send a join request. You accept or decline each request.

**For joiners:**

* If you're invited, accept the invite to join. The entry fee is charged when you accept.
* If you're not invited, click **Request to Join**. The entry fee is charged only if the host accepts. Until then the Contest shows "You've requested to join this Contest and the response of the host is pending".
* On Discord, the Contest thread shows **Request Access** instead of **Join Battle**.

## Password Protected

"Anyone with the password can join."

* The host sets an 8-character password when creating the Contest and shares it however they like. RivalRyze never shares it for you.
* Joiners enter it in the join window ("Enter 8-digit password"). A wrong password is refused.
* Invites and join requests don't apply: the password is the only way in.

{% hint style="success" %}
Don't post the password in a public channel, or anyone who sees it can join.
{% endhint %}

## Rules that apply to every Contest

* **Joining after the start** only works if the host left **Allow Users to Join after Start Date** on. See [Auto-Start Rules](/contests/auto-start-rules.md).
* **The entry fee** must be in your wallet. See [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md).
* **The host** can always join their own Contest, whatever the policy.

## Changing access later

The host can change the access policy, password and roles from the **Admin Controls** tab, before or during the Contest. Changes apply to new joins only: nobody already in is removed.

* Attaching, switching or removing the guild is only possible before the Contest starts.
* A Contest that pays out Guild Rewards can't change or drop its guild.

## Choosing the right option

| Situation                                              | Best option                           |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| A community event for your Discord server              | **Guild Contest**                     |
| A Contest for one role (mods, a tournament role, VIPs) | **Guild Contest** with specific roles |
| Open to everyone                                       | **Public**                            |
| A curated group                                        | **Invite Only**                       |
| A quick Contest with friends                           | **Password Protected**                |

## Related

* [Joining a Contest](/contests/joining-a-contest.md)
* [Hosting Your Own Contest](/contests/hosting-a-contest.md)
* [Hosting Guild Contests](/for-guild-admins/hosting-guild-contests.md)