> 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/joining-a-contest.md). # Joining a Contest ## 1. Find a Contest Click **Contests** in the sidebar. You can narrow the list with: * **Search contests...** to search by name. * Status chips: **Registration** (not started yet), **Live** and **Completed**. * Objective Mode icons (hover them for the mode name). * **Joinable**, **Joined** (Contests you're in) and **My Contests** (Contests you host). * **Sort by**: **Start date**, **Newest** (default), **Entry fee** or **Prize pool**. Cancelled Contests and Contests in their final review don't appear in this list. Contests are also posted on Discord: in a guild's contests forum for Guild Contests, or in the RivalRyze server's public feed. Each Discord thread has a **Join Battle** button. ## 2. Read the Contest page The header shows the Contest's status, the **Entry Fee** (or **Free Entry**), the **Prize Pool** and the join button. The side panel shows the timeline (**Registration**, **Live**, then **Completed** or **Cancelled**), the prize pool with its **Funded by** list, and a **Share contest** button that copies the Contest's link. The page has these tabs: | Tab | What's there | | ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Overview** | The description, **Contest Requirements** (for example a guild you must be in, or a game you must own), charts, your own stats and the top of the leaderboard. | | **Leaderboard** | The full standings (guild standings for [Guild Versus Guild](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md)). | | **Highlights** | The **Featured Achievement** and **Recent Achievements** earned in the Contest. | | **Prize Pool** | What each paid place wins. | | **Games** | **Allowed Games**: the games that count. **My Games** shows which of yours are eligible. | | **Rules** | The rules for this Objective Mode. | | **Admin Controls** | Host only. See [Hosting Your Own Contest](/contests/hosting-a-contest.md#admin-controls). | ## 3. Join Click **Join** (the button shows the entry fee) or, for a free Contest, **Join Battle**. If you're signed out, you'll be asked to sign in first. The **Join Contest** window shows the **Entry Fee**, the **Total Prize Pool** and **Your Gem Balance**. Depending on the Contest, it also asks for: * **A platform** ("Select a platform:") in Achievement Hunter and Platinum Hunter Battles. * **The password** for **Password Protected** Contests ("Enter 8-digit password"). * **The guild you represent** for **Guild Versus Guild** Contests (**Represent your guild**). Click **Join**, and the entry fee is taken from your wallet. You'll see "Contest joined successfully!" ### Invite Only Contests * **If the host invited you**, you'll get a notification. The **You're Invited** window lets you **Join Challenge** or **Decline**. The entry fee is charged when you join. * **If not**, click **Request to Join** and send the request. The host accepts or declines it from **Admin Controls**. If they accept, you're enrolled and the entry fee is charged then. Until they answer, the button is disabled with "You've requested to join this Contest and the response of the host is pending". See [Access Policies](/contests/access-policies.md) for every option. ## Why a join can be refused | Reason | What to do | | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | Not enough gems ("You do not have enough Gems to join this Contest.") | Earn or buy gems, then try again. | | Wrong or missing password | Ask the host for the 8-character password. | | Not a member of the Contest's guild | Join the guild (on RivalRyze or its Discord server). | | Missing a required Discord role | Connect Discord and make sure you have one of the roles the host picked. | | The Contest has started and late joining is off | Look for another Contest. | | You already have the target (Hunter Battles) | You can't join a race you've already finished. | | The account check fails, for example "You do not own this game." | Check the platform you picked and that your account is synced. | | No guild (Guild Versus Guild) | "You need to be in a guild to join this contest." Join a guild first. | ## Joining after the start If the host left **Allow Users to Join after Start Date** on, you can join a running Contest. Your stats count only from the moment you join. ## Leaving There's no way to leave a Contest once you've joined, and the entry fee isn't refunded unless the Contest is cancelled. Check the dates, objective and entry fee before you join. ## If the Contest is cancelled A Contest that's cancelled before it starts refunds your entry fee automatically. See [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md#refunds). ## Notifications As a participant you're notified when the Contest starts, and when it ends with your result. If you placed in a paid spot, a **Reward Available!** notification links you to your prize. See [Notifications](/notifications/notifications.md). ## Related * [What is a Contest](/contests/what-is-a-contest.md) * [Battles](/contests/battles.md) and [Guild Versus Guild](/contests/guild-vs-guild.md) * [Access Policies](/contests/access-policies.md) * [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md) * [Auto-Start Rules](/contests/auto-start-rules.md)