> 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

Finding a Contest and getting in usually takes under a minute.

## 1. Browse open Contests

From your dashboard, go to **Contests**. You'll see every Contest currently open for joiners — both Battles and Bounties.

Filter by:

* **Type** — Battle (leaderboard) or Bounty (objective).
* **Objective Mode** — the specific competition format (Achievement Points, Platinum Hunter, etc.).
* **Platform** — only show Contests your connected platforms can compete in.
* **Game** — Contests tied to specific games.
* **Entry fee range** — match your gem budget.
* **End date** — quick Contests vs long-running ones.

## 2. Pick one and review the details

Click into any Contest to see:

* The exact objective and target (or scoring rules, for Battles).
* The Contest type (Battle or Bounty) and the reward distribution.
* Current participants and leaderboard / completion list.
* The entry fee and current prize pool.
* The host's profile.
* When it starts and ends.
* Whether the access policy lets you in.

## 3. Pay the entry fee and join

If the Contest is set to **public** (or you meet the access requirements), you'll see a **Join** button. Click it, confirm the entry fee, and you're in.

Your entry fee is deducted from your wallet immediately and added to the prize pool.

{% hint style="info" %}
If the entry fee exceeds your wallet balance, you'll be prompted to earn more gems (win Contests, complete reward programs) or top up your wallet.
{% endhint %}

## Joining restricted Contests

Contests can have access policies. Here's how each works for you:

| Access policy          | What you do                                                                                                     |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Public**             | Just click Join.                                                                                                |
| **Allowlist**          | Click **Request invite**. The host has to approve you. You'll get a notification either way.                    |
| **Password protected** | Enter the password the host gave you.                                                                           |
| **Guild members only** | You need to be a member of the Discord server the Contest is tied to (and have Discord connected to RivalRyze). |
| **Role-based**         | You need a specific Discord role in the host's server.                                                          |

See [Access Policies](/contests/access-policies.md) for full details.

## When does the Contest actually start?

This depends on how the host configured it:

* **Starts when minimums are met** — needs N players to join before kicking off.
* **Starts when full** — auto-starts the moment max participants is reached.
* **Starts at a scheduled time** — the host picked a specific start date.

You'll get a notification when the Contest starts. See [Auto-Start Rules](/contests/auto-start-rules.md) for the full breakdown.

## What if I want to leave?

You can leave a Contest before it starts and get your entry fee back. Once a Contest has started, you're in until it ends — you can stop playing, but you won't get a refund.

Open the Contest page and click **Leave Contest**.

## What if the Contest gets cancelled?

If a Contest never reaches its minimum participants, the host cancels it, or it expires without starting, your entry fee is **refunded in full** to your wallet automatically.

## Notifications you'll get

* **Contest started** — sync your gaming platform so your stats are current.
* **Stats updated** — when your progress changes the leaderboard (Battles) or hits the objective (Bounties).
* **Contest ended** — final results.
* **You won** — prize transfer to your wallet.

## Related

* [What is a Contest](/contests/what-is-a-contest.md)
* [Battles](/contests/battles.md) and [Bounties](/contests/bounties.md) — the two types
* [Hosting Your Own Contest](/contests/hosting-a-contest.md)
* [Access Policies](/contests/access-policies.md)
* [Entry Fees, Prize Pools & Donations](/contests/entry-fees-and-prizes.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.rivalryze.com/contests/joining-a-contest.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.