Starting live action roleplay: what the real costs are
SaveGetting into live action roleplay costs less than many people expect, but the overall spend depends on your choices about events, costume and travel. Rather than a single price tag, think of LARP as a series of small decisions that add up – and each one is within your control. Read on to learn what affects the total, where you can cut corners, and how to start without overcommitting.
Event fees are your first real cost
Every event has an entry fee – the money you pay to attend. This covers the organisers' costs: the site hire, the crew who run plot and manage rules, the insurance and the materials they provide. Event fees vary widely depending on what the event offers, how long it runs and how many people attend.
Smaller local events charge less than large established ones. Weekend-long games in dedicated venues cost more than day events in parks. Some games include camping on site; others are day-only. The fee is separate from any travel or kit you need to bring.
Before you commit to a specific game, check what the fee covers – does it include meals, camping, certain equipment rental? That matters for your total spend.
Your kit: where most people worry, and where they can save
Kit means your clothes, armour, weapons and props – everything you wear and carry to look the part. A working kit does not need to be expensive or perfect. Many new players wear clothes they already own: jeans and a tunic, practical boots you have at home. You can add to it over time.
Where people spend more is on armour, specialist footwear or detailed costumes. These are worth doing well, but they are not the entry point. Start with what you have, see what the game actually needs, then build from there.
Some events rent basic kit on site for a small fee, or allow you to borrow from more experienced players. Ask at your first event. Many communities share equipment or sell used costume pieces cheap – check the event's Discord, the local meetup group or community Facebook pages.
Travel and time-off work
If the event is local, you drive or take the bus and return home the same day. Travel costs almost nothing. If it is overnight, you may be camping on site (often included in the event fee) or staying nearby. If it is far away, you factor in petrol, a train ticket or accommodation.
Some events are weekend-long; others run for a single day. The longer the event, the more time you take from work or other plans. That is not a cost in money, but it matters for your schedule and your willingness to attend regularly.
Weapons and safety gear
Combat in LARP uses foam weapons – foam swords, axes, bows – that are safe to swing at other players. You do not need to own your own weapon to start: borrow one from a friend or the event's props box, or use unarmed combat if your character does not fight.
If you decide to buy a foam weapon, you can make one yourself or buy one ready-made. Homemade weapons cost much less and many events actually prefer them because you know exactly how they are built. Making one is straightforward and takes an evening or two.
Some games require minimal protective gear – padding on your shins, a helmet if you fight. Other games are lighter contact and need almost nothing. Check the event's rules before you arrive, and ask what newcomers typically use.
Props and details
Props are small things – a fake dagger, a scroll, a potion bottle – that make your character feel real but are not essential to play. You can make most props from household items: a plastic bottle becomes a potion, a rolled piece of parchment becomes a spell scroll, a carved wooden stick becomes a staff. The cost is almost nothing.
Buying ready-made fantasy props online costs more but saves you time. Many players do both: they make some props and buy others. The choice depends on your budget and how much you enjoy crafting.
Character development and guides
Learning how to play well – how to build a character, how to stay in role, how the rules work – costs nothing if you learn from other players, but you can buy books on roleplay theory if you want to go deeper. Most of what you need is free: event rule documents, community guides, advice from experienced players.
Developing a character across events is something you do naturally as you play more. Playing a character different from yourself gets easier with practice and tips from the community.
Making a spending plan
Start by attending one event with what you already own. Pay the event fee and cover travel. If you need a foam weapon, borrow one or make one. If you need basic padding, use what you have or make it from cheap fabric. That is your first outing.
After your first event, you will know what you actually need versus what you thought you needed. Many newcomers realise they do not need half the things they worried about. You can then decide what to buy, make or borrow for the next event.
Build your kit gradually. Spend on costume and props when you have found a character you love and a game you want to return to. That way you are not investing heavily before you know whether LARP is for you.
- Find a local LARP event through meetup groups or community forums and check the entry fee and what it includes.
- Attend your first event in clothes you already own, with a borrowed or homemade foam weapon if needed.
- After the event, make a list of what you actually used and what you can add to next time.
- Make or borrow props and armour for your next event instead of buying.
- Once you have attended two or three games, decide which parts of your kit are worth investing in.
Keeping costs manageable long-term
Experienced players spend more overall because they have attended many events and built detailed costumes over years. Your first year costs far less. Many players who stay in the hobby find that costs stabilise once they have a working kit – they spend mainly on new events and occasional replacements.
Join a local LARP community. Groups often share equipment, give away or sell used kit, and pass on tips for getting things cheap. The community aspect makes the hobby more affordable and more fun.
#Budgeting #First event #Beginner tips
Download PDF: Getting started with LARP: what to do this week PDF, 29 KB
Further reading
Frequently asked questions
How much does a single LARP event usually cost?
Event fees vary depending on the game's size, length and what it includes, but range from a small amount for a day event to more for a weekend-long game with camping. Check the specific event for its fee before signing up.
Can you play LARP without buying expensive costume and props?
Yes. Many players start with clothes they already own and borrow weapons and equipment from others. You can build your kit gradually after your first event, when you know what you actually need.
What is the cheapest way to get a foam weapon for LARP?
Making one yourself costs almost nothing and is straightforward – most can be made from pipe insulation and duct tape. You can also borrow a weapon from another player or the event's equipment box.