What is XL?
MatchBox360 XL is the largest Xbox and Xbox 360 eSports tournament in the United Kingdom. Whether you’re a competitor or spectator, XL welcomes gamers from all over the UK and Europe to meet and enjoy a weekend of the very best in console gaming action.
Which games will feature at XL?
The MatchBox360 XL tournament line-up includes:
- Halo 3
- Gears of War
- Call of Duty
We will also be providing freeplay and a number of free to enter competitions on some of your favourite Xbox 360 titles.
Will there be a cloakroom available?
Unfortunately as there are no cloakroom facilities available. We advise that you only bring essential items to the venue (please note: you bring items at your own risk. MatchBox360 XL will not take responsibility for any items lost or damaged).
Is the venue Air Conditioned?
Yes! The venue is fully air-conditioned. If you feel the room is too hot, please inform a member of staff and we will simply turn the system higher!
How do I buy tickets?
Admission tickets and tournament entry fees are available for purchase online via the MatchBox360 XL Ticket Office. Any remaining tickets will be made available on the door. Please check ticket availability before travelling to avoid disappointment.
My MatchBox360 login doesn’t let me access the ticket office.
The MatchBox360 XL Ticket Office is independent to the MatchBox360 website. As such you will need to create a new login for the ticket office to enable you to purchase tickets.
I don’t have a Paypal account…is there any other ways to pay?
The MatchBox360 XL Ticket Office also accepts payments via all major debit or credit cards. Simply select the option to pay via debit or credit card once you have confirmed your order.
If you have any problems with purchasing online, please email: konspiracy@matchbox360.co.uk
I can’t afford to buy all my entry fees right now…
Never fear…XL is here! The MatchBox360 XL Ticket Office allows you to place multiple orders so you may purchase your XL admission one week and your tournament entry fees the week after!
When will I receive my tickets?
MatchBox360 XL do not send out tickets. Once you have purchased your tickets you will receive an email from the MatchBox360 XL Ticket Office confirming your order. Please print this and bring with you to MatchBox360 XL. You will be requested to present your proof of purchase at Cranmore Park in order to receive your XL wristband.
If you lose your email, you may print off these details by logging into the MatchBox360 XL Ticket Office, clicking “my account” and accessing your order history.
I do not have access to a printer, can I just bring the 4 digit order reference?
If you can not print off the confirmation, please remember your unique order number and bring ID so we can verify you are the correct person collecting tickets.
How do I get to MatchBox360 XL / What is the address of the venue?
Please see the Travel information page of the MatchBox360 XL website for full details.
I’m not local to the venue, where can I stay?
Please see the Accommodation information page of the MatchBox360 XL website for full details.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
MatchBox360 XL provides all consoles, TVs and games…the only item you need to bring is your WIRED Xbox 360 controller and headphones if you require them.
What do I need to bring to get into MatchBox360 XL?
All you need to bring to the event is:
- Wired pad.
- Confirmation email from the ticket office.
- Headphones (optional).
- Spending money (ie for food and drink)
MatchBox360 XL provides:
- all games
- all consoles
- all monitors
Can I bring my own controller to use at XL?
Yes. Players are requested to bring their own Xbox 360 controllers however it must be an official Xbox360 wired controller only.
Why can't I use my wireless pad at XL?
With a lot of Xbox 360 consoles and players in close proximity to each other, there are obvious problems when trying to synchronise your controller to the correct console. As the Xbox 360 wireless pad only has a small number signals and simply turning on a wireless pad will create a connection to a console at random. Wireless pads are banned at XL and you may only use a wired controllers.
Can I use my wireless controller if i use my plug'n'charge kit?
No. The plug'n'charge kit does not eliminate the issues with wireless pads and simply provides a power supply for your pad without deactivating its wireless capabilities. Imagine the problems caused by a spectator synchronising to a console during a tournament game. Plug'n'charge kits are banned at XL.
Can I use my non-official wired controller?
Yes. You may use a 3rd party wired Xbox 360 controller as long as it does not have any turbo or macro functions.
I don't have an official Xbox360 wired controller, what should I do?
There are a limited number of Xbox 360 wired controllers available for hire at XL. Controllers are available for hire from reception:
- Hire: £5 per day
- Deposit: £20 (refundable on return of pad in working condition)
To avoid disappointment and to improve your gameplay we advise that you purchase a wired Xbox 360 controller and get used to playing with it prior to the event.
What if the controller I have rented off of XL breaks or does not work very well?
All pads are tested prior to hire however we recommend that you test the pads as soon as possible after you hire the pad. If you return a pad as broken or faulty several hours of hiring then you will lose your deposit.
Do I need to bring headphones for sound at XL?
No. All the XL iiyama monitors have built in speakers and a headphone socket available. You do not have to use headphones however they do provide better sound quality and may improve your XL gaming experience. It is simply personal preference.
Why would I need to use headphones at XL?
More and more gamers at XL are finding the use of headphones improves their gameplay. You dont need to use headphones however the benefits are simply that you hear exactly what's going on in your game and can help people block out the distractions of a competitive environment.
I don't want to have to bring my own pair of headphones, can I hire some at XL?
Yes. There are a limited number of Sennheiser HD-201 headphones available for hire at XL. Headphones are available for hire from reception:
- Hire: £5 per day
- Deposit: £10 (refundable on return of headphones in working condition)
Can I bring my own headphones to use?
Yes. As long as the headphones can plug into 3.5mm input on the side of the iiyama monitor that we use at XL and do not require an external power supply.
Can I use my wireless headphones?
No. All wireless headphones are not allowed at XL due to external power source required.
I use a set of headphones that have a Red and White phono output, could use these at XL?
All headphones must be plugged directly into the 3.5mm input available on the side of the iiyama monitors. You may use an additional phono to 3.5mm adaptor however anyone found unplugging the audio cables from the back of the iiyama monitors will be banned from using headphones.
Could you list what the headphones must have so I know what to look for when buying them?
- Wired only.
- Does not require an external power source.
- Can be plugged into the 3.5mm headphone socket.
I'm looking to buy some headphones for gaming, which do you recommend?
Under £30
Sennheiser HD205
Sennheiser HD435
Under £50
Sennheiser HD515
Sennheiser HD485
Under £80
Steel Series Siberia Neckband
Sennheiser HD555
Over £80
Sennheiser HD595
Will you be recording game-play footage?
Halo 3 game-plays will be automatically recorded in game, however we do not have the facilities to record or stream from COD4 or Gears, however the finals will be recorded by XLEAGUE.
Will this game footage be available online?
The Halo3 game-play will be made available online. XLTV will provide free downloads of Halo 3 game-play and footage from MatchBox360 XL.
Is XL only open to UK Citizens?
No not at all…MatchBox360 XL is an international tournament and we welcomes players from around the globe! If you travelling from abroad please feel free to contact us prior to the event and we make efforts to accommodate you and your team mates as best we can.
What does it mean by using our image and or gameplay for promotional use?
It simply means we may use photographs and footage of all players attending MatchBox360 XL on the website and in any other media coverage XL may receive…so you could be featured in national magazines or on TV!
Will XL be going on tour?
At the moment our goal is to establish MatchBox360 XL as the market leader in console gaming tournaments in the UK, and we hope to take our events on tour throughout the UK in the near future. We aim to put XL and competitive gaming on the map in the UK and Europe…and with your support the possibilities are endless!
Will you sponsoring teams?
We receive frequent requests to sponsor teams, however at this point in time we do not have the resources to sponsor teams. We are committed to a programme of reinvestment into the future of eSports and believe it is better to provide for as many gamers as possible rather than a handful of players. With that being said, we will be looking to sponsor teams in the future…could it be you?
Is your equipment available to hire?
Please contact us via email to discuss the nature of the hire: enquiries@matchbox360.co.uk
If the answer to your query cannot be found in this FAQ, please feel free to contact MatchBox360 XL at any time. We look forward to meeting you at XL!