Frequently Asked Questions

Our event starts on Friday with the opening ceremony at about 5-6pm, then at 7pm fun, games and a disco downstairs. Gold ticket holders may also attend an exclusive cocktail party at around 7pm.

Saturday kicks off at 9am with guest talks and photos with the stars. The autograph sessions are scheduled for the afternoon. It's then time to prepare for dinner which is 6.30pm for 7.30pm. After the banquet it's cabaret time, followed by the fancy dress competition and the evening disco.

Sunday follows the same as Saturday during the day, with the closing ceremony late afternoon. Our final evening of fun, games and disco starts around 7pm.

These timings are intended as a guide only.

A full schedule will be provided in the event pack issued at the registration desk when you arrive.

SF Ball Ltd reserves the right to change the programme as and when necessary.

All ticket holders will be given the opportunity to take part in the autograph sessions. We organise which days session you should attend and this is shown on your registration badge. If you have an urgent and unavoidable need to change your day of signing please visit the Registration Desk.

There will be a 'virtual queuing' system where you are called for the autograph session in groups of 50 or 100. Your position in the virtual queue (and autograph day) is shown on your badge and is allocated by order of booking date. Watch the screens or information board to see when your number is called. This does NOT apply to Gold ticket holders, they always go first.

Standard Policy (applies unless otherwise stated):

• Headline guest autograph £15
• The Event Guide booklet will only be signed for free if accompanying a photograph that has been purchased from SF Ball. If you only want the convention booklet signed, it will be counted as a personal item.
• All personal items to be autographed require a voucher which can be purchased during the autograph session or from the SF Ball table throughout the weekend. One voucher per autograph. These vouchers must then be handed to the relevant liaison.

A maximum limit of 5 items per guest may be imposed if time is limited. Bags and other non-essential personal items are discouraged. No cameras, including mobile phone cameras, are to be used in the autograph room.

SF Ball Ltd. reserves the right to change these
prices and terms as necessary.

You may bring your own pictures to the autograph sessions, but please keep in mind that copied or fake pictures are not licensed and the actors are not allowed to sign them for legal reasons. However photos taken of you and the actor at another convention may be signed, as the photographer (you or a friend) hold the copyright.

On both days there will an opportunity to have your photo taken with the stars. Tickets are strictly limited and sold on a first come first served basis, at a cost of around £10-20 per guest. Guest autograph is not included in the price of the photograph.

Please note that it may take some time for our photographers to print the photos, so ensure you allow plenty of time.

During the weekend you will have the opportunity to pre-register Full Weekend or Gold tickets for next years event. If you choose to do so and pay in full you will get your ticket at the discounted 'Earlybird' price. After the event prices will revert to full price. Payment at the the event can be made by cash, cheque or credit card.

Earlybird Gold Tickets are subject to availability.

1. The scheme is only available to those who have booked in advance at or before the previous SF Ball.
2. A non-refundable deposit of £40 per ticket is required to secure the booking.
3. Refunds are not permitted, however if you let us know before 24th December you may be able to transfer the balance (minus deposit payments) to the next SF Ball.
4. You should have at least half the amount paid by August, and full payment MUST be received by 24th December at the latest.
5. Failure to pay the full balance in time will result in the loss of your tickets and forfeit of any money paid.
6. Post-dated cheques are NOT acceptable forms of payment.
7. All payments must be made in Pounds Sterling (£). Cheques, postal orders, credit/debit cards and Paypal accepted.
8. All credit card, debit card and electronic payments incur a 5% handling charge.
9. Cheque's should be made payable to SF Ball Ltd and sent to SF Ball Ltd, Flat 3 Blighwood, 57 Surrey Road, Poole, Dorset BH12 1HF.
10. Paypal payments may be sent to salessfball.com quoting your name and badge number. Remember to add 5%.
11. In the event of a Cheque being returned unpaid by the bank we reserve the right to levy an administration fee to cover our costs. This levy and all outstanding money must be paid in full before admission to the event will be permitted. At present this levy is £8 to cover our bank charges.
12. If rooms are available at the Carrington House Hotel SF Ball Ltd can reserve a room on your behalf. Should there be no rooms available you will be notified. It will then be your responsibility to arrange your own accommodation. SF Ball Ltd cannot be held responsible for any hotel expenses incurred by attendee. The hotel will be supplied with your name and address. Hotel fees will be payable at the event. DO NOT SEND US ANY HOTEL FEES.
13. IMPORTANT NOTE: By making your booking and paying your deposit you are entering into a legally-binding contract. You are expected to pay the remainder of the balance in good time, with the final date for full payment one month before the event.
14. Any misuse of the scheme may result in you being prevented from using the scheme for future events.

After the cabaret on Saturday, there is a fancy dress competition. We encourage you to dress up and prizes are awarded for the best child and best adult costume as judged by our guest stars. Remember each years event is themed, we spend ages choosing a theme that gives you plenty of scope for imaginative costumes.

What you wear is entirely up to you, however we have a few ground rules:

• You should dress up for the Gold Ticket Friday cocktail party, but as long as you look smart that is fine. Sci-Fi costumes are also permitted.
• The Saturday evening is traditionally when many people dress up, either in fancy dress or a Ball gown / Dinner Jacket. Again, any smart wear is fine if you prefer. No trainers or sportswear (unless part of fancy dress!).

Basically, this event is for you to enjoy, so don't feel pressured... just go with what you are comfortable with. To get a better picture, why not take a look at the galleries under Past Events on the website. This has plenty of pictures to give you a better idea.