Wasteland Weekend is a five-day post-apocalyptic themed festival held in California’s Mojave Desert. It has been dubbed “the most immersive post-apocalyptic event on the planet.” But of all the activities and experiences that Wasteland Weekend has to offer, the one that stands out from the rest is the Thunderdome. So, what exactly is it? Let’s break it down!
What Is The Thunderdome?
The Thunderdome at Wasteland Weekend is an arena dedicated to 2-person simulated combat using foam boffer weapons. It is meant to be a relatively safe, non-lethal reenactment of the famous “Two men enter, one man leaves” battle cage from Mad Max beyond Thunderdome (1985). Combatants are recruited online, in advance, from Wasteland Weekend ticket holders.
The arena is run by Death Guild Thunderdome, a group associated with the Death Guild night club of San Francisco (the longest continually operating goth/industrial dance club in the US). They have been setting up the dome at Burning Man for over 2 decades, and it has made special appearances at several music festivals.
How Fighting Is Done in The Thunderdome
At the Thunderdome, combatants are strapped into harnesses and suspended by bungees on opposite ends of the dome. Combat takes place in rounds, as fighters are released at each by Thunderdome staff. Fighters must use foam weapons to mercilessly beat their opponent. All fights are overseen by trained referees who will separate tangled combatants, or stop a fight if it becomes too dangerous or if a fighter appears to be injured beyond repair.
The referee judges each combatant’s performance and chooses a winner.
And while bouncing around on bungee cords may seem like an effortless ballet in the movie, combatants’ positions are actually fine-tuned in real time by experienced staff members using a system of ropes and pulleys. It is exhausting work, and it is the reason why fights are only held for a couple of hours each night.
How To Sign Up To Participate In Thunderdome Fights
💀 WE WILL BE RUNNING THE DOME FROM WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY THIS YEAR! That’s right, 4 nights of pure chaos. Don’t miss our opening night ceremony, it’s gonna be good.
💀💀 YOU NO LONGER NEED TO SIGN UP ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME!!! (But keep reading, there ARE things you gotta do first)
So what do you have to do instead?
•First, attend one of the mandatory safety training sessions hosted in the dome during the day, bring your government issued ID!!
•Fill out and sign a legal form on-site at the end of the training.
•Hand your form to a crew member who will check your info against your ID and give you a participant wristband, good for the entire weekend.
THEN AND ONLY THEN will you be able to come back at night to be a part of the carnage. Thunderdome matches will start Wednesday night this year, don’t miss it!
Training sessions will be held at the following times, you must attend one to participate:
Wednesday at 6pm
Thursday at 5pm
Friday at 5pm
Saturday at 1:30pm
While registrations for combatants are required, climbing up the dome to be a spectator is on a first-come, first-serve basis. There’s nothing like getting these unique front row seats to the adrenaline-pumping action!
Other Activities At The Thunderdome
In addition to fighting matches, the Thunderdome also hosts dance nights with DJs once the matches are done. You’ll probably hear a lot of interesting mash-ups. Bring a mask because it can get a bit dusty with all the feet stomping on the sand.
When it comes to post-apocalyptic fun, nothing beats experiencing Wasteland Weekend’s very own Thunderdome! With intense fights and dance nights; this truly is an experience like no other! Whether you’re looking for some action in the ring yourself or simply want to watch others battle it out; make sure not miss out on all of this post-apocalyptic fun! Sign up today and get ready for an unforgettable experience at Wasteland Weekend’s very own Thunderdome!
