> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podplay.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podplay.app/events/sign-up-for-an-event.md).
# Sign-up for an Event
### Signing Up for Events
#### How Customers find and sign up for Events
Customers browse all currently active Events in the **Programs/Community** tab of the App. They can filter by Event type using Quick Filters or Advanced Filters, then tap into any Event with open spots to sign up.
If an Event is full, Customers can join the Waitlist instead.
#### When a Customer can sign up
A Customer can sign up for an Event any time there is an open spot and they have visibility of the Event. This includes signing up shortly before the Event starts — as long as a spot is available.
#### FOMO feature
The FOMO feature makes Member-only Events visible to Non-members with a countdown showing when they can sign up. Non-members see the Event but cannot join until their signup date arrives, and they also see a prompt to purchase a Membership.
To enable FOMO:
1. Create an Event and complete all required fields.
2. Find the **Signup Opening** section above the Cancellation window.
3. Set separate signup dates for Members and Non-members.
4. To set different dates per Membership type, use the **By membership** override section.
Once active, Members with access can sign up immediately. Non-members see a countdown timer and a Membership signup prompt.
If the Event is Members-only, Non-members see only the Membership signup prompt.
#### Why some Events show spots remaining and others don't
Whether Customers see how many spots remain depends on your Club's area and per-Event settings. See [Attendee List and Spots Left Configuration](/events/create-an-event/attendee-list-and-spots-left-configuration.md) for the full setup guide.
When **Show Spots Left** is enabled:
* Event cards show a blue tag with how many spots remain when fewer than 10 spots are left
* The Event detail page always shows the spot count in the **Sign Ups** section
When **Show Spots Left** is disabled for an Event, Customers do not see a spot count.
#### Booking Horizon for Events
The [Booking Horizon](https://help.podplay.app/en/articles/831745) limits how far in advance a Customer can book a Reservation, but it does not restrict access to Events. When an Event is published as **Listed in app**, it is visible to all Customers regardless of their Booking Horizon.
Events become visible at **12:00 pm (noon) local Club time** on their publish date. This is different from Reservations, which become available at 12:00 am midnight.
To control when an Event becomes visible, use the \[Schedule feature] to stagger visibility between Members and Non-members, or use the \[FOMO feature] to show the Event to Non-members with a countdown before they can sign up.
#### Ways an Admin can add a Customer to an Event
When adding a Customer from the Dashboard, there are two options:
* **Participant** — The customer is charged the set amount (based upon Member vs. Non-member pricing) for the Event, and the customer is counted toward the total number of participants
* **Non-participant** — The customer is not charged anything for joining the Event, whether they are a Member or Non-member, and the customer is NOT counted toward the total number of participants
When the **Participant** option is selected, the checkout window appears and provides further options for how to charge the Customer for their admission in the Event.
* **Card** — Depending on the Customer's card on file, this will say Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.
* **Cash** — Similar to a [booked Reservation](https://docs.podplay.app/reservations/admin-creates-a-reservation/book-a-reservation-on-behalf-of-a-customer-for-free) in `Cash`, money movement between the Customer and the Club is tracked for record-keeping purposes only; the system cannot verify with money movement outside the system (useful for cash, checks, or outside payments that the Club wants to track)
* [**Card Terminal**](https://docs.podplay.app/payments/credit-card-terminals) — If your Club has a terminal onsite, it can be used to charge the Customer at the front desk
* **Free** — The Customer is not charged anything for their sign-up and they count toward the total participant count
#### Customer's Guest on an Event
When a Customer signs up and includes a Guest, both spots are deducted from the Event's total capacity. After signing up, the Customer can send an invitation to their Guest through the Reservations tab of the App — the same flow as [inviting friends to a Reservation](https://help.podplay.app/en/articles/831489). Once the Guest accepts, both Profiles appear in the Attendee list.
If a Customer wants to remove their Guest but keep their own spot, they must cancel their full participation and sign up again without a Guest. If an active Cancellation Policy would charge them for canceling, an Admin can help by removing the Customer (which removes the Guest too) and re-adding only the Customer.
#### Add a Customer after an Event has ended
If a Customer attended but was never signed up, you can add them retroactively:
1. Click into the Event
2. Scroll to the Attendees section
3. Click **Add Participant**
4. Select **Guest** (no charge, does not count toward quota) — Regular Participant is not available for past Events
5. Search for the Customer's name
6. Click the **+** button next to their name
7. Click the blue **Add Participant** button
8. Click **Save**
To also charge them for attending:
1. Click the **Purchases** tab
2. Click **Charge**
3. Select the Customer's name
4. Click **Add Item** → **Booking**, enter the cost and description
5. Click **Add**, then **Create Charge**
### Payment Issue on Sign-up
If a Customer has signed up for and secured a spot at an Event, they will be marked as a participant for that Event. If there is an issue during sign-up, the Customer will receive an error message about their credit card (cc) and will be asked to update their cc information. Once the Customer has updated their cc information, they can attempt to sign up again and secure their participation in the Event.
If there is an issue after sign-up, an Admin will see a tag labeled Charge Failed in the Event’s Purchase tab.
If an Admin notices this, please note that the Customer is also aware the signup failed, as the Customer is provided an error message in the front of the App.
Normally, a Customer will update their cc on file and try again, so the Purchase tab of the Event will look like a Customer had a Charge Failed, then Confirmed (or Settling in x-time if the Event has yet to finish).
If the Customer has a Canceled tag next to their name, the Customer signed up for the Event and then canceled their participation in the Event. That spot be free for another Customer to join the Event.
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