How to get a press pass for an event in the USA

Event press passes are issued by the event’s own media office – the team, promoter, festival or conference. To get one you apply ahead of the deadline with an assignment from an outlet, links to recent coverage and a clear plan of what you will publish. A press card helps you identify yourself, but it never replaces the organizer’s credential.

Below: who to contact for each type of event, a template for your request and the clauses to check before you sign.

Apply for the FJA press card Freelance press pass

At a glance

Who decides: The organizer’s media or press office
Apply: Usually weeks in advance via a media request form
Key document: Assignment letter from your outlet
Watch for: Rights clauses in credential terms
Guarantee: None – space is limited

Who to contact for each kind of event

Professional sports: the team’s media relations or communications department. Many teams require a written assignment for freelancers; the Washington Commanders’ 2026 policy, for example, does not credential freelance writers or photographers without one, and expects online outlets to have a national or regional affiliation or a full-time staffer.
Concerts and tours: usually the artist’s publicist or the venue’s press office. Photo passes are often limited to the first songs and may come with usage terms.
Festivals: the festival’s press office, typically through an online accreditation form that closes weeks before the event.
Conventions, trade shows and conferences: the organizer’s press registration page, which often asks for a business card, outlet details and recent coverage.
Government and political events: the press office of the body holding the event; for New York City events, the MOME press card applies.

A press pass request that gets answered

Keep it short and specific. A request that works usually contains:

Your name, outlet and role (reporter, photographer, videographer).
The event, dates and which days or sessions you need.
What you will publish, where and roughly when (for example “a 900-word review and a 20-image gallery on your outlet within 48 hours”).
Your assignment letter, or the editor’s contact for confirmation.
Two or three links to recent comparable coverage and your audience figures if they are relevant.
Your contact details and the ID you will carry on site.

Send it to the address the organizer lists for media, not to general support. If you hear nothing, one polite follow-up a week later is fine.

Read the credential terms before you sign

Credential agreements can include conditions on how you may use your photos or footage. In October 2025 the National Press Photographers Association warned photographers about “rights-grab” clauses that claim rights to their images. Read the terms, ask questions before the event, and do not sign anything that conflicts with what your outlet has commissioned.

On the day

Bring photo ID and your confirmation email; many offices check both at pickup.
Wear the credential visibly and stay within the areas it covers.
Follow the media rules (photo pits, interview zones, embargoes).
Send the organizer a link to your published coverage afterwards – it makes next year’s request easier.

If you do not have a newsroom ID, a verifiable press ID such as the FJA card makes identifying yourself at pickup quicker. It does not replace the event credential.

Why press pass requests get turned down

Organizers rarely explain a no. These are the most common reasons – and what you can change.

No assignment: the request comes from a freelancer or creator without an outlet. Get a written assignment before you apply.
Too late: media lists often close weeks before the event. Note the deadline when the event is announced.
Audience mismatch: the outlet’s readers do not match the event. Explain who will read or watch your coverage and why it fits.
No track record: no links to comparable coverage. Send two or three recent pieces about similar events.
Unclear output: “I’d like to cover it” is weaker than “a 900-word review and 20 photos within 48 hours”.
Capacity: photo pits, press rooms and interview zones have limited space, and established outlets are served first.

If you are declined, ask politely whether the organizer offers a photo pass for part of the event, a press-conference slot or an interview later. Then publish strong coverage from public areas – that is what gets you a yes next time.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I apply for a press pass?

As early as the organizer allows. Many media request forms close several weeks before the event, and late requests are rarely accepted.

Can I get a press pass without an outlet?

It is difficult. Most organizers want an assignment from an outlet. Independent creators with a large, relevant audience sometimes succeed, but policies vary by event.

Does a press card get me into events?

No card guarantees access. The organizer decides and issues its own credential.

Sources and last review

Written and reviewed by the FJA editorial team. Last review: 23 October 2026. Laws, fees and procedures change – check the linked sources before you rely on a detail.

How to get a press pass for an event in the USA

Who to contact for each kind of event

A press pass request that gets answered

Read the credential terms before you sign

On the day

Why press pass requests get turned down

Frequently asked questions

Sources and last review

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