By Dexerto | Created at 2026-07-18 17:26:39 | Updated at 2026-08-03 05:17:35
3 weeks ago
Sea of Thieves fan convention SoTFest ended its after-party early in Walsall, England, after organizers received reports that multiple attendees may have had their drinks spiked.
SoTFest is a community-run convention dedicated to Rare’s multiplayer pirate game, bringing players, content creators, and developers together for panels, vendors, cosplay, live entertainment, and a community football match.
The fifth annual event took place at Bescot Stadium, the home of Walsall FC, across July 10 and 11, 2026. Organizers describe it as an unofficial event created “by the Community, for the Community.”
Organizers close bars and review CCTV
In a statement posted to the event’s official Discord on July 11, the SoTFest Captains apologized for ending the after-party early while the football match was taking place.
“The venue staff have made the team aware of a situation that has occurred during the after party,” organizers said.
“We have had reports that there have been potentially multiple drinks spiked with an unknown substance and we felt it was the safest option to close the bars and end the event.”
Attendees were urged to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to venue staff. Organizers also said the Village Hotel had been alerted to the situation.
A screenshot from the #announcements channel in the SotFest official Discord server
According to the statement, venue security began reviewing CCTV footage and planned to pass information about any suspected perpetrator to the police. SoTFest said anyone found to have been involved would be banned from its future events.
“We will not be able to give any more information publicly, but if you are concerned that you have been affected, we highly advise you head to the hospital and get yourself tested,” organizers added.
Separate messages in the Discord said those believed to have been affected were receiving support from venue security and staff, with SoTFest Captains remaining on-site.
A community representative also said SoTFest was working closely with Walsall FC and asked attendees not to speculate or take matters into their own hands.
No suspect or substance had been publicly identified at the time of writing, and the reports of spiking had not yet been independently confirmed by police.
West Midlands Police advises anyone who believes they have been spiked to alert venue staff, seek medical assistance, and report the incident as quickly as possible because some substances can leave the body within hours.
Organizers say food poisoning was the likely cause
SoTFest later issued an update after speaking with the two people affected during the event.
According to organizers, one attendee did not require hospital treatment and began feeling better shortly afterward. The other was taken to hospital, examined, and discharged after a few hours.
“The doctors have said they cannot determine the exact cause but believe it was likely food poisoning rather than a spiked drink,” SoTFest said.
Organizers added that the incident was no longer believed to have been caused by drink spiking, although attendees were still encouraged to remain cautious and keep an eye on their drinks at future events.
SoTFest also apologized for ending the evening earlier than planned, explaining that attendee safety had been its priority at the time.
