diff --git a/backend/src/routes/events.js b/backend/src/routes/events.js
index c326fcb..33099fb 100644
--- a/backend/src/routes/events.js
+++ b/backend/src/routes/events.js
@@ -253,6 +253,24 @@ router.post('/checkin/:token', authenticate, async (req, res, next) => {
       });
     }
 
+    // Ensure event chat room exists (create if missing)
+    const existingChatRoom = await prisma.chatRoom.findFirst({
+      where: {
+        eventId: event.id,
+        type: 'event',
+      },
+    });
+
+    if (!existingChatRoom) {
+      await prisma.chatRoom.create({
+        data: {
+          eventId: event.id,
+          type: 'event',
+        },
+      });
+      console.log(`✅ Created missing chat room for event: ${event.slug}`);
+    }
+
     // Add user to event participants
     const participant = await prisma.eventParticipant.create({
       data: {