Ultimate Cosplay Contest

We welcome all cosplayers to submit their work for our annual awards ceremony. IT IS FREE TO SUBMIT. Please find submission criteria below:

• Costumes entered in craftsmanship categories must be at least 50% handmade.
• Craftsmanship entries will be divided based on skill level. All craftsmanship entries are required to go through prejudging before the contest to be eligible for awards.
• Judges may move the contestant into a different category than they entered based on their skill level or award history with no prior notice given to the contestant.
• Commissioned costumes are allowed to participate in the craftsmanship categories, but the creator must be with you during prejudging to be eligible to win any prize or award.
• There is a limit of one entry per craftsman. If you have made all the costumes for a group, this will count as one entry. You cannot enter two handmade costumes as two separate entries by utilizing a model.
• Novice: Novice means that you are fairly new to creating costumes. Qualifying status for being in the Novice category: you have never won a major award*, you are fairly new to learning the craft and/or competing. Percentage 50% handmade.
• Intermediate: This category means that you have handmade at least 5 costumes and/or have won one to three major awards. Percentage 65% homemade.
• Advanced: This category is for the cosplayer who is proficient handcrafting costumes. You have won three or more major awards and/or handmade over 10 costumes. Percentage 75% handmade

SANDBAGGING CLAUSE

You may not enter the same costume that has already won a major award at a convention of similar or smaller size. Exceptions may be made for contestants entering in categories above the awarded class (Example: A costume that won best Novice at a con and now chooses to compete at the Intermediate level). It is up to the Contest Staff and the Judges if this exception applies to said contestant. Failure to disclose previous awards may result in your disqualification from the contest and/or having your award revoked.

PREJUDGING PROCESS

Prejudging times will be on the day of the contest. Prior to the contest itself. 

Signups will be available until April 24th 2026, or until the craftsmanship category slots fill. Sign up early!

Craftsmanship entries will be given a time slot to be prejudged. Time slots will be assigned and sent out prior to the event. You will only be given a limited time slot to show the judges your cosplay. This time may be extended if it does not keep another contestant from being prejudged. Cases where this could apply is when the costume construction is more involved or you are competing in a higher category such as Advanced.

You will be asked to talk about your costume, so be prepared to talk to our judges. Come knowing what you want to say about your cosplay, and make sure to hit the big points on how you made it. We strongly recommend bringing a book or folder of progress pictures! Be truthful about what you did and didn’t make yourself.

The judges may come up to you and look closely at your cosplay. If you are uncomfortable with the judges getting close to you, please inform them so they can adjust accordingly. 

If you do not show up for your prejudging time you will be disqualified from any and all eligible prizes.

DOCUMENTATION AND REFERENCES

Please bring references or photos of the character or costume you have created, as it makes it easier for the judges to see your process. Try to bring photos with multiple angles and of good quality, or bring a tablet or electronic device with a decent screen to provide to the judges.  

TERMS & CONDITIONS

All participants in the PopCon Cosplay Contest have read and agreed to the weapon and costume policy set in the convention guidelines.

Anyone who does not show up to their prejudging at their scheduled time or for setup will be automatically disqualified from the contest and will not be eligible in any prizes or awards.

We may send reminder emails before or during the convention. Your email will not be shared with any party outside of the Rubber City Cosplay and the PopCon staff. 

COSPLAY COMPETITION RULES

• Contestants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the competition.

• Profanity, as well as costumes or props containing racially, culturally, or politically offensive content, will not be tolerated. Discriminatory themes are strictly prohibited.

• Costumes must provide appropriate coverage of “swimsuit areas.” Nudity is not permitted. Costumes consisting solely of body paint are not allowed.

• The use of pyrotechnics, fire, explosives, live animals, or similar special effects is strictly prohibited. This includes devices such as smoke machines, flash paper, and flash powder. 

  • Service animals are permitted – please contact event organizers in advance for accommodations.

• Running, gymnastics, or any other extraneous physical activity is strictly prohibited on stage for the safety of all contestants and stage equipment. 

  • Do not jump on/off the stage.

• All metal prop weapons must remain sheathed at all times. No sharp-edged props or firearms – real or replica – are allowed on the premises or as part of any costume.

• To participate you are required to have purchased a PopCon badge.

  • Contestants that have Badges that were provided by PopCon for volunteer, guest, fan group, or staffing reasons are ineligible for monetary awards.

• Please contact us with any questions regarding ADA or accessibility. 

  • All contestants must use the stairs or ramp provided to enter and exit the stage.

    • If you are unable to use the stairs or ramp on stage for any reason, please contact us prior to the event.