ALL-CON Cosplay Contest 2026 - The Rules!


Cosplayers! Get your lightsabers, bat'leth, and dragon-slaying axes ready! The Cosplay Contest is back, Saturday March 14!

Entries - Fill out your entry form at the Amethyst Ballroom on the main lobby level at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 14. You must be in full cosplay for 3:00pm stage time. The Amethyst has two entrances. The sign-up table will be at the door cosest to the ALL-CON will call desk.

Categories:


• Open/Exhibition: Didn't make your costume but want to show off your cosplay? No problem! We have a category just for you. Store bought, thrift-store, and slightly modified costumes are all welcomed.

• Beginner: For first time cosplayers or for first time entries! Cosplayers in this category have not won any major awards at any convention and need to have made or altered at least 50% of their costume.

• Intermediate: If you've been cosplaying for 1-3 years, have some contest experience or have won at least 1 major award at any convention, this is your category. Entries must have made or altered at least 50% of their costume.

• Advanced: For cosplayers with more than 3 years of experience or have won at least 3 major awards from any convention. Entries must have made or altered at least 70% of their costume.


Notes: If you are modeling the costume but did not make it, the individual/group who made your costume(s) must be available for pre-judging. Judges reserve the right to upgrade a contestant(s) category based on the costume quality.



Rules:


01. All entries must have an ALL-CON badge in order to participate (single/weekend passes).

02. No costume is not a costume.

03. All cosplays must be PG-13 and conform to the convention guidelines.

04. At least 50%-70% of your costume must be constructed by you and/or the crafter, unless you are entering the Open/Exhibition Category.

05. If you are entering the Exhibition Category, your costume will be eligible for a Judge's Award or Exhibition Category Award. Your costume will not be eligible for other Awards.

06. If your costume has won a major award at any convention it may compete. However, your costume will not be eligible for Category Awards or Best in Show. It will be eligible for a Judge's Award.

07. This contest is for Walk-On's only. We do not have a skit division.

08. Each walk-on will have 30 seconds on stage. Use the time to pose, act, or dance your butt off! Take the time to act out as your character.

09. Microphones will not be available for contestants. Please do not shout or yell while on the stage. No swearing, vulgar gestures, lewd acts, or political and/or social statements.

10. Anything that you bring onto the stage must also go off the stage with you. No confetti or glitter. No throwing objects or any projectiles.

11. For safety, any ''battle'' sequences or stunts need to be performed at 3/4 or 1/2 speed, and 1/2 strength, with one foot remaining on the stage at all times.

12. Only groups of 4 are allowed on stage at a time.

13. Contestants must arrive in full costume at 2PM for sign-up and 3PM for stage time. Late contestants may be disqualified.

14. The ALL-CON Cosplay Contest is as much about fun as it is about good sportsmanship. Every contestant is expected to be on their best behavior. Failure to have sportsmanlike conduct will result in disqualification. Please be polite and respectful to the cosplay staff, crew, judges, the audience, and most important of all - your fellow competitors.


2026 MC:

• Erica Muse: Erica Muse is best known for her acting and costuming. She began making costumes in 2005 and acting on stage in 2007. She feels these passions grew, in part, due to being bullied in school. "No one bullied me when I was out of school making costumes, modeling, acting, or performing, because we all had similar dreams!" Her first time on a production set was in 2008 as a tornado victim for F-5, followed by providing wardrobe for Wraith in 2012. After a realization in 2018, she turned her passions towards voice acting, landing her first voice acting role in 2019 as Evelyn in The Lottery. She can now be heard in anime, video games, podcasts, web series, and other projects, working for FUNimation/Crunchyroll, HBO, and Hi-Rez, among other companies.