Dragon*Con Cosplay Contest Rules & Guidelines

Director: Jake Tarbox and Jessica Merriman

The Anime and Animation tracks at Dragon*Con are proud to bring back the Cosplay Contest! The Cosplay Contest location and time will be listed at the convention in the pocket program, and please be sure to come by Pre-Judging if you wish to enter the contest! Pre-Judging will be held in the Anime Programming room prior to the contest: you’ll parade your costume in front of our panel of judges and they will rank the winners. Contestants are judged on their costume only, no skits will be allowed. All entrants will then get a chance to show off their handiwork at the Cosplay Contest on the stage! Contest forms will be available on-site at Pre-Judging only.

Note: Dragon*Con hosts a plethora of costume contests. We ask that only costumers with animation, Japanese anime, or video game costumes enter the cosplay contest.

Dragon*Con Cosplay Contest Rules & Guidelines

1. Contestants can only enter in one category, Individual or Group. Due to the unpredictable size of groups, a prize for each member can not be guaranteed.


2. No skits during judging or catwalk.


3. No nudity. No costume is no costume.


4. No profanity allowed on stage. That includes messages on signs or clothes. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition.


5. No political or religious statement during the catwalk. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition.


6. Do not use any sort of projectile at all! Nothing must leave your person while you are on the catwalk. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.


7. No flashpots, explosive devices, or similar special effects are to be used. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.


8. All prop weapons must conform to the Dragon*Con Weapons Policy.


9. All applications must be submitted physically to the contest registration table before pre-judging; there is no online entry. An application may be obtained either from the website or from the Anime Track room before pre-judging.


10. To be judged for accuracy a visual reference, preferably a front and back color “photo” on paper, can be turned with application. Electronic media (i.e. CD’s) will not be accepted nor will bringing a laptop or video device (i.e. IPODS) to pre-judging. This is not required. However, you may not be eligible for accuracy points if the judges are not familiar enough with your character.


11. All judging will be done before the showing, off-stage.


12. Costumes must be self contained.


13. Do not enter or exit the catwalk except at the designated points.


14. Each contestant may only enter one costume into competition.


15. Large elaborate costumes must be handled by the contestant and/or assistants the contestant brings to help. Dragon*Con will not be able to provide assistants.