Sign up early! Spots are limited and first come, first served!
The MCX Cosplay Contest will take place on Saturday at 4:00 PM on the Main Stage. Contestants must be pre-judged to qualify for awards. Pre-judging will be held Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and sign-ups close when judging ends or when slots are full. On-site sign-ups will be available from con opening on Saturday until noon, but we recommend pre-registering to ensure your spot.
Contest Categories
- Junior (Youth, 14 & under)
- Novice (Beginner)
- Journeyman (Intermediate)
- Master (Advanced)
Each pre-judging slot will last 6 minutes per contestant. You must be judged by 1:00 PM and participate in the on-stage walk during the contest to qualify for awards.
All entries must consist of costumes that are at least 70% made or heavily modified by the cosplayer. Commissioned costumes are not eligible. Group entries are not being accepted in the craftsmanship competition this year.
Eligibility & Requirements
- All contestants must be MCX attendees.
- Costumes may be from any genre (anime, comics, video games, original designs, etc.). For original characters, please provide reference art or design documentation.
- If you are modeling a costume you did not make, the maker must be present at judging to qualify.
- No costumes that have previously won major awards (Best in Show or 1st in division) unless at least 75% has been remade.
- Participants must be prepared to walk on stage and briefly present their costumes during the contest.
Division Guidelines
Novice
- New to cosplay contests.
- Must not have previously won 1st place in Novice or awards in higher divisions.
- Costume must be 70% made by the entrant.
Journeyman
- Moderate experience with contests.
- Must not have won 1st place in Journeyman or any Master division awards.
- Costume must be 70% made by the entrant.
Master
- Highly experienced cosplayers.
- Multiple awards and years of experience.
- Costume must be 70% made by the entrant.
Youth (14 and under)
- Parents/adults may assist, but juniors must contribute to construction.
- Extra credit given to juniors who build significant portions.
- Adult assistance should be explained during judging.
Stage Awards
- Best in Show
- Master Division
- Journeyman Division
- Novice Division
- Youth Division
- Best Makeup
- Best Armor
- Best Prop
- Best Sewing
- Judges’ Choice
People’s Choice Runway Show (Sunday at 2:00 PM)
Want to show off your cosplay without entering the craftsmanship contest? Join us for the People’s Choice Runway Show on Sunday at 2:00 PM on the Main Stage! Walk the stage, wow the crowd, and the fan favorite will win based on audience applause!
General Rules
- This is a family-friendly event, no nudity, profanity, or inappropriate messages (verbal, written, or visual).
- No projectiles of any kind, nothing can be thrown, fired, or launched from the costume or the cosplayer.
- No pyrotechnics or live flame.
- Handlers may accompany you if needed for accessibility or costume support, but MCX will not provide one.
- Cosplayers are responsible for any costume maintenance or repairs throughout the show.
