Cosplay Contest Participant- Saturday 8/15 Only

Cosplay entry- SATURDAY August 15, 2026 ONLY- if applying for multiple days you must put a separate application in for each day.

Categories include:

Child

Group (up to 4- 1 application for all)

Hobbyist

Professional

Excalibur Con Costume Contest Rules
Separate contests will be held on Saturday August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Excalibur Con 2025, in the Split Rock Room. PLEASE NOTE that contestant check-in will be at the Cosplay Check-in table near the ticketing area.

Contest Basics  
Costume entries may be simple walk-on-and-pivot displays or may involve a short presentation.  

Performances are limited to 30 seconds. You may perform your own speech, drama, song, or other skill, or you can simply model while our emcee narrates text that you provide. The emphasis of judging is on the costumes.   

Advance registration is highly recommended. The costume contest is limited to 52 entries per day (13 per category)  

If any category receives 13 entries, that category will be closed. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first-entered basis, and Excalibur Con coordinators reserve the right to recategorize participants as needed. When the contest reaches capacity, a waiting list will be created. Entries on the waiting list will be admitted to the contest if a registered entry drops out or does not appear at check-in.   

To register, complete the application. If you are participating BOTH Saturday and Sunday, one submission is required per day. This form does not register you for the convention—only the costume contest. You must also register for the convention. A valid convention badge will be required when you sign in at Costume Contest Check-In.   

Emcee Introduction

Our emcee will introduce you as you appear on stage. Write a short introduction for yourself that you would like the emcee to read. Type it or write it neatly and attach it to your entry form. This is your chance to impress the judges; include a description of the construction of your costume or a story about the character you're portraying. This description is limited to 60 words. We reserve the right to edit material.   

On-site entries

Fill out the entry form (your introduction for the emcee must be attached and typed or neatly written) and drop it off at the “Costume Contest Check-In” table by 11:30 A.M. on Saturday or Sunday. If you miss this deadline, come to Costume Contest Check-In and we'll see if we have room for you.   

Contestant Check-In

All contestants must check in at Contest Check-In. Mailing or dropping an entry form reserves a space for you, but you are not officially registered until you appear at check-in. Contestants who do not appear at check-in are considered dropped. Check-in takes about 30 minutes. 

Costume Contest Rules  
1. Any item or activity that presents the possibility of damage to the entrants, their costumes, the audience,or the facility is prohibited. Weapons need to adhere to the Excalibur Con cosplay guidelines. In other words, you may bring secured weapons directly to the contest, but you cannot wear or carry weapons into  the convention areas or halls. Weapons must be removed and securely wrapped immediately upon leaving the stage. Prohibited items worn into the convention areas will be confiscated. Functional firearms are not permitted at any time in the convention or the costume contest. Fire and liquids are not permitted on stage.  

2. Please be sure to read Excalibur Con’s policies regarding costumes and cosplay before entering; see Policies and Show Info on the website. In addition, good taste must be used in creation and presentation of costumes and talent. Gore, graphic violence, nudity, swearing, or other objectionable elements may be grounds for disqualification as determined by the Costume Contest Staff. The Costume Contest attracts many families each year and Excalibur Con wishes to maintain a comfortable atmosphere for all spectators (PG-13).  

3. Any participant may be disqualified from the contest by Excalibur Con Show Management or Costume Contest Staff for failure to observe any of these rules. All decisions made by the judges are final. All prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the contest.  

4. Special stage requests will be considered but cannot be guaranteed. Requests should be submitted in  writing along with the registration form.  

5. All contestants must check in. A valid convention badge will be required at check-in.  

6. No entries will be accepted after check-in has concluded. Contestants who do not appear at check-in will be dropped.  

7. Restrooms are available in the convention center. Entrants are responsible for their own belongings. Excalibur Con is unable to provide a secure area for personal items. Contestants may bring an assistant to help with belongings, but that person must have valid convention entry.  

8. Contestants are unable to supply music to be played during their performance. Music will be at the DJ's discretion. Excalibur Con is unable to connect electronic devices to the house sound system.  

9. Questions about Costume Contest rules and registration may be addressed to the Costume Contest Coordinator. Contact our team at mnswca@gmail.com. Include the words “Costume Contest” in the subject line. Please do not send entries via email; emailed entries will be ignored. 

10. Pre-registrations: Emcee introductions must be attached to application or emailed to the Costume Contest Coordinator by midnight on Friday, August 15. See Rule #9.  

11. If you use spam-blocking software, please adjust your settings to accept email from the Costume Contest Coordinator (see Rule #9) so you can receive communication via email.  

12. Any prize not claimed by Sunday at 6 pm at the close of the convention will be forfeited. 

13. Awards will be granted to the first, second, and third place winners of each category. A maximum of three awards will be presented to winners of the Group category. 

All Events to be professionally captured/recorded for livestream/V.O.D. distribution exclusively through Excalibur Con official channels. Events in the program are intended to be streamed live on Excalibur Con's official Mainstage social media and streaming channel(s) with minimal live editing. Post show events to be distributed on all standard channels of distribution.   

Costume Categories  
Choose a category for your costume and check it on the entry form. If your costume fits multiple categories, pick the category you prefer. We will review your costume at check-in to make sure you are in the right category. Categories may be closed depending on the number of entries. All categories will be available Saturday and Sunday 

o Groups: Teams of two or more cosplayers.  

o Professional (To keep the contest fair, you must enter the Professional category if you meet any of the following criteria, regardless of your age):  
1) You are a past first-place winner of another major costume contest within  
the past 5 years;  
2) Your costume was constructed by a professional in the garment or costume industry, whether it was you or someone else;  
3) Your costume was constructed by someone who earns the majority of their living in the construction of costumes or clothing.  
4) First-place winners in the child category will be evaluated for the Professional category on a case-by-case basis. Costumes made by adults will be moved to the Professional category. Children who make their own costumes may be allowed to remain in the Child category.)  

o Child (Ages 0–12, all costume types)  

o Hobbyist (Ages 13+, all costume types as long as none of the above apply)