Cosplay Contest
Show off your craftsmanship and performance skills on our stage!
For the past four years, we have been amazed by all of our talented attendees who come to OffKai Expo in cosplay. This year, our Cosplay Contest returns for those who want to show off on stage and compete for a prize!
Gen 5 rings in our second year of the Cosplay Contest! This means a competition, judges, and prizes! That’s right, “prizes” with an ‘s’. For those of you who spend hours getting your wig just right, the Craftsmanship award will be for you. Those just looking to have fun might be more interested in a Performance award. Do a dance or collab with your friends for a skit to impress our judges and claim your prize. Due to time constraints there will be a participant limit, so if you are interested apply early! Each participant will receive a gift for being a part of the event in addition to the prizes for winners!
Ready for the spotlight? Check out the full rules and conditions below. Signups will open on April 17th at 12pm PT!
Rules
General
- This is a cosplay contest with judging based on 2 categories: craftsmanship & performance.
- You must wear the same cosplay for all parts of the contest. You may only enter 1 cosplay.
- You may opt to enter as a craftsmanship-only entry, performance-only entry, or both. Note that electing to only enter one category will make you ineligible for awards of the other category. (I.e: A performance-only entry is ineligible for consideration for the Best Craftsmanship award.)
- Anyone is allowed to enter the cosplay contest. However, priority will be given to entries with selfmade cosplays.
- Participants (and their stage ninjas) will need a WEEKEND badge since craftsmanship judging and showmanship judging may be split across two different days.
- All cosplays and performances must adhere to the Attendee Code of Conduct, especially the COSPLAY & CONSENT and WEAPONS & PROPS policies.
- Costumes must be able to fit within a standard doorway and cannot exceed 6ft in width, length, or height. Costumes should adhere to safety guidelines including but not limited to mobility (unrestricted arms and/or legs) and unobscured vision.
- Failure to follow the Cosplay Contest rules may result in disqualification, being blacklisted from future OffKai Expo Cosplay Contests, or Code of Conduct violations. OffKai Expo reserves the right to carry out such actions at their sole discretion.
- Entries that are dishonest to judges or sandbag may be disqualified and blacklisted from future OffKai Expo Cosplay Contests.
- Contestants acknowledge that they may have their images or likeness appear in photographs or videos from the Cosplay Contest and that OffKai Expo may use them in promotional media.
Divisions
- Prospective entrants must report their division on their application.
- Novice: No major awards (i.e: Best in Class, Best in Show)
- Minor awards such as honorable mentions or judge’s awards are allowed.
- Journeyman: 1 or 2 major awards
- Masters: 3 or more major awards, you have significant professional craftsmanship experience, or you have competed in the Masters category at another cosplay contest.
- Novice: No major awards (i.e: Best in Class, Best in Show)
- If you are unsure of your appropriate placement, please reach out to our Cosplay Contest department prior to the application deadline.
Craftsmanship
- Costumes must be at least 75% selfmade.
- Craftsmanship-only entries must complete a walk-on for the stage portion.
- Contestants must attend their assigned prejudging slot. Failure to attend prejudging will disqualify the entry from any craftsmanship related awards.
- Each entry will have exactly 5 minutes with the judges to talk about the construction of their cosplay.
- Please disclose all parts of your cosplay that are purchased or commissioned (not selfmade).
- Be honest! Good sportsmanship can go a long way. Our judges are experienced and can only judge what you made.
- Quick tip: Talk about what you’re proud of and why, and don’t mention anything you aren’t happy with!
- Judges may ask for your consent to touch or take photos of your costume. You have the right to decline. Declining will not impact your eligibility for any award. No video or audio recording inside the prejudging room is allowed.
Performance & Stage Portion
- Performances can be of any genre (dance, action, drama, comedy, etc.) as long as they are appropriate and respectful.
- All performances and walk-ons must be self-contained. Entrants cannot jump off stage, throw items, or pass things to/from the audience. All props must be able to be picked up and removed from the stage easily following the performance. No glitter, smoke, liquids, confetti, bubbles, etc.
- No live microphones will be provided for performances. If you will feature dialogue or singing in your performance, please have it pre-recorded and included in your audio.
- All contestants must arrive at the designated call time prior to the show. Absence or tardiness may result in removal from the show.
- Each entry will be given time on stage.
- Walk-ons (craftsmanship-only entries) are allotted 30 seconds.
- Performances are allotted 2 minutes (120 seconds) maximum.
- Performing entries can be shorter if desired.
- Contestants may provide music to OffKai Expo staff for playback during their stage portion.
Awards
- An award ceremony will happen at the end of the Cosplay Contest following judges’ deliberation.
- The 2026 Award List is as follows:
- 3 x Judges Awards
- Best Novice
- Best Journeyman
- Best Masters
- Best Performance
- Best Craftsmanship
- Emcees’ Choice
- Best in Show
- In order to be eligible for Best in Show, you must enter as both craftsmanship and performance.
FAQ
I’m new to cosplay/cosplay contests, should I enter? Cosplay Contest sounds scary…
First times are always stressful, but we want to make sure to showcase a variety of skill levels and experience on our stage, so please don’t be scared to enter even if you are new to all of this!
How much of the cosplay must be handmade in order to enter?
For performance-only entries, there is no requirement for how much of a cosplay must be handmade. For craftsmanship-only and entries entering both categories, at least 75% of the costume must be selfmade. In addition, the participant(s) must disclose what items are bought or made by them. Please note that the more parts that are handmade, the higher chance there is to win an award.
I didn’t make my cosplay but I would still like to go on stage for the stage portion, can I still enter?
Participants that only want to be part of the stage portion can still register but must apply as a performance-only entry. However, priority will be given to handmade cosplays.
What’s the difference between a walk-on and a performance entry?
Walk-ons are reserved for craftsmanship-only entries. A walk-on is 30 seconds long from start to finish, beginning with walking on stage, striking a few poses, then walking off. Performances involve a pre-choreographed routine; it can be a dance, lip sync, scripted skit, or any other talent you’d like to showcase.
Can I enter a pre-existing costume?
Yes, as long as it was not used in a previous OffKai Expo Cosplay Contest and has zero major awards. No sandbagging is allowed. Costumes that have previously won any major craftsmanship award are ineligible for craftsmanship judging but may be entered for performance-only.
Are there divisions (novice, journeyman, master) in this cosplay contest?
Yes! Although we are introducing divisions this year, there are awards for every level of cosplayers; everyone is welcome no matter your skill level!
How do I know which division to enter as?
If you are entering as a group, you should enter at the highest division of your most experienced member. That means, if you are a novice entering with a master, your group entry will enter into the masters division. If you are unsure, please contact our Cosplay Contest department.
What info do I need to prepare in order to sign up?
You’ll need: the names of each member of your entry, the name of the cosplay(s) you will be wearing, and your division (group/individual).
How big can my group be?
The maximum number of cosplayers per entry is 6.
How many applications should we submit if we are a group?
Only one application per entry is needed. The member that submits the application will be the primary contact for the group’s entry and is responsible for passing along all important information and communication.
Can I play music/video during my performance?
You will be able to provide a backing music track and request a stage lighting color, but we will not be able to accept videos.
Will a chair be available for my performance?
Chairs will be available to borrow if you require one for your performance. A maximum of one chair is allowed per entry.
What if I need stage ninjas for my performance?
You may include stage ninjas to assist in your performance, but must bring your own as no stage ninjas will be provided at con. Each entry is allowed a maximum of 2 ninja. Please include your stage ninjas in your application.
What if I don’t finish my cosplay?
We get it, life happens! Entries that are unable to meet designated timelines may be granted an extension on a case by case basis. If you need an extension please contact our Cosplay Contest department with your entry name as soon as possible.
What do I do if I have an accessibility need?
Please notify us ASAP if you have any accessibility concerns or required accommodations. It is not yet finalized, but our stage will have either a ramp or a mobile lift.
More questions?