Calling all Cosplayers! Step into the spotlight and show off your creativity and skills in our new, revised for 2025, Cosplay Contest.

Categories:

Youth, Novice, Journeyman, Master, and Group. We will also be giving out a few extra awards at the end of the contest, including Best of Show.

• Youth: Limited to contestants ages 12 and under. If you’ve previously won an award, you are automatically bumped to Novice.
  • Prizing: Trophy, $25 Gift Card, and one ticket to TooManyGames 2026.
    
• Novice: Beginner / first cosplay contest – Novice includes at least one of the below:
  • Made 5 or less costumes
  • Has won no major awards.
  • Typically new to costuming, little to no experience in cosplay competitions, 0-1 awards
  • Prizing: Trophy, $50 Gift Card, and one ticket to TooManyGames 2026
    
• Journeyman: Intermediate – Journeyman includes at least one of the below:
  • Competed 2+ years
  • Made 5-10 costumes
  • Won at least one major award
  • Background in crafting / sewing
  • Previous win in Novice/Journeyman category
  • Some experience in costuming, cosplay competitions, and has won 1-2 major awards in Novice or Journeyman.
  • Prizing: Trophy, $75 Gift Card, and one ticket to TooManyGames 2026
    
• Master: Advanced – Master includes at least one of the below:
  • Competed in at least one advanced category
  • Won 5+ major awards.
  • Won Masters placement previously.
  • Made 10+ costumes.
  • Most experience in costuming and cosplay competitions.
  • Prizing: Trophy, $100 Gift Card, and one ticket to TooManyGames 2026
    
• Group: Open Level / Exhibition – Maximum size of 5 participants. If you are entering as a group, it must be themed as the same fandom. (e.g. All members are from Final Fantasy VIII and competing together.)
  • Prizing: Individual Medals and a $250 Gift Card

Judging Criteria:

Carries across all categories and includes (but is not limited to):

• Construction and Durability – how will the costume wear throughout the day?
• Finishing – quality of seams, clean edges, hems, visible glue, etc.
• Creativity – original takes on character, their props, etc.
• Accuracy – judges may look up reference material for your character if they are unfamiliar with them.

Rules / More Information:

• Judges have final say in category placement and reserve the right to move into a different category.
• 50% Rule – in order to compete, at least 50% of the costume must be made by the contestant.
• No repeat entries and you may only enter in one category.
• Each category will have a limited amount of signups. Signups must be in person at the Cosplay Repair Booth, in Hall B. First come, first serve. Hours will be all day Friday, all day Saturday and from 11 AM to 12 PM on Sunday. At signups, each individual will be given a physical number card, and must be present by specified date and time on contest day in order to compete. Lose the card and the contestant can no longer compete and will forfeit their spot. No contestants will be permitted to enter the contest after signups close. There will be a waitlist in case someone no-shows. You must be present and listen for your time if you are taken from the waitlist. 
• All contestants and those who accompany them must have a valid TooManyGames badge.
• A parent or guardian must accompany all in the Youth Category (12 and under).
• Please keep content to PG-13. The event is a family-friendly convention. No nudity, profanity, or otherwise inappropriate behavior.
• Do not enter a costume that has previously won a major award (e.g. Best in Novice, Best in Journeyman, Best in Master, Best in Show)  “Sandbagging” will result in disqualification. You may enter if the costume won a minor award (e.g. Judge’s Choice.)
• Contestants must abide by all rules and convention policies. 
• The cosplay contest will potentially be filmed and/or photographed and these items may be used for future promotions. By entering this contest, you do so with the understanding that permission is given to use these images in the future.
• Information to be collected from the competitor and added to a detailed chart including assigned number and category joined. This information to be printed on the day of the contest and provided to judges and host.
  • Legal Name 
  • Email Address
  • Preferred Name (for announcing)
  • Pronouns
  • Division
  • Character Name
  • # Given
  • Series Name

Cosplay Weapon Policies: 

• Live Steel is not permitted on or near premises. This includes, but is not limited to: swords, bayonets, knives, cane-swords, or other objects made of metal that may have an edge. This also applies to non-live steel. 
• Projectile Weapons of any kind are not permitted. Including, but not limited to: airsoft guns, bb guns, pellet guns, crossbows, real bows and arrows, dart guns, blowguns, water guns, stun guns, tasers, etc.
  • Prop guns with orange, non-removable tips with no moveable parts are permitted. 
• No Nunchaku – of any kind will be permitted. A nunchaku is defined as two sticks with a short chain or rope in between.
• Explosives / Chemicals are not permitted. 
• If the item is illegal in the State of Pennsylvania, it is illegal inside of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
• Oversized cosplay weapons / props must be tagged and approved by staff.

If you are uncertain if a certain weapon will be allowed, please e-mail in advance to [email protected] and explain what you are interested in bringing to the show.