Cosplay Contest

Cosplay Contest Rules of Engagement

Welcome to our Cosplay Contest! We are thrilled to have you join us for a fun and exciting celebration of creativity, imagination, and craftsmanship. Please take a moment to review the following rules and guidelines before participating in the contest.

General Guidelines for All Participants

1. Family-Friendly Environment

• All costumes must be age-appropriate and family-friendly. Please ensure that your outfit is suitable for all audiences, including young children. No offensive or inappropriate content will be allowed.

• No nudity or overly revealing costumes. Ensure that your costume is respectful of a diverse audience.

2. Categories of Participation

• The competition is divided into two age categories:

• Ages 7-17 (requires adult permission)

• Ages 18+

3. Costume Review & Judging

• All costumes will be judged based on originality, creativity, and effort invested in construction.

• Costumes will be separated into two judging categories:

• Store-Bought (for those who purchase pre-made costumes or accessories)

• Handmade (for those who create or heavily modify their costumes)

• Grand Prize Eligibility: To be considered for the grand prize, your costume must be handmade (no store-bought costumes for the grand prize). The grand prize winner will be selected from the Handmade category only.

4. Registration Deadline

• Participants wishing to be considered for the grand prize must register by June 20th, 2025. This is to ensure that your handmade costume is reviewed by the judges prior to the main event.

• Late registrations or store-bought costume entries will not be considered for the grand prize.

5. Judging Criteria

• Originality: How unique and creative is the costume? Has the participant added a personal touch to their character or theme?

• Creativity: Does the costume display innovative use of materials and techniques? How well does it represent the chosen character or concept?

• Effort: How much time, skill, and craftsmanship has gone into making or modifying the costume? This includes attention to detail, quality of construction, and overall presentation.

Specific Guidelines for Ages 7-17 (Youth Division)

1. Age-Appropriate Costumes

• All costumes must be suitable for a younger audience, with no excessive violence, mature content, or inappropriate themes.

2. Encouragement of Creativity

• We encourage participants in this age group to be as creative and imaginative as possible. Don’t be afraid to step outside the box and show us your unique interpretation of your chosen character.

3. Parental Assistance

• Parents or guardians are welcome to assist younger participants with costume construction or during the registration process. We encourage youth to actively participate in the creation of their costume!

Specific Guidelines for Ages 18+ (Adult Division)

1. Respect for All Audiences

• While adult participants may choose more complex or detailed costumes, it’s important to remember that this is a family-friendly event. Please avoid costumes with excessive gore, violence, or overly suggestive themes.

2. No Commercially Made Costumes for Grand Prize Consideration

• To be eligible for the grand prize, participants in this category must create or heavily modify their costumes. Commercially bought costumes will not be considered for the grand prize.

Additional Notes

• Costume Inspection: All costumes will undergo a brief inspection to ensure they meet the event's standards of safety and appropriateness. This is to make sure that there are no hazards or inappropriate elements present.

• Respect for Others: Please be respectful to all participants, judges, and audience members. The cosplay community thrives on positivity, inclusiveness, and mutual respect.

• Photography and Videography: By entering the contest, you grant permission for your image to be photographed and/or recorded for promotional purposes.

• Costume Authenticity: Muse Con judges will make the final determination on cosplay eligibility. Please be prepared to show photos of work in progress if necessary. 

Important Dates

• Registration Deadline for Grand Prize Consideration: June 20th, 2025

• Event Date: June 21st, 2025

• Judging: Pre-event judging for handmade costumes will take place before the main event. Store-bought costumes will be judged live during the competition.

We look forward to seeing your creativity shine on stage! Good luck, and may the best cosplayer win!