Cosplay Contest

Cosplay & Prop Contest Rules

Welcome to the Causeacon 2025 Cosplay & Prop Contest! The Cosplay & Prop Contest takes place on Saturday, April 26th and judging takes place that same morning.

While we make every effort to have the complete and final rules published, we may need to make adjustments or modifications to the rules at any time to improve the clarity of the rules or the operation of the cosplay events.

Judging Divisions:

  • Kids: This category is for kids 12 and under. Costumes can be bought or handmade, though you get more points for handmade.
  • Beginner: If this is your first cosplay experience or you have never won a cosplay award, this is your division. 75% of your costume should be handmade.
  • Expert: If you have ever won a cosplay award or your cosplay skill is above what is considered beginner, you’re in the right place. 85% of your costume should be handmade. If your costume has won more than 2 awards at previous conventions or your costume has won an award at Causeacon, it is not eligible for this contest.
  • Judge’s Pick (best in show): The judge’s will pick their favorite cosplay over all of the participants.
  • Prop Master: Open to all ages, this category is dedicated to prop making. That includes: weapons, shields, accessories and props from fandoms. 75% of the prop should be made by hand.
  • Staff Picks: Some of our Causeacon staff members will pick their favorite cosplays from the competition for a small honor. Any costume from the competition can win, even if they have received a judge award from the current competition.

Each contestant will be judged on the following categories:

  • Accuracy
    • How accurate your costume is to it’s original, modified image or design?
    • Do you have a reference photo of the character/costume you are trying to portray?
    • Do the proportions of the costume pieces line up with the design?
  • Craftsmanship
    • How much of your costume did you create/alter yourself?
    • Can you show or explain the detail you’ve added to the costume?
    • Do you have progress photos or documentation of your cosplay journey?
  • Polished: Ask yourself these questions before presenting your cosplay:
    • Is the stitching and seams clean?
    • Is the paint job smooth?
    • Have you sanded any edges?
    • Are there any glue strands?
  • Hand-Made vs Altered/modified
    • Costumes can contain both hand made (items created from scratch) and altered/modified (costume pieces that already exist that you change such as: repainting, gluing on piece, ect…).
    • While both are acceptable, more points will be awarded for hand-made.

If you are uncertain which division is best for your entry, our staff can assist you!

Please remember we do not supply participants with any of the following: reference photos, make-up, make-up applicators and/or removers, paint, etc. Please come to the convention with everything you need to complete and/or assemble your cosplay.

Cosplay Contest Rules

  • All Cosplay participants must be registered attendees of the convention.
  • The same costume CAN NOT win more than once at Causeacon.
    All costumes entered must comply with the Causeacon rules and regulations under the cosplay guidelines.
  • Contestants will walk on stage and stand on the stage markers for pictures. You will make three poses for our photographer and then walk off stage to line up.
  • NO blatant nudity/adult related content. This event is rated PG, and we are a family-friendly convention. Please use some discretion with your character, props and presentation.
  • The following may not be worn for competition in beginner or expert workmanship division: purchased costumes or rented costumes.
  • Youth participants under the age of 12 may be accompanied by an adult (with a purchased ticket/badge).
  • Your entry must be finished before you get to judging. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed backstage. However, final assembly of large pieces and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
  • Participants will be required to sign a liability release and a release for use of video and photo images.
  • All contestants must be able to move their costume up and down stairs on their own. Contestant may provide assistant to help guide visually impairing costumes.
  • Contestants can only enter as part of ONE costume or group. If a single person has made multiple costumes, they must be entered as a group, otherwise they must select only one costume to compete in the workmanship contest.
  • Group effort cosplays are allowed, but must enter together as a group.
  • 3D printed cosplay pieces are permitted. More points will be awarded if contestant created the 3D design themselves.
  • If your costume is made almost entirely by someone else, they must be present to win in workmanship and the prize will go to them. You may not enter a cosplay that someone else created as your own.
  • It’s okay for entrants in the Beginner category to have help from a relative/friend, but they should have made most of the costume themselves. The helper does not need to be present, but the contestant must be honest with judges about the extent of the involvement anyone else had in the construction of their costume.
  • Expert category contestants are expected to make their costumes solely on their own.
  • Audience members are not allowed to run up to the stage area for any reason.
  • Audience members should be courteous and respectful. Please do not boo or shout negative things to cosplay contestants, judges or Causeacon staff.
  • Any unsportsmanlike conduct during the convention or online will result in expulsion from future costume competitions at Causeacon and possibly the convention itself.
  • The cosplay director and judges have the right to change your division to a higher division to create a fair competition. Consider this an honor.
  • You may enter both the cosplay contest and prop master contest at the same time and with the same or different prop pieces in both categories.

Prop Master Rules

  • All prop participants must be registered attendees of the convention.
  • The same prop CAN NOTwin more than once at Causeacon.
  • Contestants will walk on stage when announced to display their prop and show any of its functions if applicable. You will make three poses for our photographer and then walk off stage to line up.
  • NO blatant nudity/adult related content. This event is rated PG, and we are a family-friendly convention. Please use some discretion with your props and presentation.
  • This category is open to all ages.
  • Your entry must be finished before you get to the line-up hallway. No sewing, gluing, spray painting, welding, or other construction work is allowed backstage. However, final assembly of large pieces and/or props and unexpected repairs will be allowed.
  • Participants will be required to sign a liability release and a release for use of video and photo images.
  • All contestants must be able to move their prop on their own and walk up stairs carrying it.
  • A group can enter together for contributing in making one prop, but can only enter one time.
  • If your prop is made by someone else, they must be present to win in workmanship and the prize will go to them. You may not enter a prop that someone else created as your own.
  • Audience members are not allowed to run up to the stage area for any reason.
  • Audience members should be courteous and respectful. Please do not boo or shout negative things to cosplay contestants, judges or Causeacon staff.
  • Any unsportsmanlike conduct during the convention or online will result in expulsion from future costume competitions at Causeacon and possibly the convention itself.
  • Props entered must comply with the Causeacon rules and regulations under thecosplay guidelines.
  • Prop approved entries are as follows: weapons, shields, props and costume accessories (hats, masks, gauntlets, belts, wings, ect). Costume pieces and clothing apparel are not permissible for this category.
  • You may only enter one prop in the contest.
  • You may enter both the cosplay contest and prop master contest at the same time and with the same or different prop pieces in both categories.

Release Forms

All participants will be required to sign a permission/release/waiver form to participate in the contest.

Minors under 18 years of age may participate in the Cosplay Contest only if a permission/release form signed by the minor’s legal guardian is provided. We highly encourage you to print out and sign the appropriate form(s) and bring them to check-in to expedite the process.

Important! Forms will be collected when you check in for the judging portion of the contest. This is the only time we will accept waivers. If signed waiver forms are not present, we will not check you in.

Cosplay Contest Applications

We will no longer be accepting online applications for the Causeacon Cosplay Contest. To sign up for the contest, you must register on-site at in Panel Room Crimson April 26th, Saturday morning of the event (10 AM – 1 PM).

Judging Information:
When: Saturday, April 26th, 2025
When 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Where: Panel Room Crimson

Cosplay contestants must be judged before 1:30 PM to be officially entered into the Cosplay Contest. When entering Panel Room Crimson, contestants must check in with a Causeacon staff member and turn in/fill out their photo consent form before being judged. Please bring a copy of your reference photo for the judges.

We will NOT take participants past 1 PM, no exceptions.