Cosplay Programming · Main Events

Masquerade Contest

Take the stage, show off your build, and turn your favorite character into a moment the whole convention will remember.

Cosplay Showcase

Your Craft. Your Performance. Your Moment.

Back again for another year, the Masquerade gives cosplayers of every skill level a place to celebrate craftsmanship and performance. Strut across the Main Events stage, show off your sewing, crafting, and fabrication skills, and compete for cash prizes.

Walk-On

Craftsmanship or exhibition runway

Cross the stage, strike a few poses, give the audience time for photos, and enjoy your cosplay runway moment.

Performance

Acting, skits, or choreographed dance

Build a performance for the audience with up to three minutes of audio. Follow the audio submission instructions and deadline provided to entrants.

Cosplayers presenting their costumes during the Matsuricon Masquerade.
A masquerade contestant posing for the Matsuricon audience.
A costumed performer under the lights of the Matsuricon Main Events stage.
Masquerade contestants sharing the Matsuricon stage.

Entry Window · Soon

Online Entries Are Not Yet Open

Online entries will open soon. Review the rules now and check back for registration.

Confirmation Timeline

Confirmation timing will be shared with entrants after the online window closes. Check the inbox associated with your entry.

Skit Registration

Performance entry

Craftsmanship / Walk-On

Runway or judged entry

Judging Interest Form

Judging interest applications will open soon.

Questions, concerns, or entry help? Email the cosplay team at cosplay@matsuricon.org.

Craftsmanship · Entry Classification

Choose Your Division

The cosplay staff may place an entrant in the division that best matches their experience and entry. Review the shared requirements before selecting yours.

Craftsmanship Requirements

These rules apply to every judged craftsmanship entry.
  • Official, fan art, and original designs are welcome when you bring reference art for the accuracy portion of the judging rubric.
  • At least 75% of the costume must be made from scratch by its creator. Shoes and wigs do not count toward the overall costume.
  • Entries are accepted first come, first served within each division. Once a division fills, additional applicants move to its waitlist.
  • Craftsmanship judging takes place Friday and Saturday. You may request one day or indicate that either day works.
  • Commissioned costumes cannot enter a competition division, but they may enter Exhibition.
  • Groups compete at the highest division represented by any member. Entrants may be judged separately and still walk and pose together.

Division · EXB

Exhibition

For anyone who wants the runway without craftsmanship judging.

Commissioned, store-bought, rented, and borrowed costumes are welcome. Exhibition entries do not receive craftsmanship awards, and space is limited to 10 slots.

Division · CST

Closet Cosplay

For costumes with substantial handmade modifications.

At least 50% of the costume must be heavily modified. Outfits assembled entirely from unmodified found clothing do not qualify and will be moved to Exhibition.

Division · YTH

Youth Cosplay

For beginning makers under 16 years old.

Some assistance is acceptable, but every form of help must be explained thoroughly during judging.

Division · NOV

Novice

For makers in the early stages of learning their craft.

Entrants may not have won more than one major award or three minor awards, such as honorable mentions or judges’ awards.

Division · JRN

Journeyman

For makers with solid construction knowledge and advanced skills.

Entrants may not have won more than two major awards or four minor awards, or have comparable experience.

Division · MST

Masters

For experienced makers who know the cosplay craft inside and out.

Entrants have won three or more major awards or demonstrate comparable experience.

Judging · Five-Minute Review

Come Ready to Tell Your Build Story

Good preparation lets the judges spend your limited time understanding the choices, techniques, and problem solving behind your costume.
  1. 01

    Bring references

    Bring clear character references so the judges can evaluate accuracy. Color printouts are best, though figures, tablets, manga, books, and laptops are accepted. Using a phone for references will result in a point deduction.

  2. 02

    Document your build

    Photos of your work in progress are required, most commonly assembled into a build book alongside your references. Include enough photos for the judges to understand your process.

  3. 03

    Plan for five minutes

    Your explanation and the judges’ questions share a five-minute limit. Be ready to discuss fabric choices, construction methods, problem solving, and the techniques you are most proud of.

  4. 04

    Expect a close look

    Judges will inspect seams and details up close. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, tell the judges immediately.

Performance · Stage Guidelines

Make Your Three Minutes Count

Fifteen acts. Three divisions. One mandatory pre-screening. Build a focused, PG-13 performance that is safe for the stage and clear in your application.

15

Total skits

05

Per division

3:00

Max runtime

Performance Requirements

Selection, pre-screening, content, and audio rules.
  • The 15 available skit slots are divided evenly: five Novice, five Journeyman, and five Masters. Selection prioritizes a diverse program rather than first-come, first-served order, so make your submission thorough and include a script or detailed description when possible.
  • Additional skits in each division will be waitlisted in case a selected act withdraws or does not complete mandatory pre-screening.
  • Every accepted and waitlisted skit must attend Saturday morning pre-screening. This unjudged session provides stage time, a content review, and staff feedback before the performance.
  • Costumes and skits must remain PG-13. Contact the cosplay team before the event if you are unsure whether material is appropriate.
  • Skits may not exceed three minutes. Pre-recorded audio is strongly encouraged unless the act must be live. Submit all background or pre-recorded audio in MP3 format by the deadline provided to entrants.
  • Anything brought onto the stage must leave with you when your performance ends.

Not Permitted On Stage

Keep the people, stage, and equipment safe.
  • Live steel or firearms
  • Sparklers, firecrackers, smoke bombs, or other incendiary devices
  • Throwing objects
  • Glitter or confetti

Reckless behavior that risks a fall or damages equipment will result in disqualification. Entrants are responsible for the cost of any equipment they damage.

Panel · 2027

Meet the Masquerade Judges

Award-winning makers and performers bring decades of construction, stage, teaching, and community experience to this year’s panel. Matsuricon looks for collaborative, positive, experienced crafters, builders, and performers when assembling the team.

Craftsmanship Judges

Craftsmanship Judges will be announced soon. Check back for this year’s panel.

Skit Judges

Skit Judges will be announced soon. Check back for this year’s panel.

Contest Etiquette · Sportsmanship

Questions About Competition Results?

Contact the cosplay department heads for clarification and a constructive conversation. Publicly disparaging judges or staff, or displaying poor sportsmanship over the results, may forfeit your ability to compete in future Matsuricon competitions.

Email Cosplay Staff

Contest · Sponsors

Contest Sponsors

Our Masquerade sponsors will be announced soon. Check back to meet this year’s supporters.