COSPLAY CONTESTS

FORMS CLOSE APRIL 1st, 2025. After that you may sign up as a walk on at the show - limited spots will remain. 

SATURDAY: ADULT CONTEST (AGES 16 AND UP) - 4:00 PM-6:00PM 5/3/25

-4PM-4:40 PM  PERFORMANCE COMPETITION

The categories are as follows:

-Best Craftsmanship

-Best Performance 

-Best Group

-Best Makeup 

-Sustainablity

-- ULTIMATE 11TH YEAR 30'' TALL TROPHY PRESENTED AT THE ADULT COSPLAY CONTEST!

-- BEST IN SHOW FOR ADULT’S COSPLAY CONTEST WILL RECEIVE A TROPHY!

-- BOTH CONTESTS WILL BE LIMITED TO 50 FOR CONTESTANT SIGNUPS. Sign ups will be ONLINE beforehand for craftsmanship and performance. A limited amount of walk ons may sign up at the show at the Saratoga Comic Con Cosplay Department Booth, first come first served and they will go quick! A group counts as ONE entry. 

⁃ To qualify for Best Craftsmanship, 50% or more of your cosplay must be crafted by you. If any small part of your cosplay was commissioned, that must be noted with credit to the artist. 

⁃ Max group size is 6 cosplayers!

⁃ ALL PERFORMANCES TO BE KEPT UNDER 4 MINUTES AND MUST BE APPROVED BEFORE. Sign up online and receive a confirmation by e-mail. Confirmations will be sent out before April 15th, 2025. This is to ensure audio is appropriate for a family friendly show. OUR STAGE IS built like a fashion runway and is 4 feet wide, please keep this in mind for performances! 

⁃ CERTIFICATES WILL BE HANDED OUT FOR BEST GROUP, BEST CRAFTSMANSHIP, BEST PERFORMANCE, BEST MAKEUP & HONORABLE MENTION. Our newest prize “The Sustainability Award” will be awarded to a cosplayer wearing anything thrifted or from recycled materials. You must choose between Craftsmanship & Performance, you cannot compete for both. ALL categories are eligible for Ultimate, Best in Show, Judges Choice Awards and the Sustainability award. 

Be supportive of your community! The contest should be a positive and enjoyable experience for all cosplayers. If at any time you experience harassment, let a Saratoga Cosplay Events staff know! 

Every year the judges look forward to seeing your hard work! This year we are adding more judges with distinct specialties and experience - to make it the best contest yet. 

SUNDAY: YOUTH CONTEST (15 & UNDER ONLY) - 3:00PM-4:15PM 5/4/25

SIGN UP AT SHOW! 

The categories are as follows:

-Best Craftsmanship

-Best Performance 

-Best Group

-Best Makeup 

-Sustainabilty 

Sign up sheets will be at the show at the Saratoga Comic Con Cosplay Department Table. Please fill out the sheet and bring it with you to the contest. No one without a sheet will be entered into the contest. Entry sheets are first come first served - sign up early! This is the same as how the show has run in previous years. THERE IS NO ONLINE SIGN UP FOR THE YOUTH CONTEST. See you there! 

Please note that sign ups are limited and will run out before noon on Sunday. They are first come first serve - sign up upstairs at the cosplay booth! 

Weapons/Props will be checked. Pointing a weapon prop at the crowd during performance is an instant disqualification.

During the event itself, you will be required to get on stage to show off your costume. A parent/guardian is welcome on stage with you! You can do your stage walk in a number of ways, and it is up to you how creative you get. (Specify walk-on or skit during online sign ups, please) However, we do ask that you limit your performance to NO MORE THAN 1 MINUTE. If you exceed that time limit, audio will sadly be cut. KEEP IT FAMILY APPROPRIATE. This is a 16 and under contest so please keep that in mind. No Mature rated entries will not be allowed in the children’s competition - this includes Hazbin Hotel, South Park and Dangan Ronpa. Classic Horror and Halloween costumes are permitted. 

Youth contest Group Entries may contain parents or older siblings, but more than half of the group should be under age 16 to keep it fair with other younger contestants. Max group size is 6 cosplayers as our stage is four feet wide. 

No gun props will be allowed during performances at the youth competition, and the policy will be strict. This is to ensure safety of attendees. 

⁃ Prizes include Trophies and certificates. All contestants will be eligible for Best in Show and judges choice awards!  

The youth contest is one of the highlights of Saratoga Comic Con and it will be so much fun. Don't miss it! It's an unforgettable experience.

-NO SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF ANY KIND ARE TO BE MADE DURING THE COSPLAY CONTEST OR ANY PANELS FROM ATTENDEES.

PLEASE MAKE YOURSELF FAMILIAR WITH OUR HARASSMENT AND WEAPONS POLICIES. COSPLAY IS NOT CONSENT! 

Any questions please reach out to the Saratoga Comic Con Cosplay Coordinator - Jennard Cosplays. JennardCosplays@gmail.com