Cosplay Competition
At every convention we operate both a Cosplay Championship and a more casual Cosplay Masquerade.
Cosplay Championship
The Cosplay Championship takes place on the Saturday. Exact timings are released approx. two weeks prior to the show. This is intended for the more experienced cosplayer and will involve prizes that will be advertised in advance of the events.
The Championship is a separate event held for those who have made 75% or more of their costume by themselves. Please get in touch if you would like an entry form for the Championship.
Entrants will be asked to pose for the audience on stage and may be asked a few questions about their costume. Alternatively, entrants may be asked to perform in character depending on time constraints.
Entrants must be aged 14 or over.
If you enter as a group you cannot also enter as an individual.
No smoke, confetti, or fire is permitted on stage under any circumstances.
Please remember that our judging panels decision is always final.
Cosplay Masquerade
The Cosplay Masquerade takes place on both the Saturday and Sunday. Exact timings are released approx. two weeks prior to the show. The masquerade judging is NOT solely based on costume design – they are more about having fun with the audience.
Costumes entered into the Masquerade do not have to be made by the entrant. Anyone can enter the Masquerade, whether their costume is bought, altered, or handmade. There will be no prejudging.
If you apply for the Masquerade, you will NOT be automatically entered into the Championship – please treat the two as separate events.
How To Enter The Cosplay Championship Or Masquerade
You can enter both the Championship and Masquerade. Whilst you can enter as many costumes as you want to in the Masquerade there is only one entry permitted per person or group in the Championship.
Sign-ups are available both online and in person at the Cosplay Station throughout the weekend. In person sign-ups will close an hour before the masquerade, or earlier if capacity has been reached. Please email cosplaymanchester@monopolyevents.co.uk to enter online or for any questions.
Costume eligibility will be checked before entering, if your costume breaches any of our terms we have the right to terminate your entry.
There are no age requirements, but please make it clear in your application which you are signing up for (Masquerade, Championship, or both).
On the day of the event, any online entrants must check in at the Cosplay Station at least half an hour before the scheduled Masquerade time.
Costume/Prop Requirements – Masquerade And Championship
Entrants should be able to move around safely in the costume and should not impede their ability to access the stage.
Costumes must NOT contain any offensive, racially motivated, or endorse any form of hate or hate group. No blackface or cultural appropriation is permitted. No part of the costume should include any harmful or potentially harmful materials.
All costumes should be acceptable to wear in public - nudity, adult fetish attire, and extreme BDSM is not allowed.
Costumes & props must not create or involve naked flames.
Any larger costumes may not exceed 3 metres between two points of the costume or prop.
All props should be less than 150cm in length - anything longer must be dismantled in crowded areas.
Any type of skates is not allowed inside any part of the venue.
Heavy items that could be used as weapons are not permitted (e.g. crowbars, iron bars, etc.). Additionally, power tools are not permitted.
Be mindful of the public - props should be hidden/covered up outside of the event regardless of how realistic - this prevents any unnecessary interaction from bystanders or the police.
Any prop that can be fired is not allowed.
No sharp or pointed parts.
Tails or trains are permitted but be mindful of crowded areas as they could be a slip or trip hazard.
Please see our COSPLAY FAQs for more information on banned and allowed items/weapons
Use of Data
Each participant's information will be collected and used by Monopoly Events in accordance with the ‘Privacy Policy’ www.monopolyevents.co.uk/privacy-policy. By entering the Cosplay Masquerade, you agree and acknowledge to have read, understood, and agreed to both the rules and Privacy Policy.
Monopoly has the right to disqualify any participant or remove the prize from any winner if found to be tampering with the entry process or acting in violation of the rules.