Group Costume Competition

Photo: Trema. In picture: Onski, Kumaneex, Emppu, Aaaigis

• Competition application opens: June 1

• Competition application closes: June 22

• Applicants will be informed about the competition spots by June 30.

• Winners will be announced at Tracon during the Sunday cosplay competition on September 6.

• Application is open from June 1–22, 2026. Applications submitted outside the application period will be automatically rejected. Application must be completed only in the manner specified by the organizer. More detailed application instructions can be found below.
• Competitors will be selected in the order applications are received.
  • No competitors will be selected in advance for cancellation spots. 
  • If spots become available due to cancellations, it will be possible to sign up for free contest spots at the Cosplay Information -desk during the event weekend. Information regarding any availability of cancellation spots will be announced separately.
• The competition includes a 10-minute pre-judging session, after which the judges will have five (5) minutes between competitors to discuss the costumes.
• Each group will have approximately 30 seconds on stage for a stage walk and posing.
  • Competitors may not choose their own stage music.

• Participation in the competition requires the contestant to attend pre-judging and a photoshoot before the competition, as well as to walk on stage during the competition according to the schedule given by the cosplay organizers. The competition will take place on Sunday on the Main Auditorium stage. Winners will be announced immediately at the end of the competition.
• Contestants must follow the instructions given by Tracon staff and organizers. Inappropriate behavior, breaking rules or instructions, or unjustified delay may negatively affect placement or lead to disqualification from the competition.

• Costumes must be at least 80% self-made by the contestants.
  • Every member of the group must participate equally in the making of the costumes.
• If ready-made patterns or 3D models are used, contestants must inform the judges.
• The costumes do not need to be new, but costumes entered into the competition may not have been placed or won awards in other competitions.
• The character must be from a licensed source. Original designs or OC characters (original fictional characters) are not allowed.
  • Custom player characters from licensed sources are allowed, provided that the contestant can provide screenshots of the outfit in question (for example, a FFXIV Warrior of Light player character).
• There are no source restrictions, and the source material may come from any work, such as a series, movie, game, or book.
• The competition costume must comply with Tracon’s code of conduct and event regulations.
  • A contestant’s prop may be larger or made from harder materials than normally permitted under the event rules. Props that violate standard event rules may not be taken outside the backstage area during the event and they must be kept in the backstage area. Contestants may only use such props during official photoshoots and on stage.
• Reference images of the character must be submitted with the application.
  • Reference images must be official source materials.
  • Fan art or photographs of your own costume are not allowed.
  • Customizable game characters are allowed if the competitor can provide an accurate reference image of their character.
• Generative AI may not be used in the creation of the costumes.
• Competitors’ costumes must be completed when they arrive at Tracon on the day of the competition. Minor repairs can be made backstage if something breaks but otherwise the costume must be finished.
  

The competition will award the first three places (1st-3rd). The jury will make their decisions through discussion based on the pre-judging session. Costumes will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

The judges will evaluate how well the group’s costumes work together and how the overall look appears visually. Character recognizability and visual impact are taken into account. In addition to cohesiveness, the judges will also look for faithful interpretations of the source material.

The judges will look at the costume’s technical execution, the care put into the work, and the finishing quality. What kinds of structures and construction techniques are present, and how well do the costumes fit their wearers? The judges will also examine the costumes’ mobility.

Judging also considers the suitability of materials and how harmoniously the costume colors reflect the source material. Both individual costumes and the group’s overall presentation are evaluated. Do the costumes contain distinctive details that fit the source material?

You can apply for the competition through the form available via the link once applications open. The form will open on June 1, 2026, at 18:00. If a high volume of applications is received, participants will be selected in the order of applications and applications may close before the stated deadline. Applications will be accepted through the form until June 22 at 23:59. All applicants will be informed of the selections no later than June 30.

The group’s contact person must register on the Kompassi.eu server. We recommend doing this before applications open, as spots may fill quickly.

In case of problems or questions, you can contact cosplay@tracon.fi

Tracon’s committee is not permitted to participate in any cosplay competition.

Personal information of the participants will only be processed by the Cosplay Manager and the Cosplay Team of Tracon. In the competitions, the participants’ names or usernames will be announced according to their choices, as well as the information on the characters and shows.

The information will be processed according to the Data Protection Principles of Tracon https://ry.tracon.fi/tietosuoja/rekisteriselosteet