Nordic Cosplay Championship

Photo: Nyymix. In picture: tamameru

• Competition application opens June 1, 2026, at 18:00
• Competition application closes June 22, 2026, at 23:59
  
• All applicants will be informed about the competition spots by June 30, 2026
• Technical form and material’s deadline August 16, 2026
• The winners will be announced at Tracon during the Saturday cosplay competition on September 5, 2026

Tracon’s preliminary follows the Nordic Cosplay Championship Final Rules, which can be found on the official website of the Nordic Cosplay Championship. The rules include a few changes and clarifications, which are listed here:

General Modifications and Clarifications:

• Tracon does not cover travel or accommodation expenses for preliminary participants. However, all competitors receive free admission to the event.
• Competitors must be at least 18 years old by the end of June 2027.
• Costume judging lasts 10 minutes.
• Judges may discuss placements among themselves. Final placements are determined by the combined score totals and judges’ discussion.
• Competitors must complete a pre-judging information form about their costume construction process and provide a physical build book during judging. More information about documentation can be found below.
• The competitor’s costume and stage props must be ready when they arrive at Tracon. The costume can be repaired backstage if something breaks. The stage props may be assembled at the event.

Performance Modifications and Clarifications

• Performance length is 90–150 seconds.
• The use of water or fire is prohibited. Scattering petals, confetti, or other debris on stage is also prohibited.
• If you are unsure whether a planned effect is permitted, please contact the cosplay organizers.
• Microphones are not available during the performance.
• Video material may be used, but it must be created by the competitor and comply with the technical requirements specified below.
• Contestants can bring assistant(s) with them. Tracon provides entry to the event on the day of the competition for only one assistant. However, multiple assistants may participate in the stage performance.

Please read the official NCC rules carefully: https://www.nordiccosplay.com/rules
For further information, contact the cosplay organizers: cosplay@tracon.fi

In addition to the above, all competitors must follow Tracon’s general rules and code of conduct.

• 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.
• 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.

Both the costume and performance are judged, each accounting for 40% of the total score. Judges consist of Finland’s previous NCC representatives and a panel of experienced cosplay judges.
Costume judging lasts 10 minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion period among the judges. The performances are judged during the competition.

Competitors must submit reference images of their character with application. The images must show the character in the costume that the contestant is wearing. These references will be provided to the judges and serve as the basis for costume evaluation.

The competition uses the NCC scoring system plus representativeness points. A competitor can receive a maximum of 30 points from each judge. In the Finnish qualifier, judges may discuss final placements, but judges do not see each other’s scores.
In addition, judges use the competitor’s build book as part of the evaluation process.

Selected competitors will receive a pre-information form as part of their acceptance letter. In this form, competitors provide information about their costume construction process in advance. Judges review these before the event and use the form to assist them in judging.

The build book is a physical documentation portfolio created by the competitor, which provides a more detailed presentation of the costume construction process and materials used. Competitors must use the template provided by Tracon, print the document themselves, and bring it to judging.

The template and detailed instructions will be sent to all accepted competitors together with their acceptance letter.

We require a build book during the qualifier, as producing such a document in the Nordic Cosplay Championship final itself is considered to be in the competitor’s advantage.

You can apply for the competition through the form available via the link once applications open. The form opens on June 1, 2026, at 18:00. Applications will be accepted until June 22 at 23:59. Applicants must register on the Kompassi.eu service to fill in the application form.

Competitors will be selected based on their portfolios. Thus, you do not need to hurry when filling in your portfolio.

All applicants will be informed of the selections no later than June 30. In case of problems or questions, you can contact cosplay@tracon.fi.

Selected competitors must submit the following materials:

• Media file 
• MP3/MP4 file containing the audio, video and music in the same file.
• Technical form
• List of stage props
• Places for the stage props marked on the stage map.
• Stagelight requests
• Description of performance events

The technical form will be provided to selected competitors together with their acceptance letter.

All technical materials must be submitted by August 16 at 23:59 via the Xfer server. Instructions for using the service will be provided after the applicant selection.

The media file that contains background video and audio must be the same length as the performance. The media file must be submitted as an MP3/MP4 file. It is recommended to pay attention to the sound quality of the file. AI-generated audio or visual content are not allowed.

Microphones are not available in the competition, so all possible dialogues that are part of the performance must be included in the media file. Even if a lot of sound is used on stage, it will not be heard very well by the audience without microphones, which means that all the soundscapes that are essential to the performance must be part of the background music. When submitting the media, please provide information about where it will be played, for example before or after the group members go on stage.

Video may also be used as a background element. AI-generated videos or artwork are not permitted. Please note that the screen will reach all the way to the ground. You should place e.g. captions higher / closer to the center of the screen so that they will be properly visible to the audience.

Please send any questions related to the media file by email to isosali@tracon.fi.

• Audio should be submitted in the highest quality available
• Recommended video resolutions are 1920×1080 or 1280×720. The minimum accepted resolution is 480×360.
• Frame rate: minimum 23.976 fps, maximum 60 fps.
• The recommended file format is MP4/MP3. Other accepted formats are AVI, WMV, and MOV.
• Recommended codec: H.265

Competitors may influence the stage lights in the competition. This year we will be using both a regular smoke machine and a heavy smoke machine. Light instructions will be provided as part of the technical form according to the instructions given in advance.

A few general tips for lighting requests:

Keep it simple
Light instructions should not be overly complicated. The most successful performances in recent years have been implemented with very simple instructions. Simpler requests are easier for technicians to execute accurately and allow them to use their expertise to enhance the performance.

Use clear terminology
When referring to stage places or directions, use the terms “stage left” and “stage right”, which are defined from the performers’ perspective facing the audience. Please clearly describe the characters on the stage in the light instructions. We cannot know all the characters by name, so “the figure dressed in red” or “the seated figure” are clear descriptors.

Minimal instructions are good
A light request can be as simple as: ”Red color palette and energetic atmosphere throughout the performance.”

Any questions about lights and stage technology should be directed to the Main Auditorium team by email at isosali@tracon.fi.

Participants must submit reference images of all characters portrayed in the performance when applying. The reference should be a full body image. The reference image must show the character(s) in the costume that the participant(s) is wearing. The reference images are provided for the jury to use. 

A character reference image will also be shown to the audience as part of the contestant introduction before the performance.

• Stage props must be lightweight, easy to move and they must be movable by the stage crew (4 people).
• Stage setup and cleanup may not exceed 30 seconds.
• The recommended maximum number of stage props is four (4).
  • Please note that large stage props (such as tables) require more crew members to move, which may reduce the allowed quantity.
  • Similarly, if a single crew member can easily carry multiple items (such as a chair and blanket), additional props may be permitted.
  • Props brought on stage by contestants but left behind during the performance (for example, a cloak removed during a costume change) are also considered to be stage props.
• Contestants should carefully plan how stage props will be moved onto and off the stage.
• Organizers reserve the right to limit the amount of props if the stage team cannot move stage props safely within the time limit.
• Carried set pieces must weigh less than 30 kg. Wheeled set pieces may weigh more.
• The size of an individual prop must be a maximum of 2 meters high, 2 meters wide and 1 meter deep. The set may increase in size on stage (for example, opening doors).
• Each stage prop must be safe for the stage crew to handle. Cosplay organizers have the right to demand changes if a prop or set piece presents a safety risk to contestants, crew members or the audience. (for example, hinges, sharp parts). Contestants are responsible for the durability of the set.

• Liquid fake blood is prohibited. Dried fake blood on costumes is permitted.
• Spreading small pieces of confetti, petals, feathers, etc. on the stage is prohibited.
• Nothing may be intentionally broken on stage if it creates additional cleanup.
• Adult (18+) content is prohibited. Performances may contain horror, distressing themes, violence or profanity, within reason. The performance must be suitable for minors to watch together with a parent or guardian.
• The performance must take place on stage and may not reach the audience.
• Organizers reserve the right to interrupt any performance that threatens the safety of contestants or audience members.

• Tracon’s committee is not permitted to participate in any cosplay competition.
• The competitor must be either a Finnish citizen or a permanent residence permit holder.

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