Cosplay Performance Competition

Photo: Vikiro. In picture: Crella & Rindalin

• 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 Sunday cosplay competition on September 6, 2026.

• Applications are open from June 1 at 18:00 to June 22, 2026, at 23:59. 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.
• Contestants will be selected based on their applications. If a high volume of applications is received, a preliminary selection round will be held and finalists will be chosen based on their applications. The remaining competitors have the opportunity to enter the cancellation spots. Cancellation spots may be filled until August 3.
  • Information regarding finalist selection and instructions for accepting cancellation spots will be sent by June 30.
• If a preliminary selection is necessary, applications will be evaluated based on:
  • How carefully the application has been filled.
  • How clearly the performance synopsis has been described and how far along the performance is in development.
  • The performance concept idea itself will not be judged during the selection process.
  • The organizers aim to create a diverse competition set featuring a variety of genres, performance styles, group sizes and skill levels, providing opportunities for both experienced performers and first-time competitors.
• The competition may be entered individually or by a group of up to 10 people.

• Participation requires contestants to attend stage rehearsals and a photoshoot before the competition according to the schedule provided by the cosplay organizers.
• The competition will be held on Sunday during the cosplay competitions in the Main Auditorium. 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.

• The character must be from a licensed source. Original designs or OC characters (original fictional characters) are not allowed except as anonymous background characters when necessary. 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.
• Reference images of all characters must be submitted with the application. Although there is no pre-judging, the judges must be able to identify the source material and characters.
  • 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.
• Cosplay costumes themselves are not judged separately.
  • Costumes may be handmade or purchased. However, they may be considered as part of the overall presentation. The main point is the recognizability of the characters.
  • Costume mobility will be taken into account in the evaluation, particularly whether the costume restricts the execution of the performance.
• 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.

• The performance must be a minimum of 1 minute and a maximum of 3 minutes in length.
• A performance that has previously been entered into a competition by the same individual or group may not be entered again.
• Contestants may use various easily movable stage props during the performance at their own discretion.
  • All stage props and set pieces must be declared in advance through the technical form by the specified deadline.
• Contestants may use music, audio tracks or video as part of the performance. Video and soundtrack must be submitted in a single media file.
• AI-generated audio or visual content must not be used in the media file.
• There are no copyright restrictions on the soundtrack.
• All technical materials must be submitted by August 17. Technical submission instructions are provided below.

The judges will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Judging is based solely on the performance presented during the competition. The jury will look at all areas together and assess how balanced, impressive and carefully executed the performance is as a whole.

Performances are evaluated based on the following:

Judges evaluate how convincingly and consistently contestants portray their characters. During the performance, the jury pays attention to how believably and consistently the contestant interprets their character. The evaluation examines the strength of expression, such as gestures, facial expressions, body language and movement control. In addition, attention is paid to how diversely and purposefully the contestant uses the stage space and how confident and natural the performance is.

The judges also assess how well contestants stay synchronized with audio tracks and/or video content and how smoothly acting, dancing, or other performance elements are executed. What is essential is how effectively contestants bring their characters to life and maintain that portrayal throughout the performance. Strong characterization creates an engaging and memorable experience for the audience.

When evaluating the storytelling and the overall structure, the jury will look at how clear and understandable the structure of the performance is. Attention will be paid to whether the performance forms a cohesive whole, in which the viewer stays with the story being told. The assessment will also take into account the building of the atmosphere and its maintenance throughout the performance.

The performance does not have to follow a traditional narrative but it should convey a clear idea, feeling or story to the audience. Artistic impact and entertainment are part of the overall assessment.

When evaluating the technical implementation, attention is paid to the technical  quality and clarity of audio tracks and video materials, as well as timing between technical elements and live performance. In addition, the use of stage props is examined and how well they support the performance.

The evaluation also takes into account how the media file, such as background video and audio serve the performance. The media file should support the performance and not take too much attention away from it. The technical implementation does not have to be spectacular or lavish. A simple execution can be highly effective if it is thoughtfully planned and supports the performance effectively.

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. If a high volume of applications is received, a preliminary selection round will be held and finalists will be chosen based on their applications. All applicants will be informed of the selections no later than June 30.

Applicants must register on the Kompassi.eu service.

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.

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