We LOVE Cosplay at MegaCon Live, and whether you’re cosplaying for the first time or are a veteran cosplayer, there’s something for everyone! Take part in our Cosplay Masquerade, or attend one of the many Cosplay Meet-ups to meet like-minded fans
Important dates:
- 20th November 2024 – Megacon Live Dublin Cosplay Masquerade Applications Open.
- 23rd December 2024 – Megacon Live Dublin Masquerade Applications Close.
- 1st January 2025 – All Masquerade places allocated.
- 1st – 8th January 2025 – Pre-check open for all entrants.
- 9th – 12th January 2025 – All waitlist places allocated.
MegaCon Live Cosplay Masquerade.
Ready, Set, Cosplay!
The MegaCon Live Cosplay Masquerade, hosted by the Guild of Nerds, is your chance to wow the audience on the Mega Stage.
Whatever your skill level, with three experience classes, you can now compete in a category that suits you! Awards include Best Bard, Best Craftsmanship and Best Performance in both the Artificer and Adventure classes, Best Adventurer, and a €250 cash prize for Best in Show (Artificer).
Looking for advice on which class to enter, how to put together a progress book, performance tips, and more? Visit the Guild of Nerds website for all the advice you need to prepare for the MegaCon Cosplay Masquerades.
Bard Requirements
- Bought, thrifted or commissioned your cosplay
- Over 16 years old.
- 12-15 year-olds may enter if registered by a parent and accompanied backstage.
- Complete an online application detailing your performance plan.
- Identify with any of the following:
- You have a performance in mind;
- You’re okay performing in front of a large audience;
- You want to compete against other performers.
Adventurer Requirements
- Made 50% or more of your cosplay.
- Over 16 years old.
- 12-15 year-olds may enter if registered by a parent and accompanied to pre-judging and backstage.
- Complete an online application.
- Identify with any of the following:
- You’re new to making costumes
- You’ve never won a major award
- You haven’t entered a cosplay competition, or have entered less than five.
Artificer Requirements
- Made 80% or more of your cosplay.
- Over 16 years old.
- Complete an online application.
- Identify with any of the following:
- You’ve won a major award
- You consider yourself an experienced costume maker
- You’ve entered more than five competitions
- You have professional costuming training or experience.
Adventurer and Artificer categories are judged with the following weighting:
- 35% craftsmanship;
- 30% accuracy/creativity;
- New for 2025! 5% sustainability;
- 30% performance.
Cosplay Showcase.
Ready to show off your cosplay and strike a pose or two? Join us for the Cosplay Showcase, a non-competitive way for cosplayers of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds to show off their cosplays at the Performance Square. Sign-ups are available on the day only in the Cosplay Village, and open to everyone, whether you made, bought, or borrowed your cosplay!
Performance Square.
After a fantastic run at MegaCon Live shows in 2024, the Performance Square is returning! In addition to the Cosplay Showcase, there may be some cosplay performance spots available.
Cosplay Village.
Stop by the Cosplay Village throughout the weekend for all things cosplay!
You’ll find cosplay changing rooms, our Cosplay FAQ table, where you can learn how to get into the hobby or ask your tricky cosplay questions, and a range of crafting tools and sewing patterns to take home. Come and watch crafting demonstrations, drop in for one of our skills sessions, and even see award-winning costumes up close in our exhibition area.
The Guild of Nerds will also be operating the Cosplay Repair Forge, a free service for cosplayers in jeopardy! If your cosplay needs a repair, feel free to stop by for a helping hand
Summary:
- All cosplays must adhere to the convention rules with regards to dress and props.
- Good sportsmanship is required. An entrant can be removed from the Cosplay Masquerade and disqualified from future shows for poor sportsmanship.
- There are two classes (Adventurer and Artificer) for handmade costumes, with slightly different requirements for each: Adventurer entries must have made 50% or more of their cosplay. Artificer entries must have made 80% or more of their cosplay. There is one class (Bard) for performance-only entries.
- Best in Show and Best Adventurer are weighted at 35% craftsmanship, 30% accuracy and/or creativity, 5% sustainability, and 30% performance.
- Bard and Adventurer entrants aged 12-15 must be registered by their parent/guardian and accompanied during pre-judging and backstage. Artificer entries must be aged 16 or over.
- Only one entry per person per event.
- Groups are capped at 6 people and qualify for all categories/prizes depending on their class.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Performances are not automatically accepted, and the cosplay team reserves the right to reject performances that are unfit for the Cosplay Masquerade.
- Online progress books or WIP photo folders are required, but are not judged competitively.
- If the cosplay team receives more applications than spots available, priority will be given to entrants who submit the most thorough application forms, including complete performance plans and detailed WIP photos.
- You must complete the pre-check process in advance of the show to validate your entry.
- An advanced waitlist system will operate once all spots are filled. There will be no on-the day registrations.
- You must check in, either online or at the Cosplay Village, on the day of your entry by 12pm. Failure to do so may result in you being marked as a no-show and your spot given to someone on the waitlist.
- All performances must be under 120 seconds/two minutes.
- Performances must be family friendly and safe for the audience and performer. Cosplayers must be able to move on the stage unassisted, or have their own handler attending with them.
- By entering the competition you agree that your photo and video may be taken by attendees while onstage and in the stage area, and that MegaCon Live, Guild of Nerds, and other subsidiaries of these entities may use your image for advertising or sponsor purposes.
LINK TO FULL MEGACON LIVE COSPLAY MASQUERADE RULESET: http://guildofnerds.org/megacon-masquerade-rules/