We LOVE Cosplay at MegaCon Live & 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 many Cosplay Meet-ups to meet like-minded fans!
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 Adventurer, and Best in Show (Artificer) with £250 cash prize.
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
For cosplayers who are performers at heart, but haven’t made their cosplay.
- Bought, thrifted or commissioned your cosplay
- Over 16 years old
- 12-15 year-olds may enter if registered by a parent
- Complete an online application detailing a performance plan
Identity Questions
- 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
For cosplayers with less experience competing or making cosplays, who are excited to get started!
- Made 50% or more of your cosplay
- Over 16 years old
- 12-15 year-olds may enter if registered by a parent
- Complete an online application
- Do not have professional experience or training in costuming/sewing
- 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
For more experienced cosplayers who’ve been competing for a long time, have won awards, or have lots of making experience.
- Made 80% or more of your cosplay
- Over 16 years old
- Complete an online application
Identity Questions
- 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
- 35% accuracy/creativity
- 30% performance.
MegaCon Live masquerades have always been oversubscribed, so we’re introducing an application process for all classes. All applications will be reviewed as a batch approximately 4 weeks before a show.
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 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.
Showcase Requirements
- Be in costume
- All ages
- Bought, made, and commissioned costumes welcome
- Sign up on the day
- Have fun!
Performance Square
After a fantastic run at MegaCon Live Manchester, London & Dublin, the Performance Square is now coming to Birmingham! In addition to the Cosplay Showcase, there may be some cosplay performance spots available.
Stop by the Cosplay Village throughout the weekend for all things cosplay! There you’ll find the venue’s cosplay changing room and cloakroom for cosplayers use.
The Guild of Nerds will 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.
Also returning from the London show, Guild of Nerds is proud to present the Cosplay Exhibition with the theme of ‘Cosplay Is…’ this is a display of cosplays and what cosplay means to the cosplayers whose costumes are on display.
Summary
- All cosplays must adhere to the convention rules in regards to dress and props.
- There are three classes, Bard, Adventurer and Artificer. There are slightly different requirements for each.
- Adventurer entries must have made 50% or more of their cosplay, and Artificer entries must have made 80% or more of their cosplay.
- Bards must have bought, thrifted, commissioned or made less than 50% of their cosplay and have a performance plan.
- Digitally submitted progress books are required for Adventurers and Artificers, but are not judged competitively.
- Best in Show and Best Adventurer are weighted 35% Craftsmanship, 35% Accuracy/Creativity and 30% Performance.
- Only one entry per person per event.
- Groups are capped at 6 people and qualify for all categories/prizes depending on their class.
- Entries must be 16 or over for the Artificer class.
- Performances are not automatically accepted, and the Cosplay team reserves the right to reject performances that are unfit for the Masquerade.
- All performances must be under 2 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.
- Good sportsmanship is required. An entrant can be removed from the Masquerade or disqualified from future shows for poor sportsmanship.
- You must complete an online pre-check before the show, and sign in on the day at the cosplay zone by 1pm or at your pre-judging slot.
- An advanced waitlist system will be operated once registrations are full. There will be no on-the day registrations, but no-shows spots can be given to waitlisted entries attending the show.
- 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.