The 2026 Saratoga Comic Con Spring Cosplay Competition is directed by Sydstar Cosplays and takes place on 5/2/2026 at Saratoga Comic Con. Applications will be open until 4/11/2026 or until all slots fill (do not delay, they fill rather quick!) Judges TBA. Forms here: https://linktr.ee/SCEApp
SARATOGA COMIC CON ADULT COSPLAY COMPETITION RULES & GUIDELINES
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE EMAIL US AT SARATOGACOSPLAYEVENTS@GMAIL.COM
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Performance
Have a story in your heart you wish to tell? This is for you! Performances can range from lip-syncing to a song to a choreographed dance to live singing to sharing another unique talent. We want to see you! *This Category is ONLINE SIGN-UPS ONLY and has VERY LIMITED SLOTS
Craftsmanship
Love to craft? This is for you! We want to see your sewing skills, foam work, wig styling, prop building, etc! As long as you made a minimum of 50% of your cosplay, we want to see you on the stage! *This Category is ONLINE SIGN-UPS ONLY
Performance/Craftsmanship
A NEW CATEGORY! Feeling confident not only in your performance but also in your craftsmanship skills? This is for you! For this, we ask that you fill out both applications. Due to it being a newer category, slots will be very limited to ensure proper judging. If slots have filled by the time you apply, we will reach out to see which individual category you would prefer to be considered for. *This Category is ONLINE SIGN-UPS ONLY and has EXTREMELY LIMITED SLOTS
Walk-Ons
Never entered a contest before and a bit nervous? Or simply just want to strut your stuff on the stage? This is for you! Our ONLY category available to SIGN-UP IN PERSON, we offer this category to all, no matter what you have or haven’t made!
AWARD CATEGORIES
-Judges Award
These awards are given out by each judge for a cosplay that stood out to them individually, for whatever reason they personally enjoyed. This award does not count towards category advancement for Craftsmanship contestants.*
-Sustainability Award
This award goes to a cosplayer(s) who shows skill in using thrifted or recycled material to create their cosplay. This award is unique to Saratoga Comic Con!
-Best Group
This award goes to the group (2 or more) who showcase cohesive and unique work. This award does not count towards category advancement for Craftsmanship contestants.*
-Best Makeup
This award goes to a cosplayer(s) who displays clean and/or unique makeup skills and application, whether it be beauty or sfx makeup, solely face or full body makeup.
-Best Performance (1st, 2nd & 3rd Place)
Best Performance Awards go to outstanding individuals or groups who excel in showmanship and coordination, who entertain and tell a clear story through their performance. This award does not count towards category advancement for Craftsmanship contestants*
-Best Craftsmanship (3rd Place)
This award goes to a cosplayer(s) who displayed strong skills in crafting 50% or more of their cosplay. This award DOES count towards category advancement for Craftsmanship contestants.
-Best In Show (2nd Place)
This award goes to a cosplayer(s) who displays excellent skills in crafting more than 50% of their cosplay, and shows a strong stage presence as well. This award DOES count towards category advancement for Craftsmanship contestants.
-Ultimate (1st Place)
This award goes to a cosplayer(s) who did it all! From outstanding skills in crafting more than 75% of their cosplay to showing a dynamic stage presence. This award DOES count towards category advancement for Craftsmanship contestants.
*Just because an award does not count towards Craftsmanship category advancement, it does not mean Craftsmanship individuals won’t be considered for these awards, nor should anyone interested in competing in Craftsmanship downplay/dismiss these awards.
OVERALL RULES
Good Sportsmanship – This is a great community of cosplayers who support each other, and is more important than ever to cheer for everyone. We ask that you show grace in accepting the judges’ decisions and show support for any fellow competitors. Anyone found harassing any competitor will be disqualified and banned from future Saratoga Comic Cons contests, and even potentially the con itself, per the harassment policy.
Sandbagging- If you have won a major award in this cosplay, you may not enter the winning cosplay, unless you have noted it in your application, and if you have made significant changes or improvements to the cosplay since the win.
No Call, No Show Policy – We understand that sometimes life can get in the way of attending conventions or participating in the contest. We ask that you simply show courtesy for our time and let us know if you’ll be unable to attend, even if it is the day of (within reason). We will begin to keep note of individuals who fail to inform us, and those who show a consistent habit of this will be warned and potentially banned from competing in future Saratoga Comic Con contests.
Appropriate Attire – Yes, this is an Adult (16+) Contest. However, as this is a family-friendly event, we ask that you make sure you’re following Saratoga Comic Con’s Cosplay/Weapons Policy. Shoes must be worn at all times, and all appropriate areas should be covered one way or another.
Weapons- Please make sure to review Saratoga Comic Con’s Cosplay/Weapons Policy. No Live Steel, No Projectiles. In short, please ensure that your prop is not able to cause serious harm to anyone. When on stage, DO NOT point your weapon into the audience or at any audience member.
Three Poses – We need to see your cosplay, which means we need more stage time from YOU! Please prepare three poses for your stage walk – a demonstration will be shown by one of our staff on where to go on stage to pose!
Groups- Cosplay Groups may be up to 6 cosplayers; only one application form needs to be filled out by each group. Groups interested in the Craftsmanship or Performances must sign up online; group members will not be allowed to be added to a person’s form on the day of the event. If you fill out an application and then decide to form a group, please email us before filling out a new application!
PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES
Content – Because this is a family friendly event and open to viewing by all ages, we ask that you keep your performance/audio PG/PG-13.
This means: Little to NO Swearing, Acts of Violence or of a Sexual Nature should be clearly fake and please avoid any physical contact that would harm another individual.
Audio- Performance Audio can be up to a maximum of 4 minutes long. We encourage performers to use that amount of time in whatever way they believe best tells the story they want to tell. An audio can be under that time limit by any amount, but it cannot go over.
CRAFTSMANSHIP GUIDELINES
Please ensure that at least 50% of your cosplay is self-made
-Sewing/Beading
-Foam Work
-Prop Building
-Wig Styling
-Etc
If any piece of your cosplay is COMMISSIONED, you must credit the creator in your Craftsmanship application and your Build Book.
Having another individual MODEL your Craftsmanship is allowed, as long as everything and everyone is properly credited in your application and Build Book.
Physical Build Books are recommended to be presented on the day of the contest, but Digital Build Books will be accepted if necessary.
CRAFTSMANSHIP LEVELS
Novice
This level is recommended for individuals who are either new to competing, new to sewing, or who have never won any major award in contests. 50% of your cosplay should be self-made, at a minimum, for this level.
Intermediate
This level is recommended for individuals who have won at least 2 awards for Craftsmanship in any cosplay contest, or for those who feel their cosplay/skills are beyond the Novice level. It is recommended that more than 50% of your cosplay is self-made for this level.
Masters
This level is recommended for individuals who have at least 2 awards for Craftsmanship in any cosplay contest at a higher level than Novice, or for those who feel their cosplay/skills are beyond the Intermediate level. Professional Cosplayers must enter the Masters level. It is recommended that a majority of your cosplay is self-made for this level.
FORMS TO SIGN UP ARE HERE! https://linktr.ee/SCEApp & any questions please send to saratogacosplayevents@gmail.com ~ Thank you for your interest, and good luck this year!
Saratoga Cosplay Events 
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