COSPLAY RUNWAY SHOW!

This is the event for you! Come on out and strut your stuff at the Cosplay Runway show and hear the applause and cheers of your fellow attendees. We’re going to have tons of fun with this, so come on out!

Brand new this year!! Get ready to showcase your favorite attire at our Runway Contest for a chance to win prizes! The Runway contest is open to everyone, so make sure you check out the rules. We will be allowing online signups and a very limited amount of signups at the convention. This event is taking place on FRIDAY! so that means you can enter both cosplay contests over the weekend.

Any costume is permitted as long as it is not entered into the craftsmanship contest.
Original designs and costumes based on fanart are perfect for this contest since it is about your stage presence, characterization and how well you show off to the audience.
Purchased costumes, commissioned costumes or costumes that have won awards in craftsmanship before are eligible to walk the runway.
You will only have a max of 30 seconds on stage so make sure you show off the costume the best that you can so the judges can tell how much you love it!
A good introduction is the key to success. Make it interesting, short and fun and explain why you chose this character or costume and why you love it.

What is a Runway contest?

Runway is judged on how well you strut your stuff on stage. It's about how you embody the costume you are wearing and really show it off! Whether this is a character from an anime that everyone knows or a side character from that random webcomic you read...as long as you are confident and show off that costume then you have a chance to win! The judges will be looking at your stage presence, your overall costume appearance, and your introduction. The person who makes all of that truly shine will come out as our champion!

prizes

1st place winner in Adult and 1st place winner in Child:
Free badge to the 2026 convention
Framed certificate
Goodie bag

2nd and 3rd place winners in Adult and Child:
Framed certificate
Goodie bag

All entrants must read and agree to all Rules and Guidelines before registering for Runway Contest.

Runway Contest 2025 Form

Real Name

First Name

Last Name

Stage Name

How you want to be announced on stage

Preferred Pronouns

(he/him, she/her, they/them, etc.)

Parent/Guardian

If under 18 years of age

First Name

Last Name

By submitting this application, you are stating you are at least 18 years of age or are the parent/guardian of the applicant in question, have read and agree with the waiver on our runway information page, and agree to have any footage shot at the contest posted online.

I agree

Source

Series/Movie/Game/etc your character is from (if Original, write OC)

RULES FOR ALL CONTESTANTS

All participants must be registered Cosplay America Convention attendees. You may be asked to present your badge. Be sure to bring it with you!

All COVID-19-related guidelines set in place by Cosplay America apply to these contests as well. Please see the convention’s COVID-19 guidelines for details.

No nudity. No costume is no costume. Body paint does not count as clothing.

No profanity allowed on stage. This includes hand gestures, messages on signs, or on clothes. This includes profanity in any language. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition, and risks expulsion from the convention.

No political or religious statements during the competition. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition and risks expulsion from the convention.

No overt sexual content during the contest. It’s okay to be sexy, but remember this is a family friendly convention and know where to draw the line. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition and risks expulsion from the convention.

No projectiles! Nothing must leave your person during judging or while you are on stage. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.

All prop weapons must conform to the Cosplay America Weapons Policy.

Do not enter or exit the stage except at the designated points. No running, jumping, or acrobatics on stage.

Large and/or elaborate costumes must be handled by the contestant and/or assistants the contestant brings. Cosplay America will not provide assistants.

If you have any additional questions concerning the runway show, please feel free to contact us at craftsmanship@cosplayamerica.com