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APRIL 3-4, 2027 • ROLAND E. POWELL CONVENTION CENTER • OCEAN CITY, MD
APRIL 3-4, 2027
Roland E Powell Convention Center

ANIME OCEAN CITY COSPLAY CONTEST

The rules on this page are subject to change, if you are interested in participating, please check the cosplay section of the website often to ensure you are aware of any updated/added/changed rules.

Be advised that signing up for any cosplay contest is an affirmation that you agree to adhere to the rules presented on the Anime Ocean City website as well as any decisions made by cosplay staff prior to, or during, Anime Ocean City.

All cosplay events/panels have the potential to be photographed/filmed/recorded in some fashion. These recordings may be used in future galleries or promotions. Signing up for, and/or attending, any cosplay event is done with the understanding that recording could occur at any time and permission is tacitly given for the participant’s likeness to be used.

  • You must be a registered Anime Ocean City attendee in order to compete.  Each member of your group must have a wristband, badge, or other form of attendee membership.

  • All costumes must cover “swimsuit areas” – no nudity. Body-paint costumes are not eligible for craftsmanship.

  • The contest is open to characters from published works; movies, TV shows, comic books, cartoons, video games and card games.

  • Anime Ocean City adheres to the “PG‐13 rule” when it comes to language and hand gestures on stage. Violation of this rule may cause you to be disqualified from the competition.

  • During the contest enter and exit the stage at the designated points only. Costumes must be handled by the contestant or by handler(s) the contestant brings to help.  Handlers are required to be registered attendees of the convention, and Anime Ocean City cannot provide on-stage assistants.

  • Contestants are not allowed to throw anything off the stage, nor use projectiles or use anything on stage that will leave a mess. This includes (but is not limited to) liquids, glitter and confetti.

  • No pyrotechnics, fire, explosive devices, live animals or similar special effects can be used during the competition; this includes smoke/smog machines and flash powder. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and be asked to leave the convention area depending on the severity of the incursion. All prop weapons must conform to the Anime Ocean City prop policies, including being checked.

  • Children (age 15 and below, see Children’s Cosplay Competition for more details) who need a parent to accompany them on stage will need to compete in the Children’s Costume Competition instead of the main stage Costume Contest. However, parent/child teams are allowed to compete in the main stage competition together.

CATEGORIES

BEST ADULT COSPLAY
AGES 16 AND UP

BEST GROUP COSPLAY
2 MEMBERS OR MORE

BEST KID COSPLAY
AGES 15 AND UNDER

COSPLAY CONTEST JUDGES

TBA

TBA

TBA

JUDGING TIME AND LOCATION

SATURDAY
TBA
(ADULTS, KIDS, AND GROUP)

6:00PM
Cosplay Contest Judging

Time TBD
Winners Announced

PRIZES

Best Adult Cosplay:
$200 First Place
$50 Second Place

Best Kid Cosplay:
$50 First Place
$25 Second Place

Best Group Cosplay:
$100 First Place (Split amongst members)

COSPLAY MEETUPS

Cosplay Meetup Times

Cosplay Meetups are a fun, fan-led way to gather with other cosplayers from your favorite fandoms, take photos, and celebrate the community together.

Meetup times will be posted here as they are finalized. Please check back closer to the event for the most up-to-date schedule.

Current Meetup Schedule

TBA closer to the event

Important Notes

Meetups are open to all attendees and are included with admission.

Cosplay is welcome, but not required to participate or take photos.

Please be respectful of other attendees, photographers, and cosplayers.

Meetups may be adjusted based on guest schedules, panel times, photo ops, weather, or event needs.

All meetups must follow the event’s cosplay, props, and harassment policies.

Want to Host or Suggest a Meetup?

Have a fandom or cosplay group you’d like to see represented? Let us know! We’ll do our best to include as many groups as possible based on schedule and space.