COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2026 MASQUERADE RULES, CONTESTANT INFO & ENTRY FORM
HOW TO ENTER
Submit an entry form no later than July 1. Reserving a contestant spot early is advised, since in 2025 we filled up in May. Photos of the costume you will be wearing are required for review for sufficient original crafting, quality, and content. Until the photos are approved your entry is only tentatively accepted. Email your photos to masq@comic-con.org the same day you submit your form, or you can submit your form now and email the photos later, by July 6. “Work in progress” photos are accepted if only a minor amount of work remains to be done. When you email your costume photos for review, be sure to include your first and last name and costume title. As for how many photos to provide, usually front and back views, and close-ups of any unique details or props are sufficient for us to evaluate content, quality, and amount of crafting that was involved.
CONTEST RULES
(1) Costumes must be of original construction or show significant modification of pre-existing materials. No costumes are allowed that are purchased or otherwise obtained from a commercial or professional source. This is a show to celebrate creativity and craftsmanship, not shopping ability. It is expected that some costumes may include as minor elements some purchased items, and if your entry utilizes many of those, check with the Masquerade coordinator for approval. As a general rule, at least 75% of what you bring onto the stage must not have been purchased. You need to have made it all yourself, perhaps a friend or relative did, or was a group effort, but must not have been commercially sourced.
(2) Eligibility: If your costume has not already appeared on our Comic-Con stage and has not been openly displayed inside the convention center during our previous Comic-Con International conventions, it is eligible to compete in this event. Costumes presented at WonderCon Masquerades but unseen at Comic-Con are welcome. Competing costumes should not be worn at Comic-Con in the days prior to Saturday evening, so please keep your entry out of sight and safe from damage or wear until Saturday night so it is perfect for the judges and photographers. You may, of course, wear it on Sunday! If your costume has been presented at conventions other than WonderCon or Comic-Con International, it is welcome here. You may submit up to two entries in the event, but they must be worn by different people. One costume per body, unless it is a costume that transforms on stage.
(3) Maximum time on stage: 1–2 people: 1 minute 30 seconds. 3–6 people: 2 minutes. 7 or more: 2 minutes 30 seconds. If you would like more time on stage, check with the coordinator. Show off your costume well and enjoy yourself, though remaining on stage too long can lessen the impact of your presentation, but do not be too quick to exit from the stage either!
(4) Prohibited items and actions: Liquids, messy substances, smoke, fog, flame, or anything that may pose a danger or risk setting off fire alarms is not allowed on stage. The unsheathing of bladed weapons is not allowed without clearance from the coordinator. Do not throw items into the audience or touch the emcee. Nothing is permitted that would earn a movie an “R” rating, including nudity. Violating these rules can disqualify you and could result in a security escort off the premises.
(5) Category definitions: If you are unsure if your costume is an original design or a re-creation, or you feel it belongs in both categories, we can let judges decide after they examine it backstage:
• Re-Creation: a costume copied from a pre-existing design, such as from a movie, TV show, comic book, video game, artwork, Broadway show, collectible statuette, toy, or from history.
• Original Design: a design original to the maker/wearer. It may be inspired by some work of fantasy, science fiction, mythology, comics and so on, but is not a copy of someone else’s work.
• Young Fan: ages 12 through 17. Young fan costumes are also in one of the other two categories.
(6) Contestants must agree to check in with staff in the backstage rooms no later than 6:45 PM Saturday (6:00 PM or earlier is best) and agree to allow video recording and photography of themselves in their costumes for nonprofit promotional purposes, such as for use on our Comic-Con website, in our Events Guide and other publications, and at Comic-Con Museum.
(7) The Coordinator may reject an entry on the basis of inappropriate or unsafe behavior or content, or due to too many purchased items, or because the materials or crafting do not meet the criteria of quality and content for the show, or because the event has reached its limit for entries.
(8) You are not required to wear your costume yourself; someone else can present it in the show. If it is worn on stage by someone else, that person should not be a paid individual, nor may your soundtrack, emcee speech, or costume include content that advertises a product, service, or commercial website.
(9) Children under age 12 are not accepted in the show, and for safety concerns are not allowed on stage or in backstage areas. Minors must have a parent or guardian on the premises, and a parent will be asked to sign a permission and release form at the convention.
IMPORTANT CONTESTANT INFORMATION
Soon after you arrive at the convention, be certain to check in at the Masquerade Desk in the upstairs Ballroom 20 lobby to confirm your arrival and complete your show forms. Completed forms must be submitted no later than 11:00 AM on Saturday, either at the Desk or the Contestant Orientation. If you do not check in by 11:00 AM we may assume you have canceled and assign your spot to someone from the waiting list.
All contestants and their helpers need Masquerade Backstage Passes, obtainable at the Masquerade Desk and at the Contestant Orientation. A contestant may bring a helper backstage with them if needed, but helpers will also need a Saturday attendee badge. Desk hours are 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Thursday and Friday, and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday.
“Help! I have a great costume accepted in the show but was unable to buy a badge during the online badge sales!” Contestants who submit an entry form and photos and, after review of them, are approved can be provided with a special online code to use to buy badges, despite the convention being sold out. This also applies to costume groups that are accepted or if a contestant is bringing a backstage helper. In addition to a Saturday badge, other days can also be arranged. Please inform the coordinator as soon as possible if you will be needing assistance with badge purchasing.
We strongly recommend that contestants attend the Contestant Orientation at 10:30 AM on Saturday in our rehearsal room 31AB, where we will discuss your technical needs and other details of your full evening ahead. You may carry in your costume that morning or in the afternoon if you wish, and store it there or in the lock-up room, or wait until you check in with show staff that evening to bring it. Staff will be in that room all day long and evening.
The Ballroom 20 stage will be in use for other events during the day, but the rehearsal stage in room 31AB will be of the same dimensions, except elevated lower, and will be available all of Saturday afternoon for rehearsing on. Playback of your recorded music is provided.
MUSIC SOUNDTRACK
If you are using music, recorded narration, or other sounds with your presentation (recommended), email an MP3 or MP4 format file to masq@comic-con.org by July 6 to allow us time to review it for content and any needed changes. There will be no microphones given to contestants, so any speech must be on your recording or printed for the emcee to read. Comic-Con pays ASCAP/BMI music performance fees, so we can play any copyrighted music you choose without any legal issues. If you cannot decide what to use, we can supply something appropriate for your costume.
PROJECTED BACKGROUND IMAGES
Your costume presentation can be accompanied by a projected background image to suggest a mood or environment. If you would like to submit a background image, choose a JPG or PNG file no larger than 2048 x 2048 pixels. Avoid a small file or dark image, or it may project poorly. Email your image file to masq@comic-con.org by July 6, or sooner, to give us time to check it. NO copyrighted or proprietary characters should be in your projected image. Please use only images of scenery, sets, public domain images, artwork, or abstract designs. If you do not supply an image, we can select something to compliment your costume. We will accept a limited number of videos as a background, in MP4 format only, pending our approval of its content. We will be unable to adjust your audio when embedded in a video file, so the recording must be of high quality to be accepted.
SHOW CHECK-IN TIME
When arriving at the show on Saturday evening, contestants must check in with the staff outside room 32AB. Contestants may check in at 5:00 PM but no later than 6:45 PM and should be stage-ready by 7:00 PM to allow for pre-show photos to be taken and the judges to have a close look at the costumes. We’re sorry, but if you are late arriving, we may have to delete you from the event as many of the elements of the show are programmed in advance.
Please do not wear your contest costume at the convention before it is seen in the show, or it will be ineligible for the competition. Our audience waits a long time in line to see something special, not what they have already seen posing and passing them in the lobbies and halls. This will also protect your costume from the wear and tear that can occur wearing it during the day, especially in large crowds and if the weather is hot or humid. We have seen great costumes drop out just before the show from damage from being worn too long, so keep yours safe and unseen until Saturday evening to be a surprise to the audience, and also in perfect condition for the photographers and judges.
TRANSPORTING AND DRESSING
A locked storage room is available near the Masquerade Desk for the storing of costumes and props starting on the Thursday of the convention. All items in our locked storage room must be collected no later than 1:30 PM on Sunday. Access to the loading dock and a large freight elevator is available for unusually large or heavy items; however, due to the traffic challenges that can be encountered by driving around to the rear of the building, we recommend bringing in items through the normal entry front doors if possible. Loading dock access must be arranged at least a day in advance.
For changing into your costume at the convention center we will have private curtained dressing booths, and also large contestant-only bathrooms. Of course, you may change elsewhere if you prefer, such as a hotel room. If you dress away from the center, please avoid lingering in public Comic-Con areas and proceed straight to the upstairs backstage rooms. A large coat can sometimes be a convenient way of concealing your costume.
In addition to the private dressing booths, we will have worktables, clothing racks, mirrors, and a make-up area. Assorted supplies will be available for emergency costume repairs, including glues, glue guns, duct tape, fabric tape, sewing supplies, spirit gum, staplers, hairspray, and much more, as well as staff to assist you if needed. Some contestants find the large restrooms nearby, reserved for contestants, helpful for preparations needing a sink, running water and large mirrors.
STAGE INFORMATION
The performance area of the stage will be 32′ wide by 20′ deep, elevated 48″ from the floor. Going up to stage level will require climbing stairs. Normal entry will be stage right (when you are facing the audience, your right is stage right), with exit at stage left. Groups may enter and exit from both sides. The lighting will darken between presentations but will not go completely black for safety reasons. Curtains at stage left and right will conceal the stair entry areas. The emcee will be on stage left, and the judges seated at the front of the audience. Contestants will be sent a diagram of the stage with additional information for planning purposes. We will be happy to do all we can to accommodate mobility issues or a language barrier if we are informed of the specific needs in advance.
AFTER YOU HAVE APPEARED ON STAGE
Following your stage appearance, you will be escorted to the nearby photo area room to pose for a few minutes in front of a portrait backdrop. You may wish to prepare some poses in advance. Most of the group of people taking photos will be hobbyist photographers, but there can also be a press photographer there as well. Sometimes winners return to the photo area after the awards to have more photos taken showing off their awards. After you have posed for photos, you will need to remain in the backstage contestant areas until the award presentations are concluded since you may win one or more awards and be called back on stage to receive them!
REFERENCE MATERIALS AND BUILD BOOKS
If your costume is a re-creation, we suggest providing the judges with reference images of what it is based on, since not all judges may be familiar with your design. You may submit reference materials at the convention, and they will be returned afterward. Most contestants simply provide a photo or two, but some create elaborate binders, called workbooks or build books, detailing the features, design, and construction process, even fabric samples. In addition to helping the judges, they can also be a fun memory book of your experience. Sometimes makers of original design costumes also provide a build book, detailing the inspiration, designing, and construction methods used.
LARGE OR HEAVY ITEMS:
While our backstage crew are happy to assist you if they can, they are not intended to be your primary means of lifting and carrying heavy items. If you are bringing an item challenging for you to carry alone, consider bringing a helper, and please inform us in advance so we are ready for it. We LOVE big costumes, set pieces, and large props, but if you have something unique in size or weight, or that does something special, let us know. Remember the show business rule: Surprise the audience but never surprise the backstage crew!
THE COMIC-CON AWARDS
The panel of guest judges will select winners in categories of Best In Show, Judges’ Choice, Best Re-Creation, Best Original Design, Best Workmanship, Most Humorous, Most Beautiful, and Best Young Fan. Those winners will also receive complimentary 4-day plus Preview Night attendee badges for Comic-Con 2027 or 2028. These badges may not be sold and are transferable only to family members.
ADDITIONAL SPONSORED AWARDS
Several companies and organizations closely involved with the popular arts are generously supporting the event by offering cash and other prizes of their own, and will be awarding winners selected by their representatives:
• The Frank & Son Collectible Show of the City of Industry, California, “the first and last stop for all your collectible needs,” will once again take a break from their large bi-weekly mini-cons to present a generous $1,000 cash prize, plus a beautiful trophy, to the entry they deem to be the audience favorite, decided by the amount of applause each entry receives..
• The Art Directors Guild, IATSE Local 800. The ADG, which has presented panels at Comic-Con for over a dozen years, has among its members art directors, graphic artists, illustrators, storyboard artists, model makers, pre-vis artists, production designers, scenic artists, set designers and title artists in the motion picture, theater, and television industries. The ADG is presenting two awards: The Art Directors’ Guild Cosplay Award for Original Concept Design, presented to the entry most exemplifying a wholly original concept, and The Art Directors’ Guild Cosplay Award for Best Visual Media Design, presented to the entry whose design best interprets a character or concept from a television show or motion picture. Each award comes with a $500 prize.
• The Costumer’s Guild West (CGW), southern California’s costuming fandom group, will present a one-year membership to CGW, as well as a full scholarship and a complimentary two-night hotel stay to their weekend conference, Costume College®, held each July at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel. This year their event is July 30–Aug 3, the weekend following Comic-Con, so their winner may choose 2027 or 2028 to attend. Their prize will be awarded to the entry their representatives select as showing the most promise. Costume College provides educational lectures and workshops in every aspect of costuming!
• Comic-Con International will once again present a special award given in memory of long-time Committee and Board member Alan Campbell, who passed away years ago and is sorely missed. Alan was a great fan of the Masquerade, at times generously donating his own prizes. The Alan Campbell Award will be $500 cash, presented to the entry deemed Best Re-Creation of a Comics or Related Media Character or Characters, as selected by one of the guest judges.
• The Comickaze Comics & Pop Culture Store, San Diego’s #1 source for comics, graphic novels, & collectibles, located in the Clairemont Mesa area since 1993, will present an award for what they deem the Best In-Character Performance, with a generous prize of a limited edition special collectible statuette, an Amazon gift card of $300, and a $200 Comickaze gift card.
• The Costume Designers Guild, IATSE Local 892, is excited to present to whom they choose as the best costume entry a special CDG trophy and generous gift certificate. The Costume Designers Guild is the labor union representing costume designers, assistant costume designers, and costume illustrators working in motion pictures, television, commercials, music videos, and new media. They often present very popular panels at the convention.
More awards may be added to this list as the convention approaches. Check the www.comic-con.org website periodically for updates.
COMIC-CON MUSEUM IS SEEKING GREAT COSTUMES
San Diego’s Comic-Con Museum has a permanent exhibit called The Art of the Costume, which displays costumes from past and current winners and contestants. The costumes are typically on display for one year, however artists can request shorter or longer time periods. The museum will pay the transportation costs to ship a costume, or someone from the museum staff can pick it up at the convention. If you have a great costume from a past Comic-Con or WonderCon, or if you believe your costume this year will be of interest to them, you can request more detailed museum information sent to you by writing to masq@comic-con.org.
MASQUERADE REPLAY & MASQUERADE PANEL
On Sunday afternoon there will be a video playback of the Masquerade costume presentations. Usually it is scheduled for 2:30 PM but check the program schedule for the correct room and time. You may also want to attend the Masquerade 101 Panel for tips from past winners and staff, usually scheduled for Thursday late afternoon.
A FINAL NOTE
The event is called the Masquerade because it is not just about displaying costumes but also about bringing characters to life and celebrating storytelling too. The show team includes many experienced volunteers who donate their time because they love costumes and want you to feel like a star for the night, so please help us to assure your participation goes smoothly by following all these instructions. And thanks for entering the show!