Evo 2026
COSPLAY CONTEST, EXHIBITION & MEETUPS
Get ready to bring your favorite fighting game characters to life at Evo 2026’s Cosplay Festival and Contest! Whether you’re a seasoned cosplay veteran or just stepping into the ring for the first time, we welcome all skill levels to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship, and fighting game fandom.
The following rules apply to all cosplay at Evo 2026:
Costume Sizing & Dress Code:
- Costumes must allow for the wearer to move freely within the convention space, including hallways, and doorways.
- The wearer must also be able to walk up either a small set of stairs or ramp to get on stage.
- Family-friendly attire is required per Las Vegas regulations.
While it does not affect the Evo cosplay contest, we encourage everyone to be mindful when walking around the venue. Please do not block walkways or any vendor booths, and make sure that your cosplay is not at risk of hitting others!
Props & Prop Weaponry Rule:
- Only blunted, foam, plastic, or otherwise non-lethal weaponry will be allowed. This means NO metal props, or props with large metal pieces. (Small screws and other fasteners used in the creation of the prop will be allowed)
- Prop guns resembling a real life firearm of any kind are NOT allowed. Orange tips do not circumvent this rule.*
- Any prop weapons violating this rule may not be allowed in the convention spaces.
- Any prop weapons allowed in the convention spaces will all be at the discretion of Evo and Las Vegas Convention Center staff and security. Please note that weaponry adhering to these rules may still be deemed inappropriate for convention display at the event’s discretion.
Questions about your props can be directed to support@evo.gg
COSPLAY COMPETITION
Throughout Evo weekend, the show floor fills with incredible builds, handmade armor, tailored outfits, and inspired recreations from across the FGC. It's a space to share your work, meet fellow makers, and embrace the energy that makes Evo unforgettable.
As a craftsmanship-first competition, judges will be focusing on construction, detail, and technique, with all judging taking place on Saturday to give each creator their moment to shine.
June 26 - 28, 2026
All times PDT.
Day 1
Friday, June 26
Day 2
Saturday, June 27
Day 3
Sunday, June 28
All times PDT.
Cosplay Contest pre-judging sign up: Register here
Cosplay Meetups will be held at the FGC Waypoint Area on the show floor.
COMPETITION INFO
Schedule & Locations
Please note that this year the judging process will take place exclusively on Saturday, June 27 in the Las Vegas Convention Center - West Hall. More details will be shared as we get closer to the event.
Character, Reference & Costume Requirements
Character & Reference Requirements
- Your character must be from a fighting game to be eligible for judging and prizing.
- Guest characters from tournament games are allowed, but they must be in their costume as it appears in the fighting game they are featured in to be eligible.
- You must provide reference photos of your character during pre-judging, either on your phone or printed out.
Costume Requirements
- All applicants must have made at least 70% of their costume by themselves.
- Commissioned or store bought cosplays are not eligible for prizing or awards, and any person that is found to have purchased or commissioned their cosplay will be disqualified. Store bought elements are allowed in your build. But only items that have been heavily altered, or had additional work done to them will be judged.
- Any questions about the percentage of a cosplay should be directed to the Contest Staff for evaluation and review. Contest Staff and Judges have the final say in whether or not a cosplay meets the requirements.
- Lying or omitting facts about help received or the creation of items for a contestant’s entry may result in immediate disqualification for any and all Evo cosplay competitions.
What to Expect During your Pre-Judging Slot:
Pre-judging will take place in-person exclusively on Saturday, June 27 in the Las Vegas Convention Center - West Hall with exact location TBA.
Please arrive as early as possible to check in with our Cosplay Manager, who will be add you to the judging queue. Once it’s your turn, we will let you into the private pre-judging room with any assistants or handlers you may have with you.
You will be given a fixed amount of time to tell our judges about your costume and crafting process. They will also use this time to ask you questions about your build and process.
You will be judged solely on the craftsmanship of your costume by our judges. They will review any skills utilized to create your costume, including but not limited to: Sewing, Foam Work, Wig Styling, 3D Modeling, Painting, etc.
Accessibility
Cosplay assistants, handlers, and mobility aids are always welcome and will not be a factor in judging.
If you are in need of accommodations to make it safely on stage, please let our staff know when you come for pre-judging. We will coordinate with our production staff to have a ramp available to you.
Winners will be required to stay on stage for the duration of the awards ceremony. If you are unable to stand for long periods, let our staff know when you come for pre-judging and we will work to accommodate you.
Prizing
1st Place / Best In Show
- Fight & hotel for a future international Evo event
- $2000
- An Evo medal and merch package
2nd Place / Runner-Up
- $1500
- An Evo medal and merch package
3rd Place / Notable Cosplay
- $1000
- An Evo medal and merch package
4th Place / Notable Cosplay
- $500
- An Evo medal and merch package
Judges Choice Awards (3 winners)
- An Evo medal and merch package
Best Prop Award
- An Evo medal, and merch package
COSPLAY COMPETITION HOST
Kaho has also been a Crunchyroll Anime Awards judge since 2021. As a former newspaper reporter, she has published books in both Japanese and English. You can also find her making appearances in games as well!
X: https://x.com/shibukaho
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shibukaho
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/shibuya_kaho
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shibuya_kaho
COSPLAY Competition Judges
X: https://x.com/stellachuuuuu
Instagram: https://instagram.com/stellachuuuuu
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/stellachuu
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/stellachuu
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stellachuu
X: https://x.com/MonolithCostume
Instagram: https://instagram.com/monolith_costumes
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@monolithcostumes
X: https://x.com/VampyBitme
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vampybitme
Twitch: https://twitch.tv/vampybitme
MEETUPS & EXHIBITION
Meetups
New for Evo 2026, meetups give communities a space to come together, connect, and celebrate their shared passions. Whether you’re meeting familiar friends or discovering new ones, these gatherings provide a relaxed, welcoming environment for fans across the FGC and beyond. Snap photos with your favorite groups, capture fun memories, and enjoy casual hangouts in a low-pressure setting.
Cosplay Exhibition
Not into contests? No problem. Also new to Evo 2026, the Evo Cosplay Exhibition is your chance to take the stage and show off your hard work, completely on your own terms. Whether you're debuting a brand-new build, bringing back a fan favorite, or trying cosplay for the very first time, the Exhibition gives you a welcoming space to pose for photos, showcase your details, or just enjoy the moment in the spotlight. Evo’s Cosplay Exhibition is here to honor the passion, talent, and personality that makes the FGC’s cosplay scene so special.
Cosplay Parade
Following the Exhibition, the Cosplay Parade takes the celebration off the stage and into the venue itself. Join fellow cosplayers for a walk through Evo 2026, showing off your work to the crowd and soaking in the energy of the weekend.
