Sunday 22nd November
Bring your favourite characters to life on the PLAYCON main stage. Compete for Best in Show, or step into the spotlight in our brand-new Kids Cosplay Competition.
Competition day
Sunday 22nd November
Entry fee
€15 + booking fee per person
Age groups
Kids 15 & under · Main Competition 16+
Under 18?
Parent or guardian consent needed
Main Competition - The Top Prize
The cash prizes will be awarded to individuals. The top 3 participants in the Main Competition may include participants who have not previously placed in the other categories, as well as individuals from groups.
€300
2nd
€500
1st
€200
3rd
Categories
Every category is judged on skits and poses. You can enter one category in your age group.
Age 16 and over
Skits & poses
Take the stage on your own with a skit or pose routine that brings your character to life.
Skits & poses
Perform together as a group. Each member pays the €15 entry fee.
Age 15 and under · New for 2026
Skits & poses
Our brand-new competition for young cosplayers, with its own podium.
Special award
For the young cosplayer whose handmade costume or props show the most skill and creativity.
One winner
Main Competition - Other Awards
On top of the podium places, the judges and the crowd hand out six special awards.
For the most detailed prop or armour piece.
For outstanding make-up work, including SFX make-up, body paint and face paint.
For the most memorable overall presentation during the Catwalk Showcase.
For an eligible participant who’s new to competing on stage.
Chosen by the audience on the day.
For bringing a character to life mainly with everyday, existing or non-custom clothing.
The panel
Our panel brings years of crafting, competing and performing. They’ll score craftsmanship, accuracy and stage presence.
Leon Chiro is a professional cosplayer and cosplay judge. He is also a pro-wrestler.
Elizabeth Rage is a full-time cosplayer and costume designer who specialises in the creation of 3D waifus!
Chris Bianchi, known as ChrisCosplays and nicknamed The Maltese Deadpool, is a cosplayer, prop maker, and artist from Malta.
@Groonpa · Malta
PLAYCON 2025
Schedule
Sunday
22nd November 2026
PLAYCON main stage, MFCC, Ta' Qali
Times are provisional. Competitors get their final call times by email after their application is reviewed.
[11:00]
Pick up your wristband and get props checked at the competitor desk.
[12:00]
Running order, stage walkthrough and Q&A with the cosplay team, backstage.
[13:40]
The judges sit down on stage to talk about crafting, their favourite builds and what makes a winning cosplay.
[14:00]
Skits and poses from our youngest cosplayers, plus Best Youth Crafter.
[15:10]
[15:50]
Solo and Groups skits and poses, judged on craftsmanship, accuracy and stage presence.
[17:20]
Live entertainment on stage while the judges finalise scores and the votes are counted.
[18:10]
Non-competing cosplayers walk, pose and show off their builds.
[18:20]
Category winners, special awards and Best in Show.
The competition is on Sunday 22 November 2026. Arrival times and briefing details are emailed after your application is reviewed.
Children’s competition: aged 15 and under. Adult competition: aged 16 and over.
Anyone under 18 needs a parent or legal guardian to sign a consent form. Without it, they cannot compete on stage.
Enter the competition for your age group only. You can’t enter both the Children’s and Adult competitions.
Each participant may enter one category within their competition.
€15 + booking fee per person for kids and adults. For groups, each member pays €15 + booking fee.
PLAYCON is a family event. Costumes must be tasteful and appropriate for all ages, with adequate coverage.
Real weapons are strictly banned, including functional firearms and sharpened blades. Costume weapons and props must meet PLAYCON’s safety requirements.
Keep noise down while you wait, follow instructions from staff and volunteers, and respect fellow competitors.
Use the designated restrooms and changing areas, and respect others’ privacy at all times.
By submitting an application, participants, or their parent/legal guardian where applicable, consent to photography and video recording during the event and grant PLAYCON permission to use this material for promotional and event-related purposes.
PLAYCON’s decisions on judging, scoring and results are final.
PLAYCON is a family-friendly event. All costumes, performances, music, dialogue, props, and other content must be suitable for a general audience, including children.
Participants must submit their performance music in MP3 format together with their application.
For the Pose Category, music must be submitted in advance if the participant wishes to have music played during their performance.
PLAYCON will not provide substitute music or accept alternative formats unless otherwise stated.
All submitted music and performance content is subject to review and approval by the Playcon team. Participants may be contacted if changes are required.
Content must not include:
Any request to use a microphone must be declared in the application. A brief description or script of what will be said must also be submitted for approval.
Participants must not substantially deviate from approved content. If inappropriate or prohibited content is presented on stage, the host or PLAYCON team may stop the performance and disqualify the participant.
Pose and Skit performances must be between 1 and 4 minutes. Timing begins when the participant’s music or performance starts.
Performances exceeding the maximum time may receive point deductions.
PLAYCON reserves the right to determine whether costumes, performances, music, props, or other content are appropriate for the event. Participants who are unsure about any element should contact the PLAYCON cosplay team before the event for approval.
A separate Catwalk Showcase will be available for cosplayers who are not competing but would still like to showcase their cosplay on stage.
Participants will enter the stage, walk towards the judging area, pose, and exit. Music for the Catwalk Showcase will be provided by Playcon.
Participants must be able to safely enter and exit the stage. Participants who require reasonable accessibility assistance should inform the PLAYCON team in advance so appropriate arrangements can be made.
Participants are responsible for bringing all required props onto the stage and removing them immediately after their performance.
The following are strictly prohibited on stage:
Real weapons are strictly prohibited. Costume weapons and replicas are permitted provided they are non-functional and safe. PLAYCON reserves the right to inspect any prop or replica and refuse its use if it is considered unsafe.
Food, live animals, and remote-controlled devices are not permitted on stage unless specifically authorised by PLAYCON in advance.
Participants must not throw, launch, or propel any object towards the audience or off the stage.
All props and replicas intended for use during the competition must be declared in the application form. Undeclared or potentially dangerous props may be refused entry or use.
PLAYCON and the Organising Committee reserve the right to prohibit any prop considered unsafe, inappropriate, or unsuitable for the venue. Failure to comply may result in disqualification and/or removal of the prop from the competition area.
Dangerous or reckless behaviour will not be tolerated.
Participants are responsible for using their costumes and props safely and for following all instructions given by PLAYCON staff, security personnel, and venue staff. PLAYCON accepts no responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a participant’s failure to follow these rules or from negligent or reckless behaviour, subject to applicable law.
Pose and Skit performances must be between 1 and 4 minutes. Timing begins when the participant’s music or performance starts.
Performances exceeding the maximum time may receive point deductions.
Photography and videography may take place during the event. Images and recordings may be used by PLAYCON for event coverage and promotional purposes, including digital platforms, social media, websites, and printed materials.
Personal information submitted as part of the competition registration will be collected and processed by PLAYCON for the purposes of administering and managing the competition and event. Personal data will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection legislation, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Where consent is required for a participant under the age of 18, the appropriate consent must be provided by their parent or legal guardian.
Participants must not use their appearance in the competition to advertise, promote, or represent any personal business, brand, organisation, sponsor, or commercial affiliation unless prior approval has been granted by PLAYCON. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
The official PLAYCON judges are the sole evaluators of the cosplay competition. Scores will remain confidential until the official results are announced later on the same day of the event.
All participants are expected to maintain a respectful and healthy competitive environment. Respectful behaviour towards fellow competitors, visitors, judges, organisers, staff, and volunteers is required before, during, and after the competition.
PLAYCON reserves the right to disqualify any participant who violates the competition rules or engages in inappropriate, disruptive, unsportsmanlike, or disrespectful behaviour.
All participants must complete and submit the online registration form by 16th November 2026
Applications submitted after the registration deadline will not be accepted
For all visitors
Not competing but dressing up for the day? Brilliant. Here’s what to know before you arrive.
01
Realistic or functional weapons aren’t allowed, and anything that looks like one may be confiscated or need checking at security. Props must be safe, non-metal, non-sharp and non-functional: foam, lightweight plastic and craft materials are usually fine.
02
Large or weapon-like props get a Prop Check at the security entrance. A prop judged dangerous may not be allowed in unless it’s left with security.
03
Big wings, long trains and tall pieces may be limited. Make sure you can move safely through crowds, stairs and doorways.
04
No obscene, racist, sexist or hateful content, no country or military badges (especially on soldier costumes), and no Nazi symbolism, even in historical costumes. Very revealing costumes may be restricted in public areas.
05
Cosplayers are encouraged to accept photo and video requests, especially from children and PLAYCON’s media team.
06
By entering PLAYCON in cosplay, you agree to be photographed and filmed for PLAYCON promotion. This content belongs to GMR Concepts Ltd.
Apply by 16th November 2026. We’ll email arrival times and briefing details once your application is reviewed.
