AthensCon Cosplay Championship
Official Rules & Regulations
1. Welcome
Welcome to the AthensCon Cosplay Championship!
The AthensCon Cosplay Championship celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and performance by bringing together cosplayers from across Greece and abroad to compete in a fair, inclusive, and professional environment.
Our goal is to recognize outstanding costume construction while encouraging performers to showcase their passion, talent, and creativity on stage.
Participation in the championship constitutes acceptance of all rules outlined below.
2. Eligibility
To compete, participants must:
- Hold a valid AthensCon event ticket.
- Be at least 16 years old. Participants under 18 must provide parental consent.
- Wear a costume based on an officially published character.
- Be the primary creator of their costume.
- Agree to photography and video recording during the event.
- Attend prejudging at their assigned time.
Failure to meet these requirements may result in disqualification.
3. Costume Eligibility
Eligible costumes include characters from:
- Anime
- Manga
- Video Games
- Movies
- Television
- Comics
- Books
- Original designs inspired by existing franchises (if approved)
Not permitted:
- AI-generated characters
- Offensive or hateful costumes
- Political propaganda
- Costumes that violate Greek law
- Costumes containing dangerous materials
4. Craftsmanship Requirements
AthensCon is a craftsmanship-focused championship.
Contestants should have created the majority of their costume themselves.
Allowed:
- Sewing
- Foam armor
- Thermoplastics
- Leatherwork
- Resin casting
- EVA Foam
- Worbla
- 3D Printed parts
- Wig styling
- Prop making
Purchased base items are acceptable only if they have been significantly modified.
Commissioned costumes are not eligible.
6. Registration
Applications must include:
- Character name
- Series
- Reference images
- Costume photos
- Work in Progress photos
- Social media links (optional)
- Build Book (Masters required)
Applications close on the announced deadline.
7. Build Book
Contestants should document their work through photographs.
Suggested sections include:
- Planning
- Patterning
- Sewing
- Foam work
- 3D Printing
- Painting
- Weathering
- Wig styling
- Props
- Final costume
The Build Book helps judges understand your craftsmanship.
8. Prejudging
Attendance is mandatory.
Judges evaluate:
- Construction quality
- Material choice
- Techniques used
- Finish
- Complexity
- Problem solving
- Accuracy
9. Stage Performance
Maximum performance:
Individual
60 seconds
10. Props & Weapons
Allowed:
- EVA Foam
- PVC
- Cardboard
- Plastic
- Lightweight wood
- Resin
- Thermoplastics
Not allowed:
- Real firearms
- Functional weapons
- Explosives
- Fire
- Smoke
- Liquids
- Glass
- Sharp metal blades
- Pyrotechnics
AthensCon reserves the right to reject unsafe props.
11. Judging Criteria
Craftsmanship — 70%
Construction
Finishing
Difficulty
Accuracy
Material use
Innovation
Stage Presentation — 20%
Character portrayal
Confidence
Audience engagement
Posing
Performance
Overall Impression — 10%
Visual impact
Professionalism
Judge impression
12. Scoring
Each judge scores independently.
The highest combined score determines the winner.
Judge decisions are final.
Scores are not publicly disclosed.
13. Sportsmanship
All contestants are expected to:
Treat others respectfully.
Respect judges and staff.
Avoid harassment.
Support fellow competitors.
Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in disqualification.
14. Disqualification
Contestants may be disqualified for:
False craftsmanship claims.
Missing prejudging.
Dangerous props.
Unsportsmanlike conduct.
Rule violations.
Failure to follow staff instructions.
15. Photography & Media
By entering the competition, contestants grant AthensCon permission to photograph and film their participation for promotional purposes.
16. Code of Conduct
AthensCon is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for everyone regardless of gender, race, nationality, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.
17. Final Decisions
The AthensCon Organizing Committee reserves the right to interpret these rules and make final decisions regarding eligibility, safety, and competition management.