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Are you a cosplayer, cosplay curious or a fan of creative crafters! DreamHack has everything to fill your schedule with Cosplay activities. Looking to interact with the cosplay world? Meet our invited guests in the Cosplay Corner, take pictures with themed backdrops, learn more about the crafting world in various panel sessions, and attend the Main Stage competition on Saturday evening!
Are you a cosplayer yourself? All fandoms are welcome to compete in our $3,200 competition.
Cosplayers compete in three tiers for a share of the $3,200 prize pool.
1st – $75
2nd – $50
3rd – $25
Ages 0-15 years old
Prizes and recognition for all competitors!
If you have previously won the Youth/Kids category, please apply for the Novice tier.
1st – $300
2nd – $100
3rd – $50
For cosplayers who have not won any cosplay competition before.
You are eligible if you do not have a crafting education (sewing, welding/3D-printing, etc
The costume must be self-made but may use modified/changed garments.
1st – $500
2nd – $200
3rd – $100
Contestants who have outgrown the novice tier, but are not quite ready for the Expert tier.
Self-made costume, but may use modified/changed garments.
Place top 5 in 4+ competitions
1st – $1,000
2nd – $500
3rd – $300
Contestants who want to compete at the highest level.
The costume must be self-made, the exceptions are: Base wig, shoes, and undergarments.
If you have not competed before, you may enter any tier you would like, and judges, reserve the right to move you to a different tier based on your experience and skill. If you are a seasoned competitor, you must enter the tier that represents your previous experience.
(40 / 30 / 20)
Overall cosplay execution and creativity.
(5) – Clean stitching, use of highlighting and shadows, clean wig styling, smooth armor edges, finishing techniques etc.
(4) – Most details are clean and finished, one technique/element less polished.
(3) – Details are present, but finishing touches are missing. Seams may be unfinished, rough armor edges, no shadows/highlights etc.
(2) – Minimal details, techniques are mostly poorly executed, cosplay not entirely finished.
(1) – No details, techniques are poorly executed, cosplay is unfinished.
(40 / 30 / 20)
Level of complexity of the cosplay selected. Variety of techniques used. Purchased items only count against you if no transformation has been done.
(5) – Cosplay uses 3 or more main materials, 3 or more techniques used AND less than 10% purchased.
(4) – Cosplay uses 2-3 main materials, and 2-3 different techniques AND less than 20% purchased.
(3) – Cosplay uses 1-2 materials and 1-2 different techniques OR 30-40% purchased.
(2) – Cosplay sticks to a couple basic techniques OR 40 – 50% purchased.
(1) – Cosplay relies on a single technique OR more than 50% is purchased.
(10 / 10 / 10)
How closely does the cosplay represent the source? This can be screen accuracy or creative embellishment/adaptation.
(5) – Accurate base cosplay, all relevant props, wigs, contacts etc. Included.
(4) – Accurate base cosplay. Missing one important element (prop, wig styling, texture/color, body paint, detailing).
(3) – Mostly accurate. Missing 2-3 important details such as a major prop, patterns, accurate body paint.
(2) – Minimal resemblance to the character, maybe has correct colors or styling but is missing major design elements.
(1) – Minimal resemblance to character and/or spirit of the character.
(5 / 10 / 20)
Spirit of the character, knowledge and passion.
(5) – Cosplayer knows character backstory and presence, bonus for knowing key phrases.
(4) – —
(3) – Cosplayer has a general idea of the character, but no deep knowledge.
(2) – —
(1) – Cosplayer does not know much about the character outside of the general design.
(5 / 10 / 10)
Confidence, presence, “star power” associated with the character and cosplay.
(5) – Cosplayer is confident and can act out different character poses/voice lines. Has good energy.
(4) – Cosplayer is confident with poses ready.
(3) – Cosplayer knows a few poses or voice lines, but is shy with them.
(2) – Cosplayer has minimal stage presence, maybe has a pose or voice line ready.
(1) – Cosplayer had minimal stage presence.
Join us at the Main Stage on Saturday evening at 7 pm (time subject to change) to watch the finals of our Cosplay Competition! Looking for more? Stay tuned for our panel schedule! You can also meet invited guests at the Cosplay Corner for the duration of the festival!
Free 3-day Badge for Competitors
DreamHack Dallas welcomes all signed-up cosplayers to enjoy our festival 24/7; from Friday at 10:00am, until Sunday at 7pm, when the festival closes. To be eligible for a free Cosplay Pass you have to participate in the Cosplay Competition.
We know day-one registration can sometimes have a bit of a line, which isn’t always the easiest thing to do in a cosplay. Our crew will be on the lookout for attendees actively in cosplay and will be there to help you skip the line. Yes, your handler can jump the line with you.
Take the wig off, grab a snack, and relax in our cosplay lounge – exclusive to cosplayers
and their handlers. You’re welcome to hang out, take advantage of our dressing rooms, and get some peace from the bustle of a con during the event. Plus, you’ll have access to various repair supplies and a basic photography set up.
We have tape, we have paint, we have glue guns galore and more! The cosplay repair station is an ever growing and changing repair kit that we add to every event, providing a quick and easy way to touch up your cosplay and repair unforeseen complications on the go! Stop by the cosplay lounge any time during main convention hours and our staff will do their best to help.
Lights, camera, action! Meet your favorite Cosplayers, grab a picture, and learn more about their craft. Cosplay Guests will be invited to exhibit with us at the show – sell prints, hop up on stage for fun activities, and have a chance to meet your fans in your own space. Interested in being a guest? Let us know!
We have a zero tolerance policy for harassment and have taken extra time to train our volunteers and security personnel to make sure you have a safe and fun convention experience. Cosplay is not consent and we support a see something, say something policy. Please feel free to report any issues at any time to our staff, crew, and/or security.
Cosplay props will be subject to a security check and may be zip-tied to mark that the prop is safe and has been checked. Edged weapons, blunt force weapons, functioning projectile weapons (guns, bows, airsoft, pellet/bb, blow gun etc) are NOT allowed. Admission is subject to security’s approval, however we will aim to have cosplay knowledgeable volunteers and staff there to assist if there are any questions.
We will be releasing more information at a later moment.
You don’t have to compete or watch our cosplay competition to enjoy cosplay at DreamHack Dallas! Meet your favorite cosplay guests and judges. You’ll see them walking around the festival with their amazing outfits. Remember though, cosplay is not consent!
