7th & 8th June 2025

Motorpoint Arena Nottingham

Cosplay

EM-Con Cosplay Competition

Come join us Saturday and Sunday, for the EM-Con cosplay competition.
Show off your costumes and hard work to the judges and have a chance at winning prizes.
All ages and genres are accepted so why not sign up?


Saturday 4.30pm & Sunday 4.30pm on the EM-Con Balcony (see map on info page https://nottingham.em-con.co.uk/info/ )

To Enter all you need to do is go to the Geek Asylum table which will also be listed on the map, Kerry and her team will get your details and be happy to help! – do not fill in the form at the bottom of this page

Our cosplay host Ashley will introduce each contestant and ask them about their outfit.

Prizes will be supplied on the day, and announced below.

Saturday Adults Cosplay Competition

 

1st Prize – EM-Con Cosplay Champion Trophy
£100 Prize Money
£50 Forbidden Planet Gift Voucher
£50 London Camera Exchange Gift Voucher
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

2nd Prize
£50 Prize Money
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

3rd Prize
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

Sunday Adults Cosplay Competition

 

1st Prize – EM-Con Cosplay Champion Trophy
£100 Prize Money
£50 Forbidden Planet Gift Voucher
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

2nd Prize
£50 Prize Money
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

3rd Prize
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

Saturday Kids Cosplay Competition

1st Prize
£50 Prize Money
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

2nd Prize
£25 Prize Money
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

3rd Prize
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

Sunday Kids Cosplay Competition

1st Prize
£50 Prize Money
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

2nd Prize
£25 Prize Money
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

3rd Prize
2 x General Weekend Tickets EM-Con 24

 

EM-Con Cosplay & Cosplay Contest Rules & Guidelines

1. We have 2 categories, Adult and Children (children category is up to age of 14).
2. No skits during judging or catwalk.
3. No nudity.
4. No profanity.
5. No political or religious statement during the catwalk. Anyone who violates this may be disqualified from the competition and ejected from the convention.
6. Do not use any sort of projectile at all! Nothing must leave your person while you are on the catwalk. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.
7.No flashpots, explosive devices, or similar special effects are to be used. Anyone who violates this rule may be disqualified from the competition and may be asked to leave the convention area.
8. All entries must abide by the EM-Con banned props rule.
9. All applications must be filled in prior to the competition, you can pre-apply via the application below or apply via the cosplay table at the arena on the day.
10. You need to bring a reference so that the judges can judge the accuracy of your costume, it should be a full colour print out of images from as many angles as possible. Sadly we won’t accept references or images on smartphones or laptops.
11. All judging shall be done away from the stage.
12. Each contestant may only enter one costume into competition.
13. All entries must abide to the size rule.
14. EM-con can not be held responsible for any damage that might come to the costume while at the convention.
15. All entries should be at least 50% self made.

Cosplay Guidelines

The ensure attendee safety, EM-Con and Motorpoint Arena will be implementing a bag check procedure for entry to the venue. Please make note of this and allow extra time in gaining entry.

The following items are banned from all EM-Con Events and are not allowed on site under any circumstances:

  • Replica guns.
  • Any solid metal blades, even if they are blunt. This includes but is not limited to swords, knives and axes.
  • Explosives, incendiary devices, pyrotechnics and fireworks.
  • Actual guns, rifles or other firearms.
  • Heavy bats and paddles, including wooden and metal baseball or cricket bats. (This includes you,
    Harley and Negan!)
  • Strung bows or crossbows that are capable of being drawn and/or fired.
  • Any arrows or bolts with sharp tips.
  • Protruding nails, barbed wire or other sharp items.
  • Anything that is restricted or prohibited by UK law.

There will be NO exceptions. Anyone found to be carrying any of the above items will have their items confiscated and may be removed from the event at the organisers’ discretion and will be
reported to the police where appropriate.

Unrealistic guns made of plastic, such as brightly coloured toy guns or those that are clearly science-fiction based, are permitted providing they are not over 1.5m and aren’t heavy enough to be used as a blunt weapon.You must be able to demonstrate that the weapon is unable to be fired – this means that, where applicable, the magazine must be empty and the batteries removed.

Costume weapons are permitted if the weapon is clearly marked with bright a ORANGE TIP.

EM-Con Events and the Motorpoint Arena reserve the right to refuse entry.

Cosplay FAQ

Questions we get asked a lot, no, a lot, like loads….

“Do you take guest judges?” – No, our contest is judged by those either appointed by EM-Con or our own crew.
“Do you book Cosplay guests?” – No, our event is based around TV & Film actors.
“Am I allowed….” – Please check the guidelines clearly outlined on the cosplay page.
“Am I allowed to bring a real sword? my outfit doesn’t look right with a cosplay one”  – This isn’t allowed, the Nottingham Police outline all our specified requirements.

Enter the Cosplay Competition

Briefly describe the costume you are planning