The Nekocon Catwalk Contest is a contest where all cosplayers regardless of if they made, purchased or commissioned their costume are eligible to compete. All costumes are welcome and valid! The competitors will be judged on their stage presence, posing and general pizazz! This contest is ideal for those who want to show off their costume on stage without the pressure of craftsmanship judging.
 

For questions regarding these rules, signups or anything related to cosplay contests at NekoCon please email: cosplay@nekocon.com
 

Category Descriptions
 

Youth – Any entrant aged 13 years and younger. For safety reasons, children under the age of 8 cannot be allowed on the stage during the Contest for any reason, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Entrants between the ages of 8 and 13 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian backstage who has a valid Nekocon admission badge.
 

General - Any entrant 14 years of age or older. 
 

Rules

1. Follow all venue and convention rules and guidelines.
    

2. Poor sportsmanship is grounds for disqualification from future NekoCon contests. Be a gracious winner and loser. Additionally, bullying another contestant or cosplay staff members is strictly prohibited. If the contest coordinator finds out that bullying has occurred the bully will be disqualified. Be kind to your fellow contestants.
    

3. No entries may contain religious, political, insulting or offensive statements. We utilize the following definition of offensive cosplays: cosplays that incite violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, ageism, and bigotry. This includes race-facing (e.g. blackface/brownface/yellowface) as well as costumes that replicate or make light of historic or current international or national tragedies (this includes depictions of the novel coronavirus in any way).
    

4. Costumes that have previously won an award ARE eligible to compete. 
    

5. While we all do enjoy a good martial arts sequence, we must insist that your act does not include any action that would put yourself or others at risk for injury or harm. This includes brandishing weapons. If your presentation absolutely requires any of these things, you must clear it with the Cosplay staff prior to stepping on the stage. We are not responsible for injury or harm during the costume contest.
    

6. Everything brought on stage by the individual or group must leave the stage with the individual or group. For this reason, glitter, silly string, bubbles, fake blood, projectiles, ect… are not permitted. If you cannot easily take it with you, it is not allowed on stage. 
    

7. Please keep your costumes PG-13. Dance tights, nude body suits, dancer’s belts, ect must be used where appropriate to keep costumes PG-13. For more information please see our event rules and regulations.
    

8. No foul language please! Usage of any foul or abusive language is ground for instant disqualification and removal from the contest. 
    

9. You must be a registered attendee of NekoCon to participate. Cosplay Staff is ineligible for competition but staff of other departments and volunteers are permitted to enter. Guests and contractors are not eligible to participate.
    

10. Contestants must pre-register by visiting the Cosplay Contest Central booth by 5 pm On Friday of the convention. We will not accept online submissions. All entrants must register in person. 
     

11. You may compete in the Catwalk, Purr-formance Competition and the From Scratchmanship contests at NekoCon but you must wear a different costume for each contest. 
     

12. Judge’s Rule is Final.