CROWN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Cosplay Central Crown Championships is a global cosplay competition run by RX Global. Australian cosplayers have the chance to be selected as a finalist and represent Australia on the world stage.

The Australian qualifier will take place at PAX Aus, held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 10–12 October 2025. The international finals will take place at MCM London Comic Con in May 2026.

The winner will be crowned on Sunday, 12 October 2025 at PAX Aus and go on to compete in the international finals at MCM London Comic Con.

Winner receives:

• Represent Australia at MCM London Comic Con

• 1 x Winner’s Trophy

• AUD $3,500 EFTPOS virtual gift card (for travel funding)

• 3 nights’ accommodation

• 2 x weekend passes to MCM London Comic Con

• 2 x 3-day badges to PAX Aus 2026

Runner-up receives:

• 1 x Runner-Up Trophy

• AUD $500 EFTPOS virtual gift card

• 2 x 3-day badges to PAX Aus 2026

Applications are now open, and can be found here. Applications must be submitted before 11:59pm AEST, September 10th, 2025.

At application each entrant must submit a minimum of one (1) reference image, two (2) images of the costume they wish to enter and a written description which may offer details about the design and construction process, materials, and the choice of costume. You do not need to be wearing the costume, it can be on a mannequin or similar. The important thing is that the panel can see the quality of your work and that the costume is complete enough to ensure it will be 100% ready to take part in the qualifier.

At application the costume being entered should be 70% complete, i.e. all major parts should be present and nearly complete, with allowance for minor unfinished elements and fine decoration.

Entrants must submit a Build Book upon their submission. Build Books will be shared with the Judges prior to Craftsmanship Judging. You can find examples here and here.

Group entries are not permitted as the Championships are open to singular entries only.

Unfortunately, entrants are only able to participate in the Championships once per year, wearing one Cosplay. As a result, applicants must not register numerous times with different Cosplays.

Entrants must have made the Cosplay they are using in selection events and finals by themselves. In saying that, we understand that various elements throughout the process may have required assistance. Exceptions are made for simple tasks where a single person requires assistance (holding things in place, etc.). Wigs, shoes, minor accessories and largely insignificant base layers such as leotards and pantyhose are similarly permitted.

Cosplays that have won any previous Championships of Cosplay state qualifiers or finals cannot be entered. For example, “I won Championships of Cosplay Wild Card at Oz Comic-Con in 2023 for my cosplay of sucrose from Genshin Impact” will not be eligible to enter the competition.

Firstly, all Cosplays should be in good taste and appropriate for a family-friendly show. Whilst no character is exactly off the cards, the general rules are as follows:  

• Cosplays must provide enough coverage to be worn in public; 
• Cosplays must steer clear from obscene or offensive imagery, including incentive or unnecessary use of makeup, nor endorse any form of hate or any hate group. Gore, graphic violence or other objectionable elements may also be grounds for disqualification as determined by the judges and organisers; 
• Cosplays cannot promote alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms/weapons (or any use of the foregoing), any activities that may appear unsafe or dangerous or any particular political agenda or message;
• Cosplays must not defame, misrepresent or contain disparaging remarks about Cosplay Central, RX Global and their products, or other people, products or companies, or communicate messages or images inconsistent with the positive images and/or goodwill with which Cosplay Central and/or RX Global intends to associate the Competition; 
• Cosplays cannot depict, and cannot themselves, be in violation of any Australian or other applicable law.

The Cosplay should not exceed 2.5m/8ft in any one dimension, and the entrant should be able to safely move in the Cosplay with limited assistance and the Cosplay must not impede the finalist’s ability to get on and off stage. The organisers reserve the right to intervene should they believe a Cosplay is not safe to participate on stage.

Entrants must comply with the Cosplay, weapons and props rules outlined by the event. All props will be subject to security checks upon entry to PAX Aus.

All selected entrants are responsible for all expenses related to competing at PAX Aus, including all lodging and travel to and from the convention centre. All contestants must also purchase a badge valid for PAX Aus on Sunday, October 12th.

Cosplays for the championships must represent an existing or recognisable character or element from the pop culture realms, including comic books, film and television, video games, anime, manga, theatre or fantasy. 

Though we acknowledge the time and effort that goes into these creations, characters or elements such as bands, musicians and drag acts are not eligible.

1. Cosplays replicating published designs from comic books, movies and television, video games, anime, manga, theatre or fantasy, including derivative designs by well-known concept artists that have been publicly available for at least 1 year and not directly commissioned by the finalist, will be judged on “Accuracy” i.e. the detail and steps taken to create a cosplay that is accurate to the given reference material.

2. Cosplays inspired by existing characters but given an original twist, e.g. character mash ups or interpreting a recognisable character in an alternative style, will be judged on the “design” choices and decisions taken to create a cohesive cospl

The weighting for each of the judging criteria is as follows:

• Accuracy or Design - 20%
• Ambition – 10%
• Construction – 70%

Cosplays replicating published designs from comic books, film and television, video games, anime, manga, theatre or fantasy (including derivative designs by well-known concept artists that have been publicly available for at least 1 year and not directly commissioned by the finalist) will be judged on Accuracy, i.e. the detail and steps taken to create a Cosplay that is accurate to the given reference material. 

Cosplays inspired by existing characters but given an original twist, e.g. character mash-ups or interpreting a recognisable character in an alternative style, will be judged on the Design choices and decisions taken to create a cohesive Cosplay.

No, a performance is not required. Entrants should prepare several poses and or movements to showcase their cosplay on stage. If selected, the finalist will be required to provide 150 words detailing the cosplay. This will be read during their assigned stage segment.

Each entrant will be on stage for a minimum of one (1) minute to a maximum of two (2) minutes.

Entrants will have music provided for them.

Energetic performances will require further assurance regarding the skills of the performers, and we reserve the right to interrupt performances for safety reasons.