CROWN CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Cosplay Central Crown Championships is a Global Cosplay competition run by RX Global. Australian Cosplayers will have the opportunity to be selected as a finalist to compete with a Global audience. The 2024 final will take place at C2E2, Chicago, USA. Date TBA.

The Australian leg of the Cosplay Central Crown Championships will be held on Sunday, October 8th at PAX Aus, which is being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). The 2024 final will take place at C2E2, Chicago, USA. Dates TBC.

The winner of the Australian leg will be crowned Sunday, October 8th at PAX Aus before they go on to compete in the international finals at C2E2 in Chicago.
The winner will receive:

• A Medal

• Two (2) weekend passes for C2E2 Chicago, 2024;

• AU$3,000

• Three (3) nights’ accommodation 

• Two (2) 3-day badges to PAX Aus 2024

A prize will be offered for second place, with the contestant receiving:

• A Medal
• AU$500 gift card and a medal; 
• Two (2) 3-day badges to PAX Aus 2024;

Applications for the Australian leg will be open for submissions on 9:59am AEST, May 12th, 2023. All applications must be submitted on or before 11:59pm AEST, August 28th, 2023. You can apply on the PAX Aus website.

At application, entrants must submit a minimum of one (1) reference image, images of the Cosplay they wish to enter (with allowance for minor unfinished elements) and a written description that may offer details about the design and construction process, materials and the choice of cosplay.

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 used for the Championships Qualifier or Final must not have been used for any previous local or international Cosplay or Cosplay final.

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 8th.

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.

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.