Cosplay Central Crown Championship Returns to PAX Aus for 5th Year Plus Brand-New “Cosplay Land” Announced

PAX Aus will once again host the Cosplay Central Crown Championship in 2026, marking its fifth year as one of the most anticipated cosplay competitions in the region. Celebrating the incredible craftsmanship, creativity and performance of Australia’s cosplay community, the competition once again offers local talent the opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage.

The 2026 championship will award one overall winner and one runner-up. The winner will go on to represent Australia at the Cosplay Central Crown Championship Global Final at MCM London Comic Con in 2027 (dates to be announced).

This year’s competition will be judged by an internationally renowned panel of cosplay and creative industry experts. Joining the panel is Cinderys, a Paris-based professional cosplayer and concept/3D artist known for her award-winning work and collaborations with major studios including Blizzard, Capcom and Bungie. 

She is joined by Soylent Cosplay, a Sydney-based professional cosplayer and special FX makeup artist celebrated for her transformative character work and collaborations with leading gaming companies such as BioWare, Blizzard ANZ and PlayStation ANZ. 

Completing the panel is Spicythaidesign, a globally recognised cosplayer and costumer at Wētā Workshop in New Zealand whose credits include major film productions such as Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Avatar: The Way of Water. 

Back on hosting duties is The Gem Cosplay. A Melbourne-based professional cosplayer, esports caster, panelist and content creator, Gem is known for their inventive wigs and makeup, as well as their strong characterisation and dynamic posing. Having been part of the cosplay community since 2009, they bring years of experience, community knowledge and a deep love for the craft. As host, Gem will help competitors feel at ease while showcasing their work and guiding the audience through the artistry on display, acting as a bridge between creators and the audience. 

In addition to the championship, PAX Aus is excited to introduce Cosplay Land, a brand-new dedicated space designed to support and celebrate the cosplay community. Located on the mezzanine level near the Clarendon Street entrance of MCEC and accessible via both stairs and lift, Cosplay Land will serve as a central hub for cosplayers of all levels.

Cosplay Land will feature a dedicated theatre hosting panels, alongside practical amenities such as a repair station and change rooms to support cosplayers throughout the event. The space will also showcase a media wall with Australian cosplay photographers and a walk-up community media wall. Attendees can take part in hands-on workshops presented by Lumin’s Workshop, relax in a lounge area with seating and connect with fellow cosplay fans through dedicated community meet-ups and trading opportunities.

The Lumin’s Workshop team said, “We’re excited to bring back our workshops to PAX Aus and welcome talented French cosplayer, Cinderys, to Australia.”

Further details on Cosplay Land programming and Cosplay Central Crown Championship entry information will be announced in the lead-up to PAX Aus 2026.

Judge Bios

Sanit Klamchanuan (He/Him), known in the cosplay world as Spicythaidesign, is an internationally recognised cosplayer who has travelled extensively attending and judging competitions around the world. Known for integrating his Thai culture into original costume designs, Sanit has worked at the world-renowned Wētā Workshop in Wellington since 2013 as a costumer specialising in foam prototyping. His film credits include Power Rangers (2017), Ghost in the Shell, Mulan, Thor: Ragnarok, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar: The Way of Water, The Creator, Tron: Ares, Predator: Badlands, Aliens: Earth and Avatar: Fire and Ash. Passionate about sharing his craft, Sanit now focuses on inspiring the next generation through teaching and his book Cosplay for You, which explores accessible crafting techniques.

Soylent Cosplay (She/Her) is a professional cosplayer and special FX makeup artist based in Sydney, Australia. With over 15 years of cosplay experience and a decade in makeup artistry, she is known for her full-body transformations that combine intricate body paint and makeup to bring fantasy and sci-fi characters to life. Her work includes portraying Liara T’Soni for the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition and acting as the Australian Lilith for Diablo IV. She has collaborated with companies such as BioWare, Ubisoft, Blizzard ANZ, PlayStation ANZ, Epic Games, miHoYo and Zynga, and has appeared as a guest and judge at conventions across Australia.

Cinderys (She/Her) is a Paris-based professional cosplayer and concept/3D artist who began her cosplay journey in 2014. Known for embodying powerful characters, she shares her passion and crafting expertise through social media, conventions and Twitch. Cinderys has worked with leading video game companies including Blizzard, Capcom, Larian Studios, Bungie, 2K, EA and Konami, and is a regular guest and judge at international cosplay contests. She has received multiple awards for her work, including Fan Favorite at TwitchCon and the Grand Prize at BlizzCon.

About PAX

PAX is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture. First held in Seattle in 2004, PAX connects the world’s leading game publishers with their most avid and influential fans. PAX expanded with a second show in Boston in 2010 and a third in San Antonio in 2015, making them the three largest gaming shows in North America. The first international PAX was held in Melbourne in 2013, and has since become Australia’s largest gaming festival. The brand also expanded to include a dedicated tabletop expo, PAX Unplugged in Philadelphia, US.

Website: http://www.paxsite.com

RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com. 

RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and territories and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 37,000 people, around 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors

About Melbourne International Games Week:

Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW) is Australia’s foremost games festival, encompassing a range of public activities, showcases, business development events, conferences, and education opportunities. Established in 2014 by the Victorian Government, MIGW was held for the first time in 2015 and delivered by Creative Victoria for just over a decade. Now delivered by ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture, MIGW connects Australia’s games sector with general audiences and international peers to celebrate the potential of games and the people who make them.