EVENTS & ACTIVITES​

Things to explore along your journey. 

MAIN STAGE COSPLAY CONTEST

The Cosplay Contest is a live showcase of creativity and performance, where comedy, drama, and staged battles captivate the audience and impress the judges.

COMING SOON

Prizing & Placements

Main Stage Cosplay Contest Prizing & Placements

Best in Show: $5,000
Best Youth: $200

1st Place – Novice: $600
1st Place – Journeyman: $600
1st Place – Craftsman: $600

Novice Runner Up: $500
Journeyman Runner Up: $400
Craftsman Runner Up: $400

Novice 3rd Place: $200
Journeyman 3rd Place: $200
Craftsman 3rd Place: $200

Judge’s Choice (x3): $300 ($100 each)
Director’s Award: Sponsored Prize
Shooting Star Award: Sponsored Award

PRIZES & PLACEMENTS

Pitch Portfolio Guidelines

Download our Portfolio Template

PORTFOLIO INFORMATION

All applicants will be required to submit a pitch portfolio as part of their application. Portfolios must be 3–5 pages, submitted in PDF format, and include the following:

  • Cosplay name, email address, competition division (Novice, Journeyman, or Craftsman), and the character(s) and series being represented

  • A brief introduction about yourself, limited to three sentences or fewer

  • A showcase of three of your best fully self-made costumes (no purchased pieces). One entry may include in-progress photos of a costume you are currently working on for this year’s competition

  • Social media links (optional) if you would like to share more of your work

  • A list of previous awards and the conventions where they were received

GROUP ENTRIES

If your entry includes additional group members, you may either:

  • Submit a separate pitch portfolio for each entrant, or

  • Add 2–3 additional pages per member including: cosplay name, character name, any awards (if applicable), and 2–3 examples of their work

If one individual is primarily responsible for creating all costumes, please note this in the portfolio. We understand group entries involve a range of skills and contributions, all of which are taken into consideration during judging.

PORTFOLIO DEADLINE

Portfolios must be uploaded and submitted with the application when it opens.
Please do not email pitch portfolios directly.

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of outside judges.

Please email [email protected] for any questions.

Pitch Portfolio Guidelines /

Rules and Regulations

ENTRY LIMITS
• Entry capped at 36 participants
• 15 wait-listed entries
• All entries are application-based approval
• Incomplete applications may delay acceptance
• All participants must purchase a valid LVL UP EXPO badge

JUDGING & EVENTS
• Required Saturday morning meeting
• Individual craftsmanship judging on Saturday
• Masquerade held Saturday afternoon in the Main Events Room
• Additional details will be sent via email after acceptance
• Staff, invited guests, and featured cosplayers may not compete

COSTUME ELIGIBILITY
• Costumes must be self-made from scratch
• At least 80% must be created by the participant
• Wigs and shoes are exempt
• Costumes that have won major awards are not eligible
(First Place, Second Place, Third Place, or Best Of)
• Honorable mentions and Judge’s Awards are allowed
• No purchased or sponsored costumes

AGE RESTRICTIONS
• Contestants under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian sign the General Release & Waiver Form

JUDGING CATEGORIES
• Novice
• Journeyman
• Craftsman
• Youth (12 and under)
• Judge’s Choice
• Director’s Choice
• Shooting Star
• Best in Show

• Competing at a lower level for an easier win may result in disqualification
• Groups compete at the level of the highest-skilled member
Example: 1 Craftsman, 2 Journeymen, 1 Novice = entered as Craftsman

MEETINGS, JUDGING & PERFORMANCE TIME LIMITS
• At least one representative per entry must attend the Saturday meeting
• Meeting covers stage movement, rules, music submission, and questions

Craftsmanship Judging (not stage time):
• Individuals: 5 minutes
• Groups: 10 minutes

Performance Time Limits:
• Group skits: 2 minutes
• Walk-ons: 60 seconds
• Individual performances: 90 seconds

ALL TIME LIMITS ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED

SKILL LEVEL GUIDELINES
• Novice: 0–3 major awards
• Journeyman: 3–6 major awards
• Craftsman: 7+ major awards

Rules and Regulations /

Under 17 Waiver

Download, Sign & Send back with your application.

Wavier For 17 And Under

HALL COSTUME CONTEST

All the judging, none of the stage pressure. The Hall Costume Contest focuses on your costume with a panel of expert judges, giving you feedback on your build. Winners are revealed Saturday during the Cosplay Contest in the Main Events Room.

COMING SOON

Prizing & Placements

Hall Costume Contest Prizing & Placements

Best in Show: $1,000
Best Youth: $100

1st Place – Novice: $300
1st Place – Journeyman: $300
1st Place – Craftsman: $300

Novice Runner Up: $200
Journeyman Runner Up: $200
Craftsman Runner Up: $200

Novice 3rd Place: $100
Journeyman 3rd Place: $100
Craftsman 3rd Place: $100

Judge’s Choice (x3): $25 each

Director’s Award: School of Cosplay Sponsored Prize (1-month membership)

Best Documentation: $25

PRIZES & PLACEMENTS

Rules and Regulations

ENTRY LIMITS

  • Single Entries Only, no groups.
  • Entry capped at 40 participants
  • 15 wait-listed entries
  • Entries will be first-come first-serve in each division. This is in an effort to have an even number of Novice, Journeyman, and Craftsman Division costumes.
  • Incomplete applications may delay acceptance
  • All participants must purchase a valid LVL UP EXPO badge

JUDGING & EVENTS

  • Craftsmanship Judging appointments will be available once you are accepted into the contest. As there is no performance element to the Hall Costume Contest, your costume is 100% of your score. This is ideal for anyone who does not wish to perform but still compete.
  • Staff, invited guests, and featured cosplayers are not permitted to compete.

COSTUME ELIGIBILITY

  • Costumes must be self-made from scratch
  • At least 80% must be created by the participant
  • Wigs and shoes are exempt
  • Costumes that have won major awards are not eligible (First Place, Second Place, Third Place, or Best Of)
  • Honorable mentions and Judge’s Awards are allowed
  • No purchased or sponsored costumes
  • You may NOT compete in both Masquerade and Hall Costume Contest. This is to create an opportunity for more participants to win.

AGE RESTRICTIONS

  • Contestants under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian sign the General Release & Waiver Form

JUDGING CATEGORIES

  • Novice
  • Journeyman
  • Craftsman
  • Youth (12 and under)
  • Judge’s Choice
  • Director’s Choice
  • Best in Show
  • Competing at a lower level for an easier win may result in disqualification

MEETINGS, JUDGING & TIME LIMITS

  • After your application is reviewed and you receive confirmation, you will select your craftsmanship judging time. This is the only mandatory appointment in the contest.
  • Craftsmanship judging time limits (not stage time): Individuals — 5 minutes. Times will be strongly enforced.

SKILL LEVEL GUIDELINES

  • Novice: 0–3 major awards
  • Journeyman: 3–6 major awards
  • Craftsman: 7+ major awards
Rules and Regulations /

Under 17 Waiver

Download, Sign & Send back with your application.

Wavier For 17 And Under

LIP SYNC FOR YOUR COSPLAY

Does the joy in your life come from performing? That rush of getting onstage and being fierce? Then you’d better WERK! Lip Sync for Your Cosplay is the high-energy battle competition where you show us what you’re made of!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANX KPOP BATTLES: OLD SKOOL NU SKOOL

The event brings together casual and hardcore Kpop fans in a super dance event featuring either your own, modified or original choreo. All skill levels welcome to participate to see who will be the ANX Kpop Battles Champion for our Season 14 run.

COMING SOON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRO WRESTLING

Catch the high-energy world of pro wrestling at LVL UP EXPO! Get ready to jump up from your seat and rally for your top wrestlers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIDE QUEST

You are strolling through an Exhibit Hall, when you notice out of the corner of your eye, a Merchant’s Booth with a single stream of light shining down on it. It is calling to you, you are oddly drawn to it. You then realize you are destined to complete a QUEST.

Side Quest is a free and interactive event, designed like a scavenger hunt for attendees to complete at their leisure throughout the weekend and win exclusive pins and ribbons. 

get your badge

Children 10 and under get in free when accompanied by a registered adult.
Special military and first responders rate offered at the door only.
VIPS get one hour early access on all three days.

3-Day Badge

$75

Access all three days to our exhibit hall, panels, main events, tournaments and more!

pricing schedule
Current
$75
After 8/14/26
$80
After 10/31/26
$85
After 1/31/27
$90
At door
$100
Register Now

VIP Badge

$250

Early access to our exhibit hall, exclusive hat & lanyard, swag bag, discount on all merch, separate line entry at Guest Signings, and NEW separate line entry for Main Events Room.

pricing schedule
Current
$250

Limited Quantity, Not available at the door

Register Now

Squad Pack

$250

Includes four (4) 3-Day Badges—only available for Pre-Registration.

pricing schedule
Current
$250
After 8/14/26
$270
After 10/31/26
$290
After 1/31/27
$300
Not available at the door
Register Now

1 DAY

$40-52

Select a single day entry for Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

pricing schedule – Fri & Sat / Sun
Current
$52 / $40
After 8/14/26
$60 / $45
After 10/31/26 – At door
$65 / $50
Register Now
For the fans, collectors, and gamers.

Don't Miss out. Stay Tuned.

We’ll let you know about any new information, updates, and ways to maximize your experience at our event.

For the fans, collectors, and gamers.