EVENTS & ACTIVITES​

Things to explore along your journey. 

COSPLAY CONTEST masquerade

The Cosplay Contest is a showcase of creativity and performance, featuring comedy, drama, and battles that captivate audiences and impress judges.

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

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 Applicants 17 And Under

Hall Costume Contest

Show off your incredible craftsmanship skills in the Hall Costume Contest! This competition is judged exclusively by a panel of expert judges, giving you the chance to shine and receive professional feedback on your work. Unlike other contests, the winners of the Hall Costume Contest won’t be revealed immediately — instead, they’ll be announced during the Cosplay Contest in the Main Events Room on Saturday.

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

ANX KPOP BATTLES brings together fans and dancers of all levels for an exciting team dance competition. Whether performing your own, adapted, or original choreography, participants will showcase their talent and passion as they compete for top honors across divisions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPECIAL GUEST PANELS

These one-of-a-kind sessions bring you face-to-face with our Special Guests. 

ESPORTS TOURNAMENT FINALES

The finals are coming—top pro players from around the world competing in iconic games for tens of thousands of dollars. High stakes and unmatched skill make this a must-see moment in esports.

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

$90

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

pricing schedule
Current
$90
At door
$100
Register Now

VIP Badge

$225

Early access to our exhibit hall, exclusive hat & lanyard, swag bag, 2026 exclusive pin, discount on all merch and separate line entry at Guest Signings.

pricing schedule
Current
$225
Limited Quantity, Not available at the door
Register Now

Squad Pack

$300

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

pricing schedule
Current
$300
Not available at the door
Register Now

1 DAY

$65-50

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

pricing schedule – Fri & Sat / Sun
Current
$65 / $50
At the door
$65 / $55
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.