The Baltimore Comic-Con and the Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore have once again joined forces to proudly present the 2026 Cosplay Contest! We are thrilled to welcome back Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore as our 2026 Cosplay events sponsor, bringing back the internationally-recognized pop cultural brand and destination as the partner for one of the convention’s premier events. The Baltimore Comic-Con will be held the weekend of September 25-27, 2026 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Tickets for admission to the event are available now!
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The Adult Cosplay Contest is being held on Saturday, September 25th at 4:30pm**. All participants must be registered for the contest to be eligible to compete. Adult Cosplay Contest registration is available online HERE. There will be no day of, in-person registration for the Adult Cosplay Contest.
Pre-judging will be happening throughout the day by appointment on Saturday, giving each contestant more time to spend on the show floor. Upon registration, an appointment will be created and can be adjusted upon request. We have updated our rules this year, so make sure to check out our webpage here (https://baltimorecomiccon.com/adult-cosplay-contest/) with more details about this event.
Along with the Adult Cosplay Contest on Saturday, we are pleased to announce the return of the popular Adult Cosplay Showcase! The Showcase provides an opportunity for all cosplayers, regardless of whether or not they made their own outfit, to have a moment up on the Baltimore Comic-Con stage to strut their stuff for the audience and for the cameras. To register for this event, please visit our website. The event will start shortly before the Cosplay Contest.
The Children’s Cosplay Events will be held on Sunday, September 27th at 3pm** in the ballroom on the 4th floor.
The Children’s Cosplay Showcase will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, shortly before the Contest in the ballroom on the 4th floor. Alongside the Children’s Cosplay Contest will be the Children’s Cosplay Showcase, where anyone under the age of 18 can walk the stage and be celebrated for their work and their part in the cosplay community! Make sure to register online HERE to ensure your spot in the showcase! This event will start at 3pm**.
The Children’s Cosplay Contest will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 3:30pm** in the ballroom on the 4th floor. The Children’s Cosplay Contest registration is available online HERE. Kids 17 years and younger can register online OR day of for the event. In person registration will close at noon on Sunday, September 27, 2026. There will, however, be a limited number of slots and if you are able to have a build book available, please bring one.
Cosplay Contest/Cosplay Showcase Schedule**:
Saturday, September 26th
10:00am – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration begins
3:30pm – Showcase Registrants to Staging Area (4th floor)
3:45pm – Cosplay Contest participants to the Staging Area (4th floor)
4:00pm – Cosplay Showcase Begins
4:30pm – Adult Cosplay Contest Begins
Sunday, September 27th
10:00am – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration begins (Day 2)
12:00pm – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration ends
2:30pm – Children’s Cosplay Showcase Participants report to Staging Area
2:45pm – Children’s Cosplay Contest Participants Report to Staging Area
3:00pm – Children’s Cosplay Showcase Begins
3:30pm – Children’s Cosplay Contest Begins
PRIZES
Adult Prizes:
Overall Best Cosplay (Best in Show)
$1,000 Grand Prize in Cash for Adults
Advanced Individual:
1st place – $250 Cash
Runner Up – $125 Cash
Intermediate Individual:
1st Place – $225 Cash for First Place
Runner Up – $100 Cash for Runner-Up
Novice Individual:
1st Place – $125 Cash for First Place
Runner Up – $75 Cash for Runner-Up
Cosplay Photography:
1st Place – $150 Cash for First Place
Runner Up – $125 Cash for Runner-Up
Judges’ Awards:
$50 Hard Rock Cafe gift cards will be awarded to three adult contestants that the judges believe deserve special recognition
Kids Prizes:$100 Grand Prize in Cash for Kids Best in ShowAges 5-11:$50 Cash for First Place in category$25 Cash for Runner-Up in categoryAges 12-17:$50 Cash for First Place in category$25 Cash for Runner-Up in category
Each winner will also receive free admittance to the Baltimore Comic-Con in 2027!
**Times are subject to change. Please check baltimorecomiccon.com for updated information.
Tickets that are now on sale include:
- Weekend
- Friday only
- Saturday only
- Sunday only
- VIP
- Creator Fan Packages
As always, children 10 and under are free with a paid adult admission!
Click Here to Buy Your Tickets
In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Ringo Awards, programming, and more. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook pages, and follow us on YouTube, TikTok, BlueSky, and Snapchat.