It goes without saying that cosplay is a highlight of every BlizzCon. Each year, attendees present some of the most extraordinary original costumes celebrating our characters and games. We’re proud of how contestants and attendees portray them, from accurate representations to creative interpretations. We’re grateful to our community of cosplayers for being thoughtful about their creations and ensuring that their creativity stays consistent with the content in our games and is appropriate for BlizzCon and all of its attendees.
Additionally, we are grateful to our other attendees for respecting cosplayers: asking before taking a photo, not touching them or their props without permission, and being respectful of them if they’re taking a break.
Master Crafter
Mastery of one or more traditional or cutting-edge crafting techniques, such as sewing, embroidery, blacksmithing, woodworking, leatherworking, working with foam, 3D printing, and more.
Colossal Creation
Demonstrates excellence in using large-scale fabrication to create a legendary, larger-than-life character. Costumes must be able to fit within a 39”x39” area, be safely maneuverable up and down a 1:12 ratio, ADA-compliant ramp to reach stage level, and must be able to become shorter than 77” to maneuver through a standard doorway.
Epic FX
Demonstrates excellence in incorporating special effects such as lighting, complex mechanical or robotic elements, and more.
Dynamic Duo
Awards an outstanding pair of contestants whose cosplay represents a legendary set of two Blizzard characters: ancient rivals, best friends, heroes and sidekicks, and other prime pairings.
Not entering the main Cosplay Contest but still want to show off your original costume? Submit your entry form for the Cosplay Exhibition! Selected cosplayers will get to wear their costumes on-site and showcase their creations for the BlizzCon community.
For full details, see the BlizzCon 2026 Cosplay Contest and Exhibition Official Rules.
Community artists are invited to submit original works inspired by Blizzard’s universes. This can include sketches, paintings, sculptures, and more across both physical and digital mediums.
For full details, see the BlizzCon 2026 Original Art Contest Official Rules.
Filmmakers are invited to create a new, previously unreleased digital short (3 minutes or shorter total running time) that uses or finds its basis in characters, animations, scenes, or themes from Blizzard’s universes.
For full details, see the BlizzCon 2026 Short Film Contest Official Rules (Digital Storytelling).
Returning to BlizzCon 2026, we invite community members to submit a recorded performance inspired by Blizzard’s universes for our Talent Contest. Submissions should include a short video (2 minutes or shorter) showcasing a particular skill performed by an individual or group (up to five participants). Selected entrants will perform their talents live onstage at BlizzCon 2026. Eligible skills may include but are not limited to musical performance (instrument or vocal performance), dance, variety show acts (acrobatics, juggling, etc.), or other skilled talents.
For full details, see the BlizzCon 2026 Talent Contest Official Rules.
We’re expanding our judging panels to include up to five judges—an increase from previous years. Judging panels for the Cosplay, Art, Short Film, and Talent contests will vary by category. Panels may include seasoned cosplayers, skilled prop and costume creators, experienced performers, Blizzard developers, or others related to each field, bringing a diverse range of expertise for each category. Judges will be revealed closer to BlizzCon 2026.
Full judging criteria are available in the official rules for each contest.
In addition to the opportunity to showcase their winning submissions on the Community Night stage at BlizzCon 2026, winners of the Cosplay, Art, Short Film, and Talent contests will receive cash prizes and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*. See the official rules for each contest for full prize details.
Cosplay
Finalists for the BlizzCon 2026 Cosplay Contest will receive two complimentary BlizzCon 2026 Passes* (which are ineligible for resale and are non-transferable)
Category winners (Master Crafter, Colossal Creation, Epic FX, Dynamic Duo) each receive $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
Best-In-Show winner (chosen from the category winners) will receive an additional $4,000 USD
Art Contest
1st Place: $4,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
2nd Place: $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
3rd Place: $1,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
Short Film Contest
1st Place: $4,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
2nd Place: $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
3rd Place: $1,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
Talent Contest
1st Place: $4,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
2nd Place: $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
3rd Place: $1,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon*
* All complimentary BlizzCon Passes are ineligible for resale, are non-transferable, and do not include any travel arrangements or expenses. Complimentary passes to a future BlizzCon become void if Blizzard does not announce or host a BlizzCon event on or before November 30, 2028.
