X-Cosplay - AniNite

Do you have that one character that just won’t let you go? Someone whose design flashes you, whose strength inspires you and whose outfit you would love to wear day and night? Does the mere idea of bringing this look to life set your creative synapses on fire?

Then welcome to X – Cosplay!

This is where we turn passion into reality. Grab your costume, enter our stage and show us your vision. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve just styled your first wig or are already a pro at the sewing machine. What counts for us is not perfection, but pure enthusiasm for the hobby.

Registration

Click here to register.

Registration deadline: 01.08.2026, 23:59 hrs

Conditions of participation

You must be present on the day of the competition.
If you are unable to attend the award ceremony, please report to the information stand and leave your contact details.
Prizes willNEVERbe forwarded abroad!
The entry form must be filled outCOMPLETELY.
By registering, you give us permission to stream your performance live and use the videos.
Shorts or “safety pants” must be worn under skirts or dresses.
Obviously violent or pornographic images will be disqualified.
Last minute registrations on site areNOTpossible.
Violations of the competition rules can lead to exclusion from the competition!

Set of rules

Please read the stage guide and the rules and regulations before registering.

By participating in the competition, the participant agrees to these rules. The competition management reserves the right to exclude persons from the competition in the event of a breach of the rules.

1. participants must be at least 7 years old. Minors must be accompanied by a supervisor. The supervisor may enter the backstage area, but should only stay with the minor.

2. only a single participation is possible (1 person). Time limit: 45-60 seconds stage time.

3. participation with the same costume in another costume-related cosplay competition is not permitted – exception: character cosplay, as only the performance, not the costume, is judged there.

4. in X Cosplay, only the costume will be judged. The stage show is not included in the evaluation. Stage rules

5. forbidden on stage:

Everything that violates the stage rules
Disparagement of real people o
Untested weapons o Weapons harmful to minors / political gestures
Excessive violence or sexuality o
Costumes that are too revealing (private parts & bottom must be covered – for all genders)

6. important notes:

In the event of inappropriate behavior, the performance may be terminated by the division management.

Cleaning or repair costs shall be borne by the person responsible. Costume

7. last-minute changes to the costume are not permitted. If the cosplay is incomplete, a timely deregistration is required.

8. the costume should be self-made and worn by the participant. The more homemade, the more points are awarded. Purchased accessories will not receive points. Completely purchased costumes are not permitted. AniNite 2026

9. the costume must correspond as closely as possible to the original. The following will be judged

Attention to detail (color, material)
Workmanship (clean, stable, functional)
Completeness (also for weapons and props)

10 There are three evaluation categories:

Light armor
Heavy armor
Sewing technology, music & props

11. music & pictures must be sent with the registration and must be clearly labeled. Example: Music_X Cosplay_Cosplayname.mp3

12. the music should be cut appropriately. Uncut files are played from the beginning and stopped after 60 seconds.

13. changes to the music are possible up to 3 days before the start of the event at the latest (incl. file).

14. the music starts immediately after the introduction when entering the stage.

15 The stage show may be freely designed as long as the rules (see point 6) are observed.

16 This is not a performance competition – no points for the show.

17 A stagehand (helper) is allowed, but is not part of the presentation. They may prepare props, must leave the stage before the performance and may remain present as support after the performance.

18. props and stage sets must be self-made and will also be judged. 19. technical equipment of the AniNite must be treated with care. Damage or injury will be charged to the person responsible.

20. weapons:

Must be checked by AniNite security upon entry o Must not be genuine or dangerous
Must be specified with reference image + photo when registering
Unregistered weapons = violation!
On the day of the performance: register your weapon at the weapons control and, if stored there, return it after the show. Failure to do so will result in expulsion & ticket withdrawal
Unauthorized weapons do not affect the jury’s assessment. The decision of the security is final. AniNite 2026 registration & documents

22 WIP images (work-in-progress) must be uploaded in a separate folder. They should document the creation process and details (e.g. seams, applications). 23. photos of the finished cosplay:

Unprocessed:

From all sides
No poses
If still unfinished:
current status at the registration deadline is sufficient

24. reference images:

Character allowed from all sides:

Collage o Must be official (screenshot, artwork, artbook, etc.)
Additionally: a picture for projection at the show 26.

Not permitted:
Gijinkas, genderbends etc. (except official design)
OCs (Original Characters)
Own artworks/refsheets Registration

26th No last-minute registrations possible on site!

27. registration must be received by August 01, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

28 In the event of incomplete registration, a one-off reminder will be sent. If no response is received within 24 hours, the registration is deemed not to have been completed.

29 The registration is only valid once the cosplay team has confirmed the registration.

If you have any questions, please use our contact form

Competition procedure

Each participant is assigned a starting number, which determines the order in which they perform on stage. They also receive 2bindingtimes; firstly for the internal pre-judging, secondly for the stage performance.
All participants must arrivepunctually 5 minutes before the start ofthe internal pre-judging round at the specified room or10 minutes beforethestartof the show at the specified meeting point: The map for both locations will be sent with the start number.
All participants should not leave the stage immediately before the start of the performance and afterwards! A group photo of all participants follows!
The internal judging is not a preliminary decision! No one will be eliminated as a result.
All cosplayers will take part inbothrounds. Non-appearance will be considered a withdrawal! If there is an unexpected delay (due to a traffic jam, health problems, a repair, etc.), this must be reported to the competition management in good time.
As a result, you will be placed at the back of the performance order, but theassigned numberwill remainvalid!
We kindly ask all cosplayers not to use the sanitary facilities as changing rooms.
As changing rooms are only available to a limited extent, we kindly ask you to dress, style and apply make-up at home or in your hotel room if possible.

This is how the competition works on stage:

Presentation of the jury
Presentation of the performances
Stage appearances according to starting numbers
After the last participant, group photo of all cosplayers (approx. 3 minutes) on stage
Bow and exit from the stage.

Evaluation process

The jury consists of 3 judges. At the pre-judging, you will appear in full costume and make-up, present your cosplay in person and explain how you made it.
The jury awards points for overall appearance and attention to detail.
The pre-assessment will take 7 – 10 minutes per participant, depending on the number of participants.
During the performance, you present your cosplay on stage in front of the jury and audience.
The jury will evaluate your overall impression & performance.
The winner is the participant with the highest total number of points.