Cosplay Contest rules
Cosplay applications will open for on January 1, 2026.
The Romy-Con Virtual Cosplay contest is open to all ages and levels of Gambit and Rogue Cosplayers, worldwide. Since this is a ROMY-related virtual con, entries are limited to Gambit and Rogue cosplays only. Please remember to double check the photo requirement to be sure you submit the correct photos.
All submitted entries will be posted online, on this website and on discord for visitors to view on the first day of Rogue/Gambit Week, June 14th, with winners announced on June 20th at the conclusion of the week's digital festivities. Winning competitors will have their photo displayed for bragging rights until the next Rogue/Gambit Week begins. All other entries will be removed from view.
Competition Levels:
The cosplay competition will be divided into 4 levels.
Youth, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Contestants are to self-assign to the appropriate category based on their skill level. Judges reserve the right to upgrade or downgrade the competition level if deemed appropriate. You may re-enter a previously entered cosplay, but you will need to submit new photos.
Entry Categories:
For each competition level there are three main character categories, and three subcategories for each character.
Category #1 - Gambit Cosplay
Category #2 - Rogue Cosplay
Category #3 - Couple Cosplay
Winners:
For each competition level, there will be a subcategory winner chosen (if applicable)
Craftsmanship (Gambit) – Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Craftsmanship (Rogue) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Craftsmanship (Couple) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Performance (Gambit) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Performance (Rogue) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Performance (Couple) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Combo (Gambit) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Combo (Rogue) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Combo (Couple) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Subcategory winners will then compete against each other to determine category winner for each character.
Best Gambit Craftsmanship - One winner
Best Rogue Craftsmanship - One winner
Best Couple Craftsmanship - One winner
Best Gambit Performance - One winner
Best Rogue Performance- One winner
Best Couple Performance - One winner
Best Combo (Gambit)- One winner
Best Combo (Rogue)- One winner
Best Combo (Couple)- One winner
Category winners will then compete against each other to determine the overall winner for each character.
Best Overall Gambit
Best Overall Rogue
Best Overall Couple
Please see our FAQ Below for any questions!
The Romy-Con Virtual Cosplay contest is open to all ages and levels of Gambit and Rogue Cosplayers, worldwide. Since this is a ROMY-related virtual con, entries are limited to Gambit and Rogue cosplays only. Please remember to double check the photo requirement to be sure you submit the correct photos.
All submitted entries will be posted online, on this website and on discord for visitors to view on the first day of Rogue/Gambit Week, June 14th, with winners announced on June 20th at the conclusion of the week's digital festivities. Winning competitors will have their photo displayed for bragging rights until the next Rogue/Gambit Week begins. All other entries will be removed from view.
Competition Levels:
The cosplay competition will be divided into 4 levels.
Youth, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Contestants are to self-assign to the appropriate category based on their skill level. Judges reserve the right to upgrade or downgrade the competition level if deemed appropriate. You may re-enter a previously entered cosplay, but you will need to submit new photos.
- Youth: Open to any person under the age of 17. Youth contestants may choose to compete in adult categories if they feel their cosplay is better suited in those categories.
- Beginner: Open to any person who has won no more than one major cosplay contest award with their cosplay.
- Intermediate: Open to any person who has won 2-4 major cosplay contest awards with their cosplay.
- Advanced: Open to any person who has won 5 or more major cosplay awards with their cosplay or works professionally in costuming.
Entry Categories:
For each competition level there are three main character categories, and three subcategories for each character.
Category #1 - Gambit Cosplay
- Craftsmanship: At least 75%+ of the cosplay is made by the competitor. Competitor submits 4 photos of cosplay (front view, rear view, profile, and one “action” pose of their choice (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
- Performance: 0%+ of the cosplay is made by the competitor. Competitor submits 4 photos of cosplay, all action poses (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
- Combo: Craftsmanship and Performance: At least 75%+ of the cosplay is made by the competitor. Competitor submits 4 photos of cosplay (front view, rear view, two “action” poses of their choice (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
Category #2 - Rogue Cosplay
- Craftsmanship: At least 75%+ of the cosplay is made by the competitor. Competitor submits 4 photos of cosplay (front view, rear view, profile, and one “action” pose of their choice (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
- Performance: 0%+ of the cosplay is made by the competitor. Competitor submits 4 photos of cosplay, all action poses (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
- Combo: Craftsmanship and Performance: At least 75%+ of the cosplay is made by the competitor. Competitor submits 4 photos of cosplay (front view, rear view, two “action” poses of their choice (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
Category #3 - Couple Cosplay
- Craftsmanship: At least 75%+ of each cosplay is made by the competitors. Competitors submit 4 photos of both character cosplays together (front view, rear view, profile, and one “action” pose of their choice (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
- Performance: 0%+ of each cosplay is made by the competitors. Competitors submit 4 photos of both character cosplays together, all action poses (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
- Combo: Craftsmanship and Performance: At least 75%+ of each cosplay is made by the competitors. Competitors submit 4 photos of both character cosplays together (front view, rear view, two “action” poses of their choice (with or without props). No photo editing past exposure adjustment allowed.
Winners:
For each competition level, there will be a subcategory winner chosen (if applicable)
Craftsmanship (Gambit) – Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Craftsmanship (Rogue) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Craftsmanship (Couple) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Performance (Gambit) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Performance (Rogue) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Performance (Couple) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Combo (Gambit) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Combo (Rogue) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Combo (Couple) - Winners for youth, beginner, intermediate, advanced.
Subcategory winners will then compete against each other to determine category winner for each character.
Best Gambit Craftsmanship - One winner
Best Rogue Craftsmanship - One winner
Best Couple Craftsmanship - One winner
Best Gambit Performance - One winner
Best Rogue Performance- One winner
Best Couple Performance - One winner
Best Combo (Gambit)- One winner
Best Combo (Rogue)- One winner
Best Combo (Couple)- One winner
Category winners will then compete against each other to determine the overall winner for each character.
Best Overall Gambit
Best Overall Rogue
Best Overall Couple
Please see our FAQ Below for any questions!
cosplay faq's
Are there any prizes? There will be digital certificate/awards for all cosplay subcategory winners. Celebrity guest category selections and Best overall Gambit, Rogue, and Couple will receive a special additional prize!*
Who will be doing the judging and how? For the main cosplay contest, contestants will be judged by a panel comprised of no more than 5 individuals, using standard cosplay scoring systems. Celebrity judges (if any) will use their own criteria for selecting special category awards.
Can I wear someone else’s costume? Yes you may, but you will be limited to participation in the performance/action categories only.
What constitutes 75% for the craftsmanship category? It may be difficult to determine what constitutes 75% so here are some general guides. If you made your costume but purchased your props or wigs you likely fall within the parameters. If you purchased or commissioned your entire cosplay from someone else, or you only made your props it is not eligible for the craftsmanship category.
Can I compete in both individual character and the couple category? Yes! This is also highly encouraged! If you can find a Rogue for your Gambit or vice versa, you are absolutely allowed to enter both categories- the caveat is no editing, you must be physically together in your entries!
Can I compete with different cosplays? Yes! You may compete with different cosplays, however you must submit a new appropriate level application with EACH cosplay costume.
Can I use different costumes in one entry? No, each cosplay costume needs to have its own entry.
Can we do alternate versions, or do they have to be canon costumes? Variants are welcome! Just be sure the characters are recognizable!
When are applications due? Applications are closed for 2025. Applications for 2026 will open January 1st, 2026.
How do I know my entry was accepted? After your application is processed, you will receive an email saying your entry was approved (with instructions on what happens next) or denied (with how to fix it). Please allow up to (7) business days for a response.
Safety Reminder: Even though this is a virtual convention and contest, attendee safety is paramount. If you are a cosplayer that has been blacklisted from in-person cosplay contests/conventions due to severe or violent misconduct, ROMY-Con reserves the right to disqualify and remove your entries from the competition.
What are the important dates to remember for the competition?
How do I apply? Application link will be posted HERE starting January 1st, 2026.
* Winner certificates will be sent via email. Physical awards will be mailed to winners. If physical award winners reside outside of the USA they are responsible for paying their own customs/import fees on prize.
Who will be doing the judging and how? For the main cosplay contest, contestants will be judged by a panel comprised of no more than 5 individuals, using standard cosplay scoring systems. Celebrity judges (if any) will use their own criteria for selecting special category awards.
Can I wear someone else’s costume? Yes you may, but you will be limited to participation in the performance/action categories only.
What constitutes 75% for the craftsmanship category? It may be difficult to determine what constitutes 75% so here are some general guides. If you made your costume but purchased your props or wigs you likely fall within the parameters. If you purchased or commissioned your entire cosplay from someone else, or you only made your props it is not eligible for the craftsmanship category.
Can I compete in both individual character and the couple category? Yes! This is also highly encouraged! If you can find a Rogue for your Gambit or vice versa, you are absolutely allowed to enter both categories- the caveat is no editing, you must be physically together in your entries!
Can I compete with different cosplays? Yes! You may compete with different cosplays, however you must submit a new appropriate level application with EACH cosplay costume.
Can I use different costumes in one entry? No, each cosplay costume needs to have its own entry.
Can we do alternate versions, or do they have to be canon costumes? Variants are welcome! Just be sure the characters are recognizable!
When are applications due? Applications are closed for 2025. Applications for 2026 will open January 1st, 2026.
How do I know my entry was accepted? After your application is processed, you will receive an email saying your entry was approved (with instructions on what happens next) or denied (with how to fix it). Please allow up to (7) business days for a response.
Safety Reminder: Even though this is a virtual convention and contest, attendee safety is paramount. If you are a cosplayer that has been blacklisted from in-person cosplay contests/conventions due to severe or violent misconduct, ROMY-Con reserves the right to disqualify and remove your entries from the competition.
What are the important dates to remember for the competition?
- January 1st, 2026 - Entries open for 2026.
- June 1st, 2026, at 5pm PST – all entries are due.
How do I apply? Application link will be posted HERE starting January 1st, 2026.
* Winner certificates will be sent via email. Physical awards will be mailed to winners. If physical award winners reside outside of the USA they are responsible for paying their own customs/import fees on prize.
