The cosplay contest at CEO celebrates the convergence of cosplay and fighting games. All entrants are encouraged to dress as playable characters within the fighting game genre. The contest will highlight the creative skills and artistic ability of the entrants, while paying homage to fighting games as a whole. CEO’s Cosplay Contest is a free-to-enter activity with pre-judging available in a publicly accessible area. The cosplay contest takes place on Saturday August 15th. Pre-Judging time and location TBD. Awards and Cosplay Winners Showcase will be Saturday evening inside of the main ballroom. (Schedule subject to change within an hour time frame)
The cosplay contest at CEO celebrates the convergence of cosplay and fighting games. All entrants are encouraged to dress as playable characters within the fighting game genre. The contest will highlight the creative skills and artistic ability of the entrants, while paying homage to fighting games as a whole. CEO’s Cosplay Contest is a free-to-enter activity with pre-judging available in a publicly accessible area. The cosplay contest takes place on Saturday August 15th. Pre-Judging time and location TBD. Awards and Cosplay Winners Showcase will be Saturday evening inside of the main ballroom. (Schedule subject to change within an hour time frame)
Vitamin D Cosplay & Splendid Treasures will also be hosting our Cosplay Repair and Community Station all weekend.
Please note, you will need either a Spectator Weekend badge start.gg/ceo or a single day Saturday wristband which will be available at the door for $50.
CEO’s contest is open to cosplayers of all skill levels, but our finalists will need to display great skill and a love of fighting game characters to go home awarded. All costumes will be judged singularly, with no additional favor shown to group costumes.
Effective date: July 1, 2026
CEO reserves the right to modify and/or update this policy at any time in their sole discretion and without prior notice.
Cosplay is NOT consent – please be respectful and kind to each other! Always ask first for a photo with another attendee and respect their right to say no.
COSPLAY GUIDELINES
At CEO, we love to see the creativity of the cosplayers in our community and encourage everyone to join in and cosplay whomever they would like – regardless of size, gender, age, religion, shape or color. Let’s keep the ‘play’ in cosplay and have fun!
We simply ask that you follow the guidelines below and please keep in mind that CEO is an all-ages event.
The entrant must have made 75% or more of their costume OR the costume creator can showcase their work on a cosplay model.
The stitching, fabric selection, form, fit, and construction of your costume. This category includes prop-making in our contest.
How well your costume represents your character.
Is your costume unique? Did it require inventive crafting to realize?
Do you bring your character to life?
We strictly prohibit real weapons and hard, sharp or functional items. Any faux-firearm must have a visible bright orange tip and be incapable of firing projectiles.
A build book or images on your phone of in-progress photos and reference images for the Cosplay are required to show our judges.
While not required, basing your cosplay on a fighting game character from our official game list would be preferred.
Original designs of existing characters are welcome! You must present a sketch of your design along with progress of your work
Any costume that has won a craftsmanship award at any previous event is not eligible to complete for a craftsmanship award at CEO
Please note that rules, times, and locations are subject to change and any updates will be posted on CEO social channels.
Due to time constraints there will be a limit of 40 entries so be sure to sign up in advance! A limited number of entries will be accepted the day of the contest.
Additional prizing will be added so stay tuned
There’s a long list of wonderful characters that Ann Marie (MsValentine) has poured her heart and soul into over the past 20 years, and has brought to life through her contributions to the world of cosplay. Winning awards as such as “Best Individual”, “Best Craftsmanship”, and “Best in Show”, creating panels for various fandoms, and providing leadership to guide the course of cosplay programming at CEO, she tirelessly pursues excellence and strives to push herself, and those around her, beyond limits with each creation.
With over 20 years of experience, Joyce or Juicecoser is an Award-Winning Orlando Cosplayer who loves gaming, reading, and creating costumes for herself and others. Using techniques such as sewing, wig-work, embroidery, 3D printing, and more, Joyce strives to bring characters to life, using unique materials and methods and sharing that knowledge with the Cosplay Community.
Kry Rayne is an avid fighting game enthusiast and cosplayer based out of southern California. Being part of the FGC is an important pillar of her passion for cosplay, and nothing inspires her more than seeing cosplayers get into character to showcase their love of a game. She has been known to wander around pools to cheer on friends and check out matches, even on an international level. Kry loves learning new techniques in all facets of cosplaying to be able to showcase her mains and their iconic weapons. Always looking to encourage others into the hobby of cosplay, she loves talking shop or helping with any questions they might have.
Vitamin D Cosplay has accomplished a lot with and for the Cosplay community. He believes that he has forged great bonds with creators internationally through dumbells and foam. Has earned medals from Cosplay Contests, and given medals in Cosplay Contests. Has been in magazines, local newspapers, and featured on Zoa’s Instagram Page. Annually speaks on panels about finding confidence through, and to cosplay, as well as lead workshops in foam crafting. Had the honor of organizing, and leading Cosplay Corners, and Zones for various Conventions, Tournaments, and for others to raise money for charities, or sell their own merch.
Sunny Doom Cosplay has over a decade of experience of helping members of the Cosplay Community be comfortable in their skin through body positivity panels and repairing cosplays at various events.
When she isn’t R.Mika, Azucena, or a variety of other of her favorite characters she is running her traveling jewelry and collectibles shop “Splendid Treasures”.
