Pokémon Cosplay Showcase Rules

The Pokémon Cosplay Showcase (“Showcase”) is a showcase style event where registered ticket holders for PokémonXP may enter for the opportunity to walk on the programming stage during the event. This Showcase is not a contest and therefore does not have prizes associated and is being organized by The Pokémon Company International (“Organizer”).  
 

A few reminders 

Cosplay is for everyone! This Showcase celebrates many interpretations of Pokémon characters. Attendees are encouraged to cosplay regardless of their skill level, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, disability, religion, body type, age or other identities, in a respectful and family-friendly way. We also want to remind you that cosplay is not consent; always ask before taking photos of someone in a costume.  
 

How it works

Entrants must apply through the official portal. Applications will be accepted until Monday, August 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.  
Applications will be reviewed from Monday, August 3, 2026, to Friday, August 14, 2026. 
Entrants will be notified of selection on or before Monday, August 17, 2026, and must confirm their participation by Thursday, August 20, 2026. 
 
The Showcase will happen on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at PokémonXP. Exact time is to-be-determined and will be communicated to entrants before the show.

 

Rules 

  • - All Showcase entrants must have a valid badge for PokémonXP with valid entry on Sunday, August 30, 2026. A badge must be secured by entrant before time of Application as badges will not be provided by Organizer.  
  • - All entrants must agree to the Entrant Waiver and Release of Liability and the Entrant Appearance Release to be eligible.   
  • - While there is no age restriction, entrants under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult while in the stage area.   
  • - Applying to the Showcase does not guarantee that an entrant will be selected.   
  • - The total number of entrants is dependent on the total number of applications received. 
 

Costumes 

  • - All costumes must be of human characters from official Pokémon Animated Series, Video Games or other official related products and media. Examples of these characters include Liko, Ash Ketchum, Iono, Blanche, Team Star Grunts, Officer Jenny, or Lucas.  
  • - It is acceptable to use bought wigs, shoes, simple accessories such as glasses and simple base layers such as leotards, jeans or tee shirts.  
  • - Pre-made costumes purchased from an online or in-person retailer are not allowed.   
  • - Commissioned costumes are permitted if the entrant can provide written approval of use in Showcase by the original creator prior to Thursday, August 20, 2026. 
  • - Entrants may have the assistance of immediate family to create their costumes.   
  • - The costume should not exceed more than 2.5 m (8ft) in any one direction, and the entrant must be able to move safely without assistance from another person.   
  • - Entrants may submit a costume that has previously been worn in a different Showcase or in a Costume Contest. Similarly, entrants may submit a costume that has won an award.  
  • - Entrants may use mobility aids and wear medical face masks.   
  • -While medical face masks are permitted, costume masks that cover the whole face are not allowed.  
  • - For safety, the use of pyrotechnics, lasers, of anything that may litter the stage, such as glitter or confetti, is not allowed.   
  • - All costumes should provide enough coverage to be worn in public in good taste and should be appropriate for a family friendly show.   
  • - All costumes cannot be obscene or offensive including but not limited to insensitive or unnecessary use of makeup, violence, gore, or endorsement of any form of hate or hate group.   
  • - Any costumes that involve racial stereotypes, cultural appropriation, blackface or brownface are strictly prohibited. This includes altering skin color to imitate another race or using stereotypical cultural symbols in a disrespectful manner.  
  • - Costumes cannot promote alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, firearms, weapons, any political agenda or message, or any other activities that may appear unsafe. 
  • - All costumes cannot have props with functional or sharp edges or projectiles.  
  • - Organizer has sole discretion to determine whether a costume meets the requirements above.   
 

Application 

  • - At application, entrants must submit at least three (3) photos. One showing the front of the costume, one showing the back of the costume and a reference image. If an entrant would like to submit more photos of the costume, they may submit up to two (2) additional images for a total of five (5) images. 
  • - At the time of application, costume must be forty (40) percent complete. 
  • - If selected for the Showcase, entrants are fully responsible for all expenses related to participating, including but not limited to all lodging, any travel and badge fees.  
  • - Skits are not permitted. 
  • - Organizer will provide walk-on music for all entrants. 
  • - Employees, contractors, officers, and directors of Organizer, or their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, representatives, consultants, contractors, legal counsel, advertising, public relations, promotional, fulfillment, and marketing agencies, website providers, and web masters and members of their immediate families (spouses, parents, siblings and children, regardless of where they live) and those living in the same household are not eligible to participate in the Showcase.