The Baltimore Comic-Con and the Hard Rock Cafe Baltimore have once again joined forces to proudly present the 2026 Cosplay Contest! The Baltimore Comic-Con will be held the weekend of September 25-27, 2026 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Tickets for admission to the event are available now!
The convention has revealed the judges for this year’s cosplay contest.
Judges for the 2026 Cosplay Programming
Adult Contest
Alexandra Bowman
Alexandra Bowman is an award-winning cosplayer, editorial cartoonist, and arts journalist. She was BroadwayCon’s 2025 Cosplay Contest’s Best-In-Show, as well as a 2025 BroadwayCon Affiliate and 2026 judge. Alex is a Cats the Musical-centric cosplayer, and Andrew Lloyd Webber has said of her work, “well done.” Alex is a nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist and a Director of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, a Contributing Writer to DC Theater Arts — Washington, DC’s premier source of performing arts coverage for over 5 years — and a private humanities, admissions, and art educational consultant. Alex’s artwork has been published by BBC News, Politico, the National Wildlife Federation, Penguin Random House UK, and more. Her costume design work can be found at @abowmancostumes, and her illustration, journalism, and teaching-related work can be found at @alexandrabowmanart.
Sydney Fryer
Sydney is a cosplayer, costumer, and prop maker from Baltimore City who has been cosplaying for 7 years. She is the Track head for Balticon’s costuming and maker’s track, and a master level cosplayer with many awards under her belt, most recently winning Best in Show at Farpoint in 2025. She is a jack of all trades, having received multiple craftsmanship awards for her foam work and wig making. She is passionate about making cosplay accessible and enjoyable for all.
Liz Scott
Sew Ghostly Cosplay is a Baltimore-based disabled cosplayer with 20+ years of cosplay and competition experience. They have many cosplay competition wins under their belt, including Best in Show at Shore Leave 2023 and Best Presentation at Farpoint Weekend 2026. Specializing in recycled/upcycled cosplay as well as bringing to life characters for which no one asked, they are always advocating to make con and fandom spaces accessible for all. They are in it for the love of creation and the belief that nothing is impossible with a glue gun, a YouTube tutorial, and a disproportionate level of audacity. As their experience and time in the community has grown, they have leaned more into helping the next generation of cosplayers learn and improve, especially in an age where the loss of major stores like JoAnn Fabrics has created a void for accessible materials.
Kids Contest
Joe and Joeleen Torres
Crystal Soul Cosplay is a married cosplay duo comprised of Joe (Grimm6) and Joleen (Chaos Claire). Starting their cosplay career between 2004 and 2006, they have done over 50+ cosplays and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. When not cosplaying at a convention, they love bringing characters to life at hospital visits and bringing smiles.
Joe and Joleen love cosplaying from their favorite games, anime, manga, and more. Between the duo, Joe excels in arms and armor making, while Joleen excels in wig styling and sewing. Some of their favorite and award-winning cosplays are Barioth Bow Hunter and Hinoa the Quest Maiden from Monster Hunter Rise, Vigilante Deku and Ochaco from My Hero Academia, and Hiccup and Astrid from How to Train Your Dragon.
While at conventions, they love presenting panels and sharing their knowledge with everyone. They are known for their out-of-the-box-style thinking and willingness to help new or older cosplayers. If you see them, please stop them and say hi!
Niesha Wongus
SweetPea Cosplay is a Maryland-based cosplayer who got her first taste of con life over ten years ago at Baltimore Comic-Con. She has since gone on to attend many events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. She enjoys cosplaying characters from video games, comics, movies, and more. She considers herself a perpetual learner and is always eager to hone her existing skills or develop new ones. SweetPea is honored to return as a judge for this year’s event!
The Adult Cosplay Contest is being held on Saturday, September 25th at 4:30pm**. All participants must be registered for the contest to be eligible to compete. Adult Cosplay Contest registration is available online HERE. There will be no day of, in-person registration for the Adult Cosplay Contest.
Pre-judging will be happening throughout the day by appointment on Saturday, giving each contestant more time to spend on the show floor. Upon registration, an appointment will be created and can be adjusted upon request. The rules have been updated this year, so make sure to check out the webpage here with more details about this event.
Along with the Adult Cosplay Contest on Saturday, we are pleased to announce the return of the popular Adult Cosplay Showcase! The Showcase provides an opportunity for all cosplayers, regardless of whether or not they made their own outfit, to have a moment up on the Baltimore Comic-Con stage to strut their stuff for the audience and for the cameras. To register for this event, please visit the website. The event will start shortly before the Cosplay Contest.
The Children’s Cosplay Showcase will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026, shortly before the Contest in the ballroom on the 4th floor. Alongside the Children’s Cosplay Contest will be the Children’s Cosplay Showcase, where anyone under the age of 18 can walk the stage and be celebrated for their work and their part in the cosplay community! Make sure to register online HERE to ensure your spot in the showcase! This event will start at 3pm**.
The Children’s Cosplay Contest will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 3:30pm** in the ballroom on the 4th floor. The Children’s Cosplay Contest registration is available online HERE. Kids 17 years and younger can register online OR day of for the event. In person registration will close at noon on Sunday, September 27, 2026. There will, however, be a limited number of slots and if you are able to have a build book available, please bring one.
Cosplay Contest/Cosplay Showcase Schedule**:
Saturday, September 26th
- 10:00am – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration begins
- 3:30pm – Showcase Registrants to Staging Area (4th floor)
- 3:45pm – Cosplay Contest participants to the Staging Area (4th floor)
- 4:00pm – Cosplay Showcase Begins
- 4:30pm – Adult Cosplay Contest Begins
Sunday, September 27th
- 10:00am – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration begins (Day 2)
- 12:00pm – Children’s Cosplay On-Site Registration ends
- 2:30pm – Children’s Cosplay Showcase Participants report to Staging Area
- 2:45pm – Children’s Cosplay Contest Participants Report to Staging Area
- 3:00pm – Children’s Cosplay Showcase Begins
- 3:30pm – Children’s Cosplay Contest Begins
PRIZES
Adult Prizes
Overall Best Cosplay (Best in Show)
$1,000 Grand Prize in Cash for Adults
Advanced Individual:
1st place – $250 Cash
Runner Up – $125 Cash
Intermediate Individual:
1st Place – $225 Cash for First Place
Runner Up – $100 Cash for Runner-Up
Novice Individual:
1st Place – $125 Cash for First Place
Runner Up – $75 Cash for Runner-Up
Cosplay Photography:
1st Place – $150 Cash for First Place
Runner Up – $125 Cash for Runner-Up
Judges’ Awards:
$50 Hard Rock Cafe gift cards will be awarded to three adult contestants that the judges believe deserve special recognition
Kids Prizes
$100 Grand Prize in Cash for Kids Best in Show
Ages 5-11:
$50 Cash for First Place in category
$25 Cash for Runner-Up in category
Ages 12-17:
$50 Cash for First Place in category
$25 Cash for Runner-Up in category
Each winner will also receive free admittance to the Baltimore Comic-Con in 2027!
**Times are subject to change. Please check baltimorecomiccon.com for updated information.
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