Cosplay & Masquerade

SacAnime loves cosplay! We have designated special areas for your group photoshoots and gatherings so you can get great shots without interruptions or photo-bombing from random attendees.

Feel like you’re ready to take it to the next level? Why not participate in our Cosplay Masquerade? This on-stage event takes place Saturday night, where cosplayers put their best costumes on display for chances at awards and prizes.

Have a cosplay gathering you’d like to bring to SacAnime? Please complete the Cosplay Gathering Registration Form. Our agreement with the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center only allows us to organize gatherings in designated areas — non-authorized gatherings may be dispersed by SacAnime staff, security, or law enforcement.

Using the registration form lets us help avoid scheduling conflicts between groups, as the designated space is limited. If the time you want isn’t available, it has already been selected by another group, and a member of staff will reach out by email about rescheduling.

Please be mindful of your timeslot, keep poses PG-13, and don’t spill out of the area — there will be attendees circulating all weekend. Questions? Contact sacanimemasque@gmail.com.

Participating in the Masquerade means you have read and understood the competition, costume, and stage rules. To enter, you must be an attendee of SacAnime with a valid SacAnime Summer 2026 badge for at least the day of the Masquerade.

• Anyone who wishes to participate must submit an application form (opens early July 2026). Sign-ups will not be taken on-site for general contestants.
• Youth Category (under age 13): on-site sign-ups are available — visit the information table at the Memorial Auditorium.
• On-site check-in is at the Memorial Auditorium on Friday, 11:30 AM–5:30 PM. All contestants must check in to confirm participation.
• Sound check is Saturday morning, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, covering stage etiquette and safety. On-stage rehearsals are not guaranteed.
• You must arrive one hour before doors open Saturday evening to be escorted backstage. Failure to appear leads to disqualification.

• Contestants must have made 50% or more of their cosplay to be eligible for judging. If a designer competes without wearing the costume, both the designer and the model must be present for pre-judging and competition.
• Cosplays that have already won a major award (Best in Show, Craftsmanship, etc.) at other conventions are not eligible for awards.
• All props and weapons must be checked by staff security first, and must be made by you or your group. No sharp ends or bladed edges — wooden, metal, 3D-printed, and aluminum pieces must be dulled beforehand.
• Liquids, chemicals, smoke, fire, powders, confetti, glitter, poppers, fake gun caps, tasers, or flashing lights are not allowed on stage and will result in disqualification.
• No full weapon contact or excessive force, no body hits, and no jumping or flipping on or off the stage.

Anyone who breaks convention or Masquerade rules will not be able to compete in future Cosplay Masquerades. Questions or concerns? Contact sacanimemasque@gmail.com. Good luck — we can’t wait to see your performances!

SacAnime Summer 2026 Cosplay Masquerade Application form: https://forms.gle/nDMeMsJNQheZLLd69

• July 4, 2026 — Masquerade Applications are open
• August 8, 2026 — Masquerade Applications are closed
• August 9–15, 2026 — Masquerade Acceptance Confirmation
• August 15–22, 2026 — Waitlist Acceptance Confirmation
• August 22, 2026 — Audio Assets and Build Book drafts deadline
• September 3, 2026 — Build Book final deadline