GENERAL INFORMATION

The Cosplay Championship takes place on the Saturday, with the Masquerade taking place on both days of the convention. We also have a cosplay catwalk which features at our afterparty, you can buy tickets for the afterparty in the general entry ticket section of the site amongst Saturday entry tickets. Timings for the Championship and Masquerade are released approx. two weeks prior to the show.

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Costumes entered into the Masquerade do not have to be made by the entrant. Anyone can enter the Masquerade, whether their costume is bought, altered, or handmade. There will be no prejudging at the Masquerade. 

 

There will be a separate Masquerade for Kids and Adults, with treats & honourable mentions. This will NOT be solely based on costume design - this is just for who impresses the audience and who has the most fun!

 

If you apply for the Masquerade you will NOT be automatically entered into the Championship. The Championship is a separate event held for those who have made 75% or more of their costume by themselves. Please get in touch if you would like an entry form for the Championship.

 

Monopoly Events wants all visitors to enjoy our events. If you are in any doubt on any of the guidelines written here, please check in advance by emailing cosplaymanchester@monopolyevents.co.uk.

 

 HOW TO ENTER

Only one entry is permitted per person or group.

 

Sign-ups are available both online and in person at the Cosplay Station throughout the weekend. In person sign-ups will close an hour before the masquerade, or earlier if capacity has been reached. Please email cosplaymanchester@monopolyevents.co.uk to enter online.

 

Costume eligibility will be checked before entering, if your costume breaches any of our terms we have the right to terminate your entry.

 

There are no age requirements, but please make it clear in your application which masquerade you are signing up for (Kids or Adults).

 

On the day of the event, any online entrants must check in at the Cosplay Station at least half an hour before the scheduled Masquerade time.

 

STAGE PERFORMANCE

Entrants will be asked to pose for the audience on stage and may be asked a few questions about their costume. Alternatively, entrants may be asked to perform in character depending on time constraints.

If you enter as a group you cannot also enter as an individual.

No smoke, confetti, or fire is permitted on stage under any circumstances.

You will not get dedicated music on stage.

 

COSTUME/PROP REQUIREMENTS

Entrants should be able to move around safely in the costume and should not impede their ability to access the stage.

Costumes must NOT contain any offensive, racially motivated, or endorse any form of hate or hate group. No blackface or cultural appropriation is permitted. No part of the costume should include any harmful or potentially harmful materials.
All costumes should be acceptable to wear in public - nudity, adult fetish attire, and extreme BDSM is not allowed.

Costumes & props must not create or involve naked flames.

Any larger costumes may not exceed 3 metres between two points of the costume or prop.

All props should be less than 150cm in length - anything longer must be dismantled in crowded areas.

Any type of skates are not allowed inside any part of the venue.

Heavy items that could be used as weapons are not permitted (eg. crowbars, iron bars, etc.). Additionally, power tools are not permitted. 

Be mindful of the public - props should be hidden/covered up outside of the event regardless of how realistic - this prevents any unnecessary interaction from bystanders or the police.

Any prop that can be fired is not allowed.

No sharp or pointed parts.

Tails or trains are permitted but be mindful of crowded areas as they could be a slip or trip hazard.

 

BANNED ITEMS

Metal blades - sharp or blunt e.g. swords, axes & knives

 

Bats - wooden or metal, including baseball bats

 

Guns - handguns, rifles, or any other artillery

 

Crossbows and strung bows capable of firing and sharp-tipped arrows

 

Gas canisters made from metal or plastic of any kind

 

Nails protruding, or any other sharp items protruding from items or costumes

 

Laser pointers, regardless of being part of a costume or prop

 

Any other item that is deemed illegal to carry in the UK

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The staff and venue are not responsible for the storage of banned items.

 

ALLOWED ITEMS

Unrealistic guns and toy guns such as phasers and plasma guns up to 150cm

 

Realistic imitation firearms such as airsoft guns and BB guns, as long as they have the brightly coloured tip or a muzzle fitted

 

Bows and crossbows if unstrung/unable to be operated or fired

 

Slings and catapults, however no ammunition may be carried and will be confiscated if found

 

Please bring items at your own risk. If staff and security deem them to be a risk to the event and its attendees, confiscation or ejection from the event is highly likely. All props will be checked on entry, if any items do not adhere to guidelines they will not be allowed in the event.

 

Monopoly Events reserves the right to deny entry, withdraw access, or cancel tickets without refund. Monopoly Events Staff & Security for the event and venue reserve the right to reject any weapon or prop if deemed likely to cause a nuisance.

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USE OF DATA

Each participant's information will be collected and used by Monopoly Events in accordance with the ‘Privacy Policy’ www.monopolyevents.co.uk/privacy-policy. By entering the Cosplay Masquerade you agree and acknowledge to have read, understood, and agreed to both the rules and Privacy Policy.

 

Monopoly has the right to disqualify any participant or remove the prize from any winner if found to be tampering with the entry process or acting in violation of the rules.