The Sharjah Animation and Comics Conference (SACC) has opened registration for its SACC 2026 Cosplay Competition, inviting fans to showcase their craftsmanship, character interpretation, and stage presence in front of a live audience. The competition will take place on 24 October, Saturday, at SACC in Aljada.

Participants can compete individually or as a duo for a share of the total prize pool of AED 25,000.

Categories and prizes

The competition is split across Best Duo and Best Solo, with each performance limited to 90 seconds on stage.

Best Duo offers AED 6,500 for first place, AED 4,000 for second place and AED 2,500 for third place, bringing the category’s total prize value to AED 13,000.

Best Solo awards AED 4,500 for first place, AED 3,000 for second place and AED 1,500 for third place, for a total of AED 9,000.

SACC’s Choice awards AED 1,500 each to a male and female cosplayer, for a combined AED 3,000. Costumes and performances must be age-appropriate.

Who can take part

Each contestant may enter only one category with one costume. Cosplay entries must be based on an existing published character from anime, manga, film, television, comics or games. Contestants’ own original characters are not eligible. Costumes should be primarily created or significantly modified by the contestant to demonstrate their own creativity and craftspersonship.

All costumes, props, and performances must be suitable for a family-friendly public event and comply with SACC and UAE safety regulations.

How entries are judged

Entries will be scored based on four criteria: character portrayal, performance quality, storytelling and creativity, and crowd engagement. The judging panel’s decisions are final.

Full rules and registration details are available at https://www.sharjahanimation.com/cosplay.