Badges

At MagicCon: Chicago we are hosting a Cosplay Contest like no other! We will have incredible hosts, fantastic guest judges, and amazing prizes! Please fill out the application below by 11:59PM EST on January 19, 2025, and start pulling together your BEST Magic or Dungeons & Dragons Cosplay for a chance to win. Applications received after January 19, 2025, may or may not be reviewed in order of submission and accepted on a rolling basis until all slots have been filled.

• All contestants must have a badge for MagicCon: Chicago

• All costumes must be related to Magic: The Gathering or Dungeons & Dragons characters

• Each costume must be hand-made 

• Store-bought, online-purchased, or rented costumes are NOT permitted

• Commissioned costumes may be admitted if the creator of the costume is present. If the costume wins, the creator of the costume will receive the prize

• Costumes are judged on the craftsmanship of the costume

• Contestants must be present for both the pre-judging and Cosplay Contest on Saturday to be eligible to win 

• Costumes can be an original concept/design related to a Magic Character, Dungeons & Dragons Character; or, costumes can be an accurate recreation of an existing design

• Only one entry per person

• Competition date is currently scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2024.

• All costumes and props must comply with the MagicCon: Chicago rules, guidelines, and weapons policy 

• One (1) Best in Show Award: 
  • US $4000 cash prize, two (2) Legendary Weekend badges to the final MagicCon event scheduled in 2025 (estimated retail value of $450 each), the opportunity to compete in the Grand Championships held at the final MagicCon event scheduled in 2025. 
• One (1) Best in Show Runner-Up Award: 
  • US $2000 cash prize, one (1) Legendary Weekend badges to the final MagicCon event scheduled to be held in 2025 (estimated retail value of $450) the opportunity to compete in the Grand Championships held at the final MagicCon event scheduled in 2025. 
• Three (3) Judges’ Awards: One for each category: Novice, Journeyman, and Expert categories.
  • Each category winner receives: $1500 cash prize, one (1) Weekend Badge to the final MagicCon event scheduled to be held in 2025 (estimated retail value of $75) 
• Additional prizing and winner categories may be announced during the Competition, in Sponsor’s sole discretion.

Grand Championships will take place at the final MagicCon event in 2025. Competition is limited to the Best in Show and Best in Show Runner-Ups from previous 2025 MagicCon events. (including the winners of MagicCon: Chicago Best in Show and Best in Show Runner-Ups)   

Grand Championship contestants will create an unknown cosplay decided by the MagicCon team and be given compensation up to a pre-determined amount to pay for materials. 

• One (1) Grand Champion Award:  
  • One (1) Grand Championships Trophy, two (2) Legendary Weekend badges or equivalent badge type for all MagicCon events in 2026.