Cosplay Central
Where? River Pavilion
When? All weekend!
Thursday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Cosplay and community are the heart of New York Comic Con. Cosplay Central is in the River Pavilion inside the Crystal Palace at the Javitz. Want to see all the amazing cosplayers in action during the show? New York Comic Con is home to some of the best cosplayers in the entire world! Visit local organizations, meet with cosplayers, and take photos with your squad.
Fan Groups: Star Wars & Ghostbusters
Prepare for an out-of-this-world experience at Cosplay Central in River Pavilion this year! We're thrilled to announce an epic convergence of fandoms with the arrival of some of the most dedicated and passionate fan groups in the galaxy.
NY Ghostbusters
The New York City Ghostbusters are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to sharing our fondness for the Ghostbusters franchise and doing a little good while we’re at it. We make in-uniform appearances at public and private events, offer themed activities like our signature slime lab, and lead filming location tours in Manhattan. Through this work, our volunteer members raise money for the Trinity Place Shelter and other charity partners.Visitors to our NYCC booth can step into our slime lab to make their own slime sample (nontoxic, mostly not haunted), see the tools of our paranormal elimination trade up close (bearing in mind the proton pack is not a toy), take photos with our fun backdrop inspired by The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, and of course check out our selection of raffle prizes and original merchandise—including a few special NYCC exclusives.
Empire Saber Guild
Saber Guild's Empire Temple is the New York City chapter of Saber Guild. Saber Guild is a not-for-profit, LucasFilm-recognized Star Wars costuming group that specializes in choreographed lightsaber shows. We perform at charity and community events, as well as comic book and sci-fi conventions, all to raise money for charity and share our love of Star Wars with fans around the world.
Saber Guild started in 2006 with half a dozen people in California, members of established costuming organizations and unofficial lightsaber choreography groups coming together to have fun, serve the community and represent the Star Wars brand in a way that had never been done before. Now, ten years later, Saber Guild has over 700 members in 35 temples and 8 countries. We are not only Lucasfilm’s preferred lightsaber performance group, but we are the largest recognized lightsaber club in the world.
Rebel Legion Echo Base
Echo Base is the unit of the Rebel Legion serving NY. We are a non-profit organization focusing on charity events in the region. The Rebel Legion is an international Star Wars costuming organization created by, of and for people interested in creating costumes from the Star Wars mythos.
Research, create, build and improve your costumes in a place where costumers with similar passions share skills, tips and ideas. Jedi, Rebel Pilots, Troopers, Princesses and even Wookiees.... we've got them all....and we're always looking for more.
We are the good guys!
Besides our 'Good Guy' costumes, our worldwide membership often choose to give back to their communities (through costumed volunteer activities and charity events). No one can provide the public with a greater range of Star Wars costumes, nor a more personable, interactive, face to face experience.
501st Legion: Empire City Garrison
The Empire City Garrison, or ECG, is a New York Chapter of the 501st Legion. Formed in 1999, we are proud to be one of the original garrisons of this definitive Star Wars © costuming organization. Our members portray the “Bad Guys” from the beloved franchise accurately and professionally.
The 501st Legion is an all-volunteer organization formed to bring together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. The 501st Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.
Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club
Founded in 2007 by Tom Hutchens, Mando Mercs Costume Club™ (Mandalorian Mercs or MMCC) has quickly grown to be one of the largest global Star Wars™ fan organizations. MMCC boasts over 1600 “approved” in-costume members and over 70 “clans” or chapters around the world.
MMCC is a truly unique organization as it encourages membership applicants (foundlings) to focus on adding their personal and distinctive creative individuality as opposed to limiting them based solely on visual accuracies from the Star Wars™ films, shows, books, comics, video games, and other media. MMCC is an inclusive and friendly organization, following the Mandalorian way of “Clans” or family units and a clans’ ability to adopt anyone who wishes to learn “Our Way”.
MMCC, in true homage to the characters they portray, have changed and adapted over the years to support the growing amounts of people interested in Mandalorian costuming. In 2011 Mandalorian Mercs was recognized by Lucasfilm, LTD. In 2013 MMCC became a registered 501(c)(10) fraternal organization within the USA, and expanded the mission of its charity fund “Little Warrior International” to continue bringing hope to underprivileged children and families in need around the world.
Cosplay Central Crown Championships
The Cosplay Central Crown Championships is back for 2024! The winner of the NYCC Qualifier will head to C2E2, Chicago, for the USA Final and chance of glory in the Crown Championships Global Final.
Craftsmanship is at the heart of the championship so expect to see some incredible creations on the stage. All the entries will have their costume construction inspected by our judges before they take to stage and show off their creations.
Make sure to head to the Main Stage on Saturday to see which of the incredible entries will claim victory and receive a cash prize and a trip to C2E2 in 2025 where they will compete against winners selected at Florida Supercon, ECCC and C2E2 in the USA National Final. One of these four incredible cosplayers will triumph to compete against cosplayers from all over the world, all trying to claim the title of Crown Champion of Cosplay in the Global Final.
Applications open 9:00AM EST July 22, 2024 to 11:59PM EST September 1, 2024.
Applicants will be notified no later than September 9 regarding their acceptance into the competition. If you have any questions you may direct them to [email protected].
Applications are now closed.
Meet Your Cosplay Co-host!
Yaya Han
Yaya Han is a cosplayer, designer and author with more than 20 years of activity in the fandom world. Yaya has made over 400 costumes, been featured in two US Network TV Shows and countless magazines, books, newspapers and online media outlets, and she appears as a guest and speaker at hundreds of events all over the globe. Over the years, Yaya’s work has impacted cosplay profoundly and has helped shape it into a commercial industry. Yaya is the first cosplayer to bring branded cosplay-focused sewing and crafting products such as fabrics, trims and a Yaya Han sewing machine to the mass retail market. She is also the first to chronicle a cosplayer’s life story and the evolution of modern cosplay culture in the book, “Yaya Han’s World of Cosplay”.
Check out where you can catch Yaya at NYCC:
https://www.newyorkcomiccon.com/en-us/guests/guest-profile.html?gtID=354501&guest-name=Yaya-Han
Meet Your Judges
Plexi Cosplay
Plexi Cosplay is an award-winning cosplayer from Maryland specializing in engineering and costume design. She works as a costume and prop designer for Hacksmith Industries and has worked for international game companies, streaming services like Netflix, and more. Her first major contest win was right here at NYCC, and she’s so excited to return to the stage to give back to the cosplay community with her fair and skilled judging for the contest.
https://www.instagram.com/plexicosplay/
https://www.facebook.com/plexicosplay
PHOTO CREDIT: https://www.instagram.com/aleestudios/
Ludus Cosplay
Ludus Cosplay is a Cape Town based, full time fabricator and cosplayer with over 13 years experience in the costume industry. He enjoys gaming, anime, movies, trading card games and anything geek related. In-between working on his own costumes and projects, he creates digital tutorials and educational content to help share knowledge to other artists on a global platform. He has won numerous Cosplay competitions, along with the title of Comic Con Africa Champion in 2022 and the 2nd place winner in the 2023 Crown Championship Global Finals in Chicago.
https://www.instagram.com/ludus.cosplay?igsh=MTRiZ2U2N3Q5NnFnbw==
https://www.facebook.com/luke.andalis?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Alliecat Cosplay
AllieCat Cosplay is a cosplayer and designer best known for her wig styling, armor builds, passion for makeup, love for fashion design and adorning animal ears whenever possible! She started her journey in 2010, creating over 80 Cosplay Costumes, and earning Best in Show awards in several competitions for craftsmanship. AllieCat uses cosplay to promote general positivity for the cosplay community, solidifying the fun that can be found all over in this hobby. She has used this passion to meld the world of Cosplay and Television entertainment together to create a few pieces on the big screen alongside other talented artists in the Industry with projects from Marvel, Capcom, WWE and other collaborations under her belt. She believes that everyone can create cosplay and wants to share her ideals, knowledge and motivation with everyone in the community.
https://www.instagram.com/alliecatcosplay/
https://www.facebook.com/AllieCatCosplayOfficial/
PHOTO CREDIT: Purah- https://www.instagram.com/rossonphotography/
Cosplay Repair
Wardrobe malfunctions are a common occurrence while cosplaying, and the last you thing you want is to have a piece of your cosplay flapping around throughout the weekend! If something breaks, tears, rips, or falls off, bring it to cosplay repair, located in Cosplay Central! Experts are on deck with tools, techniques, and the experience needed to repair your cosplay and get you back out to enjoy the show.
Cosplay Central Repair
Sponsor: Beacon Adhesives
Since the 1920s, innovators have come to Beacon Adhesives for answers to impossible problems. Crafters, designers, and engineers alike count on us-the creative adhesive company, for customized solutions in every field. From fashion accessories to aerospace technology and crafting to construction, we believe in making products so the modern maker can move forward. Keeping production local in Mount Vernon, New York, we continue inventing new adhesives, stirring up sealants, coatings, potting compounds and more. Look in any craft closet, workshop, lab or DIY space, you’ll likely find a supply of Beacon Adhesives hard at work on ideas that stick.
Paladins of Cosplay
An award-winning group of Entertainers, Photographers, Creators, & Designers. Providing expert services and making a positive influence on the cosplay community. We provide our expert costume repair services for all NYCC fans. You may also catch some of us in costume promoting the NYCC Cosplay community!
Admin Booth
Your friendly neighborhood Cosplay Admin booth will be located within Cosplay Central. Come on by if you have any questions about the Cosplay Central Crown Championships, Cosplay Central Costume Showcase, or New York Comic Con Talent Show. Plese refer to our hours to know when you can catch us.
Admin Booth Hours
Thursday and Friday
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Sunday
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Robin Careless and Ian Campbell
Robin Careless
Robin Careless is a Toronto-based Costumer, Prop maker, and a founding member of Builders Anonymous, an FX Costume and Prop building company. Having been building costumes and props for over 15 years, Robin has worked on projects as What We Do in the Shadows, Titans, The Boys, SEE, Star Trek Discovery, and Suicide Squad to name a few, as well as the upcoming series Robyn Hood, from Director X.
In addition to his costume and props work, Robin writes and directs, with his most recent short film "Escape: A Ghost Story" continuing to do well in film festivals around the world. And this past November saw the release of Light & Shadow which is Robin's first video game, which he designed and produced, and which is available on Steam.
Ian Campbell
Ian Campbell is a Toronto-based FX Costumer and Prop Maker Originally from the Prosthetics department, Ian worked on such shows as Man Seeking Woman, Defiance and Cardinal, among many others. But he found that as much as he enjoyed the work, his interests lay beyond the scope usually covered by the department. This led him to switch to making costumes and props, where he has spent the bulk of his career, and to the creation of the FX Costuming and Prop building company Builders Anonymous, of which he is a founding member. As a Sculptor and FX Builder, Ian has worked on such shows as Titans, American Gods, What We Do In the Shadows, The Boys, SEE, Star Trek Discovery, not to mention the upcoming Robyn Hood series from Director X.
Ask A Professional – Cosplay Consultations!
Have you ever found yourself struggling when building a cosplay piece? Find yourself stuck on an intricate element that you're not sure how to tackle? You've come to the right place.
Robin Careless and Ian Campbell are here to help give advice, suggestions, and mentorship in one on one sessions to help bring your cosplay builds to the next level.
** Please note we have limited capacity for these consultations and require you to sign-up in order to attend.
Cosplay Partners
NYCC Yearbook presented by BrunchXBros
Do you remember your school yearbook? Where you had to dress up and pose a particular way. Well forget it. Get ready for the first ever BrunchXBros yearbook experience at New York Comic Con! Whether you're cosplaying your favorite character or just showing off your unique style, this is your chance to capture the moment in an unforgettable way. Step into our photo zone, strike a pose, and be a part of the official NYCC Yearbook presented by BrunchXBros. Your picture, your personality, your con – immortalized forever. Don’t miss out on being part of NYCC history!
The BrunchXBros are a team of 4 creators from NYC, Derron, Lou, Mike, and Sam. They come up with the most unique and creative concepts to share their passion for anime and nerd culture. A group whose creative endeavors range from social media videos to short films to events to even unique experiences.
Booth Hours
Thursday 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Pricing
Tier 1: $25 Have your digital yearbook portrait taken.
Tier 2: $35 for a digital copy of the yearbook + the previous tier
Tier 3: $50 + shipping for a physical copy of the yearbook + the previous tier
MaskedDad Workshop
Join our Masked Dad Workshop panel for an exciting session on simple cosplay building 101! We'll guide you through the basics of creating your dream cosplay, catering to all levels of experience. Get ready to unleash your creativity and bring your favorite characters to life! Don't miss out on this fun, educational, and hands on opportunity for cosplay enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Let's make your cosplay dreams a reality together
Creative Cosplays Magazine
Get ready for an exciting adventure into the world of Creative Cosplays Magazine at this year’s New York Comic Con! Our booth is a hub of boundless imagination, where Cosplayers, Photographers, Artists, and all lovers of pop culture come together.
Come step into the spotlight and learn how you can have your remarkable talents showcased in our prestigious magazine. We're your gateway to sharing your passion with a global audience, celebrating your artistry in vibrant pages that captivate and inspire.
Join us in person for an exclusive chance to rub shoulders with well-known cosplayers, hear their stories, and glean wisdom from their incredible journeys. It's a meet-and-greet extravaganza that's not to be missed!
Forge connections, make friends, and become a part of a community full of positivity and encouragement that thrives on creativity and camaraderie.
Embrace and unleash your inner creativity by joining us this year at New York Comic Con! Be a part of the excitement and let your creativity shine. We can’t wait to meet you!
Geeknasium
Geeknasium is a mostly virtual (sometimes in-person) safe space for nerds to geek out while they work out! Our goal is to provide health, fitness, and wellness to geeks in a way that feels accessible to them by mixing fandom with fitness and fun! Heather Boddy created Geeknasium because she never felt like she "fit in" at the gym. She is very passionate about health and fitness coming in all shapes and sizes and thinks it is important for self proclaimed "nerds" to approach health mindfully with a little bit of escapism. Come to the Geeknasium booth in Cosplay Central to use fandom to celebrate health! There will be raffles, prizes, fitness challenges, and fun!
Codename Citadel
Renee, aka @CodenameCitadel on social media, has been cosplaying for over a decade at various conventions, charity events, hospital visits, competitions, movie premieres, NY Fashion Week and even won a global contest to earn a part in Madame Tussaud’s Marvel 4D show. She's passionate about positivity and creativity in the cosplay community.
Her booth in Cosplay Central will feature meet and greets with several cosplayers, live cosplay DIY sessions, an interactive cospositivity board, costumes on display, items for sale and some exciting giveaways.
Location: Booth #RP10 in Cosplay Central
https://www.instagram.com/codenamecitadel/
https://codenamecitadel.my.canva.site
Picture credit: @it.is.cosplay
Cowbutt Crunchies
Cowbutt Crunchies Cosplay is an internationally acclaimed LGBTQ couple who specializes in complex, couture cosplay and incredible pop culture design. Always pushing the envelope of creativity, their experimental mixed media builds feature a wide mastery of unique techniques. Their work has been featured in various news outlets and TV spots including ABC's To Tell The Truth and Adam Savage's Tested, and they have partnered with beloved properties such as Genshin Impact and League of Legends to bring new characters to life. In 2019 Regan was crowned Global Champion at the C2E2 Crown Championships of Cosplay, and since then they've only continued to share their passion with the cosplay community - judging global level contests and teaching cosplayers around the world. They are the authors of three cosplay how-to books on the topics of wigs, footwear, and their latest title, The Cosplay Book of Ballgowns, which is hot off the press this month. Deeply involved with the cosplay community, they believe in giving back through workshops and tutorials, as well as through their cat rescue cosplay charity, which is a homage to their own adopted cats "Cowbutt" and "Crunchies." With over 20 years of experience, their focus is on construction, creativity, and teaching others the art of cosplay.
Mehron Makeup
Makeup meltdown during the con? Stop by the Mehron Makeup booth in Cosplay Central for a complimentary makeup touchup! For an addental fee, Mehron will also be providing quick cosplay face paints for those who didn’t have time to get into character.
Tokyo Bronx ACG
Tokyo Bronx is a cross-cultural mashup of Japanese pop-culture (anime, cosplay), general nerd culture (gaming, comics) and New York attitude. We bring artists, creatives, and enthusiasts from near and far under one umbrella.
The mission and vision of Tokyo Bronx is to celebrate all things related to anime, comics, gaming, and cosplay – from the Bronx to Tokyo, and back.
Camp Cryptid
Camp Cryptid, a horror and sci-fi podcast hosted by cosplayer Erica Fett, dives into the world of paranormal, monsters and beyond. Visit the Camp Cryptid booth in Cosplay Central to see host Erica Fett in horror cosplays daily and to check out free stickers, new episodes, and new spooky tales of terror.
Cosplay Central Costume Showcase
The Cosplay Showcase is where fans and cosplayers can showcase their craftsmanship in style. Taking place on Sunday, this event is open to all cosplayers and is an opportunity for fans of all levels to strut their stuff on the main stage. Register at the Cosplay Central administration desk during the show. There are prizes (for over 18s only) but cosplayers are free to take part just for fun if they do not wish to be judged. Family Groups and Juniors (13-17) are also welcome to take part just for fun with any costume.
Costume, Weapons & Props Rules
Cosplay is a welcome and important part of our shows; however, each show also has its limitations and guidelines so that cosplay can stay safe for everyone. Read more about our show’s prop weapons policy here.
Cosplay is NOT Consent
New York Comic Con has a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY for harassment of any kind. Ask permission before taking photos with or of a cosplayer and respect their right to say no. Please read our Safety, Security & Wellness.