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.
Cosplayer Meet & Greets
This year we will be hosting a table in River Pavilion for Cosplayer Meet and Greets! These Meet and Greets are an exciting opportunity for fans of cosplay and pop culture to come meet their favorite cosplayers in person. The Meet and Greet table provides a unique opportunity for enthusiasts to connect with talented individuals who bring their favorite characters to life through intricate costumes and detailed craftsmanship. Attendees can interact with cosplayers, take photos, ask questions about their creative process, and get their autographs. Cosplayer Meet and Greets are a celebration of creativity, fandom, and the shared love for the worlds of comics, anime, movies, and video games, making them a must-attend for anyone passionate about cosplay and geek culture! Please click on the “Cosplay Meet and Greets” in the “Product Categories” filter option to see the full schedule of Cosplay Meet and Greets in the Cosplay Central Panel listings at the bottom of this page.
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. Joining us are iconic Star Wars fan groups, including the 501st Legion, Empire City Garrison, Droid Builders, Rebel Legion, Sabre Guild, and the Mando Mercs Costume Club. But that's not all – the supernatural specter-hunting heroes from The New York City Ghostbusters will also be making an appearance, crossing streams with the Star Wars universe for a cosplay experience like no other. Get ready for a fantastic fusion of fantasy, sci-fi, and supernatural fun at Cosplay Central!
Cosplay Central Crown Championships Presented by DoorDash
The Cosplay Central Crown Championships is back for 2023! The global final will be held at C2E2 in 2024 and beyond.
Craftsmanship is still at the heart of the championship. All of the entries will have their costume construction closely inspected by our judges, before they take to the 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 2024 where they will compete against winners selected at Florida Supercon, ECCC and C2E2 compete against cosplayers from all over the world.
Registration for the Cosplay Central Crown Championships is now closed, applications closed on August 23, 2023. Applicants will be notified no later than August 30 regarding their acceptance into the competition. If you have any questions you may direct them to [email protected].
Note: If you apply to enter the Crown Championship and are accepted, but you were not able to purchase a Saturday badge, please inform us of this when we send out acceptances, and we will allow you access to purchase one Saturday badge.
Meet the Judges
Rajiv Surendra
Maridah
Sameer Bundela
Meet Your Cosplay Host
Jaremi Carey
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 Repair is presented by Mehron Makeup, The Theatre School at Depaul University, and Paladins of Cosplay.
Presented By:
MEHRON MAKEUP
THE THEATRE SCHOOL AT DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
PALADINS OF COSPLAY
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.