COSPLAY
GCC COSPLAY COMPETITION
Over $10,000 in cash prizes!
At Game Con Canada, our Cosplay Competition is more than just a contest, it’s a celebration of creativity, passion, and artistry. It’s extremely important to us that cosplay artists are recognized for their incredible talent and commitment, and we take pride in showcasing their work on one of the biggest stages in Canada. Every year, we bring in new celebrity hosts and respected judges to elevate the experience, ensuring fresh excitement and visibility for what has become Canada’s largest cash-prize cosplay competition.
4 TIERS OF COMPETITION
Novice
Journeyman
Masters
Best of the Best
COSPLAY PRIZE POOL
Best In Show
$2000 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027. Includes hotel accommodations (non-refundable, non-transferable)
BEST OF THE BEST
$2000 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027. Includes hotel accommodations (non-refundable, non-transferable)
Best Tabletop Game Cosplay
$1500 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027.
Best Video Game Cosplay
$1500 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027.
Best Masters
$1500 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027.
Runner Up and Second Runner Up Masters
$750 CASH! .
Best Journeyman
$1000 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027.
Runner Up and Second Runner Up Journeyman
$250 CASH!
Best Novice
$500 CASH! + 2 tickets to GCC 2027.
Runner Up and Second Runner Up Novice
$200 CASH!
Judges Choice
Certificate of recognition + This year, a special gift! Stay tuned as these will be presented on stage!
COSPLAY HOST & JUDGES!
Vixanne Valiant
Official Host: GCC 2026 Cosplay Competition
Vixen-Anna Valiant is a Canadian actress, gamer, and cosplayer, based in Calgary, Alberta! She began acting in 2008, inspired by the Supernatural cast, and started professionally cosplaying in 2020. Vixen is a self proclaimed “thrift cosplayer”, making the majority of her costumes either out of second-hand supplies, or from scratch using EVA foam and patterns! Since 2023, Vixen has ranged from 100-150 cosplays per year, her 'All Cosplays' collection on Patreon sits at 450+ posts. From fantasy games to comics, anime to books, Vixen even takes commission requests to bring her follower’s DND/original characters to life! You can find Vixen’s cosplay work as “Valiantf0x” on Instagram, Tiktok, and Patreon, as well as her performance as Githyanki “Ral’a” in Dicecreamsandwich’s Youtube DND series: War of the Realms!
CATE CARMICHAEL
Official Judge: GCC 2026 Cosplay Competition
Before becoming a professional makeup artist, Cate began cosplaying in 2002 at local Edmonton conventions, discovering the joy of full transformation and attention to detail. After graduating from the Makeup Design program at Vancouver Film School in 2016, She worked in film and television FX shops on projects including Sonic the Hedgehog, Child’s Play (2019), and The Magicians. Her work earned a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Effects Makeup for Aliens Stole My Body. After returning to Edmonton from working in Vancouver, Cate ran the makeup department for Deadmonton Haunted House (2023–2025) where she met Rae Desmarais. Together they formed Chambers FX with the goal of bringing high-quality makeup and creatures to Alberta’s entertainment industry. Grounded in a belief that the unconventional deserves celebration, Cate’s work proves that monsters — like people — deserve to be seen for who they truly are.
Mark Meer
Official Host: GCC 2026 Cosplay Competition
Mark is a Canadian actor, improviser, and voice performer best known for playing Commander Shepard, Blasto, the Vorcha, the Biotic God Niftu Cal and more in Bioware’s Mass Effect Trilogy. His other voice work includes the Dragon Age and Baldur's Gate series, Hinterland Studio's The Long Dark, WB Games' Gotham Knights, and Beamdog's 1980s Saturday morning cartoon homage, MythForce. In the TTRPG realm, Mark has been a frequent Dungeon Master at the the D&D in a Castle Event in the U.K. since 2019, was a player and guest DM on the official D&D Ravenloft stream The Black Dice Society, and is the Keeper of Arcane Lore for Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu actual play Bookshops of Arkham, and its sequel, Graveyards of Arkham.
Evil Ted
Official Judge: GCC 2026 Cosplay Competition
Evil Ted worked in the movie industry doing visual effects, prop, and model making for 30 years. He worked on films and television shows such as Fifth Element, Guyver, Titanic, Hunger Games, Xena Warrior Princess, and Criminal Minds. He’s known around the world for his YouTube tutorials teaching cosplayers how to make foam armor and props. After many years of working in Hollywood, Evil Ted decided it was time to take all the tips and tricks he learned over the years and make them available to the everyday builder. He wants to take the intimidation out of building. He is a firm believer that it’s passion over talent, and that anyone can learn to build. He loves cosplay and the community and loves supporting and assisting new builders in the learning process.
Meet Our Cosplay Management
Jane Hustle
Cosplay Director: she/her/hers
Jane started cosplaying in 2018 and has been sewing, wig styling and creating ever since! Her passion for cosplay lead Jane into becoming an accomplished drag entertainer. She has been commissioned to create costumes & wigs for cosplayers, collectors, film makers, drag performers and even an award-winning celebrity impersonator. A Jane of all trades and master of fun, she loves meeting new people and talking about all things drag and cosplay! She can’t wait to see what the contestants prepare for Game Con Canada’s competition this year!
REGISTRATION
Thank you for submitting your application to participate in the Game Con Canada Cosplay Competition 2026.
We are so honoured that you have taken the time to apply to our event. Filling out an application does not guarantee you a spot in the competition.
Our management team will be reviewing each application and will contact you about your submission.
Talented Cosplayer is cosplaying Character from Franchise. This build allowed Talented to incorporate some of their favorite techniques, including weathering, smocking, and foam detailing. Their favorite part of the build is the wings, which pass through the outer layers of the costume to attach to a sturdy backplate. The shoes are made from scratch and the wig was heavily dyed and modified! This was a major level up cosplay for Talented and they’re super proud to be showing it today at Game Con Canada.
