Rules - Cosplay Parade - Romexpo 2026

This year, East European Comic Con is organizing a cosplay parade on stage, for everyone who wants to show off their costume to our wide audience, without having to participate in a competition.

Please read the rules below carefully.

1. General Rules.

1. This set of rules describes in detail how the Cosplay Parade at East European Comic Con will take place. Any subsequent changes will be announced on the official event website.

2. It is the duty of every participant to read, accept, and comply with the Participation Rules

3. The parade will take place on Sunday, April 26th, between 12:00–12:55.

4. Registrations will open on Monday, April 13th and will close on Wednesday, April 15th, at 23:00.* 

*If the maximum registration capacity (200 individual registrations) is reached before this date, the form will close automatically. 

Each participant must complete their registration individually; groups can be formed later, at the event (the maximum number in a group is 5 members).

2. Registration

Participation in the parade is open to individuals aged over 14 years old. Participants who are not yet 18 years old must provide a declaration signed by one of their parents/legal guardians expressing consent for participation in the parade*. The consent form is included in the registration form.

*We reserve the right to deny participation to minors who do not meet the conditions set out in the rules. We want the parade to take place under the safest possible conditions, ensuring that minors have parental consent to participate. If there is reason to believe that the declaration was not properly completed and signed by a parent/legal guardian, or that the minimum age requirement is not met, the minor may be refused entry to the parade.

1. The registration for the parade will be made by filling up the form published on the Website. Any registrations submitted after the deadline or once spots are full will not be taken into consideration.

2. Changes to the registration form are permitted until the final registration date. Participation will be confirmed by email within 10 days after the registration period has closed.

3. Participants are required to be present at the stage on Sunday, April 26th, at the time indicated in the confirmation email. Failure to appear after registering will result in a restriction from participating in cosplay competitions and parades at East European Comic Con at the next edition.

4. If a registered participant can no longer attend the parade after registration, they are must notify the team in advance (no later than Friday, April 24th) at the email address [email protected] .

3. Code of Conduct 

1. Obscene gestures or words directed at other participants, volunteers, audience members, or Comic Con staff are strictly prohibited.

2. Participants must closely follow the instructions given by the organizing team. Any deviation will be penalized.

3. Failure to notify in advance by email will be penalized with a restriction from participating in cosplay competitions and parades at East European Comic Con at the next edition.

4. Organization

1. Participants will enter the stage in the order dictated by the organizing staff, to generic background music selected by us. They will present their costume to the audience, then leave the stage following the team’s indications. 

2. Participants should NOT bring personal belongings (bags, clothes, valuables). Volunteer members will NOT supervise these items.

3. Jumping off the stage or any other stunts that could injure participants or the audience are strictly prohibited.

4. Participants are not allowed with confetti, fake snow or any other props made of small parts that are hard to get off stage or hard to clean. The keyword is “Parade-April”. Liquids are forbidden on stage (water guns, full bottles…), even in a closed container..

5. Types of costumes accepted:

   1. Cosplay inspired by any franchise (manga, anime, series, games, animations, movies, etc.) is accepted, as well as crossplay/genderbend cosplay. 

   2. Cross-over cosplay from any franchise, cosplay fanart, original concepts.

   3. Costumes representing real people, historical figures, politicians or military uniforms of any kind are not permitted.

6. There will not be a storage areas at the venue. 

6. Rules for Weapons and Costumes

1. Costumes may be handmade, purchased, or “closet cosplay”.

2. According to legislation, we are required to set limits on what accessories and props are allowed during the parade: knives, swords, shuriken, etc. All weapons must be crafted from non-metallic materials. Objects will not have sharp edges (blades must be blunt) or sharp points (tips must be rounded). Bows will have no string and arrows will have no sharp heads.

3. Prohibited items:

   1. Replica swords/katana/other white weapons made of metal

   2. Weapons with any type of ammunition (balls, projectiles of any kind, etc.)

   3. Airsoft guns are absolutely forbidden.

   4. Metal chains longer than 20 centimeters (if they are longer than that, they need to be made of plastic or other material). 

   5. Firecrackers, fireworks, glitter, confetti, pyrotechnic devices or anything else that may put staff and spectators at risk. 

   6. Parts of the costume made of metal are allowed as long as they are not dangerous to convention goers, so they are not allowed to have sharp edges or points. If any attendee shows up in a costume that is considered dangerous, they will be asked to change or escorted out of the convention. 

   7. The performances will be PG13. Any gestures, obscene dances or with sexual implication are not allowed on stage. Exhibitionism is not accepted. 

   8. Costumes must be also within public decency limits. East European Comic Con is targeting a wide audience-range (as well as under-aged children), so the performers must wear costumes which are not offensive and can be viewed by the general public. The minimum accepted is a bathing suit. Any type of thongs, see-through or very small underwear will be covered by a cape/ short pants/skirt/dress etc.

   9. The costumes worn in the parade and during the event will not have markings or reenact people or characters associated with homophobia, misogyny, misandry, racism or any other aspects that can harm human rights, ethics and integrity.

   10. Those who do not follow these rules will be disqualified.

   Final Clauses and Terms

• Before entering, participants must ensure that they have read and understood the entire Parade Rules. For questions or problems, the email address [email protected] is at your disposal.

• Participation in the parade does not imply free admission to the convention. All participants will have a pre-purchased ticket. 

• The organizing team and the Event Staff reserve the right to change or modify these Regulations to ensure a pleasant and safe experience for all participants.

• Please pay attention to the communications received by email and respond to requests as soon as possible.