Get Ready for BlizzCon 2026 Community Night!

At BlizzCon 2026, there's no better way to celebrate the passion, creativity, and connection we all share than with Community Night! On September 12, we'll gather at the BlizzCon Main Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center to showcase some of the incredibly talented artists from across our communities as they share their craft and creations, competing for the top prize in their categories.

Based on feedback from previous years, our contests are getting a few upgrades, plus the Talent Contest returns to honor skilled performers and their artistry.

Read on for details on how to enter the Community Night contests, what prizes will be awarded, and more. Whether you're showing off your skills onstage or cheering on the contestants from the crowd, this event is always a must-see moment of any BlizzCon experience.

Calling All Competitors!

Cosplay Contest

Entrants in the Cosplay Contest are invited to submit a new costume they have designed and created themselves. Costumes must be unpublished and appropriate for the category in which they are entered.

Not entering the main Cosplay Contest but still want to show off your original costume? Submit your entry form for the Cosplay Exhibition! Selected cosplayers will get to wear their costumes on-site and showcase their creations for the BlizzCon community.

For full details, eligibility requirements, and terms of participation, see the BlizzCon 2026 Cosplay Contest and Exhibition Official Rules.

Art Contest

Community artists are invited to submit original works inspired by Blizzard's universes. This can include sketches, paintings, sculptures, and more across both physical and digital mediums.

For full details, eligibility requirements, and terms of participation, see the BlizzCon 2026 Original Art Contest Official Rules.

Short Film Contest

Filmmakers are invited to create a new, previously unreleased digital short (3 minutes or shorter total running time) that uses or finds its basis in characters, animations, scenes, or themes from Blizzard's universes.

For full details, eligibility requirements, and terms of participation, see the BlizzCon 2026 Short Film Contest Official Rules (Digital Storytelling).

Talent Contest

Returning to BlizzCon 2026, we invite community members to submit a recorded performance inspired by Blizzard's universes for our Talent Contest. Submissions should include a short video (2 minutes or shorter) showcasing a particular skill performed by an individual or group (up to five participants). Selected entrants will have the opportunity to perform their talents live onstage at BlizzCon 2026. Eligible skills may include but are not limited to musical performance (instrument or vocal performance), dance, variety show acts (acrobatics, juggling, etc.), or other skilled talents.

For full details, eligibility requirements, and terms of participation, see the BlizzCon 2026 Talent Contest Official Rules.

Take Home the Top Prize

How to Enter

Submissions for all Community Night contests must be completed through the official submission form. All entries must be submitted by May 15, 2026.

Cosplay Contest entrants are required to meet submission milestones as outlined in the official submission form to demonstrate 80% completion of their entry by May 25, 2026. See official rules for details.

Judging

We're expanding our judging panels to include up to five judges-an increase from previous years. Judging panels for the Cosplay, Art, Short Film, and Talent contests will vary by category. Panels may include seasoned cosplayers, skilled prop and costume creators, experienced performers, Blizzard developers, or others related to each field, bringing a diverse range of expertise for each category. Judges will be revealed closer to BlizzCon 2026.

Full judging criteria are available in the official rules for each contest.

Prizes

In addition to the opportunity to showcase their winning submissions on the Community Night stage at BlizzCon 2026, winners of the Cosplay, Art, Short Film, and Talent contests will receive cash prizes and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon. See the official rules for each contest for full prize details.

• Cosplay
  • Finalists for the BlizzCon 2026 Cosplay Contest will receive two complimentary BlizzCon 2026 Passes (which are ineligible for resale and are non-transferable)
  • Category winners (Master Crafter, Colossal Creation, Epic FX, Dynamic Duo) each receive $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • Best-in-Show winner (chosen from the category winners) will receive an additional $4,000 USD
• Art Contest
  • 1st Place: $4,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • 2nd Place: $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • 3rd Place: $1,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
• Short Film Contest
  • 1st Place: $4,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • 2nd Place: $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • 3rd Place: $1,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
• Talent Contest
  • 1st Place: $4,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • 2nd Place: $2,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon
  • 3rd Place: $1,000 USD and a complimentary pass to a future BlizzCon

Additional Details

Community Programs and Gatherings

Every BlizzCon, some members of our community choose to host their own smaller gatherings around the Anaheim Convention Center and neighboring hotels, inviting other attendees to connect over their favorite aspects of Blizzard games, shared identities, and more. If you plan to host a community gathering during BlizzCon 2026, stay tuned for more information on how you can share details of your event with the BlizzCon community. Please note that BlizzCon community gatherings are neither organized nor endorsed by Blizzard. Selected events will be listed for informational purposes only. Not all submissions will be listed.

Ensuring a Safe and Respectful Live Event Experience

It goes without saying that cosplay is a highlight of every BlizzCon. Each year, attendees present some of the most extraordinary original costumes celebrating our characters and games. We're proud of how contestants and attendees portray them, from accurate representations to creative interpretations. We're grateful to our community of cosplayers for being thoughtful about their creations and ensuring that their creativity stays consistent with the content in our games and is appropriate for BlizzCon and all of its attendees.

Additionally, we are grateful to our other attendees for respecting cosplayers: asking before taking a photo, not touching them or their props without permission, and being respectful of them if they're taking a break.

For More Information

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page on BlizzCon.com for more information about Community Night contests and BlizzCon 2026. Still have questions? Drop us a line at [email protected].

The Countdown Continues!

We can't wait to see what these talented artists and craftspeople create and to celebrate their creativity as one big community, closing out Day 1 of BlizzCon on September 12. Join us in person at the BlizzCon Main Stage or attend virtually by watching the official BlizzCon livestream.

See you at BlizzCon!

See the official rules for each contest above for full eligibility requirements, prizing details, and terms of participation. All complimentary BlizzCon Passes offered as prizing are ineligible for resale, are non-transferable, and do not include any travel arrangements or expenses. Complimentary passes to a future BlizzCon become void if Blizzard does not announce or host a BlizzCon event on or before November 30, 2028.