Find out everything you need to know about Cosplay Pole Kontest: from the fundamental rules to the curiosities that make this contest unique.
You can find most of the answers to your questions in the rules.
Here you find a selection of the most frequently asked questions for quick access.
You might have already done it without even knowing!
Cosplay is the art of wearing costumes to bring pop culture characters to life: from the worlds of movies, comics, and video games, to stories told in books, musicals, cartoons, and TV series, including fanfiction and celebrities.
Every costume tells a story, and every story deserves to be told.
In recent years, pole dance, aerial arts and cosplay have captivated more and more people. It was only a matter of time before these two worlds came together.
Cosplay Pole Kontest, the first cosplay themed pole dance and aerials artistic video-competition!
Relive the magic of the first edition of the Cosplay Pole Kontest (May 18, 2025) on YouTube.
Cosplay is the art of wearing costumes to bring pop culture characters to life: from the worlds of movies, comics, and video games, to stories told in books, musicals, cartoons, and TV series, including fanfiction and celebrities.
Feel free to choose any character or story you want to bring to life on stage.
Every performance is a masterpiece!
The Theme/Reference is the character, story, or narrative universe that inspires the performance.
The theme may include:
• specific characters (e.g. Elsa, Link from Zelda, Jack Sparrow);
• narrative universes (e.g. Star Wars, Pokémon, Final Fantasy);
• celebrities or iconic figures (e.g. Britney Spears, Cleopatra);
•
fanfiction or alternative versions of well-known characters.
Crossover or original themes are allowed, as long as the connection with the chosen references is clear.
Some criteria of the interpretative judgment - cosplay require the theme reference to be evaluated.
Video-related information is not required during the application phase. At this first phase, the representative will apply by providing contact details and the payment information for the contribution fee.
Applications are open until April 19, 2026.
After that, there will be the video check-in phase to submit the file, necessary documentation, and all other performance-related information, including titles, performer(s), and theme.
Videos must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
Cosplay is the art of wearing costumes to bring pop culture characters to life: from the worlds of movies, comics, and video games, to stories told in books, musicals, cartoons, and TV series, including fanfiction and celebrities.
Feel free to choose any character or story you want to bring to life on stage.
Every costume tells a story, and every story deserves to be told.
Crossover or original themes are allowed, as long as the connection with the chosen references is clear.
Bring your art on stage, express it however you like and above all... HAVE FUN!
Remember that the performance will be judged based on both originality and the recognizability and coherence of the story.
The performance score is determined by 3 judging areas, each evaluated by a judge specialized in the relevant sector.
During the check-in phase, it will be possible to provide more information and details about the theme-reference, including links to images or videos.
Bring your art on stage, express it however you like and above all... HAVE FUN!
> Pay the video contribution fees for the videos you want to submit.
> Fill out the application form.
Afterward, you will receive instructions via email on how to submit your documentation and video.
Applications are open until April 19, 2026.
More details can be found in the regulations, under the section APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND DEADLINES.
To cover the costs of organizing the event, we ask for a contribution fee of 25€ for each video. This fee covers the expenses related to judging, broadcasting, awards, and other organizational and technical needs. The fee applies per video, regardless of the number of performers involved. There is no limit to the number of videos each participant may submit.
Early bird application: for applications submitted by February 1, 2026, a reduced fee of 20€ per video applies (payment date will be used as reference).
To cover the costs of organizing the event, we ask for a contribution fee of 25€ for each video. This fee covers the expenses related to judging, broadcasting, awards, and other organizational and technical needs. The fee applies per video, regardless of the number of performers involved. There is no limit to the number of videos each participant may submit.
Early bird application: for applications submitted by February 1, 2026, a reduced fee of 20€ per video applies (payment date will be used as reference).
The organization provides promotional codes that grant discounts or full exemptions on the video contribution fee.
Promo-codes may be single-use or multi-use, depending on the specific conditions indicated at the time of distribution.
All our promo-codes can be combined!
The video contribution fee can be paid via Ko-fi without needing an account.
For alternative payment methods, contact ✉ application@cosplaypolekontest.com
All the information needed to check-in and the video requirements are specified in the rules and will be provided via email to the representative.
Video-related information is not required during the application phase. At this first phase, the representative will apply by providing contact details and the payment information for the contribution fee.
Applications are open until April 19, 2026.
After that, there will be the video check-in phase to submit the file, necessary documentation, and all other performance-related information, including titles, performer(s), and theme.
Videos must be submitted by April 30, 2026.
Once the contribution for the video has been paid, it cannot be refunded. However, it is possible to transfer one or more video slots to another representative before the application deadline, following the instructions that will be provided via email.
For each video, a representative must be indicated. The representative is the person who will communicate with the organization on behalf of the performance in competition and who will receive all official communications regarding the contest. The representative may be the athlete, the coach, a tutor, or even a friend. A single representative can be responsible for multiple videos in competition.
Yes, one person can be the representative for multiple videos. Each video will be given an identification code.
Yes, you can be the representative of videos you are not in, and/or appear in videos for which you are not the representative.
Each person in a video must provide a release form.
The representative can transfer one or more video slots to another representative before the registration closes.
Awards are divided into two categories:
The performance score is determined by 3 judging areas, each evaluated by a judge specialized in the relevant sector.
Want to know what went into the rankings? The official rules explains all evaluetion criteria.
Special rewards are meant to highlight aspects of performances that deserve to be celebrated beyond the score.
There are no pre-assigned recognitions: they arise from the peculiarities that emerge during the contest and are awarded to performances that stand out for their unique qualities. It will be the performers themselves, through what they bring to the stage, that make the existence of each title possible.
Each reward is assigned to a different performance, in order to value as many participants as possible and to best celebrate the variety and imagination of CPK.
Each awarded video will receive:
The prizes and awards for the Cosplay Pole Kontest are constantly evolving. Our goal is to appreciate the creativity and skill of each participant, for this reason we keep open the possibility of adding new prizes and recognitions.
Would you like to sponsor a special reward of your choice?
Write to us at ✉ partnership@cosplaypolekontest.com and tell us about your idea.
If you have other questions contact us ✉ info@cosplaypolekontest.com
For any questions, curiosities or reports contact us ✉ info@cosplaypolekontest.com
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