Cosplay Central Crown Championship Returns To PAX Aus For Fifth Year Alongside New Dedicated Cosplay Space

PAX Aus will host the Cosplay Central Crown Championship for a fifth consecutive year, with the gaming festival also introducing a new dedicated cosplay precinct called Cosplay Land at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

The 2026 championship will award one overall winner and one runner-up. The winner will go on to represent Australia at the Cosplay Central Crown Championship Global Final at MCM London Comic Con in 2027, with dates for that event still to be confirmed.

International judging panel

The competition will be assessed by a panel of three cosplay and creative industry figures drawn from across the Asia-Pacific and Europe.

Cinderys, a Paris-based Professional Cosplayer and Concept/3D Artist, joins the panel. She is known for her work and collaborations with studios including Blizzard, Capcom and Bungie, and has received awards at events such as TwitchCon and BlizzCon.

Soylent Cosplay, a Sydney-based Professional Cosplayer and Special FX Makeup Artist, brings more than 15 years of cosplay experience and a decade in makeup artistry. Her work includes portraying Liara T’Soni for the release of Mass Effect Legendary Edition and acting as the Australian Lilith for Diablo IV. She has collaborated with companies including BioWare, Blizzard ANZ and PlayStation ANZ.

Completing the panel is Spicythaidesign, the cosplay name of Sanit Klamchanuan, a Costumer at Weta Workshop in New Zealand. His film credits include Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar: The Way of Water, The Creator, Tron: Ares, Predator: Badlands and Avatar: Fire and Ash. He is also the author of Cosplay for You, a book exploring accessible crafting techniques.

Returning host

The Gem Cosplay returns as host. A Melbourne-based Professional Cosplayer, eSports Caster, Panelist and Content Creator, Gem has been part of the cosplay community since 2009 and is known for their inventive wigs and makeup as well as their characterisation and dynamic posing.

As host, Gem will guide the audience through the competition and help competitors feel comfortable while showcasing their work on stage.

New cosplay precinct

Alongside the championship, PAX Aus is introducing Cosplay Land, a new space designed as a central hub for cosplayers of all skill levels.

The precinct will be located on the mezzanine level near the Clarendon Street entrance of MCEC and will be accessible via both stairs and lift.

Cosplay Land will feature a dedicated theatre hosting panels, a repair station and change rooms to support cosplayers during the event. A media wall showcasing work from Australian cosplay photographers and a walk-up community media wall will also be available.

Hands-on workshops presented by Lumin’s Workshop will run in the space, alongside a lounge area with seating and dedicated community meet-ups and trading opportunities.

The Lumin’s Workshop team commented, “We’re excited to bring back our workshops to PAX Aus and welcome talented French cosplayer, Cinderys, to Australia.”

Craftsmanship and competition

The championship format puts the focus on craftsmanship, creativity and performance. Australian cosplayers compete for the chance to represent the country on an international stage at the MCM London Comic Con Global Final.

The competition has run at PAX Aus since 2022 and has become a fixture of the event’s programming, drawing entrants from across the country who build original and fan-inspired costumes using techniques ranging from foam fabrication and 3D printing to special effects makeup and textile work.

Spicythaidesign brings a particular perspective to the judging panel. Based at Weta Workshop in Wellington since 2013, he specialises in foam prototyping and is known for integrating his Thai cultural heritage into original costume designs. His focus has shifted in recent years toward teaching and mentoring emerging cosplayers.

Soylent Cosplay is known for full-body transformations that combine body paint and makeup to bring fantasy and Sci-Fi characters to life. Her collaborations extend beyond Blizzard and PlayStation to include Ubisoft, Epic Games, miHoYo and Zynga.

Cinderys, who began cosplaying in 2014, shares her crafting process through social media, conventions and Twitch. Her client list includes Larian Studios, 2K, EA and Konami alongside Blizzard, Capcom and Bungie.

What comes next

Further details on Cosplay Land programming and Cosplay Central Crown Championship entry information will be released in the lead-up to PAX Aus 2026.

PAX Aus is part of Melbourne International Games Week (MIGW), Australia’s games festival encompassing public activities, showcases, business development events, conferences and education opportunities. MIGW is now delivered by ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture.

PAX was first held in Seattle in 2004 and expanded internationally to Melbourne in 2013. The Melbourne event has since grown to become Australia’s largest gaming festival. The brand is owned by RX, a global events and exhibitions company that is part of RELX.

For more information, visit paxsite.com.

Last Updated on April 23, 2026 by Nick Ross