Are you a cosplayer, crafter, maker, or fan? DreamHack is your go-to for cosplay fun! Connect with the community, showcase your skills, join expert-led workshops, and compete in our inclusive cosplay competition.
We welcome Cosplayers to enjoy our festival all weekend long! Here are some of the perks that come with being a Cosplayer at DreamHack.
We know that standing in line in cosplay can be challenging, so all cosplayers, and handlers are invited to use the premium line at registration to minimize wait time.
As a thank you for bringing your creativity and talent to our event, all cosplayers participating in the competition will receive a complimentary event ticket. Plus, you’ll also get a special 50% discount on a second ticket for your handler or a friend accompanying you.
DreamHack brings to you the most Instagrammable space in any festival, get ready to snap your favorite photos in our photo ops, or maybe create some TikToks?
Take off your wig, and relax in our cosplay lounge – exclusive to cosplayers and their handlers. You’re welcome to hang out, take advantage of our dressing rooms, repair station
No time to get into cosplay before arriving? No problem! Transform into your amazing cosplays right on-site with our spacious changing rooms equipped with mirrors and tables.
Check out the repair station to help with almost every cosplay need on-the-go. The repair station is located at the cosplay lounge and open any time during expo hours.
DreamHack Cosplay Championship (DHCC) is our very own craftsmanship competition where we focus on the creativity and craftsmanship of every cosplayer’s costume. It’s divided into 4 tiers; Youth, Novice, Artisan & Expert.
Cosplay Guests
International Cosplay Judge
Cosplay Host
Nordic Cosplay Judge
Cosplay Host
Swedish Cosplay Judge Duo
Swedish Cosplay Judge
Swedish Cosplay Judge
Gaming Culture
DreamHack’s focus on gaming and esports makes it a hub for video game-inspired cosplay, where fans bring iconic characters to life and connect with like-minded gamers.
Great Atmosphere
DreamHack’s massive festivals draw global crowds, creating an electric atmosphere for cosplay. It’s a chance to showcase costumes, gain recognition, connect with fellow creators, and network with brands—all on a grand stage.
Competition
DreamHack’s cosplay competitions spotlight top talent, with skilled cosplayers showcasing creativity, detail, and performance. The competitive edge inspires participants to push their limits and deliver their best.
Cosplay & Esports
DreamHack blends cosplay with esports, letting cosplayers connect with pro players and industry figures. This mix deepens their experience and strengthens their place in the gaming community.
Cosplay & Esports
DreamHack’s cosplay scene builds community, bringing together fans who share a love for gaming and pop culture. It’s a welcoming space to connect, share tips, and celebrate together.
Contestants aiming to compete at a higher level must wear self-made costumes—excluding base wigs, shoes, and undergarments—and winners of the Expert category cannot enter Artisan in their next event.
Awarded to the cosplay entry that exemplifies overall excellence, regardless of skill tier.
This distinction celebrates craftsmanship that stands out above all others, showcasing an exceptional combination of:
Creativity, Technical execution & Stage presence
The winner will be flown to compete in the Expert Category at the first-ever DreamHack Birmingham 2026, taking place March 27–29, 2026.
The Deadline for sign-up is 26th of October. But remember that we will accept applications ongoing basis, tiers may fill up before the deadline.
The Deadline for the WIP material is 2nd of November. We will however, ask for a reference picture before the deadline; this is just so that we can prepare graphics for the stage show beforehand.
Yes, up until the deadline there are no problems at all. But please be open if you feel there is no chance of finishing. Since then we can give the spot to someone waiting in line.
The cosplay lounge is located in the T-wing, close to Scandic Talk. This is very close to the VIP entrance to the event.
The Cosplay Crew is available at the event to assist cosplayers to get into the event with a “fast track” handled through the VIP entrance. We will provide details about this in the information sent out to all contestants before the event.
Yes, the assistant/handler needs their own ticket but in the form you can sign them up as your plus one and they will get their own ticket. Assistants will, however, have access to the same amenities as you, so if they cosplay, they can take the opportunity to get some pictures in the photo studio!
Yes, we have several dressing rooms available. Women, Men, and Non-binary usually.
If we notice any of these being unused, we may change this around a bit to be able to accommodate as many as possible.
All dressing rooms offer mirrors, seating, tables and places to store cosplays. Be mindful that there will be many cosplayers on-site, so make sure you don’t block the rooms and every cosplayer is responsible for their belongings.
Yes, we usually have access to a stage next to the lounge area that we use for this. This can’t be promised, however, so we will let you know if this will be possible again this year.
Contact us at dh.cosplayswe@efg.gg or talk to the Cosplay Crew at the event.
Yes, Dreamhack has a lot of fun activities for both cosplayers and guests, there are competitions, expo activities, and multiple places to play games and hang out.
There will also be plenty of opportunities to mingle and network with other cosplayers and people in the gaming industry.
The Cosplay Crew will have a general idea about the activities at the event.
At the event, we have some tools, paint, safety pins, glue, etc. in our Cosplay repair station.
Missing anything here when at the event, feel free to ask one of our dedicated Cosplay Crew and we may be able to help!
Yes, but we require check-in and approval from the cosplay crew since we want to keep the Cosplay lounge a safe and chill place to be during the event. Remember to respect the cosplayers so that they may be there to take a break.
Cosplays can be stored in the dressing rooms, but it will be at your own risk.
However, we have our crew limiting access to the lounge and dressing room area at all hours, so the space is only shared between Cosplayers (and assistants), Cosplay Crew, and Cosplay Photographers.
You need to be there for the DreamHack Cosplay Championship on stage and also the prejudging happening before the show, but we recommend staying for the full event as there are other activities happening as well. Other e.g. competitions, the photo studio and networking.
Yes, we do have this at the event. There will be clear signs onsite.
We want Dreamhack to be a fun event for Cosplay and care a lot about your experience. Cosplay Crew is here to support and we also have the support of the other functions at Dreamhack, such as Medic and Security if needed.
We are getting closer to the festival, and we want to make sure there are no unpleasant surprises when you travel with your props or arrive at the venue.
The Swedish Police has therefore asked us to remind everyone that:
Any prop that looks like a weapon must be covered or packed in a bag or case when you’re on public transportation or traveling to/from the venue.
Even if most people will recognize cosplay props, it only takes one person feeling uneasy to call the authorities. Please help us avoid that situation!
Real & Restricted Items
The following are not allowed at DreamHack:
Prop Checks & Tags
When Inside the Event
Additionally, in the event of an evacuation from Stockholmsmässan, please do not bring weapon-like props outside the venue. This precaution helps prevent confusion and ensures that emergency services can focus on keeping everyone safe.
Thanks for helping us keep DreamHack safe, fun, and welcoming for everyone
At Dreamhack we love and value the creativity and art of expression of cosplay. However, the festival is open to the wide public so in the interest of everyone’s comfort we ask that cosplayers keep this in mind when picking your costume. All cosplays must be suitable for the public space and in accordance with local law and regulations for public spaces. If you are participating in our cosplay competitions and/or shows, we ask that garments safely cover at least your chest, groin and buttocks with a reasonable margin allowing for freedom of movement. Keep in mind that the stage is often elevated with the crowd looking up, so for contestants planning on wearing short/flowy bottoms or for instance an open kimono/wrap design, we strongly urge adding shorts or opaque tights. If the design you are planning on wearing is more revealing than the above guidelines, we ask you to find a way to cover the parts in question for the duration of your presence on stage. The judges will be informed about this and it will not affect your score negatively.
No hateful, offensive or provocative symbols, designs or text are allowed.
We encourage cosplayers to participate in activities around the event.
Have fun, join competitions at the expo, and mingle with visitors.
When walking around the event, full-cover masks/helmets are not allowed.
E.g. ski masks showing only eyes and mouth, or full helmets.
Please carry the helmet or mask, and put it on for posing and photo-op.
Some exceptions apply, like when walking to the competition and the cosplay parade.
When walking around the event, weapons should be sheathed or carried in a non-aggressive way. So no actively walking around the event aiming around you with a gun.
We love large cosplays but for extremely large ones please notify us before the event so we can plan to help you have the best experience possible.
This also applies if your cosplay makes it very hard to see.
Breaking the rules may lead to disqualification and/or a cut festival bracelet. DreamHack and Stockholmsmässan will have the final say in decisions when enforcing the event rules.
