OVERVIEW
Event Overview
Make the most of this final summer.
* From 2027, the event will move to November.
| Event Name | World Cosplay Summit 2026 |
| Dates | Eve Festival: Friday, July 31, 2026 (18:00–21:00 scheduled) DAY 1: Saturday, August 1, 2026 (11:00–21:00 scheduled) DAY 2: Sunday, August 2, 2026 (11:00–21:00 scheduled) |
| Location | Sakae / Osu Area, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan Sakae is Nagoya's main entertainment district; Osu is a retro shopping arcade famous for anime and cosplay goods |
| Main Venue | Oasis 21 — a futuristic glass landmark in Sakae (1-11-1 Higashisakura, Higashi-ku, Nagoya) |
| Participating Countries / Regions | 41 Countries & Regions Australia / Austria / Belgium / Bolivia / Brazil / Bulgaria / Canada / China / Colombia / Costa Rica / Czech Republic / Ecuador / France / Hong Kong / India / Indonesia / Italy / Japan / South Korea / Kuwait / Latvia / Malaysia / Mexico / Mongolia / Morocco / Netherlands / Philippines / Peru / Poland / Portugal / Saudi Arabia / South Africa / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / Taiwan / Thailand / Trinidad & Tobago / United Kingdom / United States / Vietnam * United Arab Emirates will not be participating due to unavoidable circumstances. |
| Organizer | World Cosplay Summit Executive Committee |
| Co-organizer | Nagoya City |
| Supported by | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan / Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry / Agency for Cultural Affairs / Aichi Prefecture / Aichi Prefecture Tourism Association / Nagoya Tourism Convention Bureau |
| Admission | Free admission to the event area * Separate tickets required for World Cosplay Championship (WCC) viewing and some programs |
SCHEDULE
3-Day Schedule
EVE - FESTIVAL
Pre-Festival
Friday, July 31
18:00–21:00 (planned)
- Red Carpet Ceremony
DAY 1
Day 1
Saturday, August 1
11:00–21:00 (planned)
- Opening Stage
- Cosplay Parade (Osu)
- Various Stage Programs
DAY 2
Day 2
Sunday, August 2
11:00–21:00 (planned)
- Opening Stage
- Various Stage Programs
- World Cosplay Championship — Grand Final
- Grand Finale
VENUE
Event Venues
Oasis 21
Main venue · Cosplay Parade · Stage
Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater
World Cosplay Championship
Hisaya-odori Park
Cosplay Photo Area
Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER
Cosplay Photo Area
Hisaya-odori Garden Flarié
Cosplay Photo Area
Osu Shopping Street
Cosplay Parade (Osu Area)
Sakae / Osu Area
Cosplay Walk Area
SLOW ART CENTER NAGOYA
Cosplay Photo Area
Online Streaming
Available on various streaming platforms
NOTICES
Visitor & Venue Guidelines
General Visitor Guidelines
- Please review the Participation Rules in advance and follow all on-site guidance and staff instructions.
- If you see any suspicious items or persons, please notify a nearby staff member immediately.
- If you feel unwell or are injured, please notify a nearby staff member immediately.
- There will be no public address announcements to locate individuals. Please arrange a meeting point and communication method with your group before entering.
- Data charges for internet use within the venue are the responsibility of the visitor.
- There is no venue-provided Wi-Fi. Please prepare your own internet connection (SIM card, pocket Wi-Fi, etc.).
- Please also check our FAQ page for answers to commonly asked questions.
Venue Regulations
- Smoking is prohibited within all event venues.
- Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles are strictly prohibited within and around the event venues.
- Please do not block pathways or emergency exits.
- Photography and filming of other participants requires their explicit consent.
- Commercial photography, filming, or recording for profit requires prior written permission from the organizers.
FOR COSPLAYERS
Participating as a Cosplayer
To participate as a cosplayer, you will need to register in advance and review the Participation Rules. Please check the Cosplayer Guide for full details.