After an amazing Season 13 Qualifier at MegaCon Live London on Sunday 26th January 2025, MegaCon announced that the UK & NI Qualifier for Season 14 of the Extreme Cosplay Gathering (ECG) will be held at MegaCon Live Manchester on Sunday 27th July 2025. The winner of the Season 14 Qualifier will go on to represent the UK at the ECG finals in early July 2026.
We recognise that this is a big change that you might not have been expecting, so we wanted to share with you why we’ve made this decision, and how it will benefit the cosplay community.
Why Manchester?
1. Providing entrants with stability and consistency.
Upon taking on the ECG Qualifier, we established one of the Guild’s primary goals was to provide a stable and predictable environment for entrants; competitions can be stressful, so we want to ensure you’re worrying about as few variables as possible. Over the past three years, the ECG Qualifier has been held at three different events, making it difficult for cosplayers to plan and prepare. By hosting the Qualifier at Manchester Central, a venue with a built-in, state-of-the-art stage, lighting rig, and AV equipment, including a huge video screen, we’re ensuring that you know exactly what to expect, allowing you to focus entirely on your craft and performance, without unexpected surprises.
See the stage in action: Manchester Central is a stage worthy of showcasing the UK’s best cosplay talent, but don’t just take our word for it. Check out these videos of past masquerades by @hovermediacosplay:
2. Prioritising easy physical access to the stage.
The Manchester Central stage is the biggest and most accessible of all the stages in the entire MegaCon Live circuit. It’s equipped with a large service lift, making it easier for cosplayers with oversized props, costumes, or mobility needs to access the stage. Accessibility for all is something we deeply value, and this venue delivers it reliably.
3. Striving for economical and equitable access from all over the country.
Compared to London, Manchester is generally more cost-effective for travellers, making it a more budget-friendly choice for participants and attendees alike. Historically, the ECG Qualifier has often been hosted in the Midlands, so we hope the move back upcountry will help ensure more equitable access for cosplayers from both the north and south of the UK.
4. Giving the new representative/s as much time as possible to prepare for the Final.
The role of an ECG organiser is to facilitate the best experience possible for the entrants, and we think we can do better. Over the past few years, the UK & NI ECG Qualifier has shifted later and later in the season, and we want to reset this by bringing the UK back to being one of the first qualifying events of the season, giving the new representative/s almost a whole year to adjust to their new role and prepare for the Finals. While we recognise the current Season 13 representative/s will not be able to benefit from this, we do not anticipate the move disenfranchising them in any way.
We are thrilled that MegaCon Live will continue to be the host event for the ECG Qualifier, and we’re proud to be introducing Manchester as the home of the UK & NI Extreme Cosplay Gathering Qualifier, joining London’s World Cosplay Summit and International Cosplay League Qualifiers, and Birmingham’s Crown Championship of Cosplay Qualifier.
Why now?
We know there was an expectation that the next ECG Qualifier would be held in London again. The decision to move the Qualifier involved careful consideration of logistics, accessibility, and the long-term benefits for the cosplay community.
One important factor in the timing of our announcement was to ensure the success of the Season 13 Qualifier in London. We wanted to maintain focus and excitement for the London event, allowing participants to fully embrace the opportunity without being influenced by future plans. By waiting to share the news, we hope to support a vibrant and confident community for both the London and Manchester events.
But what if I competed in the London Season 13 Qualifier?
No problem – you’re welcome to apply with the same cosplay and performance again in Manchester if you so wish*. We understand that the six-month gap between qualifiers may feel shorter than expected, and we’re here to support you. We encourage London entrants who intend to re-apply at Manchester to gather and utilise the judges’ feedback to make the most of this unique opportunity.
*Since ECG has now removed their rule stipulating that representatives must wait out a season before they can apply again, even the Season 13 representative/s would be welcome to enter again in Manchester – just not with the same costumes they wore for the Final.
Guild tip: Applications for the Season 13 Qualifier in London were oversubscribed. Please thoroughly explore our blog posts about compiling the best application you can to ensure the best chance of gaining a place in the Season 14 Qualifier.
We are so excited to bring the UK & NI ECG Qualifier to MegaCon Live Manchester this summer. We hope you can see that this decision is about providing the best possible experience for cosplayers, performers, and audiences alike. We simply can’t wait to see your creativity shine on this incredible stage!
Please direct any questions to the Guild of Nerds at cosplay@guildofnerds.org – further details about application dates will be released in late May.
