Cosplay will once again take center stage at San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2026 with the BBVA Cosplay Contest, a competition that will bring some of the world’s finest cosplayers and costume makers to the stage, judged by an exceptional international panel featuring Ayuru, Like Linda, Sabaku, and Kamui Cosplay.
The competition will take place on Saturday, October 3, celebrating craftsmanship, accuracy, creativity, and stage performance.
Competitors will be judged by four internationally recognized cosplay professionals, each bringing extensive experience in costume making, performance, and international competitions.
Ayuru has been creating cosplay for more than a decade and has represented Spain at international events such as the Tokyo Game Show. Winner of the international Clara Cow’s Cosplay Cup in 2018, Ayuru has collaborated with brands including Riot Games, Blizzard, Canon, and Bandai, and has served as a judge for competitions such as the European Cosplay Gathering, International Cosplay League, World Cosplay Summit, and Nordic Cosplay Championship.
Joining from Austria, Sabaku is one of the most experienced competitors on the European cosplay scene. With 17 years of experience, Sabaku recently earned second place at both PGEC 2026 and CCC 2026, while also serving as a judge at major conventions across Europe thanks to exceptional expertise in both craftsmanship and stage performance.
Italian costume designer and cosplayer Like Linda has combined a successful professional career with international cosplay competitions. She has collaborated with Sony Interactive Entertainment on promotional projects for titles including Horizon Forbidden West, Ghost of Tsushima, The Last of Us Part II, Helldivers 2, and Ghost of Yōtei, and has also worked alongside Adam Savage on exhibitions hosted at venues such as SFMOMA and the Kennedy Space Center. Her competitive achievements include victories at A2P 2023, TOC 2024, and San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2025.
Completing the panel is Kamui Cosplay, the creative partnership of Svetlana and Benni, one of the world’s most influential cosplay content creators. For more than two decades, they have inspired generations of cosplayers through tutorial books, crafting patterns, and educational videos. Followed by more than six million people across social media, they have collaborated with companies including Blizzard, Bethesda, HoYoverse, Universal Pictures, and Electronic Arts, while also hosting workshops, panels, and judging competitions in more than 35 countries.
Applications for the BBVA Cosplay Contest will remain open until August 21. If you’re ready to showcase your talent on stage and compete in front of some of the biggest names in international cosplay, this is your chance to be part of one of the highlights of San Diego Comic-Con Málaga 2026.