Click here to purchase your tickets today!

Ticket Options:

• Single Day Friday OR Saturday: $10
• Both Days Friday AND Saturday: $15

Check back to download a copy of our event program closer to the event.

 

 

Friday:

• 4:00PM – 9:00PM Events & Activities
  • VR Experiences
    • Options Include: Dead Ahead, Cook’d Up!, Arrowsong, Quantum Arena, Plush Rush, and Wizard Academy
  • Special Guests Signing & Photo Opportunities
  • Vendors
  • Queen City Balloons Photo Booth
  • Phoenix Mobile Arcade
  • Vintage Game Play
  • Food Trucks
• 4:00PM
  • Doors Open
• 5:00PM
  • Magic the Gathering: Modern Tournament Begins
    • Pre-register online by clicking here
    • Limited number of seats available
  • Magic the Gathering: Canadian Highlander Tournament Begins
    • Pre-register online by clicking here
    • Limited number of seats available
  • Fortnite Tournament Begins
    • Estimated to end at approximately 8:30PM
    • Up to 72 Entrants
    • Pre-register online by clicking here
    • Must be 18 or older to participate
  • Pinball Tournament Begins
• 7:00PM
  • Nerdology Pop Culture Trivia Begins
• 9:00PM
  • Doors Close

Saturday:

• 9:00AM – 5:00PM Events & Activities
  • VR Experiences
    • Options Include: Dead Ahead, Cook’d Up!, Arrowsong, Quantum Arena, Plush Rush, and Wizard Academy
  • Special Guests Signing & Photo Opportunities
  • Vendors
  • Queen City Balloons Photo Booth
  • Phoenix Mobile Arcade
  • Vintage Game Play
  • Food Trucks
• 9:00AM
  • Doors Open
• 9:45AM
  • Magic the Gathering: Modern Tournament Begins
    • Pre-register online by clicking here
    • Limited number of seats available
• 10:00AM
  • Super Smash Bros Tournament Begins
    • Estimated to end at approximately 4:00PM
    • Up to 48 Entrants
    • Pre-Register online by clicking here
    • Must be 18 or older to participate

• • Guilty Gear Strive Tournament Begins
    • Estimated to end at approximately 4:00PM
    • Up to 48 Entrants
    • Pre-Register online by clicking here
    • Must be 18 or older to participate
  • Pinball Tournament Begins
• 10:30AM – 3:00PM
  • Cosplay Contest Pre-Judging Appointments
• 11:00AM
  • Magic the Gathering: EDH Tournament Begins
    • Pre-register online by clicking here
    • Limited number of seats available
• 11:00AM – 12:30PM
  • Nerdology Pop Culture Trivia
• 1:00PM – 1:30PM
  • Special Guest Session: Linnea Quigley
• 2:00PM – 3:00PM
  • Special Guest Session: Michael Guinn, Michelle Ruff, Thessaly Lerner
• 3:30PM – 4:00PM
  • Special Guest Session: Michael Berryman
• 4:30PM
  • Island Showroom Doors Open for Cosplay Contest
• 5:00PM
  • Tournament Winners Awarded
  • Cosplay Contest Begins
  • Vendor Sales Close

Event schedule will be updated as events are finalized – check back for updates!

*Schedule subject to change at management’s discretion.

We welcome cosplayers of all ages and experience levels to join us for REZ-CON 2026! See the rules and guidelines below so you know what to expect!

Registration:

• REZ-CON’s cosplay contest pre-registration forms will be available on September 23, 2026
• Limited on-site registration for any remaining slots (if available) will be available. Please ensure that you have all elements of your costume on at the time of registration, as pre-judging begins immediately after registration
• Pre-registered cosplayers will be assigned a time slot on Friday (18 slots available) or Saturday (19 slots available) for pre-judging
• Pre-registration will also be available for Masquerade slots, Masquerade slots are for stage walk only, not judged, and have no prizes awarded
• Prizes are awarded for all categories unless otherwise stated
  *Please note: Limited contest slots available, register early for the best chance at being able to compete.

Costume Rules & Guidelines:

Weapons:

• Real/functional weapons are strictly prohibited.
• Prop weapons must be inspected by security upon entering the event.
• Must conform to local, state and federal laws.
• Arrows must not have tips and must be secured into a quiver.
• No metal props, no exceptions. You WILL be asked to return it to your vehicle.
• Any props over 5’ need to be able to be broken down when traveling through con as to not hinder other attendees.
• Please take note: ALL cosplay props and weapons must be inspected by security upon arrival to REZ-CON

Cosplay Guidelines:

• Let your creativity flow
• Characters from all entertainment mediums are welcome
• This is an all-ages event, so please keep that in mind when choosing and creating your cosplay to wear
• Maker Guideline: At least ONE item of your cosplay must be modified or made by you, the cosplayer, to be entered into the judging portion of the cosplay contest
• Contestants who do not meet the maker guideline will have a chance to walk the stage in the Masquerade walk to show off their still SUPER AWESOME Cosplay if they wish to do so
• Cosplay is not consent, please ask before taking personal photos
  • Photos will be taken during the contest and convention by an event photographer for future use in PR work. Your cosplay contest registration is your permission to have Island Resort & Casino event photographers take your photo for use on web, print, and/or social media

Divisions:

YOUTH:

• 0-13 Years of Age
• New to cosplay creation/wearing parent-created cosplay
• New to cosplay competitions
• One winner selected

BEGINNER:

• All ages
• Have made 3 or less cosplays
• New to cosplay competition
• Beginner-level craftsmanship skills
  • Sewing, 3D Printing, Fabrication, etc…

ADVANCED:

• All ages
• Have made 4 or more cosplays
• Has cosplay competition experience
• Intermediate to advanced-level craftsmanship skills
  • Sewing, 3D Printing, Fabrication, etc…

GROUP:

• Two or more people collaborating in both build and presentation
• All ages
• All skill levels

BEST IN:

• Hero
• Villain
• Original Character

MASQUERADE COSPLAY:

• Not judged
• No prizes awarded
• Pre-registration available on September 23, 2026, Limited on-site registration for any remaining slots may be available.

Cosplay Contest Grading Rubric

CATEGORY	OUTSTANDING 8-10 Points	GREAT 5-7 Points	GOOD 2-4 Points	NEEDS WORK 0-1 Point
Costume	• Cosplay & props without doubt represents the character being portrayed	• Cosplay & props are recognizable as the character being portrayed	• Cosplay & props loosely represent the character being portrayed	• Cosplay & props poorly represent the character being portrayed
Build Quality/Mediums Used	• Use of many materials/different building techniques • Polished • 75-100% Self-Made	• Use of a several different materials/techniques • Well put together. • 50-75% Self-Made	• Use of one – two different building techniques and materials • Unrefined. 25-50% Self-Made	• Little to no technique or craft materials used • Unfinished. • 0-25% Self-Made
Originality	• Cosplay is unique and eye-catching	• Cosplay is original and imaginative	• Cosplay has original elements but is overall unaltered	• Cosplay has no originality or added elements
Presentation	• Represents character accurately • Confident on Stage • 3 Poses at 3 seconds each	• Represents the character • Positive stage presence • 3 Poses at 2-3 seconds each	• Moderately represents the character • Tense stage presence • 3 poses at 1-2 seconds each	• Loosely represents the character • No stage presence • 3 poses at 0-1 seconds each

 

Join us for the first ever REZ-CON and release your inner child, show off your creative ability, and find community in bringing local cosplayers together in a welcoming and safe environment! Those who do not wish to participate in the contest are still encouraged to dress up!

This is all about fun, but safety is top priority. Please follow the guidelines regarding props and embellishments with your cosplay and once again keep in mind that this is an all-ages event.

 

Fill out the following form to request a spot in Rez-Con’s Cosplay Contest!

September 8, 2026 RRN Radio Interview – Click here to listen!

October 1, 2026 WZMQ 19 News Interview: Island Resort & Casino to host inaugural REZ-CON Oct. 23-24 – Click here to watch!

October 5, 2026 RRN Interview – Click here to listen!

 

 

To book your room for REZ-CON 2026 please call: (800) 682-6040 and mention “REZ-CON”

Click here to view our lodging options, including spacious hotel rooms and luxurious suites!

*Rez-Con Vendor applications are now closed, vendors who have applied and been accepted will receive email communication from the Rez-Con team. Thank you to all who applied!

Vendor Information:

This event features vendor space for vinyl records, vintage and modern collectible toys, video games, music, comics, and more, as well as an artist alley for pop-culture inspired art. With a cosplay contest, trivia, celebrity guests and more, we are excited for local food trucks to join us in our inaugural year!

Food Vendor space for this event is juried, with limited space being available. Applying does not guarantee acceptance to the event. Potential food vendors are invited to apply by August 1, 2026 for priority consideration.

Set up time: REZ-CON is a two-day event. Food vendors must be set up Friday prior to 3:45pm EST and remain in operation until Saturday at 5:00pm EST.

REZ-CON takes place at the Island Resort & Casino’s Island Convention Center. Food vendors will be parked on the southeast side of the convention center. Food vendors who’s applications are accepted will be provided more information on parking prior to the event.

Space is limited. Food vendors may only have one space. All food vendor trucks/trailers must be self-powered, as no power access is available. Food vendors will be required to pay a $100 fee, which covers both days of vending.

Payment will be completed after food vendors are selected. Payment information will be provided to selected food vendors. Food Vendor fee is non-refundable, and must be made prior to the event. Non-payment will result in losing one’s space. Fees will be refunded in case of event cancellation.

 

 

*Rez-Con Vendor applications are now closed, vendors who have applied and been accepted will receive email communication from the Rez-Con team. Thank you to all who applied!

Vendor Information:

This event features vendor space for vinyl records, vintage and modern collectible toys, video games, music, comics, and more, as well as an artist alley for pop-culture inspired art. With a cosplay contest, trivia, celebrity guests and more, we are excited for you to join us in our inaugural year!

Vendor space for this event is juried, with limited space being available. Applying does not guarantee acceptance to the event. Potential vendors are invited to apply by August 1, 2026 for priority consideration.

There are two options for vendor spaces, one for a standard vendor, and one for artists. All spaces are limited, and vendors/artists may only have one space. Standard vendors, receive a 10×10 booth space for a fee of $60 (+10 if electrical access is needed). Artists are able to reserve a space in Artist Alley. Artist Alley booths are one 6′ table, and require a $40 booth fee.

Space is limited. Limited power access is available, if your booth requires power access, please indicate as such on your application.

Payment will be completed after vendors are selected. Payment information will be provided to selected vendors.  Vendor fee is non-refundable, and must be made prior to the event. Non-payment will result in losing one’s space. Fees will be refunded in case of event cancellation.

Set up time: REZ-CON is a two-day event. Vendors must be set up Friday prior to 3:45pm EST and remain in operation until Saturday at 5:00pm EST.

REZ-CON takes place at the Island Resort & Casino’s Island Convention Center. Vendors will be located in the Ballroom, which is comprised of both the Fish and Crane Rooms.

No weapons, drugs, drug paraphernalia, or pornographic materials are permitted.  AI-generated art is not permitted.  Having these items may result in vendors/artists forfeiting their space with no refund.  Additionally, REZ-CON is meant to bring our community together over shared interests.  We ask that vendors/artists refrain from bringing items to sell of a political nature, either for or against the political party/politician of your choice. If you have any questions please list them on your application.

*Rez-Con Vendor applications are now closed, vendors who have applied and been accepted will receive email communication from the Rez-Con team. Thank you to all who applied!

 

 

Enjoy over $3,000 in door prizes for the first 500 REZ-CON attendees on Friday and Saturday!

Grand Prizes: First 500 people to register at the REZ-CON/Fire Station Table inside the Ballroom on both Friday and Saturday will be eligible to win that evening’s grand prize.

• Friday: PlayStation 5 Fortnite Edition
• Saturday: Nintendo Switch 2 Super Smash Bros. Edition

Door Prizes: First 500 people to register at the REZ CON/Fire Station Table inside the Ballroom on both Friday and Saturday will be eligible to win random draw prizes:

• $10 Vendor Coupons for use at any participating Rez-Con vendor
• Miscellaneous Toys and Collectibles Including:
  • Pokémon Packs
  • Plush Toys
  • Figurines
  • Games