We love cosplay and the creativity behind bringing your favorite characters to life. While safety is our number one priority for our attendees, guests, vendors, and staff, we still want you to bring your Cosplay A-Game, within the guidelines set by the Phoenix Convention Center.
The Phoenix Convention Center has designated a specific prop policy for Phoenix Fan Fusion, which is below. Final decisions on prop weapons and armor will always be at the discretion of Phoenix Convention Center Security and the Phoenix Police Department. While Phoenix Fan Fusion shares your feedback and concerns with the facility, the final decision is made by them.
A general list of approved and unapproved props is listed below.
For additional information or to request approval for your prop, please send your request, along with a picture to the Phoenix Convention Center here.
ALLOWED PROPS & ARMOR
Lightsabers, wands, and sonic screwdrivers are a-okay!
Bows that are completely inoperable: un-strung is best, but loosely strung is okay too.
Non-removable arrows in a quiver AND/OR arrows with no tip.
Foam, plastic, fiberglass, resin or metal shields with no sharp edges.
Metal shields are allowed, but may slow down the screening process at security.
Lightweight plastic bats. Any other accessories to the bat (such as those on Negan’s Lucille or the Demogorgon Killer) should also be made of foam or other lightweight material and incapable of harming others. No real barbed wire or nails, please!
Armor made of plastic, fiberglass, resin, or metal.
Please note: Metal armor is allowed, but will drastically slow down the screening process at security.
Any other props & armor (except for anything resembling any sort of real or replica firearm) made of Plastic, Thermoplastic (Worbla), Urethane Resin, Cardboard, Foam, Foam Rubber, or other lightweight material.
Any metal pieces of your costume will likely result in slowing down the security screening process.
Please plan accordingly so you don’t miss any of the fun!
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Real and replica firearms of any kind, regardless of how unrealistic it looks, or material it is made of. This includes any weapon resembling a firearm such as Star Wars blasters, Nerf guns, Toy guns, Overwatch firearms, etc.
Tasers
Glass props
Stone props
Slingshots
Brass knuckles
Real, replica, or simulated explosives, ammunition, chemical weapons of any kind, including but not limited to:
Simulated bomb vests
Cartoon bombs
Bullets
Hand grenades
Claymore Mines
Firecrackers
Pepper Spray
Mace
Powder caps
Metal or wood swords and other sharp-edged weapons
Swords, axes, Wolverine Claws, etc may be permitted as long as they are made out of one of the lightweight approved materials listed in the approved section with NO sharp edges.
Excessively noisy props including but not limited to:
Airhorns
Bullhorns
Whistles
Other Prohibited Items
Stick on Shoes
Wheeled shoes, skates, skateboards, hoverboards
RC cars, planes, drones
Heavy, unwieldy props
Cast-iron skillets
Folding chairs
Final decisions on prop weapons and armor will always be at the discretion of Phoenix Convention Center Security and the Phoenix Police Department. Please keep this in mind as you’re creating your fabulous cosplays. For specific prop questions, please contact the Phoenix Convention Center.