Thank you for your interest in competing in our 7th annual World Bear Contest. This year's Renaissance Faire-themed contest will be held in Lexington, KY from July 30-August 2, 2026. The deadline to submit your contest application & accompanying documents/files is June 30, 2026.
CONTESTANT ELIGIBILITY:
Below is a summary of eligibilty requirements to enter the World Bear Contest.
- All applicants must be 21+ years of age by Day 1 of the contest.
- All Applicants must have won a previous title from a local/state/national/international bear, cub, leather, drag, campground, or other similar contest.
- All titles are open to all genders.
- Applicants from any country are eligible to compete.
GENDER ELIGIBILITY:
Contestants of all genders may compete for any of the titles below:
- World Bear
- Ms. World Bear
- World Cub
- World Pet
Note: Although all titles allow all genders to compete, the Ms. World Bear title will keep the "Ms" in the title to maintain visibility and inclusion for female-identifying contestants/title holders in our queer spaces. A "Mx" identifier will not be used.
CONTESTANT TASKS
All contestants will be required to complete the following tasks in order to be eligible to compete in the contest:
- Complete the online contest application no later than the deadline.
- Gather (1) letter of recommendation with verifiable email/phone numbers - to be submitted with the application - from one of the following:
- Your most recent contest producer
- A charity for whom you've raised money
- Or from a board member/leader of a club/service organization you belong to or have supported.
- Prepare outfits/presentations for the nights of the contest. Contest categories consist of the following:
- Title Wear + On-Stage Question
- Theme Wear (Day of the Dead-inspired attire)
- Talent Category (Up to 4 minutes to show any non-sexual talent on-stage. Your attire is entirely up to you - dress to reflect your personality and/or talent.
- Formal Wear (dress to impress)
- Judges Interviews
- Raffle Ticket Sales (Thursday, Friday, & Saturday nights)
- Prepare a raffle basket with a minimum value of $150+. In lieu of paying for an event pass, the raffle basket entry will secure (1) VIP pass for you. This will be emailed to you once we receive your application.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
APPROPRIATE ATTIRE
You may NOT expose your genitalia during the competition; however butt cheeks & crack are allowed. Contestants who show genitalia will be disqualified immediately -- wardrobe malfuntions are not an excuse! Yes - you MAY wear a thong or jock strap during any category, if you wish. No confetti, water, liquids, or body fluids are allowed on the stage during the contest (unless pre-arranged with the Contest Coordinator). Female-presenting contestants may expose their nipples while inside the contest area. While outside the contest ballroom, they are asked to keep nipples covered.
CONTESTANT ORIENTATION
Participants MUST check-in by 3:00pm on Thursday, July 30, 2026 to be eligible to participate in the contest. Please drop off your raffle basket at the designated area near Registration. There will be a brief mandatory Orientation Meeting on Thursday at 4pm to discuss more information for all contestants.
CASH RAFFLE TICKET SALES:
Contestants will be required to sell Cash Raffle Tickets for a combined total of (4) hours during the weekend to raise money for our event's chosen charity throughout the entire event. The contestant with the highest amount of ticket sales will win a free pass to the 2027 event! The winning title holders will receive the total amount of funds they raised during the specified raffle times as reimburseable travel allowance to be used over the next year. Any travel funds not used prior to the next year's event will be distributed to the charities. Highest ticket sales will be used to determine the winner in the event of a tie.
CONTESTANT'S RAFFLE BASKET:
In lieu of paying for an event pass at World Bear Weekend, all contestants are asked to bring (1) raffle basket of items to be on display for our Raffle throughout the weekend. $150 minimum value (no max value). Tickets for these raffle baskets will be sold by event volunteers all weekend. These baskets should be placed at the designated raffle area no later than 3pm on Thursday so guests can begin buying raffle tickets.
RULES & REGULATIONS:
Contestants must adhere to all rules & regulations associated with the World Bear contest.
If you are one of the winners of the 2026 World Bear Contest, you agree to represent World Bear Weekend and the Bear Community in a positive manner for (1) full year in events in your area, and/or abroad, including (but not limited to) state & local Pride events, future World Bear Weekend contests, and bear/non-bear LGBTQ+ activities in the contestant's home areas. The winner would also be asked to return to the 2027 World Bear Contest to assist in next year's contest. In addition to the $1,000 cash prize, the winner will receive a free pass to next year's event, and other prizes. To see the entire prize package offered to each winning title holder, visit worldbearweekend.com/contest/.
All winners must refrain from competing for other titles during your reigning title year. This is, after all, a WORLD title. We want you to wear it proudly, and represent us & yourself with the utmost pride.
Judges will be announced within a few months prior to the event. Be kind & courteous to all judges, and refrain from fraternizing until the contest has ended.
NOTES REGARDING TITLE WEAR (IF YOU WIN A TITLE):
- Only the current, reigning titleholders should wear their crowns at large events. Past titleholders may wear their vests and medallions but should retire their crowns (especially when reigning title holders are present).
- Title gear may not be modified, altered, duplicated, or donated without the express consent of the World Bear Weekend producers.
This includes resizing, repairs, etc.
- The title sashes remain the property of World Bear Weekend. You are expected to maintain them on a regular basis and return them in the same condition you received them.
- If, for any reason, you are stripped of your title you are expected to return ALL title gear to the producers immediately.
By checking the box below, you agree to the following:
- I acknowledge that I have been advised of the Appropriate Attire mentioned above, as well as the consequences of inappropriate exposure.
- I have answered all information truthfully & accurately.
- I will not hold World Bear Weekend, its officers, owners, members, event/contest coordinators, venue, nor any other entity associated with either entity, liable for any type of injury, physical or otherwise, sustained as a result of any involvement with the organization and this event.
- I assume total responsibility for my personal actions (before, during, and after the event) and will be held accountable for any negativity toward the event, the producers, or fellow contestants that is spread throughout social media and the public - regardless if I win a title, or not.
- I confirm that I will be at least 21 years of age, or older by the contest start date.
- I confirm that my current title reign & obligations will have ended prior to the start of the World Bear & Pet Contest.
- I, the contestant, also release World Bear Weekend, its photographers, and its officers from any and all liability arising from the publications with my likeness. Photos will be limited and personal preferences regarding photos and usage will be abided by when promoter is notified in advance.
- I confirm that the title sash presented at the contest is the property of World Bear Weekend and its producers; and will be required to be passed on to the next title family or returned to the producers either at the end of your title reign or if either party decides to end the reign before the end of the title year.
- I understand that my application may be declined, revoked, or disqualified at any point of the contest process at the discretion of the event & contest producers.