BALLROOM COMPETITION
OVERVIEW
THE BALLROOM COMPETITION is a premier Latin ballroom event spotlighting the core Latin styles. Dancers may compete as Singles or Couples.
In a Latin ballroom competition, dancers are placed into heats, which are timed rounds featuring a specific dance style like Cha Cha, Samba, or Rumba. Multiple competitors perform on the floor at once and judges scores determine which competitors advance to the next round. Competitors move through progressive rounds, with top scorers advancing each time. Judges rank couples within each round, and final placements are based on cumulative rankings across all dances.
Single dancers registering for THE BALLROOM COMPETITION will receive access to optional, pre-choreographed routines, which they may choose to use to compete with.
JUDGING CRITERIA
Performances are evaluated on technique, timing & musicality, floorcraft, and presentation. In the Couples division, judges also consider partnership quality. Top-scoring dancers from each heat will advance through multiple rounds, culminating in the coveted Final Round to determine the top titleholders in each division.
DANCE STYLES BY DIVISION
- Couples: Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble, Jive
- Singles (ages 12 & under): Cha Cha, Samba, Jive
- Singles (ages 13 & up): Cha Cha, Samba, Jive, Rumba
DANCE STYLES & TIMING
All dancers must compete in the required Latin styles for their division.
- Couples: Each style will run 60 to 90 seconds
- Singles: Each style will run 60 to 90 seconds
All routines are performed to official competition music, which varies by city and round. Dancers must maintain proper timing and be ready to adapt live to the music on the floor.
AWARD WINNING EXCELLENCE
Earn major cash prizes for THE ONE National high-scoring performances! THE BALLROOM COMPETITION celebrates dedication, passion, and artistry by awarding cash prizes to the highest-scoring performances. Routines that demonstrate strong technique, creativity, and performance quality-based on our official scoring criteria-will be recognized with a cash prize for their hard work.
PLACEMENT AWARDS by AGE DIVISION
| TEEN SINGLES PRIZES | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1200 |
| 2nd Place | $800 |
| 3rd Place | $600 |
| 4th Place | $400 |
| 5th Place | $300 |
| 6th Place | $200 |
| SENIOR SINGLES PRIZES | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1200 |
| 2nd Place | $800 |
| 3rd Place | $600 |
| 4th Place | $400 |
| 5th Place | $300 |
| 6th Place | $200 |
| OPEN SINGLES PRIZES | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1200 |
| 2nd Place | $800 |
| 3rd Place | $600 |
| 4th Place | $400 |
| 5th Place | $300 |
| 6th Place | $200 |
| TEEN COUPLES PRIZES | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1200 |
| 2nd Place | $1000 |
| 3rd Place | $800 |
| 4th Place | $500 |
| 5th Place | $300 |
| 6th Place | $200 |
| SENIOR COUPLES PRIZES | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1200 |
| 2nd Place | $1000 |
| 3rd Place | $800 |
| 4th Place | $500 |
| 5th Place | $300 |
| 6th Place | $200 |
| OPEN COUPLES PRIZES | |
|---|---|
| 1st Place | $1200 |
| 2nd Place | $1000 |
| 3rd Place | $800 |
| 4th Place | $500 |
| 5th Place | $300 |
| 6th Place | $200 |
*Each age division must have 10+ competitors to be eligible for cash prizes.
RULES & REGULATIONS
Review the complete rules and regulations for participation here .
DRESS CODE GUIDELINES
Review the complete list of dress code guidelines here.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS
