THE BALLROOM COMPETITION

ABOUT

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 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

Couples and Singles Finalists perform during Sunday's Closing Show, where they are awarded exciting prizes including scholarships, exclusive merch, and more.

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

At Ovation, we're raising the stakes with up to $25,000 in prize money awarded at every event! Earn major cash prizes for 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. 10 singles/couples per category must be registered to earn prize money in Open, Senior, and Teen categories.