AD Competition 2026 – Belfast Regional

The AD Competition holds its Belfast event at Stranmillis University College on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026. Ballet is one of nine full genre categories, and the event is open to all ages and skill levels.

Key details

• Dates: 31 October and 1 November 2026

• Venue: Stranmillis University College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5DY

Categories

Nine genres are accepted, with ballet a full category in its own right:

• Ballet

• Contemporary

• Lyrical

• Jazz

• Tap

• Musical Theatre

• Commercial, Hip Hop and Street

• Acro and Cheerleading

• Open

Entries are accepted as solos, duets and trios, groups and productions, and the competition is open to all ages and skill levels including novice, competitive and SEN dancers. Ballet entries are danced in ballet shoes. Pointe is not a separate category.

How the regionals feed the Grand Finals

The regionals are the qualifying route. There is no separate qualifier event.

• Each judge holds one Golden Buzzer per regional. A routine that receives one advances automatically to the Finals.

• The 12 highest-scoring Golden Buzzers across all regionals meet in the Golden Dancers Showdown at the Finals, where one is crowned Golden Dancer.

• To enter a Title division at the Finals you must have entered a Title Award at a regional, in the same category. Attending a regional is therefore a prerequisite.

• Any routine scoring 270 or above becomes eligible for the National Championships.

What entrants get

• Three industry judges with professional audio and video feedback

• Knockout scholarship workshops

• Medals for all, with trophies and medallions for top places

• Awards, titles and scholarships

How to enter

Registration is through Dance Comp Genie. Download the Ireland info pack from theaarondwyer.com first. No closing date is published and entries are capped at every location.

Contact

Email team@theaarondwyer.com, or WhatsApp +44 7375 947708.

Questions

Is ballet a real category or lumped in with everything else? Ballet is one of nine standalone genres, judged in ballet shoes.

Do I have to compete at a regional to reach the Grand Finals? Yes for the Title divisions, and a Golden Buzzer at a regional is the automatic route in.

Can novice dancers enter? Yes. Novice, competitive and SEN dancers are all catered for.

When do entries close? No closing date is published. Places are limited at each location.

Details checked against theaarondwyer.com on 27 July 2026.

Northern Irish dance schools and solo performers wanting a two-day competition on home ground, at novice through to competitive level.