Dance World Cup 2026 World Finals

The World Finals will be held at one of Ireland’s most prestigious venues.

• Dates: July 8 – July 18, 2026

• Venue: The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD), Spencer Dock, Dublin 1, D01 T1W6

Ballet Syllabus & Age Categories

DWC is highly specific regarding ballet styles. All ages are calculated as of January 1, 2026.

Time Limits

• Solos: 2 minutes (2:30 for Repertoire/Song & Dance).

• Duets/Trios: 2 minutes (Mini/Children) to 2:30 (Junior/Senior).

• Groups: 2:30 to 3:30 depending on size and age.

• Note: 5-point penalties apply for overrunning by even 5 seconds.

Entry Fees (World Finals)

If qualified, the following fees apply for the Dublin Finals:

• Solo: €85 per dancer

• Duet/Trio: €52 per dancer

• Small Group (4-10 dancers): €32 per dancer

• Large Group (11+ dancers): €27 per dancer

• Event Fee: €85 (Compulsory one-time fee per dancer for the Finals).

Rules for Teachers & Schools

1. Teacher Portal: All entries must be submitted by the Principal of a dance school via the DWC Entry System.

2. Child Protection: Since the 2026 Finals are in Dublin, strict Irish/UK Child Protection standards apply. All teachers and helpers must undergo background clearance (Vetting/DBS).

3. Video Quality: For video qualifiers, footage must be in Landscape (Horizontal), showing the full body and feet at all times with no edits or cuts.

For official entry forms and the full 2026 Rulebook, visit www.dwcworld.com

Please note: To compete in the World Finals, dancers must first qualify. View details for the Dance World Cup Ireland Qualifiers here.

This event is for qualified dancers aged 4 to 25 competing at an international level. Participants are categorized into the following divisions:

• Mini & Children: Ages 4–13 (Competing July 8–13)

• Junior & Senior: Ages 14–25 (Competing July 13–18)

• Eligibility: Open to soloists, duets/trios, and groups (small and large) who have successfully qualified for the World Finals.

Note: All ages are calculated based on the dancer's age as of January 1, 2026.

• World-Class Venue: Performance opportunities at The Convention Centre Dublin (CCD).

• Professional Adjudication: Scoring and feedback from an international panel of elite judges.

• Grand Finals Path: Eligibility to qualify for the prestigious Mini/Children and Junior/Senior Grand Finals.

• Official Entry: Inclusion in the 2026 World Finals rankings and program.

• Teacher Support: Access to the DWC Teacher Portal for school principals to manage entries and music uploads.

• July 8 – 13: Mini & Children Categories (Ages 4–13).

• July 13: Mini & Children Grand Finals (Mid-event highlight).

• July 13 – 18: Junior & Senior Categories (Ages 14–25).

• July 18: Junior & Senior Grand Finals (Closing event).

Note: A detailed daily timetable will be released via the Official Timetable URL closer to the event date.

Featuring a comprehensive range of competitive categories including Classical Ballet, Neo-Classical, Repertoire, Character, and National Dance. Open to Soloists, Duets, Trios, and Small/Large Groups.

• Age Eligibility Date: January 1, 2026 (All categories)

• Event Start Date: July 8, 2026

• Mini & Children Grand Finals: July 13, 2026

• Junior & Senior Grand Finals: July 18, 2026

• Event End Date: July 18, 2026