Age Divisions 2027
| Year of Birth | Age Division |
|---|---|
| 2020 until today | Mini Kids Under 8 |
| 2018 - 2019 | Juvenile 1 Under 10 |
| 2016 - 2017 | Juvenile 2 Under 12 |
| 2014 - 2015 | Junior 1 Under 14 |
| 2012 - 2013 | Junior 2 Under 16 |
| 2009 - 2011 | Youth Under 19 |
| 2007 - 2011 | Under 21 |
| 2008 and older | Amateur Over 16 |
Age division is determined based on the year of birth and NOT the exact date.
Example of Age Category Application:
If a child is born on 02 Dec 2016 and wishes to participate in a competition held in February 2026, they must be registered in the Under 12 category and NOT in the Under 10 category.
All participants in non-adult categories must bring proof of their year of birth on the day of the competition.
In case of an age-related objection and failure to provide the required documentation, the competitor will be automatically placed in the last position, regardless of the judges’ evaluation.
Couples
The age category of a couple is determined by the older member of the pair, except for the Seniors category, which is defined by the younger member.
In Senior categories, competitors may also compete in a younger age category if they wish.
In Pro/Am categories, the age is determined by the student, who also wears the competition number.
Groups
Age deviations and the addition of members to groups follow the existing regulations:
- In groups with fewer than 7 members, one person who does not meet the age requirement may participate, provided that the age difference does not exceed one age category.
- In groups with 7 members or more, up to two people who do not meet the age requirement may participate, provided the age difference does not exceed one age category.
- In groups with 10 members or more, up to three people who do not meet the age requirement may participate, with the same one-category deviation limit.
- In groups with 13 members or more (mega crew), up to four people who do not meet the age requirement may participate, again within one age-category deviation.
There is an age limit for younger children in team categories, allowing them to compete up to two age categories above their own.
Example:
A child belonging to the Juvenile category may participate in a Youth team.
Solo
There is an age restriction in solo categories. Athletes may compete in the same solo categories up to one age division higher.
Example:
A child in Juvenile 2 may participate in the same solo categories up to Junior 1.
Professional
There is an age restriction in the Professionals category for contemporary dance disciplines.
A competitor is considered a Professional only if they are a teacher or a student at a professional dance school, whether state-recognized or not, and are over 21 years old.
Levels
BEGINNERS / RISING STARS CATEGORIES
The levels and category gradings are defined as follows:
- Beginners:
These categories include athletes of beginner level, athletes with no competitive experience, as well as first-time competitors. - Rising Stars:
These categories include athletes of intermediate level, athletes with basic competitive experience and a solid skill level. - Regular Categories (Close / Open Category):
These categories include advanced-level athletes with strong competitive experience and ability.
CLOSED CATEGORIES – LATIN / BALLROOM
The Closed Categories are graded according to the official Walter Laird technique book for professional qualifications:
- BRONZE: Only Associate-level figures are permitted.
- SILVER: Only Licentiate-level figures are permitted.
- GOLD: Fellow-level figures are permitted.
Figures outside the syllabus but included in the technique book (e.g., Three Threes) are only allowed in the Gold category.
Detailed Explanation of Categories:
- Closed Categories labeled “Rising Stars”
These refer to the Bronze and Silver levels.
Example: Solo Latin One Dance Cha-Cha Juvenile 1 Under 10 Closed Rising Stars - Closed Categories without any additional labeling
These refer to Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.
Example: Solo Latin One Dance Cha-Cha Juvenile 1 Under 10 Closed
A detailed list of the figures is as follows:
- An athlete or couple competing in a Close Syllabus category is allowed to also participate in Open categories.
- The opposite is strictly FORBIDDEN:
An athlete or couple competing with Open choreography in a Close category is automatically disqualified and placed last. - In Closed Rising Stars categories, competitors may perform Associate & Licentiate level figures.
- In regular Closed categories, competitors may perform all figures from the above levels, as well as Fellow-level figures and additional non-syllabus figures.
LEVEL CATEGORY CHANGE
An athlete is required to move up a level category when any of the following conditions apply:
1. Time Requirement
After completing 2 years in the same category, regardless of results.
Example: A beginner athlete must move to Rising Stars after 2 years in the Beginner category. Likewise, an athlete in Rising Stars must move to the regular category after 2 years, regardless of the number of competitions or outcomes.
2. Competitive Performance Requirement
If an athlete achieves a Top 3 placement in 70% of the competitions they enter within one year, they are automatically promoted to the next level category starting the following year.
Additional Notes:
- An athlete may be Beginner or Rising Stars in one dance and in the regular category in another.
- When an athlete changes age category, they do NOT change level category.
Example: A Junior 2 athlete in Rising Stars does NOT move to Youth Beginner.
Pro/Am Categories
- Pro/Am: Only the student is judged.
- Pro/Am Challenge: The entire couple (student and professional together) is judged.
Solo Categories
- Music for Oriental Solo, Contemporary Solo, Jazz Funk Solo, Commercial Solo, Dancehall Solo, Reggaeton Solo, K-pop Solo and Hip Hop Solo is provided by the organizers and can be found on the event’s official website.
- Maximum duration of songs/choreographies: up to 1:30 minutes, except for:
- Solo Oriental/Belly Dance: up to 2:00 minutes
- Solo Oriental/Belly Dance Show: up to 2:30 minutes
- Solo Oriental/Belly Dance Show Professional: up to 3:00 minutes
- In solo categories, athletes must wear their number on their body and may not use accessories.
Show Categories
- In show categories, music is provided by the competitor.
- Competitors may remove their number, and depending on the category, accessories are allowed.
Duo Categories
- Maximum duration of songs/choreographies: up to 1:30 minutes, except for:
- Duo Oriental/Belly Dance: up to 3:00 minutes
- Duo Oriental/Belly Dance Professional: up to 3:00 minutes
- In Duo Latin categories, holding is not allowed; if used, the duo is placed in the Am/Am category.
- In Am/Am categories, dancers must use closed syllabus choreography.
Group Categories
- Each team must have a name (in case of a name change, please inform the GNDA office).
- Music must not be used for school promotion.
- Choreography duration: strictly up to 3 minutes. Exceeding this time leads to automatic last-place ranking.
- Mega crew choreography duration: strictly up to 4 minutes.
- Team entry/exit: maximum 15 seconds.
- Messages of religious, national, sexist, or political content are strictly prohibited during the performance.
All Ladies Latin Categories
STRICTLY LATIN
- Theme music is NOT allowed.
- Music must be Latin.
- Thematic makeup is not allowed.
- Accessories and removable costume pieces are not allowed.
- Thematic costumes are not allowed (costumes acceptable in regular categories are not considered thematic).
- Acrobatic lifts are not allowed; floor contact is allowed up to 3 seconds (drops).
- Recognized steps of the corresponding dance style must dominate the choreography.
ALL LADIES SHOW
- Thematic music is allowed.
- Thematic makeup and costumes are allowed.
- Accessories and removable items are allowed, provided they can be collected after the performance.
- Lifts (up to 15 seconds) and drops are allowed, as well as floor work.
Dress Code Rules
Dance costumes are allowed in all categories but must not be provocative.
LATIN & BALLROOM
Dress code restrictions apply exclusively to Juvenile 1 & 2 categories, according to the agreed standards for Latin & Ballroom:
DRESS REGULATIONS LATIN & BALLROOM
Makeup
Makeup applied to minors must be natural (light blush, subtle mascara, soft lipstick), appropriate for their age group.
Sponsorship Logos
Up to three sponsor logos per couple are allowed, with a combined maximum size of 40 cm (e.g., 8 × 5 cm).
Jewelry
- Only personal/religious necklaces may be worn, inside the clothing.
- Earrings up to 2 cm are allowed.
- Decorative bracelets are NOT allowed.
- Rings and wristwatches are NOT allowed.
Contemporary
1. IMPROVISATION
In this category, competitors are asked to improvise to the music provided at that moment by the organizers.
It is forbidden to use structured movement patterns, as structured choreography must be entered in the Solo Contemporary category.
2. ACROBATICS IN CONTEMPORARY CATEGORIES
In this category, the choreographies presented must use movement vocabulary from contemporary dance techniques (suspensions, falls, jumps, level changes, weight control, floorwork).
Choreographies that include rhythmic gymnastics techniques or techniques from any form of acrobatic dance (as described in the video below) must be entered in the Show Dance category.
Any athlete who uses the acrobatic techniques listed below in their choreography will automatically receive the last place.
Our goal is to ensure the physical safety of the competitors.
COSTUMES AND PROPS
- Athletes in the contemporary categories are allowed to dance either barefoot, in socks, or with special foot thongs.
- Choreographies that include a costume change or removal of clothing must be entered in the Show category.
Oriental
- The following styles are included in the Oriental categories:
- Bellydance/Oriental Solo Show: Classic with Veil or without veil, Mejance, Raqs Sharki, Tarab, Pop, Lyrical, Romantic
- Folklore Solo Show: Baladi, Shaaby, Saidi with Assaya, Double Assaya, Shamadan,Khallegi, Fellahi, Iraqi, Dabke, Eskandarani, Muwashahat
- Fantasy-Fusion Solo Show: Fan Veils, Veil Poi, Flags Wings, Isis Wings, Double Veil, Sword, Flamenco Oriental, Latin Oriental, Contemporary Oriental
- In the Oriental categories, props are allowed only in Show Dance.
- In Duo Oriental/Belly Dance categories the music and the choreographies must be up to 03:00 minutes long.
- In Solo Oriental/Belly Dance categories the music and the choreographies must be up to 01:30 minutes, except in categories:
- Solo Oriental/Belly Dance Show where songs and choreography must be up to 2:30 minutes
- Solo Oriental/Belly Dance Show Professional where songs and choreography must be up to 3:00 minutes
- In group categories the music must be up to 03:00 minutes long. In case of objections and evidence to the contrary of the above, the team will automatically take the last place.
Code Of Conduct & Ethics
The athlete must:
- Demonstrate a high level of behavior before, during, and after the competition. Be polite regardless of the outcome.
- Respect fellow athletes, opponents, spectators, organizers, and all involved parties.
- Avoid any form of discrimination (xenophobia, racism, etc.) in any form of expression (written, verbal, gestural, facial expressions).
- Arrive at the competition on time (1 hour earlier) and in proper physical and mental condition.
- Participate mandatorily in the parade and the award ceremony.
- Not smoke/vape or consume alcohol within the competition area.
- Participants must arrive at least one hour before the scheduled start time of their category to avoid delays.
Rules
- Participation in SILVER and GOLD categories automatically forbids participation in lower level's categories.
- Participation in 5D categories forbids participation in 1D categories (except Pro/Am).
- In Oriental categories accessories are allowed only in show dance.
- The songs for the Oriental Classic Solo / Hip Hop Solo / Contemporary Solo / Jazz Funk Solo, Commercial Solo, Dancehall Solo, Reggaeton Solo, K-pop Solo categories are provided by the organizers and are listed Here
- Adults teams must consist of 3 persons or more and only one of them can be a teacher.
- In children teams the participation of adults is forbidden.
- Maximum 1 participant exceeding the age limit by one age category is allowed per team, if the team consists of 7 or less members. Also Maximum 2 participants exceeding the age limit by one age category is allowed per team, if the team has more than 7 members. In team of 10 or more members, maximum of 3 participants exceeding the age limit by one age category is allowed. In teams of 13 or more members (Mega Crew), maximum of 3 participants exceeding the age limit by one age category is allowed. There is no limitation for younger ones. In case of objections and evidence to the contrary the team will automatically take the last place.
- In group categories the music must be up to 03:00 minutes long. In case of objections and evidence to the contrary of the above, the team will automatically take the last place.
- In mega crew categories the music must be up to 04:00 minutes long.
- In duo latin categories participants must dance without hold, otherwise it will be considered Am/Am.
- In Am/Am categories participants dance close program.
- Participants will have to come an hour before the time that the category in which they participate is scheduled to avoid delays.
- Dance costumes are allowed in all categories, as long as they are modest.
- All the Latin & Ballroom choreographies that include lifts that last more than 3 seconds, accessories or acrobatics should be registered as show dance categories, otherwise the participants will automatically take the last place.
- In All Ladies choreographies, if there is a lift, it must be up to 3 sec.
- The organizers reserve the right to document, broadcast, film and distribute all materials, without the obligation of paying for rights and compensations. By registering to participate in the event and the training camp, performers automatically grant permission to the organizers to photograph, video record and broadcast the dancers at any time during their performances during the event, in and around the venue. The videos, photos, may be used by the organizers on social media, digital channels, advertising and promotional materials for advertising purposes, on the event and organizers website, banners and press distribution.