THE OPEN WORLDS
2027

PRACTICE SESSIONS & WELCOME PARTY

There will be Ballroom and Latin practice times available throughout the day on Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th in the Tower Ballroom with recorded music by Kelvin Bridle. The Welcome Practice Party will be on Thursday 6th in the evening hosted by Mr Ben Milan-Vega and Ms Crystal Main with musical accumpliament by the LP Swing Orchestra. For daily practice times please click here for more information.

UNDER-19 BALLROOM, LATIN & SMOOTH EVENTS

These events are for Couple and Solo dancers under 19 years in the Ballroom, Latin and Smooth styles. Additionally Junior couples aged 14+ are permitted to enter these events.

The SOLO SINGLE DANCE EVENTS are an exciting new category at The Open Worlds in 2027. On this first presentation it will be the Ballroom and Latin styles for dancers U8, U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19. These events will be based on a Restricted Set Routines with a choice of dances to enter. Points will be allocated to all dancers reaching the Semi-Final and Final rounds for consideration of being included into THE OPEN WORLDS TOP SOLO STUDENT AWARDS. See the Event Menu for further information. This event will also trial new dress rules for all ages under 12. Please click on to the Dress Rules. Video demonstrations of the routines are coming shortly.

SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

THE OPEN WORLDS SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS is an event for dancers representing a Dance School in the Ballroom and Latin styles. Points will be allocated to all dancers reaching the Semi-Final and Final rounds for consideration of being included into the TOP SCHOOL and TOP STUDENT AWARDS. Ages include Teenies, Juvenile, Junior, Adult and Senior. To register your interest in participating please click here.

STUDENT & PARTNER BALLROOM AND SMOOTH

Student & Partner events in various ages in Single Dance, Multi Dance and The Open Worlds Trophy. Please see Syllabus and Rules for clarity.

YOUTH BALLROOM

This event is for Youth couples under 21 years based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round. To include a single dance Youth Challenge event.

JUNIOR LATIN

Junior events for Couple and Solo dancers in U14 and U16 - Multi dance and single dance Challenge events. For 5 dance events the Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. Junior dancers aged 14+ are permitted to enter into the Under-19 events.

JUVENILE BALLROOM & SMOOTH

Juvenile events for Couple and Solo dancers in U8, U10, U12 - Multi dance and single dance Challenge events. For 5 dance events the Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round. Smooth events for Solo and Couples in U10 and U12 based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot. Juvenile dancers aged 10+ are permitted to enter into the Under-14 events. Please see Syllabus and Dress Rules for clarity.

YOUTH SOLO SMOOTH

This event is for Youth Solo dancers under 21 years based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. To include a single dance Challenge event.

EQUALITY LATIN

This event is for Men’s and Women’s same sex partnerships 18 years and above. Same Sex partnerships will be permitted to enter other events throughout the festival if desired. The Equality Rules and categories can be found on the Event Menu.

STUDENT & PARTNER LATIN

Student & Partner events in various ages in Single Dance, Multi Dance and The Open Worlds Trophy. Please see Syllabus and Rules for clarity.

YOUTH SMOOTH

This event is for Youth couples under 21 years based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style in Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. To include a single dance Youth Challenge event.

JUNIOR BALLROOM & SMOOTH

Junior events for Couple and Solo dancers in U14 and U16 - Multi dance and single dance Challenge events. For 5 dance events the Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round, Smooth events for Solo and Couples in U14 and U16 based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Junior dancers aged 14+ are permitted to enter into the Under-19 events.

JUVENILE LATIN

Juvenile events for Couple and Solo dancers in U8, U10, U12 - Multi dance and single dance Challenge events. For 5 dance events the Paso Doble will be danced from the Semi-Final round to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. Juvenile dancers aged 10+ are permitted to enter into the Under-14 events. Please see Syllabus and Dress Rules for clarity.

AMATEUR RISING STARS SOLO SMOOTH

This event is for Amateur Solo dancers 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. To include a single dance Challenge event.

SENIOR SMOOTH

This event is for Senior couples (35 years and above) based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. An age tolerance of 5 years will be permitted within the Senior events. Further information can be found on the Event Menu

EQUALITY BALLROOM

This event is for Men’s and Women’s same sex partnerships 18 years and above. Same Sex partnerships will be permitted to enter other events throughout the festival if desired. The Equality Rules and categories can be found on the Event Menu.

AMATEUR BALLROOM

This event is for Amateur couples 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Quarter-Final round. Semi-Finalists and Finalists from the previous years event will be awarded an exemption where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

PROFESSIONAL RISING STARS LATIN

This event is for Professional couples 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced to the full rendition of the Espani Cani.

AMATEUR RISING STARS SMOOTH

This event is for Amateur couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

AMATEUR RISING STARS SOLO BALLROOM

This event is for Amateur Solo dancers 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in Waltz, Tango,Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round.

YOUTH SOLO LATIN

This event is for Youth Solo dancers under 21 years based on on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced to the full rendition of Espani Cani. To include a single dance Challenge event.

SENIOR OVER 50 & MASTERS LATIN

These events are for Senior couples in the Over 50 and Masters (65+) age categories. For the Over 50 category, the Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. Dances for the Senior Masters will be Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba and Jive. There will be an additional Challenge event for Senior Masters. An age tolerance of 5 years will be permitted within the Senior events. Further information can be found on the Event Menu.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM MATCH

The Open Worlds Invitational Professional Team Match. Captains and Teams representing Asia, Europe, Rest of the World and Great Britain will compete in the Ballroom, Latin and Smooth styles.

AMATEUR LATIN

This event is for Amateur couples 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Quarter-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced from the Semi-Final to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. Semi Finalists and Finalists from the previous years event will be awarded an exemption where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

PROFESSIONAL RISING STARS BALLROOM

This event is for Professional couples 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round.

PROFESSIONAL RISING STARS SMOOTH

This event is for Professional couples 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

AMATEUR SOLO SMOOTH

This event is for Amateur Solo dancers 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Smooth style of Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

AMATEUR RISING STARS SOLO LATIN

This event is for Amateur Solo dancers 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble and danced to the full rendition of Espani Cani.

YOUTH SOLO BALLROOM

This event is for Youth Solo dancers under 21 years based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Vienneses Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round. To include a single dance Challenge event.

SENIOR OVER 50 & MASTERS BALLROOM

These events are for Senior couples in the Over 50 and Masters (65+) age categories. For the Over 50 category, the Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round. Dances for the Senior Masters will be Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. There will be an additional Challenge event for Senior Masters. An age tolerance of 5 years will be permitted within the Senior events. Further information can be found on the Event Menu

SHOWCASE

The Open Worlds Showcase is a presentation of Student & Partner couples in solo performances. For further information contact the Organiser.

PROFESSIONAL BALLROOM

This event is for Professional couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Quarter-Final round. Semi-Finalists and Finalists from the previous years event will be awarded an exemption where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

AMATEUR SMOOTH

This event is for Amateur couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

AMATEUR RISING STARS LATIN

This event is for Amateur couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced to the full rendition of the Espani Cani.

AMATEUR SOLO BALLROOM

This event is for Amateur Solo dancers 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Quarter-Final round. Finalists from the previous years event will be awarded an exemption where there are more than five rounds in total from the onset of the event.

SENIOR LATIN

This event is for Senior couples (35 years and above) based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Semi-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. There will be an additional Challenge event for Senior couples (35-64). An age tolerance of 5 years will be permitted within the Senior events, further information can be found on the Event Menu.

EXHIBITION SHOWDANCE

This event is a competition for couples in the Exhibition Showdance style.

AMATEUR TEAM MATCH

The Open Worlds Invitational Amateur Team Match. Teams representing Asia, Europe, Rest of the World and Great Britain will compete over the 10 dances in the Ballroom and Latin styles.

PROFESSIONAL LATIN

This event is for Professional couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Quarter-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced from the Semi-Final to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. Semi Finalists and Finalists from the previous years event will be awarded an exemption where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

PROFESSIONAL SMOOTH

This event is for Professional couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

AMATEUR RISING STARS BALLROOM

This event is for Amateur couples aged 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round.

AMATEUR SOLO LATIN

This event is for Amateur Solo dancers 16 years and above based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive. The Jive will be danced from the Quarter-Final round as will the Paso Doble be danced from the Semi-Final to the full rendition of the Espani Cani. Finalists from the previous years event will be awarded an exemption where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

SENIOR BALLROOM

This event is for Senior couples (35 years and above) based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Viennese Waltz, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. The Viennese Waltz will be danced from the Semi-Final round. There will be additional Challenge event for Senior couples (35-64). An age tolerance of 5 years will be permitted within the Senior events. Further information can be found on the Event Menu

AMATEUR TEAM MATCH

The Open Worlds Invitational Amateur Team Match. Captains and Teams representing Asia, Europe, Rest of the World and Great Britain will compete in the Ballroom and Latin styles.

CHAIRMEN

Mr Marcus Hilton MBE, Mr Bryan Watson, and Mr Graham Oswick