THE OPEN WORLDS
2026

WELCOME PARTY & PRACTICE

There will be Ballroom and Latin practice time available in the Ballroom throughout the day and a Practice Party both evenings with recorded music by Kelvin Bridle. The LP Swing Orchestra will play at the Practice Party on the 6th which will be hosted by Mr Graham Oswick and Crystal Main. For Ballroom and Latin daily practice times please click here for more information.

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.

STUDENT & PARTNER LATIN AND RHYTHM

All ages Student & Partner Latin and Rhythm events in Single Dance, Multi Dance and The Open Worlds Trophy. Please see Syllabus and Rules for clarity.
New Events for 2026 will include The Open Worlds Trophy for J1 (Under12) and J2 (12-15)

UNDER-19 LATIN

This event is for couples under-19 based on all round efficiency in the Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba and Jive. Additionally Junior couples aged 14+ are permitted to enter this event.

SENIOR LATIN (OVER 50 & MASTERS)

These events are for Senior couples Over 50 and Masters (65+). Dances for the Senior Masters will be Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rumba and Jive. 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. There will be an additional Challenge event for Senior Masters. An age tolerance of 5 years will be permitted for the Senior events. Further information can be found on the Event Menu.

ADULT SOLO BALLROOM

Solo events for Under-19, Youth and Amateur including the single dance Challenge events. Additionally Junior solo's aged 14+ will be permitted to enter the Under-19 events.

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.

BLIND & PARTIALLY SIGHTED BALLROOM AND LATIN.

This event is for registered Blind & Partially Sighted dancers in the Ballroom and Latin style. For further information and entry form please contact the Organiser directly.

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.

STUDENT & PARTNER BALLROOM AND SMOOTH

All ages Student & Partner Ballroom and Smooth events in Single Dance, Multi Dance and The Open Worlds Trophy. Please see Syllabus and Rules for clarity.
New Events for 2026 will include The Open Worlds Trophy for J1 (Under12) and J2 (12-15)

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 for the Senior events, further information can be found on the Event Menu.

UNDER-19 BALLROOM

This event is for couples under-19 years based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Slow Foxtrot and Quickstep. Additionally Junior couples aged 14+ are permitted to enter this event.

ADULT SOLO LATIN

Solo events for Under-19, Youth and Amateur including the single dance Challenge events. Additionally Junior solo's aged 14+ will be permitted to enter the Under-19 events.

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.

SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Open Worlds Schools Championships is for Dance Schools to present their best medalist dancers in the Ballroom and Latin style. Awards will be given for TOP SCHOOL and TOP STUDENT. To register your interest please click the link- Schools Championships

JUVENILE LATIN

Events for Solo and Couples 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 redition 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.

JUNIOR BALLROOM & SMOOTH

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

YOUTH LATIN

This event is for Youth couples under-21 years 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 single dance Challenge event for the Youth couples.

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 May 2025 event will be awarded an exemption. Exemptions will only be applied where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

PROFESSIONAL TEAM MATCH

The Open Worlds Invitational Professional 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.

JUVENILE BALLROOM & SMOOTH

Events for Solo and Couples 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. Juvenile dancers aged 10+ are permitted to enter into the Under-14 events. A Juvenile U12 Solo Smooth event will be danced based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz. Please see Syllabus and Dress Rules for clarity.

JUNIOR LATIN

Events for Solo and Couples in U14 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.

YOUTH BALLROOM & SMOOTH

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. There will be an additional single dance Challenge event for the Youth under-21 couples. A Youth U21 U19 Solo Smooth event will be danced based on all round efficiency in the Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot and Viennese Waltz.

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 May 2025 event will be awarded an exemption. Exemptions will only be applied where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

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 May 2025 event will be awarded an exemption. Exemptions will only be applied where there are more than five rounds in total at the onset of the event.

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.

SENIOR BALLROOM (OVER 50 & MASTERS)

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

SHOWCASE

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

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 May 2025 event will be awarded an exemption. Exemptions will be applied 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.

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 for the Senior events. Further information can be found on the Event Menu.

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.

THEATRE ARTS

The Open Worlds Invitational Theatre Arts event is a competition for couples in the Exhibition 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.

CHAIRMEN

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