01Each competitor must have a Dancer Identification Number (DIN) to compete at World Dance Masters events. DINs are free to create. All of World Dance Masters' run and sanctioned events are open to all dancers who pay the registration fees for the respective event (subject to qualification criteria for the event and division registration as per the rulebook).
02If there is no qualifying competition in your country of residence (i.e. where you currently live) then you do not need to qualify to dance at European Dance Masters or World Dance Masters Championships. For example, if you reside in Germany and there is no German Masters event then you may attend and compete at European Dance Masters and World Dance Masters Championships without qualification.
03Register in the age division for your age, unless you have been granted a dispensation to dance in a different age division. In that case, register in the division you were granted. We may combine divisions when fewer than 3 competitors are registered (for example, Platinum may be combined with Gold). If you have a birthday that makes you eligible for an older age division, you may only move up if you will be in the older age category for the majority of the competition year.
04If you want to dance in a division or age category you are not currently eligible for, or you cannot meet the qualification criteria this dance year, you will need to request a dispensation.
Use our Dispensation Request page. Dispensations are only granted in serious and unexpected circumstances, and not if there is a later event where you can still qualify.
Please read the rules carefully before your first World Dance Masters competition of the new dance year. The World Dance Masters Rule Book is a short PDF document of all the rules for our worldwide competitions. All competitors must read and understand the rules before the first competition. If you have any questions about the rules, please use the Contact Us form and create a Competition Query.
Key updates for 2026/2027:
Dispensations must now be requested through our Dispensation Request page by the 1st of October. Any requests received after that date will not be considered. Please include full details of the results you achieved during the previous competition year, as well as any other supporting details.
Dancers who compete in the Shining Steps division may not compete in any other division.
Advanced solo dancers who have won a European Dance Masters title, as well as at least 2 regional qualifiers, may opt to move to Allstars. However, they must have competed in Advanced for a minimum of one full competition year.
Dancers in all divisions must deliver the steps as per the official step sheet and video throughout their vanilla walls. If the steps are over-styled so much that the steps are changed (for example, a rock becomes an arabesque or a flick), this will be penalised.
