Montreal Bachata Festival · November 13–15, 2026

TAKE THE
FLOOR.

Showcase your talent. Challenge yourself. Compete in Montreal at the DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal.

REGISTER TO COMPETE →UPLOAD MUSIC
COMPETITOR PASS REQUIRED. Competition registration and the Competitor Pass are separate purchases.
COMPETE
02 · Choose your format

THREE WAYS TO
ENTER THE COMPETITION.

Showcase Competition
01

SHOWCASE

Prepared choreography · Your music · Solo, Couple or Team

Heats Competition
02

HEATS / JUST DANCE

Improvised partner dancing · DJ-selected music · Multiple couples

Jack and Jill Competition
03

JACK & JILL

Register individually · Random partners · Bachata improvisation

03 · Your competition journey

FROM REGISTRATION
TO THE FLOOR.

STEP 01Choose your competition
STEP 02Register on EventTabs
STEP 03Purchase your Competitor Pass
STEP 04Upload Showcase music
STEP 05Check in at the festival
STEP 06Take the floor
START REGISTRATION →BUY COMPETITOR PASS
04 · Competition categories

FIND YOUR
DIVISION.

Choose the format that fits your experience, partnership and performance style.

AmateurProfessionalPro-Am LadiesPro-Am MenSoloCoupleTeam17 & UnderSame-GenderOpenJack & Jill LeadJack & Jill Follow
Before you register
Competitor Pass required
Separate from competition registration.
Fees are non-refundable / non-transferable
Compete at your level + one level higher
Showcase music deadline: October 24, 2026
Late check-in may result in disqualification
Divisions with fewer than 3 entries may be combined or cancelled
Phoenix Rising Competition
PHOENIX RISING

COMPETITION IN MOTION.

Step onto the Montreal floor and become part of the festival's competition story.

SHOWCASE
05 · Showcase

PREPARE
YOUR MOMENT.

A prepared choreographed performance presented by a Solo dancer, Couple or Team to music selected by the competitor.

1:30–2:30

SOLO

1:30–2:30

COUPLE

1:30–3:00

TEAM

CHOREOGRAPHY & CONTENT

  • Dance style must remain clearly recognizable.
  • Dips, drops, lifts, tricks, flares and shines together should not exceed approximately 30% of the routine.
  • Technical elements must be successfully executed to receive credit.

MUSIC & STAGE TIME

  • Maximum three songs.
  • Up to 20 seconds to set up and 20 seconds to exit.
  • Music must correspond to the entered dance style.
  • Performance attire is expected.
06A · Heats / Just Dance

NO CHOREOGRAPHY.
JUST DANCE.

Improvised partner dancing to music selected by the competition DJ.

1–1.5 minute roundsDJ musicSocial danceNo lifts / dropsCasual dancewear permitted
  • Shines should not exceed approximately 20%.
  • Timing, connection, lead-and-follow and floorcraft matter.
  • Callback structure depends on the size of the division.
06B · Jack & Jill

NO PARTNER?
NO PROBLEM.

Register individually as a Lead or Follow. Partners are randomly assigned during the competition.

BEGINNER · Less than 1 year
INTERMEDIATE · 1 year or more
ADVANCED · Advanced dancers, teachers, approximately 5+ years

Bachata only. Teachers should enter Advanced regardless of years of teaching experience.

07 · Levels & eligibility

FIND YOUR
LEVEL.

Competitors may generally enter their current level and one level higher. Do not enter a division below your appropriate ability level.

Beginner / Newcomer
Fundamentals, connection, timing and basic technique. Generally appropriate for dancers with less than one year of experience.
Novice
Strong fundamentals with developing control and consistency. Single and 1½ turns may be used; advanced rotations should be limited.
Pre-Intermediate
Advanced beginners and developing intermediate dancers. Greater rhythmic variety and consecutive 1½ turns are permitted.
Intermediate
Solid fundamentals with more complex patterns, syncopations, styling and body movement. Free spins and double turns are permitted.
Pre-Advanced
High-level intermediate dancers progressing toward advanced competitive ability with strong technique, timing, connection and musical interpretation.
Advanced
Experienced competitors demonstrating strong technical ability, musical interpretation, timing, partnering skills and command of advanced material.

AMATEUR

A dancer who has not entered professional-level competition.

PROFESSIONAL

A dancer who competes in the Professional division.

PRO-AM

A partnership consisting of one Professional and one Amateur dancer.

SOLO / COUPLE

Individual or two-dancer entries depending on the competition format.

TEAM

Three or more dancers. Small Team: 8 or fewer. Large Team: 9 or more.

AGE / OPEN

17 & Under, 18+ / Open Adult, Over 40, Over 50 and Over 60 where offered.

08 · How you're judged

WHAT THE
JUDGES SEE.

20%TIMING
15%MUSICALITY
15%TECHNIQUE
15%DIFFICULTY
15%PARTNERSHIP & CONNECTION
10%CHOREOGRAPHY
10%PRESENTATION & SHOWMANSHIP

HEAT JUDGING

Timing, lead-and-follow, connection, dance-specific technique, musicality, movement quality, floorcraft and appropriate difficulty.

JACK & JILL JUDGING

Improvisation, connection, lead-and-follow, musicality, adaptability, technique, artistry and overall dance quality.

09 · Showcase music

MUSIC
DEADLINE.

OCT 24

Showcase competitors must submit their final competition music by October 24, 2026.

UPLOAD SHOWCASE MUSIC →

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS

Recommended format: MP3
Maximum 3 songs
Upload one final edited competition file
Music must match the dance style entered
Suggested filename: Performer Name - Song Title.mp3

Heats and Jack & Jill do not upload music. Their music is selected by the competition DJ.

10 · Competition day

ARRIVE READY.

01CHECK IN
Confirm registration and divisions.
02GET YOUR NUMBER
Verify who wears it.
03LISTEN FOR YOUR DIVISION
Be ready when called.
04TAKE THE FLOOR
Follow format instructions.
05QUESTIONS
Competition Director / Head Judge.
06AWARDS
Finalists remain available.
Late arrival may result in disqualification without refund. Competitors are responsible for knowing their competition and check-in times.
11 · Official rules

THE DETAILS.

The sections above make the competition easy to understand. These expandable rules preserve the operational details competitors may need.

General Rules
  • Every registered competitor must also purchase a valid Competitor Pass.
  • Competition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable except when MBF cancels a division.
  • Divisions with fewer than three entries may be combined or cancelled.
  • Competitors may enter their own level and one level higher where applicable.
  • The performance must remain recognizable as the dance style entered.
  • Props require approval from the Competition Director unless they are part of the costume and remain attached.
  • Sportsmanship and respectful conduct are required.
  • The Head Judge has final authority on judging questions and rule interpretation.
Showcase Rules
Prepared choreography using competitor-selected music. Solo and Couple routines: 1:30–2:30. Team routines: 1:30–3:00. Dips, drops, lifts, tricks, flares and shines combined should not exceed approximately 30%. Maximum three songs. Up to 20 seconds to set up and 20 seconds to exit.
Heats Rules
Improvised partner competition with several couples on the floor. DJ-selected music. Rounds generally run 1–1.5 minutes. Shines should not exceed approximately 20%. Dips, lifts, aerials, tricks and drops are not permitted.
Jack & Jill Rules
Register individually as a Lead or Follow. Partners are randomly assigned. Bachata only. No prepared choreography. Competitors are judged on connection, musicality, adaptability, lead-and-follow, technique and artistry.
Competition Numbers & Floor Access
Only one competition number is required for a Couple. In Pro-Am divisions, the Amateur should wear the number. Numbers must remain visible. Showcase competitors have up to 20 seconds to enter and prepare and up to 20 seconds to leave. Heats and Jack & Jill competitors should enter promptly when called.
Questions, Disputes & Awards
Competition-floor questions should be directed to the Competition Director or Head Judge. The Head Judge's decision regarding judging and rule interpretation is final. Competitors who place must remain available for the scheduled awards presentation.
Montreal Bachata Festival 2026

YOUR NEXT PERFORMANCE
STARTS HERE.

Train for it. Prepare for it. Step onto the Montreal stage.

REGISTER TO COMPETE →PURCHASE COMPETITOR PASSUPLOAD MUSIC