TAKE THE
FLOOR.
Showcase your talent. Challenge yourself. Compete in Montreal at the DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal.
THREE WAYS TO
ENTER THE COMPETITION.
SHOWCASE
Prepared choreography · Your music · Solo, Couple or Team
HEATS / JUST DANCE
Improvised partner dancing · DJ-selected music · Multiple couples
JACK & JILL
Register individually · Random partners · Bachata improvisation
FROM REGISTRATION
TO THE FLOOR.
FIND YOUR
DIVISION.
Choose the format that fits your experience, partnership and performance style.
Separate from competition registration.
COMPETITION IN MOTION.
Step onto the Montreal floor and become part of the festival's competition story.
PREPARE
YOUR MOMENT.
A prepared choreographed performance presented by a Solo dancer, Couple or Team to music selected by the competitor.
SOLO
COUPLE
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.
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.
NO PARTNER?
NO PROBLEM.
Register individually as a Lead or Follow. Partners are randomly assigned during the competition.
Bachata only. Teachers should enter Advanced regardless of years of teaching experience.
FIND YOUR
RIGHT LEVEL.
HOW LEVELS WORK
Enter the division that matches your current eligible competition level. You may also compete one level immediately above, but never below your eligible level.
For example, you may be Pre-Intermediate in Salsa and Novice in Bachata.
Previous competition progression and experience in other dance forms may affect where you should begin.
Who this level is for
Eligibility
- 6 months or less of training.
- After more than 6 months, Newcomer is no longer eligible.
- May also enter Novice as the one-level-up division.
Permitted material & restrictions
- Maximum single stationary turn.
- Maximum 1½ travelling turn.
- Maintain partner connection at all times.
- No shines, floorcraft, tricks, lifts or dips.
Who this level is for
Eligibility
- 7–12 months of training.
- Dancers who have progressed beyond Newcomer.
- May also enter Pre-Intermediate.
Permitted material & restrictions
- Maximum single stationary turn.
- Maximum 1½ travelling turn.
- Maintain partner connection at all times.
- No shines, floorcraft, tricks, lifts or dips.
Who this level is for
Eligibility
- 13–18 months of training in that dance style.
- Dancers who have progressed beyond Novice but do not yet feel ready for Intermediate.
- First-time competitors with 13–24 months of dance experience may begin in Pre-Intermediate instead of Intermediate.
- Dancers with experience in other forms of dance may begin here even with less than 12 months in the specific style.
- May also enter Intermediate as the one-level-up division.
Permitted material & restrictions
- Maximum single stationary turn.
- Maximum 1½ travelling turn.
- Maintain partner connection at all times.
- No shines, floorcraft, tricks, lifts or dips.
Who this level is for
Eligibility
- 18–24 months of training in that dance style.
- Dancers who have progressed beyond Novice and Pre-Intermediate.
- May also enter Pre-Advanced as the one-level-up division.
Permitted material & restrictions
- Maximum double stationary turn.
- Maximum 2½ travelling turn.
- Simple shines with partner connection maintained most of the time.
- Short, small floorcraft.
- No tricks or lifts. Basic dips are accepted in Intermediate.
Who this level is for
Eligibility
- 25–36 months of training.
- May be used as a starting division for first-time competitors with 25–36 months of experience.
- Dancers with experience in other dance forms may begin here with 13–24 months in the specific style.
- May also enter Advanced.
Permitted material & restrictions
- Maximum double stationary turn.
- Maximum 2½ travelling turn.
- Simple shines and limited floorcraft.
- No tricks or lifts. Basic dips are accepted in Pre-Advanced.
Who this level is for
Eligibility
- 25 months or more of training in that dance style.
- First-time competitors with 3 years or more of dance experience must begin in Advanced.
- Dancers with experience in other forms of dance may begin here with 25 months or more in the specific style.
Permitted material & restrictions
- Single through multiple stationary turns.
- 1½ through multiple travelling turns.
- Shines and floorcraft allowed.
- No tricks or lifts. Dips are accepted at this level.
WHAT CAN I DANCE AT MY LEVEL?
| Level | Stationary turns | Travelling turns | Shines | Floorcraft | Tricks / lifts / dips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcomer | Single | Up to 1½ | No | No | No |
| Novice | Single | Up to 1½ | No | No | No |
| Pre-Intermediate | Single | Up to 1½ | No | No | No |
| Intermediate | Up to double | Up to 2½ | Simple | Limited | No tricks/lifts · basic dips allowed |
| Pre-Advanced | Up to double | Up to 2½ | Simple | Limited | No tricks/lifts · basic dips allowed |
| Advanced | Multiple | Multiple | Yes | Yes | No tricks/lifts · dips allowed |
HOW YOU MOVE UP.
THREE-WIN RULE
Win your current division 3 times in the same dance style, with at least 3 competitors in each qualifying division, and you must advance to the next level.
CHALLENGE RULE
You may enter one level higher. If you win that higher division with at least 3 competitors, you immediately move to that level and may no longer compete at your former level.
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.
WHAT THE
JUDGES SEE.
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.
MUSIC
DEADLINE.
Showcase competitors must submit their final competition music by October 24, 2026.
MUSIC REQUIREMENTS
Heats and Jack & Jill do not upload music. Their music is selected by the competition DJ.
ARRIVE READY.
Confirm registration and divisions.
Verify who wears it.
Be ready when called.
Follow format instructions.
Competition Director / Head Judge.
Finalists remain available.
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
Heats Rules
Jack & Jill Rules
Competition Numbers & Floor Access
Questions, Disputes & Awards
YOUR NEXT PERFORMANCE
STARTS HERE.
Train for it. Prepare for it. Step onto the Montreal stage.