Dance competitions are a huge part of the UK dance scene, offering opportunities for dancers to showcase their talent, gain industry recognition, and even qualify for prestigious international events. Whether you’re a ballet soloist, a contemporary group, or part of a hip-hop crew, there’s a competition for you.
In this guide, we’ll cover 10 of the UK’s top dance competitions (plus a bonus), explaining what makes each unique and how to enter. We’ll also provide a step-by-step guide to competing and answer some common questions dancers have about competitions.
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Often called the “Olympics of Dance,” the Dance World Cup is the biggest all-genre dance competition for children and young adults worldwide. With over 120,000 dancers from 60+ countries, the competition offers solo, duet, trio, and group categories across ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, street, and more.
📍 Location: Burgos, Spain (2025)
🩰 Categories: Solo, duet, trio & group competitions across ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, street & more
👥 Who can enter? Dancers aged 4-25
📜 Entry Process: Must qualify through UK regional heats or submit video auditions
🏅 Judging Criteria: Technique, artistry, choreography & performance quality
🔗 Website: Dance World Cup
💬 Attended GDO? Help future Competitors!
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The Global Dance Open (GDO) is a major international competition growing in popularity, with a UK-based qualifying process for dancers aiming to reach the global stage. It features an “Upper vs. Main Division” structure, allowing elite dancers to compete for top titles.
📍 Location: Birmingham, UK (2025)
🩰 Categories: Classical & Performer Styles – Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical, Acro & more
👥 Who can enter? Ages 5-29
📜 Entry Process: UK qualifiers take place in major cities like Newcastle and Birmingham
🏅 Judging Criteria: Choreography, execution, performance quality & overall impact
🔗 Website: Global Dance Open
💬 Attended All England Dance Competition? Help future Competitors!
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One of the UK’s most prestigious theatre dance competitions, the All England Dance Competition has been running since 1923. It follows a two-year cycle, with dancers qualifying through local dance festivals before progressing to Regional and National Finals.
📍 Location: London (2026 National Finals)
🩰 Categories: Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, National Dance
👥 Who can enter? Ages 3-21
📜 Entry Process: Qualification through affiliated local festivals
🏅 Judging Criteria: Technical skill, musicality, artistry & stage presence
🔗 Website: All England Dance Competition
💬 Attended Dance Master or Miss Dance UK? Help future Competitors!
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Run by the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), these elite solo competitions attract the UK’s top modern theatre dancers.
📍 Location: Winter Gardens, Blackpool (June 2025)
🩰 Categories: Modern Jazz, Tap, Song & Dance Solos
👥 Who can enter? Dancers aged 16+
📜 Entry Process: Must win a regional heat to qualify for the Blackpool Finals
🏅 Judging Criteria: Performance quality, technical skill, artistry
🔗 Website: IDTA Dance Competitions
💬 Attended Destination Dance? Help future Competitors!
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Inspired by American dance competitions, Destination Dance is known for its high-energy atmosphere, scholarships, and Golden Tickets to international events.
📍 Location: Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry (June 2025)
🩰 Categories: Lyrical, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Acro & More
👥 Who can enter? All ages & styles
📜 Entry Process: Register for a regional heat, then compete in the International Final
🏅 Judging Criteria: Execution, stage presence, originality & performance energy
🔗 Website: Destination Dance
📢 Don’t forget to grab our FREE guide with all of the UK’s upcoming competitions! → Get it here.
💬 Attended U.Dance? Help future Competitors!
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U.Dance is the largest national youth dance festival in the UK, run by One Dance UK. It provides young dancers with performance opportunities, workshops, and industry exposure at a professional level. Unlike traditional competitions, U.Dance focuses on creativity, collaboration, and experience rather than scoring.
📍 Location: Various UK regions, with National Finals at Sadler’s Wells East, London (2025)
👥 Who can enter? Youth dance groups (ages 11-19)
📜 Entry Process: Apply through regional platforms across the UK, with selected groups advancing to the National Festival
🏅 Judging Criteria: Performance quality, innovation, and group collaboration—focuses on the artistry of dance rather than competition
🔗 Website: One Dance UK – U.Dance
💬 Attended UK Hip Hop Dance Championships? Help future Competitors!
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The UK Hip Hop Dance Championships is the biggest street dance competition in the country, serving as the official UK qualifier for the Hip Hop International World Finals in the USA. Crews from across the UK battle it out for a chance to represent the nation on the world stage.
📍 Location: Various UK cities, with the National Finals at MOVE IT, London (2025)
👥 Who can enter? Hip-hop and street dance crews (ages 7+)
📜 Entry Process:
🏅 Judging Criteria: Musicality, performance energy, originality, synchronization, and execution
🔗 Website: Hip Hop International UK
💬 Attended The AD Dance Competition? Help future Competitors!
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The AD Competition is one of the fastest-growing UK dance events, known for its exciting atmosphere, fair judging, and unique “Golden Buzzer” moments (inspired by Britain’s Got Talent). It welcomes dancers of all levels and ages, providing a supportive yet competitive environment.
📍 Location: Various UK and Ireland venues, with Grand Finals in Bromley, South London (December 2025) and Dublin, Ireland (TBC)
👥 Who can enter? Dancers of all ages & styles, including SEN performers
📜 Entry Process:
🏅 Judging Criteria: Technique, performance quality, entertainment value, and stage presence
🔗 Website: The AD Competition
💬 Attended Energy Events? Help future Competitors!
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Energy Events is a high-energy cheer and dance competition that follows the All-Star cheer format, bringing together some of the best teams in the UK. The event features divisions in Pom, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Lyrical, making it one of the top competitive platforms for dance teams and cheer squads.
📍 Location: Various UK venues, with Finals in Glasgow (June 2025)
👥 Who can enter? All-Star cheer & dance teams of all levels
📜 Entry Process:
🏅 Judging Criteria: Execution, technique, synchronization, difficulty, and overall performance impact
🔗 Website: Energy Events UK
💬 Attended Starpower? Help future Competitors!
👉 Leave a review in our Dance Directory & share your experience!
Starpower International is a prestigious American touring dance competition that has expanded into the UK, bringing its high-energy, show-stopping production values to British dancers. It provides opportunities for performers to qualify for World Championships while receiving feedback from top industry professionals.
📍 Location: Multiple UK cities, including London, Edinburgh, and Sevenoaks (Various dates in 2025)
👥 Who can enter? Dancers of all ages & levels across various styles
📜 Entry Process:
🏅 Judging Criteria: Choreography, technique, stage presence, and overall performance impact
🔗 Website: Starpower International
💬 Attended Supreme? Help future Competitors!
👉 Leave a review in our Dance Directory & share your experience!
The Supreme Dance Competition is a rising star in the UK’s competitive dance scene, offering a welcoming yet competitive platform for dancers of all ages and styles. With a focus on fair judging, fun experiences, and growth opportunities, it’s a fantastic choice for both emerging and experienced performers.
📍 Location: Various UK venues, with Grand Finals at a major UK theatre (2025)
👥 Who can enter? Dancers of all ages & styles (solos, duets, trios, and groups)
📜 Entry Process:
🏅 Judging Criteria: Performance quality, technique, choreography, and entertainment value
🔗 Website: Supreme Dance Competition
The UK has a thriving dance competition scene, offering opportunities for every dancer to showcase their skills and advance in their career.
Whether you’re aiming for world championships or just want a fun performance experience, there’s a competition for you.
🔹 Sign up for our FREE Dance & Performing Arts Events Guide! 🔹
🎭 Get exclusive access to:
✔ Regularly updated college open days & application deadlines 📅
✔ The latest dance competitions, intensives, and auditions 🎟
✔ A one-stop hub for everything happening in the UK dance industry 💃
📩 Don’t miss a dream opportunity—Sign up here!
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