Competition Information
While Dance Connect features  2 exciting competition opportunities, the primary focus of the event is education, inspiration, and professional development. Throughout the weekend, dancers will have access to world-class workshops, auditions, industry talks, performances, networking opportunities, exhibitor experiences, and mentorship from internationally renowned faculty.
Dancer of the Year & Group of the Year will be on the evening of each day of the event.

Dancer of the Year and Group of the Year are prestigious showcase competitions held at the end of each day of the convention. These competitions celebrate excellence, creativity, and performance while remaining part of the wider educational experience that Dance Connect provides.

DANCER OF THE YEAR
Step on stage and compete against the best dancers for the title of Dance Connect Dancer of the Year!
Video Pre-Selection

• Entry Fee: €30 per solo

• Submit a solo performance video to be considered for the competition.

• After submitting your application, you will receive an email with payment instructions to complete your entry.

• Only dancers who successfully pass the pre-selection round will be invited to compete live at the Dance Connect Convention in Braga.

• If selected, there is no additional competition fee. Finalists will only need to purchase an event pass for the convention

• Solos must be maximum 2min30sec
   

Age Divisions

• 2 age divisions: Junior (9-13 years) & Senior (14+ years)

 

GROUP OF THE YEAR – BATTLE OF THE STYLES

Video Pre-Selection

• Entry Fee: €15 per dancer

• Submit a group performance video to be considered.

• After submitting your application, you will receive an email with payment instructions to complete your entry.

• Only groups who successfully pass the pre-selection round will be invited to compete live at the Dance Connect Convention in Braga.

• If selected, there is no additional competition fee. Groups will only need to purchase an event pass for the convention.
   

Entry Requirements

• 2 age divisions: Junior (9-14 years) & Senior (15+ years)

• Maximum age of any dancer in the group is 25 years.

• Minimum number of dancers is 6 dancers.

• Age Division is determined by the oldest competitior in the group

• Choreographies must be a maximum of 4mins

Competition Rules

• Participation in the competitions is optional. Dancers may attend the convention without entering either competition.

• All dance styles are welcome.

• Competitions will not be divided by dance style. All styles compete together within their respective age divisions/ category (solo/group).

• Dancer of the Year entrants may submit multiple solo videos. However, if selected, each dancer may perform only one solo in the live final.

• Group of the Year entrants may submit multiple routines. However, each school or studio may qualify and perform only one group per age division.

• Schools can have more than one group per age division if every dancer in the group is different (e.g. a dancer cannot compete in 2 groups in the Senior division)

• Dancers age is calculated by the date of the event (14th November 2026)

• Solo performances must be performed by the registered dancer only.

• Groups selected for the live final must perform with the same number of dancers as shown in their qualifying video.

• Only dancers and groups selected through the online pre-selection process will be invited to compete live at the Dance Connect Convention in Braga.

Music:

• Must be submitted 3 weeks before the event (24th October)

• Music with explicit language/swearing will not be accepted

Terms & Conditions

• Entry fees are non-refundable under any circumstance

• All participants (dancers, teachers & spectators) must purchase an entry ticket to event to participate

• By entering, competitors grant Dance Connect permission to photograph, film, and use images and video footage for promotional, marketing, and media purposes.

• Dance Connect reserves the right to amend the competition format, timetable, judging process, schedule, and rules where necessary.