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The Ballroom, Latin, and Sequence Faculties are pleased to welcome you to the newly relaunched BLS Medallist area qualifier events. We are excited to be back around the UK and look forward to seeing your pupils competing once again at our area competitions. 

Why attend?

Area will include a number of qualifying events, with all finalists earning the opportunity to dance at the Grand Finals in February 2027. Pupils can take part in a range of events including:

• Solo Events (partnered)
• Newcomers events for those new to competitions
• Couples events

Register: For further information or to register please contact: ballroom@istd.org

Sunday 18 January 2026
Canvey Island, Essex

Sunday 26 April 2026
Wimborne, Dorset

Sunday 14 June 2026 
Towcester, Northamptonshire 

6 September 2026
Chessington, Greater London

Dates to be confirmed: 

• October - Ipswich
• November - Midlands 
• January - Essex
• February - ISTD Medalist of the Year Grand Finals

• All communication regarding competitors will be conducted between the ISTD and the registered ISTD teacher entering students. Parents and guardians should direct any queries regarding their child to the teacher/ school. 
• Anyone competing in this event does so at their own risk. The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing will not accept any responsibility for any injury howsoever caused.
• A media consent form will be required.
• By entering your competitors’, you have agreed on your competitors’ behalf, if they are selected as a winner or for any commendation, for their name and possibly footage of them dancing, may be published on ISTD marketing / social media channels.
• Upon submission of your application on your competitor’s behalf you are agreeing to the criteria set above and that you agree to adhere to health and safety regulations and the competitor rules.
• The Adjudicators’ decision is final, individual feedback will not be provided.
• The integrity of the teacher is relied upon to ensure that the rules are followed by all participants to enable the smooth running of the event.

*The competition relies on a certain number of entries being received. If insufficient entries are received the competition may not be viable and in this case entry fees will be returned. Competitors must be made aware of this by their teacher in advance. If the competition cannot take place teachers will be advised by email.

Rules for Qualifying Events 

PARTNERED EVENTS

• Open to all pupils of ISTD members who have previously taken an ISTD Medal Test within the preceding 12 months of the area event.
• Competitors should enter the event which corresponds to the examination level currently held.
• If competitors dance in a higher category than the level of examination they hold, they may not return to the lower level and will be required to take the appropriate examination for the competition level.
• Competitors entering a ‘Newcomers’ event may only enter this section and NOT their examination level.
• Newcomers may enter this category for 1 season only, up to and including their first Grand Finals in each genre after which they must move to the relevant examination level.
• Competitors must have been trained and be partnered by teachers/assistants from the ISTD School entering them for the competition.

• Competitors may only enter ONE set dance event per genre
• Dances must be performed as shown on the current year’s videos and / or notes.
• Juvenile, Junior and Adult Ballroom and Latin competitors:
  • May only dance in Option A or Option B for the whole season. Changing mid-season is NOT permitted.
  • On the day Teachers must provide the organiser with a list of competitors and the option they are competing in.
• Competition dress is permitted

QUALIFYING for GRAND FINALS

• The following sections qualify for Grand Finals:
  • Partnered events (Newcomers and exam level
  • Solo Set Dance
• Any competitor making a final in a qualifying event is eligible for entry to Grand Finals 2027
• Teachers will be required to complete a jot form within 7 days after each event to secure their place.

Rules for Supporting Events

COUPLES

• Each partnership is 2 amateur competitors who should have also competed in a partnered and / or solo event on the same day
• The partnership should dance in the same age category unless the partnership has a mix of ages then the following will apply:
  • U8 partnered with Juvenile / Junior dances in Juvenile / Junior category
  • Juvenile partnered with Junior or Adult dances in Junior / Adult category
  • Junior partnered with Adult dances in the Adult category
  • Anyone partnered with an Under 25 must dance in the U25 category
  • If the partnerships comprises of 2 Adults, they dance in the lower age category.
• Each partnership must dance at the level of the highest exam held between the couple (Eg if one is Pre Bronze and the other is Silver, the partnership must dance in the Silver and above section)