The Eternal City Welcomes the World: Rome hosts the Internationali di Danza Sportiva
30 September 2025 – Rome, Italia – From 3 to 5 October 2025, the eyes of the DanceSport world will turn to Rome as the Internationali di Danza Sportiva will be celebrated at the iconic Palazzetto dello Sport, better known as PalaTiziano. Organised by the Italian Federation of DanceSport and Musical Sports (FIDESM), the event represents the fourth stage of the prestigious WDSF GrandSlam series, following Blackpool in April, Wuxi in July and Stuttgart in August. The season will culminate in December with the final event of the year in Shanghai.
Three Days of Rhythm and Elegance
For three consecutive days, Rome will be transformed into the vibrant heart of international DanceSport. The competition will bring together more than 1,700 athletes from 47 nations to compete across Standard and Latin disciplines. The programme extends beyond the GrandSlam events, incorporating the European Ten Dance Adult Championship and the European PD Latin Adult Championship. This combination ensures a thrilling blend of athletic precision and artistic expression.
Friday 3 October – Opening day with a full programme of Senior categories and two European Championships:
WDSF Open Standard: Senior I, IV, V
WDSF Open Latin: Senior I, II, III
WDSF European Championship Ten Dance Adult
WDSF European Championship PD Latin Adult
Saturday, 4 October– Spotlight on the GrandSlam Standard, plus strong fields across youth, rising stars and seniors:
WDSF GrandSlam Standard Adult
WDSF Open Standard: Under 21, Senior II, Senior III
WDSF Open Latin: Youth, Rising Stars
WDSF Open PD Latin Adult
Sunday, 5 October – The GrandSlam Latin closes the weekend, alongside youth, junior and Professional DanceSport:
WDSF GrandSlam Latin Adult
WDSF Open Standard: Youth, Junior II, Rising Stars
WDSF Open Latin: Junior II, Under 21
WDSF World Open PD Standard Adult
Beyond the marquee events, the programme itself illustrates the essence of DanceSport: every generation has a stage to compete and shine. From juniors to seniors, the diversity of categories highlights the sport’s inclusivity and broad appeal across all ages.
Institutional Support
The Internationals are supported by the Department for Sport, under the patronage of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), the Lazio Region, the Municipality of Rome and with the High Patronage of the European Parliament. This institutional backing confirms the event’s significance for both Italian sport and the international DanceSport community.
Presentation at CONI
The official presentation took place in the Honour Hall of CONI, with RAI presenter Roberta Ammendola moderating. Attendees included WDSF President Shawn Tay, FIDESM President Laura Lunetta, WDSF Vice-President Nenad Jeftic, WDSF Secretary General Sergey Nifontov, IOC Honorary Member Mario Pescante, CONI Deputy Vice-President Diana Bianchedi, CONI Vice-President Marco Di Paola, Rome’s Councillor for Major Events Alessandro Onorato and FIDESM Secretary General Felice Casini. Later on, CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio also joined via video, given the significant of the occasion.
The launch, held in a packed hall, sparked excitement among attendees as they witnessed this historic presentation. The event also featured a congress on safeguarding, with contributions from Ugo Taucer, Sports Attorney General, Isabelle Tay, WDSF Safeguarding Officer, and Adelchi D’Ippolito, President of the Permanent Safeguarding Observatory. The program concluded with the recognition of athletes and coaches who have distinguished themselves in their careers, capturing moments of pride and celebration.
Voices of the Leaders
WDSF PresidentShawn Tay underscored Italy’s central role in DanceSport:
“This event highlights Italy’s enduring passion for dance, its central role in the history of this sport and its contribution in shaping its future. In recent years, the Italian DanceSport community has faced many challenges, particularly during the global pandemic. Yet, thanks to renewed leadership and the valuable support of CONI, this sport is once again steadily growing in Italy. The WDSF is proud to host in Rome one of the most prestigious stages of the GrandSlam for the next three years and beyond. It will not be the only major event awarded to Italy and we look forward to seeing Italian athletes once again on the podium. I want to underline the dedication of FIDESM President Laura Lunetta and FIDESM Secretary General Felice Casini, alongside our WDSF leadership team.”
FIDESM PresidentLaura Lunetta celebrated the recognition for Italian DanceSport:
“Bringing a stage of the WDSF GrandSlam to Rome is an important recognition for Italy and for our Federation. It is the city itself—with its history, its beauty and its energy—that makes this event unique: the PalaTiziano will become the stage for a spectacle that not only celebrates sport, art and performance, but also finds in the capital the ideal setting to express the grandeur of DanceSport. These will be days of great emotion and the highest technical level, in which Rome will showcase the global excellence of the competing couples and gift the audience a truly unforgettable experience.”
FIDESM Secretary GeneralFelice Casini stressed the visibility and opportunity offered by the event:
“Welcoming a stage of the WDSF GrandSlam circuit to Rome means giving international visibility to the work of athletes, coaches and clubs who contribute every day to the growth of DanceSport. It will be an extraordinary occasion to attract new enthusiasts and confirm Italy’s status as a reference nation in this discipline.”
A Shared Pride
During the presentation, Lunetta reflected on the importance of the event:
“We are launching an incredible event of international importance, in a symbolic location for Italian sport, which will become a stage for world dance and the beating heart of our wonderful sport. I wish to thank all the institutions that made this extraordinary event possible. I thank President Shawn Tay because with his strategic vision he is a point of reference for all of us, a guide capable of representing and inspiring us every day. His presence is tangible proof of how close the WDSF is to our Federation. This extraordinary event is a moment of great pride for our entire federation. A special thanks goes to CONI, which has made us feel at home, as an integral part of the great family of sport.”
Echoing her remarks, Casini added:
“These three days will relaunch our image nationally and internationally, thanks to the work of a woman, our President, who is a powerhouse of ideas. We are all working towards one shared goal; busy days await us, and we will strive to live up to expectations.”
Shawn Tay, honoured with a commemorative plaque, also expressed his enthusiasm:
“I am delighted to be in Rome to celebrate this moment for Italian DanceSport, which has always been at the forefront on the world stage. Italian athletes have set a standard of excellence. In recent years we have faced numerous challenges, particularly during the global pandemic. Under Laura Lunetta’s presidency, we have laid the foundations for strong and steady growth. The WDSF is pleased and proud to host here in Rome a stage of the GrandSlam and we hope to see Italian athletes on the podium. We would like to thank CONI for its support.”
“The sporting world needs professionalism: we have always had passion and competence, but we must also be represented in all international organisations. Rome is a proven and well-trained stage for hosting every kind of event. The sporting world is successful on all fronts: in winning medals and in organising events. Winning is wonderful; continuing to do so is difficult. Together, in synergy, we must work to ensure that international organisations are satisfied with our efforts, building credibility and reliability. Laura Lunetta has succeeded in making her Federation a protagonist rather than a mere participant.”
Deputy Vice-PresidentDiana Bianchedi welcomed guests to CONI’s historic headquarters:
“Welcome to the home of sport: this is the heart of CONI, the place where tradition, passion and the desire to excel and do more are palpable. I want to congratulate President Lunetta for her strength and ability to bring the GrandSlam to Italy for the first time. The organisation of major events in our country is crucial, and once again Rome will be at the centre of the international stage.”
Vice-PresidentMarco Di Paola underlined the values of DanceSport:
“The importance of DanceSport within sport is well deserved because Laura Lunetta is doing vital work. Hosting a world-class event in our country does not just mean witnessing athletic excellence, but also spreading DanceSport, which is marvellous and embodies all the values of sport. CONI supports all sports and supports events that help to bring young people closer to sport. Sport is not only about Olympic achievement but also about cultivating a chain of values.”
A Capital ready for Spotlight
With over 7,000 spectators expected and the participation of the best couples in the world, the Internationals at the PalaTiziano are set to be a defining moment in the WDSF calendar. The Eternal City, rich in history and energy, is ready to reaffirm its role as the beating heart of DanceSport, delivering three unforgettable days that blend competition, artistry, and cultural prestige. The event has also captured the attention of major national media, with renowned outlets such as Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport highlighting the celebration and significance of this landmark occasion.
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