Opening Day in Blackpool: Education Leads the Way at the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE

Blackpool, England – 25 March 2026 – The 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE officially began today with a strong institutional and educational focus, as the WDSF Open Congress in Blackpool brought together adjudicators, athletes and representatives from across the global DanceSport community.

Held at the historical Winter Gardens in Blackpool, in the Spanish Hall, the Congress marked the opening chapter of a weekend where excellence in DanceSport is built not only through performance, but through knowledge, structure, and shared international standards.

Opening Day in Blackpool: Education Leads the Way at the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE

An Institutional Opening: Building the Foundations of Excellence

Organised by WDSF Academy, the Congress reaffirmed the World DanceSport Federation’s commitment to education, transparency, and the continuous professional development of its officials.

WDSF President Shawn Tay attended the opening of the Congress, welcoming participants and emphasising the Federation’s dedication to education and international standards.

Opening Day in Blackpool: Education Leads the Way at the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE

The day opened with an address by Nenad Jeftic, WDSF Vice-President for Sports, setting the tone for a comprehensive programme of lectures dedicated to Standard and Latin disciplines. Throughout the day, participants engaged in structured sessions designed to strengthen evaluation criteria and ensure consistency across international competitions.

Opening Day in Blackpool: Education Leads the Way at the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE

A Day of Technical Insight and Structured Evaluation

The Congress programme featured a series of in-depth lectures delivered by leading experts:

Pietro Braga – Structured evaluation of movement to music in Standard dances
Roberto Albanese – Structured evaluation of partnering skills in Latin dances
Domenico Soale – Choreography and presentation in Standard dances
Julie Fryer – Technical quality in Latin dances

These sessions provided a detailed and methodical framework for judging, reinforcing the principles that underpin fair, transparent, and consistent evaluation in DanceSport worldwide.

Opening Day in Blackpool: Education Leads the Way at the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE

Examinations and Professional Development

Following the conclusion of the Congress, participants undertook the WDSF Standard/Latin Adjudicators GKT & ECT Exams, key components in the qualification and renewal process for WDSF adjudicators.

These examinations, alongside the day’s educational programme, form a critical part of the Federation’s structured pathway, ensuring that officials maintain the highest standards of knowledge, language proficiency, and technical understanding required at international level.

A Global Platform for the DanceSport Community

The Congress welcomed licensed adjudicators, new applicants, WDSF athletes, and registered observers, reflecting an inclusive and forward-looking approach to education within DanceSport.

By opening access to the principles of judging and evaluation, the initiative not only strengthens the quality of officiating, but also empowers athletes with a deeper understanding of performance criteria, bridging the gap between education and competition.

Looking Ahead: From Education to Highest-Standard Competition

With the conclusion of the opening Congress, attention now turns to the competition programme, set to begin tomorrow at the Winter Gardens Blackpool with competitions including WDSF International Open Standard and Latin Adult, WDSF DanceSport Festival Championship Standard Junior II and Under 21, WDSF Open Standard Junior I and Senior III, WDSF Open Latin Juvenile and WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Junior II. You can check all competitions here.

Over the coming days, the Festival is expected to welcome over 1,400 athletes from 52 countries, transforming Blackpool one more year into the global centre of DanceSport. As Shawn Tay, WDSF President, commented:

“Education is key on the foundation of excellence. It is inspiring to see such commitment from our officials and participants, and it builds great anticipation for the days ahead. We look forward to witnessing that same dedication come to life this weekend as athletes from across the world take to the floor in Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom and Spanish Hall.”

Opening Day in Blackpool: Education Leads the Way at the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival by BDDANCE x UDANCE

Photos by Studio PM