WDSF DanceSport Festival 2026: Team Match Competition Debuts in Blackpool

On Friday, 27 March 2026, the WDSF DanceSport Festival will witness the debut of an exciting new Team Match Competition at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool. For the first time in the Festival, national teams from Czechia, Germany, Italy, People´s Republic of China, Poland and Romania will come together to compete not as individual athletes or couples, but as united teams, introducing a fresh dynamic to the precision and artistry that characterize top-level DanceSport. Each nation will be represented by four couples performing Standard and Latin dances, followed by a Team ShowDance that brings their shared concept to life.

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The Essence of the Team Match: Pride and Performance

In the Team Match, the final outcome reflects the work of all four couples together. Every round counts, and every performance contributes to the nation’s overall standing. While technical quality and musical expression remain essential, what truly sets this format apart is the sense of connection between the couples, how well they complement one another, how clearly they present a shared style and how convincingly they perform as a single unit. It is this blend of individual strength and collective responsibility that gives the competition its distinctive character.

Set within the splendid Empress Ballroom, the Team Match is expected to become one of the Festival’s most anticipated highlights. The magnificence of Standard and Latin dances, combined with its unmistakable atmosphere, will frame the competition in a way that naturally elevates every entrance and every final pose. With national colours represented on the floor, the Team Match will add an extra charge to the evening, sharpening the competitive edge and giving the occasion a scale that matches its setting.

Shawn Tay, WDSF President commented:

“The Team Match introduces a thrilling team-based challenge, highlighting the power of collaboration and shared dedication in DanceSport. We look forward to seeing these teams perform in a way that will inspire audiences and elevate the excitement of the Festival.”

The debut of the Team Match marks a new chapter for the WDSF DanceSport Festival, one that brings a different perspective to the sport and adds a distinctive highlight to an already celebrated event in the international calendar.