Türkiye Shines in January with the 3rd WDSF Ankara Open

Ankara, Türkiye – 24–25 January 2026. The Turkish capital welcomed dancers and fans from around the world for the third edition of the WDSF Ankara Open, an internationally ranked DanceSport tournament held over two action-packed days at the METU College Sport Hall.

Now in its seventh edition as an international ranking event, the competition brought together 130 couples and 180 Solo Female competitors, demonstrating exceptional dedication, technique, and athleticism across a wide range of age categories and disciplines.

Athletes and adjudicators from 25 nations represented their countries on the dance floor, creating a vibrant and competitive international atmosphere. Across the weekend, approximately 1,200 spectators attended the event in person, while more than 10,000 viewers followed the competition through online streams and digital platforms, underlining the event’s broad global reach.

Dynamic Competition and International Participation

The WDSF Ankara Open featured numerous WDSF Open and International Open categories in both Standard and Latin disciplines, with competition formats reflecting the high standards of the World DanceSport Federation. Competitors danced under strict WDSF competition rules, and the METU College Sport Hall provided a central stage for outstanding performances in every round.

From early heats to thrilling final rounds, the weekend showcased a wide array of talent, precision, and expressive choreography. The mix of couples and solo performances offered diverse highlights for judges and audiences alike, emphasising both individual artistry and partnership excellence.

Key Results of the Day – Saturday, 24 January 2026

The first day of competition delivered an exciting programme across multiple categories, bringing together athletes from different age groups and disciplines. High-quality performances, strong international representation, and enthusiastic audience engagement characterised Saturday’s sessions. Among the categories contested were:

WDSF International Open Standard Adult

WDSF Open Latin Rising Stars

WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Adult

Between the categories that were held over the first competition day you can also find: WDSF Open Standard Youth, Open Solo Standard Female Junior I, Open Latin Junior I and II. You can check all the competition results by clicking here.

Key Results of the Day – Sunday, 25 January 2026

The competition continued on Sunday with another full schedule of events, showcasing consistency, technical excellence, and expressive artistry across Standard, Latin, and Solo disciplines. The final day once again highlighted the depth of international talent present in Ankara. Among the categories contested were:

WDSF International Open Latin Adult

WDSF Open Standard Rising Stars

WDSF Open Latin Youth

Between the categories that were held over the second competition day you can also find: WDSF Open Standard Junior I and II, WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Junior II and Youth, and WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Junior I. You can check all the competition results by clicking here.

A Celebrated Event on the DanceSport Calendar

In addition to dancers and officials, university directors were present to observe the event live, highlighting a growing interest in the educational and developmental dimensions of DanceSport. This engagement underscores the competition’s role in fostering connections between academic institutions and the broader DanceSport community.

Reflecting on the weekend, WDSF President Shawn Tay remarked:

"Events such as the WDSF Ankara Open demonstrate not only the strength of international competition, but also the importance of education and community engagement in the development of DanceSport. Seeing the involvement of academic institutions alongside outstanding athletic performances is a powerful sign of how our sport continues to grow and inspire worldwide."

The 2026 Ankara Open once again reaffirmed its status as a key stop on the international DanceSport calendar, bringing together athletes, adjudicators, and supporters from across the globe. With strong participation, enthusiastic audiences, and a broad digital viewership, the event continues to elevate Türkiye’s profile as a dynamic host for world-class DanceSport competition.

Photos of the event by

Mr Bogac Erkan
Ms İlkay Tokac
Mr Önder Ergan