Zagreb Dance Grand Prix 2026: A Vibrant Twelve-Year Milestone for European DanceSport
The Croatian capital successfully staged the 12th anniversary of the Zagreb Dance Grand Prix from 22–24 May 2026, delivering three days of high-calibre international DanceSport. Jointly managed by the Croatian DanceSport Federation and Dance Club Spin, the tournament transformed the Sports Hall Jelkovec in Sesvete into a competitive hub for athletes arriving from across Europe and continental borders, featuring an expansive schedule of WDSF Standard and Latin disciplines.
The event’s global appeal was evidenced by a turnout of 327 athletes representing 26 nations. The entry format highlighted shifting trends within the sport, fielding 78 traditional couples alongside a substantial contingent of 171 solo competitors. This robust solo presence emphasizes the rapid integration and growing structural importance of individual disciplines within global competition frameworks.
Reflecting on the milestone, the local organising committee noted:
"Zagreb Dance Grand Prix has become much more than a competition. It is a meeting place for cultures, friendships and sporting excellence. We are proud that the 12th anniversary edition once again brought together dancers from all over the world in Zagreb."
Saturday 23 May: Weekend Action Commences
The opening day established a demanding technical benchmark across youth, junior, and senior categories, showcasing both collective chemistry and individual precision.
WDSF Open Standard Adult
- Iliya Dobrev – Elizaveta Basiuk (BUL)
- Marco Kindsigo – Nisha Hogan Stout (GBR)
- Jaka Bracko – Venera Spasova (SLO)
WDSF Open Standard Youth
- Dragota Eric-Mihai - Dragota Ingrid Maria (ROU)
- Alexandru Marandiuc - Viviana Obreja (MDA)
- Tin Kral - Gabrijela Sustic (CRO)
WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Youth
The Saturday itinerary additionally featured intense fields for the WDSF Open Latin Junior II, WDSF Open Latin Rising Stars, and three independent solo divisions: WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Youth, Junior I, and Junior II. The full breakdown of Saturday’s scores and placements can be examined via the WDSF Event Results Page.
Sunday 24 May: Elite Latin and Solo Showcase
The momentum intensified on Sunday as the adult Latin elites took to the floor, paired with an extensive roster of Solo disciplines spanning from Juvenile to Adult tiers.
WDSF International Open Latin Adult
- Akim Pekunov – Tara Por (SLO)
- Michele Nassimbeni – Lusjana Gjergji (ALB)
- Aleksej Krunic – Michelle Pevzner (AUT)
WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Adult
WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Adult
Sunday’s programme concluded with a wide array of age-group challenges, encompassing the WDSF Open Standard Junior II, WDSF Open Latin Youth, and multiple solo divisions including the WDSF Open Solo Standard Female Junior I, Junior II, and Juvenile II, as well as the WDSF Open Solo Latin Female Juvenile II. You can check all the competition results by clicking here.
Retrospective
The 2026 edition in Sesvete reaffirmed Zagreb's operational reliability and its distinct role in fostering the sport’s modern evolution. By balancing top-tier couple brackets with highly populated solo flights, the tournament served as a clear indicator of the sport's diversification and regional vitality. As the twelfth chapter draws to a close, the Croatian DanceSport Federation maintains its trajectory as a vital cornerstone of the international touring calendar.
Photos by Zoran Luketić.
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