Breaking, Standard, and Latin DanceSport Confirmed for Sports Programme at The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe

The World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) will officially feature three of its flagship disciplines, Breaking, Standard and Latin, at the 13th edition of The World Games, scheduled for 19–29 July 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The announcement follows the official approval of the 2029 Sports Programme by the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Karlsruhe 2029 Organising Committee. For WDSF, the decision consolidates an important stage for our couples and Breakers within the global multi-sport environment.

The World Games: A Career-Defining Arena for DanceSport

Since DanceSport made its debut on The World Games stage, the event has grown into one of the highest sporting honors to our athletes. For many, standing on the podium at TWG represents the pinnacle of their athletic journey.

The history of WDSF at The World Games is written by the athletes who turned these arenas into iconic moments for our sport. Looking back at recent editions, from Lahti 1997 through Akita, Duisburg, Kaohsiung, Cali, Wrocław, and Chengdu 2025, the Games have consistently served as the stage where world-class talent reaches the summit.

In recent years, couples like Alexey Glukhov and Anastasia Glazunova in Standard, as well as Marius-Andrei Balan and Khrystyna Moshenska in Latin, have demonstrated what it takes to perform under the unique pressure of a multi-sport environment. Similarly, the rapid rise of Breaking on the world stage has brought groundbreaking Battles from elite athletes like B-Girl Royal and B-Boy Lithe-Ing, proving how raw energy and artistic precision captivate audiences far beyond our sport’s fanbase.

Returning to Karlsruhe in 2029 also carries an interesting historical parallel. The German city first hosted The World Games in 1989. Four decades later, our modern tri-discipline roster of Standard, Latin, and Breaking travels for the first time to this city, reflecting how much our sport has evolved in structure, athleticism, and reach.

Breaking, Standard, and Latin DanceSport Confirmed for Sports Programme at The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe

Institutional Context and Event Framework

The 2029 Games will bring together roughly 4,000 athletes across 36 sports and 62 disciplines. Local organizers in Karlsruhe are building the event around existing facilities, compact travel routes, and accessible venues to ensure a practical setup for national teams and supporters.

Commenting on the finalization of the sports roster, IWGA CEO Constance Terrier highlighted the collective effort between federations:

"Together with our International Member Federations and the Karlsruhe Organising Committee, we have developed a programme with 36 sports and 62 disciplines that reflects the diversity, quality and global appeal of our movement."

IWGA Sports Director Sebastian Garvens pointed out that settling the discipline lineup gives international federations the clarity needed to build qualification pathways well in advance. Meanwhile, Martin Wacker and Alain Blondel from the Karlsruhe 2029 Organising Committee emphasized their goal of integrating the events closely into the local venues across the city.

WDSF President Shawn Tay welcomed the official inclusion of the three disciplines while focusing on what lies ahead for the athletes:

"The World Games have long held a distinct place in our calendar. For our athletes, competing in Karlsruhe is an opportunity to represent DanceSport in front of the broader international sports world. Having Standard, Latin, and Breaking together in Germany gives our athletes a clear target for 2029."

Details regarding qualification systems, selection criteria, and event schedules for WDSF disciplines at TWG 2029 will be published across official WDSF channels in due course.

Breaking, Standard, and Latin DanceSport Confirmed for Sports Programme at The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe