COMPETITION

Competition Descriptions

Newcomer Mix & Match

Newcomer Level

Prelims: Each competitor will dance to three songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. For each song, the dance partners will be randomly rotated.
Finals: Finalists will dance to DJed music. They will first warm up to a song at approximately 190 BPM. Then, in a dual spotlight round at 200 BPM for about 1 minute and 15 seconds, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 210 BPM where all competitors dance together.

Open Mix & Match

Open Level

Prelims: Each competitor will dance to three songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. For each song, the dance partners will be randomly rotated.
Finals: Finalists will dance to DJed music. They will first warm up to a song at approximately 200 BPM. Then, in a dual spotlight round at 220 BPM for about 1 minute and 15 seconds, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 230 BPM where all competitors dance together.

Open Strictly

Open Level

Prelims: Each couple will dance to three songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. Partners will not be rotated during the competition.
Finals: Finalists will dance to DJed music. They will first warm up to a song at approximately 210 BPM. Then, in a dual spotlight round at 230 BPM for about 1 minute and 15 seconds, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 240 BPM where all competitors dance together.

Advanced Mix & Match

Advanced Level

Prelims: Each competitor will dance to three songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. For each song, the dance partners will be randomly rotated.
Finals: Finalists will dance to live music. They will first warm up to a song at approximately 210 BPM. Then, in a spotlight round with a song at 230 BPM, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 240 BPM where all competitors dance together.

Advanced Strictly

Advanced Level

Prelims: Each couple will dance to three songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. Partners will not be rotated during the competition.
Finals: Finalists will dance to live music. They will first warm up to a song at approximately 220 BPM. Then, in a spotlight round with a song at 240 BPM, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 250 BPM where all competitors dance together.

Pure Bal Strictly

Open Level

Prelims: Each couple will dance to three songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. Partners will not be rotated during the competition.
Finals: Finalists will dance to live music They will first warm up to a song at approximately 100 BPM. Then, in a dual spotlight round with a song at 270 BPM, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 280 BPM where all competitors dance together.

Open Lindy Mix & Match

To honor Hal Takier and Marge Takier this year, we’re highlighting the “Jitterbug,” and have therefore added an additional Lindy Hop competition to this year’s event.

Open Level

Prelims: Each competitor will dance to two songs of 1 minute and 30 seconds duration. For each song, the dance partners will be randomly rotated.
Finals: Finalists will dance to DJed music They will first warm up to a song at approximately 135 BPM. Then, in a dual spotlight round at 165 BPM for about 1 minute and 15 seconds, each couple will perform only once. Finally, there will be an all‑skate round at 170 BPM where all competitors dance together.

This is a purely dance‑focused competition. The judging emphasizes musicality and style, not technical tricks. No aerial moves are allowed.

Competition Fees

All Levels: 150 RMB per person or 300 RMB per couple

Competition Rules & Policies

Competitors in the New Comer level should have a Balboa dancing experience of no more than 2 years.
Competitors can only compete as either a Leader or a Follower in each level of the competition. In both the Mix & Match and Strictly competitions, judges will evaluate the overall performance of each couple of dancers. Both Bal-Swing or Pure Balboa are allowed in all competitions. Aerials are not allowed in the Mix & Match competition.
Competitors who have previously won awards in the Open level at SBW competitions or equivalent competitions domestically or internationally in the same category (Mix & Match or Strictly) cannot continue to participate in the Open level competitions unless they switch roles (Leader or Follower). For instance, if the competition is categorized as Amateur and Open levels, it will be similar to SBW’s Open and Advanced levels. A competitor who won a prize in the 2025 SBW Open Mix & Match can continue to participate in the 2026 SBW Open Strictly competition.
Competitors are allowed to register for different levels of the same competition format simultaneously. If a competitor qualifies for finals in multiple levels of the same competition type, they will be entered into the final of the highest-level category they qualified for, while their lower-level final spots will be canceled. Please note that no refunds will be issued for canceled entries in such cases.
Example: A Competitor who qualifies for the 2025 SBW Open Mixed Couples, Adv Mixed Couples, and Open Strictly finals may only compete in the Adv Mixed Couples and Open Strictly finals.

Competition Registration Notes

To participate in the competition, you must purchase a Full Pass or Party Pass.
Please make sure to fill in the dancer’s name when registering. This name will be used as the sole name for the competition. Names must be in English or Pinyin.
Once the competition spot is purchased, it is non‑transferable and non‑refundable.
Registration deadline: September 30, 2026, 22:00 (UTC+8).