2026 World Salsa Solo – RULES AND CRITERIA

By registering or purchasing a pass for the competition or the festival, you agree to these terms and conditions irrevocably.

 

General Conditions

• Participants attend and participate in the event/competition/social dancing/workshops at their own risk and are responsible for managing their own health, safety and personal belongings at all times.
• By attending the event/competition/social dancing/workshops, you acknowledge that you are physically fit to participate and have sought medical advice if necessary.
• We reserve the right to amend schedules, categories, or programming without liability for any direct or indirect loss or inconvenience.
• We reserve the right to film/photograph competitors during the competition/festival/social dancing/workshops and have the exclusive right to use this content for promotional and marketing activities.
• Any injury (physical or mental) endured by a competitor/performer before the event, on the way to the event, during the event or after competing or performing at the event, will be the sole responsibility of the competitor/performer. In no event will the organisers be directly or indirectly responsible for any loss or claim made by a competitor or performer as a result of directly or indirectly suffering loss.

 

General Rules

Registration Deadlines

• Choreography categories: 9 November 2026 before 9am
• Freestyle & battles categories: 22 November 2026 before 9am
• Jack & Jill: 13 December 2026 before 12.00pm (Registration will open on Thursday 10 December 2026 at 9am).

 

Registration includes completing a competitor registration form, purchasing a competitor pass and music submission.

Participation

• Open to Australian + international dancers.
• If 3+ continents are represented → eligible for World Champion Title. This does not apply for Jack & Jill entries.

 

Entry Limits

• Competitors can enter once per category.
• Teacher/Student Exceptions (choreography categories only):
  • Pro: unlimited entries with different partners for each entry within the same dance style.
  • Novice/Amateur: one entry per teacher/student category.

 

Props

• Not permitted.
• Prop” is defined as any object or item that is used in your routine that is not part of your costume.
• Any costume piece (jacket, wig) removed/falls off from the body becomes a prop → not permitted.
• Exceptions: hats are permitted only if they stay on for the entire routine and are not taken off at any point during the routine. For clarity, where a hat falls off during the performance, it will be considered a prop and subject to an infraction.

 

Divisions & Allowable Mixes

• Divisions: Youth, Novice, Amateur, Semi-Pro, Pro, Masters40+, Masters 60+, Masters -Pro.
• Crossovers permitted as follows:
  • Competitors must select a division but may also enter into a division that is one level higher; however, doing so moves them permanently into that higher division the following year. The same routine can be used in both the original and higher division. (Note that the organisers reserve the right to close any category if there are too many entries in a division to ensure the competition runs on time. Competitors will immediately be notified should this occur).
  • Open Team Categories: can include a mix of Novice, Amateur, Semi-Pro, Pro, Masters and Youth (17 and under).
  • Amateur Team Categories: can include Novice, Amateur, Youth (17 and under), and Masters (excluding Master-Pro)
  • Open Duets/Couples: can include a mix of Pro and Semi-Pro dancers.
  • Teacher/Student Divisions: the “Pro” partner can be either a Pro or a Semi-Pro dancer.
  • Masters:
    • Can enter any solo, duet or team category that matches their level (Novice, Amateur Semi-Pro, Pro or Open).
    • Who enter the Masters soloist category can also enter their equivalent level category (e.g. Semi Pro Soloist) using the same routine.

 

Category Requirements

• The organisation reserves the right to merge categories where appropriate and will consult with team leaders/competitors where merges are less standard.
• If there is 1 entry in a category and that entry cannot be merged with any other category, the organisers, will, at their sole discretion, allow that category to perform at the performance showcase, and a trophy will be awarded to those competitors in that single category.

 

Use of Choreography

• From 2026 and onwards, competitors will be permitted to use the same choreography used from previous years in any category, even if that competitor switches to a different level of category. For example, if a competitor used a routine in Semi-Pro category in 2025, that same routine can be used in the Semi-Pro category in 2026.
• The maximum allowable use of the same routine in any given year is in 2 entries. For example, a competitor can use the same routine in an amateur category and a Semi-Pro category in the same year.

(Note that the organisers reserve the right to close any category if there are too many entries in a division to ensure the competition runs on time. Competitors will immediately be notified should this occur).

 

Dance Style Rules

• No mixing styles unless in Mixed Latin (no maximum of styles). This applies to Solos, Duets, Couples and Teams in the Mixed Latin category.
• Salsa, Bachata, Zouk, Samba, Cha Cha Cha and Reggaeton must be pure style and exhibit one dance style only.

 

Music Rules

• Max 2 songs can be used per choreography.
• Time limits:
  • Adult Solos/Adult Duets/ Youth/ Youth/Adult: 1:10–1:30mins
  • Adult Couples/ Adult Teams: 1:30–2:00mins
  • Showcase Teams: 1:45–3:00mins
  • Remixes allowed if base rhythm clearly recognisable.

 

Music Submissions

• Email to info@worldsalsasolo.com.au by 9am on 9 November 2026.
• Information required:
  • Name of the school or competitor/s
  • Style (Salsa/Bachata/Zouk/Mixed Latin)
  • Category (couple/duet/shines/solo/partnered team)
  • Division (novice/amateur/semi-pro/pro/masters/open)
  • You must ensure that the name of the song file and the email subject line is titled as follows (as an example): The Salsa School – Salsa – Partnered Team – Open Division
• No re-submissions allowed after the submission date. If you elect to submit or change your music submission past 9am on 9 November 2026, you will incur a late fee of $35.00 per song submission or resubmission.
• Bring USB backup labelled correctly.
• DJs will not alter speed or modify or re-adapt the song or submission in any way.

 

Injury Management

• If a competitor in a team/couples/duet becomes injured during the competition that renders that competitor unable to fulfill his or her competitive duties, a replacement is permitted for that injured competitor subject to the:
  • substitute being of the same level as the injured competitor (e.g. Pro replacing a Pro);
  • substitute has a full event pass;
  • substitute is not judging that category; and
  • organisers are immediately notified prior to the scheduled competition (this ensures the routine can proceed without disadvantaging the team while maintaining division integrity and fairness).
• Exceptions:
  • where the category involves a Teacher- Student couple or duet, and that Student becomes injured, the Student cannot be replaced by a substitute, and the Student must forfeit from that competition.
  • In an open team category only, an injured competitor can be replaced by any other division competitor. For example, if a novice/an amateur competitor is injured in an open team, then a Pro or Semi-Pro is permitted to replace that novice/ amateur in that open team category.
• Where a substitute cannot be found in a teams couples category, and where this renders the remaining team beneath the minimum required dancers (for example, 3 dancers for shines teams, 3 partners for couples, etc) and the remaining competitors elect to perform that routine, a 2-point deduction will be applied to the total average score.

 

Additional Rules

International Competitors

• Can compete if no qualifier exists in their home country.
• Country winners of qualifiers proceed directly to finals at World Salsa Solo.
• All other competitors can enter the preliminary competition rounds.

 

Age Categories

• Youth: ≤17
• Adult: 18+
• Masters 40+: Competitors wishing to compete in this division will either be a Master Amateur or a Master Pro aged 40 years or older at the date of the competition. 
• Masters 60+: Competitors wishing to compete in this division will either be a Master Amateur or a Master Pro aged 60 years or older at the date of the competition. 

 

Teacher/Student

• Only the student is judged.

 

Partnered Categories

• Tricks are defined as movements that require the support of the other partner to maintain, even if the feet remain on the floor. At least one foot has to remain on the floor.
• Lifts are defined as any movement where both feet leave the floor with the assistance of one’s partner.

 

Cabaret (Salsa, Cha, Bachata, Zouk, Mixed Latin)

• Tricks ad Lifts allowed.
• 50% partner dancing. 50% can be made up of flares, tricks, dips and shines.
• Max continuous turns: 8 bars/32 beats/4 counts of 8.
• Style timing must be consistent.

 

Classic (Salsa, Cha, Bachata, Zouk, Mixed Latin)

• No Lifts, max 6 Tricks.
• One foot must stay on floor during tricks.
• Back-to-back tricks count as one if flowing within 2 counts of 8.
• Max continuous turns: 8 bars/32 beats/4 counts of 8.
• Style timing must be consistent.

 

Team Categories

• Youth Teams: all youth.
• Amateur Teams: all Novice/all Amateur (see definition of Novice and Amateur above).
• Open Teams: mix allowed.
• Showcase Teams: mixed allowed.

 

Shines Teams

• Min 3 dancers.
• Up to 3 connected moves, max 2 counts of 8 each.
• Moves executed simultaneously or as a group will only be counted as one connected/assisted move, so long as it is executed within the allowable 2 counts of 8.

 

Partnered Teams

• Min 3 couples.
• Tricks and lifts allowed.
• 50% recognisable partner dancing.
• Max continuous turns: 8 bars/32 beats/4 counts of 8.
• Style timing must be consistent.

 

Themed Showcase Teams

• Shines: Min 3 dancers.
• Mix of levels.
• Tricks and lifts allowed.
• Partners: min of 4 dancers.

 

Duets

• Up to 3 connected/assisted moves (≤2 counts of 8 each).

 

Style-Specific Categories

Salsa

• Must be 100% recognisable Salsa. All styles of Salsa are permitted.
• Afro/Rumba content cannot exceed ≤ 40%.
• Maintain chosen rhythm (On1 or On2) throughout the routine.
• Permitted to break forward or back, if this is consistent throughout the routine. Competitors will not be penalised if they change their break step to accent musically.

 

Bachata

• All styles permitted (Dominican, Sensual, Fusion, etc).

 

Latin / Mixed Latin

• Pure style unless Mixed Latin.

 

Youth/Adult, Duets/Couples

• Tricks and Lifts allowed.
• Recognisable 50% partner dancing. Remaining 50% can be made up of tricks, flares, dips and shines.
• Max continuous turns: 4 bars/16 beats/2 counts of 8.
• Where a youth competes, only the youth is judged.

 

Freestyle Heats and Jack & Jill (Partner work)

• Lead/follow, improvised.
• Dips, tricks and lifts allowed.
• Ranking system (not scoring) – scoring will be done in the moment.
• Heats: 1 song (~1:30mins)
• Finals: 2 songs (~1 min each)
• Jack & Jill: songs will be 45 seconds each.
• Jack & Jill: open to “anything goes” with a mix of all categories (applies to both Salsa and Bachata).

 

Solo Battles

• Salsa, Reggaeton, Bachata, Samba (Novice, Amateur & Open).
• 2 dancers alternate 20–30s sections.
• Max 8 competitors per category. Qualifying round will have 4 pairs of battling out for a place into the semi-final round. Semi-final round will have 2 pairs battling for spot into final round.
• Ranking system.
• Judged on musicality, timing, technique, originality and x-factor.
• The two competitors will battle it out in the following format, prompted by the MC to alternate (with two rotations for each competitor).
  • Competitor 1 – approx. 20-30 seconds of song
  • Competitor 2 – approx. 20-30 seconds of song
  • Competitor 1 – approx. 20-30 seconds of song
  • Competitor 2 – approx. 20-30 seconds of song
• No costume or footwear requirements or restrictions.

 

Costumes & Footwear

• Costumes encouraged for choreography & partner work freestyle.
• Males must wear a shirt.
• Costumes are not required for the Freestyles Solo Battles.
• Youth must wear age-appropriate costumes.

 

Footwear Rules

• Rules apply to choreography categories and freestyle partner work, but not to solo battles.
• Follower: no minimum heel height required. For salsa, bachata and cha cha cha, follower must wear heels. However, where competitors elect to compete with lower heels, it may impact the “difficulty” criteria score.
• Men: closed dance shoes (no joggers).
• Women heels and men shoes are not required for Youth, Masters (except for Master-Pro where the Master must wear appropriate shoes), and non-heel styles (Zouk, Afro, Reggaeton).
• Mixed Latin: flat shoes or bare foot are permitted where large majority of the choreography is in a style that is not danced in heels (Zouk, Afro styles, and Reggaeton).

 

Scoring Criteria

Soloists

• Timing & Musicality – 30%
• Choreography/Presentation – 40%
• Difficulty & Technique – 30%

Couples

• Timing & Musicality – 30%
• Choreography/Presentation – 30%
• Difficulty/Technique/Partnership – 40%

Duets & Teams

• Timing/Musicality/Synchronicity – 30%
• Choreography/Presentation – 30%
• Difficulty/Technique/Partnership – 40%

Showcase Teams

• Choreography – 40%
• Presentation and Showmanship – 40%
• Difficulty & Technique – 20%

Freestyle Heats and Jack & Jill (partner work)

• Applies to both freestyle and J&J: Judged on timing, technique, partnership (if applicable), musicality, and x-factor.
• Applies to both freestyle and J&J: All use ranking rather than point scoring.
• Applies only to freestyle: In heats (when entries meet min. requirements), soloists dance to a 30-40s song in their chosen style, judges rank them, and top soloist advances. In finals, competitors dance two 40s songs, judges rank each song, and the average rank determines the winner.
• Only applies to freestyle: If there are no heats, competitors dance two 45s songs in their chosen style, judges rank each song, and the average rank determines the winner.

Solo Battles

• Judged on timing, technique, partnership (if applicable), musicality, and x-factor.
• All use ranking rather than point scoring.
• Each solo battle section allows for a maximum of 8 competitors. A qualifying round will have 4 pairs battling out for a place into the semi-final round. Then in the semi-final round 2 pairs will battle out for a spot into the final round.

 

Criteria Descriptions

Timing

• Stay consistent with the timing of the chosen style; purposeful brief deviations are acceptable if dancers return to timing.
• Salsa solos: Maintain a consistent break step (on1/on5 or on2/on6) with allowed intentional deviations.
• Salsa partner work: Couples may choose on1 or on2/on6 but must remain consistent, returning quickly after any musicality-driven break.

Musicality

• Show creative interaction with the music through patterns, hits, footwork, accents, tricks, and timing choices.

Choreography

• Reflect the music with clever turn patterns and shines, effective use of space, and originality (ability to bring fresh, unique, culturally inspired ideas and interpretations to the performance).

Floor craft

• Demonstrate smart use of the dance floor and space.

Presentation

• Judged on overall look, costuming, expression, showmanship, and delivery.

Difficulty

• Complexity of turns, shines, patterns, tricks, dips, lifts, jumps, and strength/balance-based movements, credited only if executed cleanly.

Technique

• Assessed through balance, body placement, lines, grounded movement, clear weight changes, and style-specific technique.

Partnership

• Quality of connection, communication, and how well dancers complement each other.

Synchronicity

• Precision and unison in partner work, footwork, lines, styling, and side-by-side movement.