Open & Champions Points System

Over the past few years the Ceroc Champs Series has continued to grow, with some Open divisions attracting very large numbers of couples. While this is fantastic for the competition scene, it can also create challenges in ensuring that competitions remain fair and enjoyable for dancers at all levels. 

To help manage this growth, we have introduced a Champions division within the Ceroc Champs Series. 

The Champions division will only be used when an Open category becomes particularly busy. Its purpose is to ensure that: 

Open category remain accessible and competitive

Top-level competitors have an appropriate division to compete in

Large competitions can be structured fairly for everyone 

To support this, we have introduced a ranking points system based on results from Ceroc Open and Ceroc Open Chill-Out competitions over the past three years. 

Points are awarded based on competition placement and the size of the category creating an overall ranking for Open competitors. These rankings are then used to determine which couples will move into the Champions division when an Open category becomes large enough to require it. 

The system is designed to reward consistent performance across multiple events, while keeping the pathway between Open and Champions levels clear and transparent. 

Most competitors will continue to compete in Open exactly as before. The Champions division will only apply to the small number of couples who have consistently placed highly in Open competitions. 

 

The latest points relevant to the next competition are below.

Updated 3rd August 2026: These are correct in readiness for the Ceroc Welsh Champs 2026.

Points System

All results from Ceroc Open and Ceroc Open Chill Out categories within the last three years are included in the points calculations. 

Points are awarded based on: 

  • Placement in the competition 
  • The size of the Open category (number of couples competing) 

Larger competitions award more points, reflecting the increased difficulty of placing highly in a bigger field. 

Points Allocation
Category Size  1st  2nd  3rd  Final 
Quiet (0+ couples)  3  2  1  0 
Normal (8+ couples)  4  3  2  1 
Busy (16+ couples)  5  4  3  2 
Busier (24+ couples)  6  5  4  3 

Each competitor accumulates points from all eligible competitions to produce an overall Open ranking score. 

Champions Points Allocation

To recognise the higher standard and increased level of competition within the Champions division, competitors in Champions will always receive one more point than the equivalent placing in Open.

Rolling Three-Year Rankings

The rankings operate on a rolling three-year system. 

This means that: 

  • Results from the last three years of Ceroc Champs Series competitions are included in the rankings. 
  • As new competitions take place, the oldest results are removed from the system. 
  • These are clearly shown on the latest points by the way of movement arrows*.

For example, when the next Champs Series event ie Chill-Out Champs takes place, the results from the oldest Chill-Out Champs competition currently included in the rankings will drop out, ensuring the rankings always reflect the most recent three years of results. 

This keeps the rankings focused on current performance and active competitors. 

*When there is a movement of 0, this means that the competition was too small to achieve points for reaching the final.

Open & Champions Division

At competitions where the Open division reaches 16 or more couples, the category may be split into: 

  • Open 
  • Champions 

The top six couples in the Open rankings, based on accumulated points, will compete in the Champions division. 

Rankings & Tie-Breaks

Rankings are based on total accumulated points. 

If couples are tied around the qualification cut-off (for example 6th and 7th place), the tie-break will be determined by: 

  • Points earned within the previous 12 months. 
  • The couple with the highest number of recent points will then qualify for the Champions division. 
Eligibility for Champions

To compete in the Champions division: 

  • Both dancers must have earned at least one Open point 
  • The couple’s combined points total will be used when determining rankings 
Competition Eligibility

Only results from Ceroc competitions within the Champs Series are included in the points system. 

The following competitions are not included: 

  • World Modern Jive Champs 
  • Independent Modern Jive competitions 
  • CPAC
  • Any other non-Ceroc competitions 
  • SILC Champs
Entry Deadine

Couples wishing to compete in the Champions division must enter at least 7 days before the competition. 

Rankings used to determine eligibility will be finalised at this point. 

FAQs

Why is the points system currently only being applied to the Open category?
The immediate priority is to ensure that the Open category remains fair and competitive, particularly at larger Champs Series events where entry numbers have grown significantly.
 
Introducing a points system for Open allows us to manage progression into a Champions division in a clear and transparent way.
 
We will review how the system performs during this year’s series. Any potential expansion of the points system into other categories will be considered once we are confident the model is working as intended.

 

Why are independent competition results not included?
The Ceroc Champs Series uses its own judging framework, with judges trained to assess competitors consistently using the four Ceroc judging lenses.
 
By only including results from Ceroc Champs Series competitions, we can ensure that all points are awarded using the same judging criteria and standards.
 
Independent competitions operate under different judging systems and panels, and including those results would make it difficult to maintain the consistency and fairness that the points system is designed to achieve.
Why are Top Cat results not included?
The current focus of the points system is the Open category, as this is where the immediate need exists to manage progression into the Champions division.
 
For this reason, the initial rankings have been created using Open/Open Chill-Out competition results only.
 
Top Cat results are not currently included, although they may be considered as part of future developments to the ranking system.
What are the long-term plans for the points system?
The long-term goal is to move towards a fully structured points-based progression system, where entry into categories such as Intermediate, Advanced, Open and Champions is determined by accumulated competition points.
 
This would provide a clear and consistent pathway for competitors as they progress through the levels.
 
However, introducing this across all categories is a significant change. The current Open/Champions system allows us to establish and refine the methodology before considering wider implementation.
What happens if one of the top six couples withdraws?
If a couple ranked within the top six withdraws before the competition, the next highest-ranked couple based on total points will move up into the Champions division.
 
The aim is to ensure that the Champions division always includes six qualifying couples when the division is being run.
I have enough points to qualify for the Champions division, but my partner doesn’t have any points yet. Why can’t we enter Champions?
The Champions division is designed for partnerships where both dancers have demonstrated competitive success at Open level.
 
While points are awarded to individual dancers, entry into the Champions division requires both dancers to have earned at least one Open point. This ensures that everyone competing in Champions has experience and proven results within the Open category.
 
If one dancer has not yet earned any Open points, the couple should compete in the Open category, where they can gain the results needed to qualify for Champions in the future.
 
This approach keeps the Champions division consistent with its purpose – to fairly showcase couples who have both demonstrated a high level of competitive performance.
 
Organisers reserve the right to review entries to ensure the division remains fair and competitive.
What happens if the Open division does not reach 16 couples?

If the Open division has fewer than 16 couples, the competition will run as a single Open Category, as it does currently.