The Scottish Champs

30 OCT - 01 NOV 2026

Categories

Get ready to step into the spotlight! This year, we’ve got 17 adrenaline-pumping competition categories for you to choose from, catering to every level of dancer—from absolute Newcomers all the way up to seasoned Professionals. Whether you’re testing the waters or chasing the title, there’s a category with your name on it.

But that’s not all…

We’ve got categories for those aged 50+, the fantastic Major/Minor as well as Double Trouble and Tag, if one partner’s not enough for you.

Think you’ve got what it takes?
Check out the full list of categories and descriptions below, and start planning your path to glory!

Newcomer

£25 per couple.

The perfect introduction to competition awaits! In the Newcomers category, couples can be a thrilling mix of two complete Newcomers or an exciting blend of one Newcomer paired with an experienced intermediate dancer. Dive into the competitive spirit and discover the joy of dancing in this dynamic and supportive environment!

 

  • Both partners must be amateurs.  
  • Couples can consist of either two newcomers or one newcomer paired with an intermediate dancer. 

Newcomer Definition:  

  • A Newcomer is someone who has never competed in any major dance competition (local and weekender competitions are allowed – see definition below) 
  •  
  • You have one calendar year from your first Ceroc Series competition to compete at Newcomer level, unless you place 1st at any of these.
  • Must not have placed 1st in any previous Newcomer category. 

Intermediate Definition for this category: 

  • The Intermediate dancer must never have placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in any Ceroc or Modern Jive competition at the Intermediate level or above (exceptions include categories like Lucky Dip, Top Cats, and Pro Am).  
  • They may have placed in a Newcomers category previously. 

Major Dance Competitions: 

  • Newcomers must not have competed in any major competitions such as Welsh Champs, London/UK Champs, Midland Champs, Northern Champs, Scottish Champs, Pan Asia Champs, Crystal Blues, World Modern Jive Champs, Indie Champs, etc. Small local class night or freestyle competitions for fun do not count. 
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
  • Drops: No extra points will be awarded for drops, but they are allowed if one of the lady’s feet remains in contact with the ground. Otherwise, the move will be defined as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
Intermediate

£25 per couple.

This section is recommended for those who have danced for six months or more but do not wish to compete with the Advanced dancers. 

  • The Intermediate Category is open to amateurs only. 
  • Both you and your partner must be amateurs. 
  • Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from Advanced and Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section. 
  • If the judges think entrants are of an Advanced standard, they will be asked to move up to the Advanced Freestyle category or be disqualified.  
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
  • Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
Advanced

£25 per couple.

The Advanced Category is open to both professional and amateur dancers who have not placed in the Open/Masters category in the past three years.
  • Both you and your partner must not have previously placed in the Open/Masters category in the past three years.
  • Dance teachers/professionals may enter this section provided neither partner placed in the Open/Masters category in the past three years. Competitors who have previously placed in the Open/Masters level categories are not allowed to enter this section.
  • If the judges think entrants are of an Open standard, they will be asked to move up to the Open Freestyle category or be disqualified.
  • Baby aerials (any lift where one of the follow’s feet remains below the leader’s waist/belt line at all times) are permitted.
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
     
Open/Champions
p>£25 per couple.

  • The Open/Champions Category is open to professionals and Open level dancers.
  • Competitors or partnerships from the Intermediate & Advanced level categories, are not allowed to enter this section.
  • Drops are permitted.
  • Each track will allow up to 2 major aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move.

About the Open/Champions Split:

  • If there are 16 or more Open-level competitors, the Open category will be split into two divisions: Open and Champions.

  • If there are 15 or fewer competitors, we will run a single division: Open.

  • Champions will consist of the top six couples, based on cumulative points at the time bookings close (see the points system, coming soon).

  • Any Open entries received after bookings close will remain in Open, regardless of points.

  • Open will be run on a knockout basis: your score in each round determines whether you progress.

  • Champions will be judged over three rounds, contributing to your final score as follows:

    • Round 1: 25%

    • Spotlight: 50%

    • All Skate: 25%

Intermediate Chill-Out

£25 per couple.

This section is recommended for those who have danced for six months or more but do not wish to compete with the Advanced dancers. Music BPMs will be in the range of 85 to 110 bpm.

  • The Intermediate Category is open to amateurs only. 
  • Both you and your partner must be amateurs. 
  • Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from Advanced and Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section. 
  • If the judges think entrants are of an Advanced standard, they will be asked to move up to the Advanced Freestyle category or be disqualified.  
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
  • Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
Advanced Chill-Out

£25 per couple.

Music BPMs will be in the range of 85 to 110 bpm.

The Advanced Chill-Out Category is open to both professional and amateur dancers who have not placed in the Open/Masters category in the past three years.
  • Both you and your partner must not have previously placed in the Open/Masters category in the past three years.
  • Dance teachers/professionals may enter this section provided neither partner placed in the Open/Masters category in the past three years. Competitors who have previously placed in the Open/Masters level categories are not allowed to enter this section.
  • If the judges think entrants are of an Open standard, they will be asked to move up to the Open Freestyle category or be disqualified.
  • Baby aerials (any lift where one of the follow’s feet remains below the leader’s waist/belt line at all times) are permitted.
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
Open/Champions Chill-Out

£25 per couple.

Music BPMs will be in the range of 85 to 110 bpm.

  • The Open/Champions Category is open to professionals and Open level dancers
  • Competitors or partnerships from the Intermediate & Advanced level categories, are not allowed to enter this section.
  • Drops are permitted.
  • Each track will allow up to 2 major aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move.

About the Open/Champions Split:

    • If there are 16 or more Open-level competitors, the Open category will be split into two divisions: Open and Champions.

    • If there are 15 or fewer competitors, we will run a single division: Open.

    • Champions will consist of the top six couples, based on cumulative points at the time bookings close (see the points system, coming soon).

    • Any Open entries received after bookings close will remain in Open, regardless of points.

    • Open will be run on a knockout basis: your score in each round determines whether you progress.

    • Champions will be judged over three rounds, contributing to your final score as follows:

      • Round 1: 25%

      • Spotlight: 50%

      • All Skate: 25%

  •  
Pro-Am

£25 per couple.

You will be judged as a couple.  

  • This competition is open to couplings comprising of an Open Level Dancer (Pro) and a non-Open level dancer (Am).  
  • Each track will allow up to 2 major Aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major Aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move.
50+

£25 per couple.

Time to show the young ‘uns how it’s done! 

  • The Over 50’s Category is open to amateurs only. 
  • Both you and your partner must be 50 years old, or older, on the day of the competition. 
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
  • Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
  •  
Lucky Dip

£7 per person.

In this section, participants will not know their dance partners until the day of the event. Your partner might be a complete stranger or someone you know. They may synchronise well with you as a dancer, or they may not. 

Only the leaders receive dance numbers. Leaders are given a slip with their number, follows are given a slip with a sticker, which they must bring with them on to the floor in the first instance. Couples are paired randomly on the day, and the follow’s sticker is added to and recorded on the leader’s slip as a record of the partnership. It is crucial to arrive at the venue ontime to register and be ready on the dance floor for partnering. 

  • The Lucky Dip Category is open to all, amateur and professional 
  • Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
  • Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 
Jack & Jill - Intermediate

£10 per person

Booked per entrant, not in couples.
Randomly paired at the start of each heat you will be judged as a couple.
Newcomers and Intermediate level dancers only.
If you progress, with your partner, to the next round you will then be randomly allocated a new partner.
It’s like a lucky dip every round.
Airsteps are not permitted. 

Jack & Jill - Advanced/Open

£10 per person

Booked per entrant, not in couples.
Randomly paired at the start of each heat you will be judged as a couple.
Advanced and Open/Champions level dancers only.
If you progress, with your partner, to the next round you will then be randomly allocated a new partner.
It’s like a lucky dip every round.
Airsteps are not permitted.

Ceroc X

£20 per couple.

Ceroc X is a fun and innovative competition designed to test your creativity, musicality, and styling – all within a set framework of moves. Competitors will perform 9 pre-determined moves, freestyled to suit one of three pre-selected music tracks, each with a distinct genre. The challenge? Making the same moves look and feel different depending on the music!

It’s the perfect way to showcase your interpretation and connection, without needing a full choreographed routine. Ideal for amateur dancers who want to get competitive without stepping into the professional or open categories.

To help you prepare, all 9 moves are online (see links below), and taught in special Ceroc X classes at Jamfest, Bliss, Splash and some class venues this year, giving you plenty of time to practise before the big day.

  • Open to all amateur dancers (those not competing in Open or Professional categories).
  • All competitors must use the 9 pre-determined moves in their performance.
  • Competitors must tailor their styling and interpretation to suit the feel of their assigned track.
  • No additional moves allowed – it’s all about how you style them
  • Each round will be assigned one of three pre-selected music tracks, each with a different style or genre – tracks are: Radio by Sigala & MNEK, Azizam by Ed Sheeran, and, Dreaming Backwards by Ella Vos.
  • Finalists will perform to a surprise track, not revealed in advance. This tests adaptability and how well you can apply musicality on the spot using the same 9 moves.
  • Performances will be judged on musicality, creativity, styling, connection, and interpretation.
  • Ceroc X moves are available online below, and will be taught at Jamfest, Bliss and Splash and some classes around the UK to help you prepare and style the moves.

Ceroc X Moves 1, 2 and 3 Full Teach
Ceroc X Moves 4, 5 and 6 Full Teach
Ceroc X Moves 7, 8 and 9 Full teach
Ceroc X All 9 Moves – Danced to a Ceroc Classic Track
Ceroc X All 9 Moves – Danced to a Fast Track
Ceroc X All 9 Moves – Danced to a Slow Track

Tag

£30 per trio

Fancy a threesome? Grab a couple of friends and get ready to have some fun. 
This playful competition is limited only by your imagination. The emphasis is on enjoying yourselves and entertaining the crowd. 
Each team must consist of three people in any combination of male and female dancers, with two leads and one follow. 
The dancing must be continuous but the lead changes between leaders with them “stealing” or “sharing” the follow.
Open to amateurs and professionals in any combination.
Any number of airsteps are permitted.
Names of all team members must be provided when booking. 

Double Trouble

£30 per trio

Fancy a threesome? Grab a couple of friends and get ready to have some fun. This playful competition is limited only by your imagination. The emphasis is on enjoying yourselves and entertaining the crowd. Each team must consist of three people in any combination of male and female dancers.

  • The dancing must be continuous but the lead can change between the dancers.
  • No member of the trio can completely break hand hold or break contact for more than eight beats.
  • Open to amateurs and professionals in any combination.
  • Any number of aerials are permitted.
Major & Minor

£25 per couple

This category celebrates the diversity amongst our dancers. Be it an older lead and a younger follow or vice versa, “Major & Minor” recognises that 2 different generations can, too, create dance floor magic.
In this category the age differential between members of a partnership must be a minimum of 18 years.
This category is open to anyone (amateurs and professionals) however no two professionals can compete together.
The age difference is determined by deducting the younger age from the older age. The resulting figure must be a minimum of 18 years.
Proof of age may be required.
Airsteps are not permitted. 

Showcase

£30 per couple.

In this section competitors choose their own piece of music and perform their own choreography. 

This category is intended as a platform to showcase any genre of dance e.g. Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Flamenco, Lambada, Ballroom, Latin, Lindy Hop, Tango, Salsa, African, Indian, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Rock’n’Roll etc. 

  • This category is open to all, Amateur and Professional. 
  • Any dance style is acceptable in this category. 
  • Each team should consist of two people. 
  • Each pair must dance to their own music which must be provided to the organisers no later than Friday 25th September 2026 on a file transfer such as USB or by e-mail to edinburgh@ceroc.com, of between 3 – 5 minutes in length. (Please note that we cannot accept CDs, tapes or minidiscs). 
  • Any performance that is either under 3 minutes or over 5 minutes will be marked down. 
  • Points will be awarded for style, musical interpretation, innovative choreography, quality of dancing, synchronisation of dancers and entertainment value. 
  • Judges will also award points for dress and presentation. 
Team Cabaret

FREE to register a team. Email: edinburgh@ceroc.com

Competitors choose their own piece of music and perform their own choreography as a team.   

  • Routines can be in any style of dance (partnered or solo) and will be judged for their ‘entertainment’ value. This takes consideration of, but not limited to: 
  • Musical Interpretation 
  • Choreography 
  • Quality of Dancing 
  • Synchronicity 
  • Dress 
  • Performance: engagement with audience and one another and use of expression 
  • Imagination: Innovation of theme and content 
  • Use of Space: Formation, shape and placement 
  • Complexity: challenge of choreography with relation to number of dancers. 
  • This category is open to all, Amateur and Professional. 
  • A team must be between 6 and 30 dancers. 
  • Each team must nominate a Representative (Team Leader) or Choreographer through whom all discussions will take place. 
  • Each team must dance to their own music which must be provided to the organisers no later than Friday 25th September, on a file transfer such as USB or by e-mail to edinburgh@ceroc.com, of between 3 – 6 minutes in length. (Please note that we cannot accept CDs, tapes or minidiscs). 
  • Team leaders must submit a definitive list of all team members at least 10 days before the event. 
  • All team members must purchase a Day Entry ticket to the event to take part in this competition. 
  • Any performance which is either under 4 minutes or over 6 minutes will be penalised.