THE WELSH CHAMPS
18-20 SEP 2026

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!

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Step into the spotlight at the Ceroc Welsh Championships.
A wide range of competition categories awaits, designed to showcase dancers of every level – from those taking their first competitive steps to experienced performers ready to make their mark. Whether you’re entering for the thrill, the challenge, or the title, there’s a category waiting for you.

Alongside the core competitions, expect crowd-favourite categories like funKed uP that bring extra excitement to the weekend, where personality, performance, and pure fun shine just as brightly as technique. And when it’s time for the ultimate test, the highest levels offer the chance to compete for true Championship glory.

Ready to choose your moment?
Explore the categories below and start planning your Welsh Champs journey.

Newcomer

£26 per couple plus admission.

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 above Newcomer level (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 in any Ceroc or Modern Jive competition at the Intermediate level or above (exceptions include categories like Lucky Dip 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, at Intermediate level (or equivalent) or above. 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. 
    Lucky Dip

    £6 per person plus admission.

    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. The follows are given a slip, which they must bring with them on the day. Couples are paired randomly on the day, and the leaders dance numbers are recorded on the follows slips 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. 
    Intermediate

    £26 per couple plus admission.

    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

    • £26 per couple plus admission.

    • The Advanced Category is open to both professional and amateur dancers.
      • Dance teachers/professionals may enter this section provided neither partner placed in the Open/Champions category in the past three years. Competitors who have previously placed in the Open/Champions 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 - Dragon Trophy

    £26 per couple plus admission.

    • 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
    £26 per couple plus admission.

    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. 
    Chillout PRO
    £26 per couple plus admission.

    ​

    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.
      Top Cat Am

      £13 per person plus admission.

      In this section no-one knows who their partner will be! We aim to discover who are the best individual dancers in the Amateur category. 

      Tops Cat’s is based on the Jack & Jill concept where individuals are randomly paired in each round and judged on their dancing. It is the individuals who go through to the next round, again to be randomly paired for the next heat. This means that each entrant may have a different partner for each round. 

      • The Top Cat Am Category is open to amateurs only. 
      • Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from the Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section.
      • 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. 
      Top Cat Pro

      £15 per person plus admission.

      In this section no-one knows who their partner will be! We aim to discover who are the best individual dancers in this open/pro category.  

      Tops Cat’s is based on the Jack & Jill concept where individuals are randomly paired in each round and judged on their dancing. It is the individuals who go through to the next round, again to be randomly paired for the next heat. This means that each entrant may have a different partner for each round.  

      • The Top Cat Pro Category is open to Open/Champions level and Professional dancers only. 
      • 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. 
      Over 50's

      £26 per couple plus admission.

      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. 
      ProAm Follow

      £26 per couple plus admission.

      The AM is the follow. You will be judged as a couple.  

      • This competition is open to couplings comprising of a Professional or an Open/Champion 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. 
      ProAm Lead

      £26 per couple plus admission.

      The AM is the lead. You will be judged as a couple.  

      • This competition is open to couplings comprising of a Professional or an Open/Champion 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.
      funKed uP AM

      £26 per couple plus admission


      This category is all about musicality and about your own unique styling!

      You can forget the rhinestones or flash choreographed moves and be prepared to feel the groove and get it on with our ‘funKed uP’ DJ.

      Expect amazing music with undertones of hip hop, funk, soul, funky blues or R&B. Not your standard ‘freestyle’ category but one that will allow you to own the floor!

      Competition Rules

      • This category is open to amateurs (newcomers, intermediates, and advanced)

      • Couples will dance to music chosen for the ‘funKed uP’ category and it will be musically challenging.

      • Judges will also be awarding points for dress and presentation.

      • The definition and timing of the music, plus your own musical style,  may encourage all dance styles. Therefore all styles are permitted.

      • All judging will be by a points system. Dancers are encouraged to dance to the end of their heat. Qualifying dancers will be asked back to the next round. Judges decisions are final.

      • Points will mainly be awarded for musical interpretation rather than the number/difficulty of moves.

      • Baby aerials are permitted, but only one major aerial is permitted per track. Penalties will applied should a couple attempt more of these moves.

      • Partners must not release hand hold or break contact for more than Twelve beats.

      • The lead and follow aspect of the dance must clearly be demonstrated

      • The event will be recorded by film, video and photograph; these may be used for Ceroc promotional purposes without any obligation.

      • The organisers accept no responsibility for loss or injury to persons or possessions in relation to this event. before or during the event.

      funKed uP PRO
      £26 per couple plus admission


      This category is all about musicality and about your own unique styling!

      You can forget the rhinestones or flash choreographed moves and be prepared to feel the groove and get it on with our ‘funKed uP’ DJ.

      Expect amazing music with undertones of hip hop, funk, soul, funky blues or R&B. Not your standard ‘freestyle’ category but one that will allow you to own the floor!

      Competition Rules

      • This category is open to professionals and Open level dancers

      • Couples will dance to music chosen for the ‘funKed uP’ category and it will be musically challenging.

      • Judges will also be awarding points for dress and presentation.

      • The definition and timing of the music, plus your own musical style,  may encourage all dance styles. Therefore all styles are permitted.

      • All judging will be by a points system. Dancers are encouraged to dance to the end of their heat. Qualifying dancers will be asked back to the next round. Judges decisions are final.

      • Points will mainly be awarded for musical interpretation rather than the number/difficulty of moves.

      • Baby aerials are permitted, but only one major aerial is permitted per track. Penalties will applied should a couple attempt more of these moves.

      • Partners must not release hand hold or break contact for more than Twelve beats.

      • The lead and follow aspect of the dance must clearly be demonstrated

      • The event will be recorded by film, video and photograph; these may be used for Ceroc promotional purposes without any obligation.

      • The organisers accept no responsibility for loss or injury to persons or possessions in relation to this event. before or during the event.

      Ceroc x

      Ceroc X 

      £26 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 Ceroc Escape Weekenders and some class venues this year, giving you plenty of time to practise before the big day.

      • Open to Newcomer and Intermediate level dancers ONLY.
      • 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: Glamorous – Sophie Ellis-Bexter (Pop), Flamenco – Aritz (Latin), and All Around The World – Lou Rawls (Swing-Blues).
      • 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 various Escape Weekenders and some classes around the UK to help you prepare and style the moves.

      Dance Through All 9 Moves – Pop. https://youtu.be/tiueB6bFB94
      Dance Through All 9 Moves – Latin. https://youtu.be/VCgSywuOaS0
      Dance Through All 9 Moves – Swing Blues. https://youtu.be/C6BTe17mNFM
      Teach of moves 1,2 & 3 https://youtu.be/Bts7JDzTz9M
      Teach of moves 4, 5 & 6 https://youtu.be/TQQ-nzfl7A4
      Teach of moves 7, 8 & 9 https://youtu.be/wjSx4_P7ndM

       

      Line Dance

      Line Dance

      £10

      Welcoming a brand-new category to Welsh Champs 2026… the 2026 Line Dance!

      This is your moment to shine …. solo!

      No partner? No problem. Learn the choreography, make it your own, and captivate the crowd with your personality, style, and performance. This category is all about individuality, giving every dancer the chance to stand out and compete for the Line Dance Trophy of the Year.

      Want to focus on your own dancing without relying on a partner? The Line Dance category gives dancers the opportunity to develop personal styling while performing choreography by Tim Sant. Add your own flair, experiment with musical interpretation and styling choices, and let your personality shine through every step. Show us what you’ve got!

      This is a People’s Choice Award, meaning the audience will decide who deserves to be crowned Welsh Champs 2026 Line Dance Winner of the Year.

      Competitors are encouraged to make it your own: hit key moments in the song, bring enthusiasm, provide alterations, adaptions, and style, all whilst performing the recognisable routine and generally being in sync with the group

      We are not strict with these rules and judges will be your very own dancers, so please make it your own and enjoy the opportunity to practice your own style within this category