Over 1,000 international DanceSport stars set to arrive in Blackpool for Winter Gardens festival
Blackpool is set to welcome more than 1,000 elite dancers from over 50 countries as the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival returns to the historic Winter Gardens.
Blackpool is once again taking centre stage on the global DanceSport map as the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) brings its 2026 DanceSport Festival to the historic Winter Gardens from 26-29 March.
The event will see more than 1,000 elite athletes from over 50 countries competing in Standard and Latin dances cementing the town’s reputation as the world capital of competitive dance.
For the first time, the Festival will operate across two of Blackpool’s most prestigious venues - the Empress Ballroom and the Spanish Hall.
This dual-hall format allows for an expanded programme, including the WDSF GrandSlam, Professional Super Grand Prix, World Challenge Cup Rising Stars and numerous International Open competitions that award official world ranking points.
New additions for this year’s event include a Team Match format, Solo Latin Female competitions, and expanded categories for juvenile and junior dancers.
The festival will also host championships in Standard and Latin for Junior II, Youth and Under-21 dancers, aimed at supporting the development of young athletes in the sport.
The Festival will also be broadcast globally with coverage led by Vivaro Media, a production partner known for major international sporting events including the Olympic Games and FIFA competitions.
Fans around the world will be able to watch top-ranked dancers perform, while local audiences can experience the spectacle live in Blackpool.
Among the star competitors are The World Games 2025 gold medallists Anastasia Glazunova and Alexey Glukhov, alongside many other world-class athletes.
WDSF President Shawn Tay said: “The WDSF DanceSport Festival in Blackpool is a symbol of excellence, tradition, and innovation.
“With an expanded programme and new categories, we continue to support the growth of DanceSport worldwide while honouring its heritage.”
Tickets are available through the official WDSF ticketing platform with early booking recommended for the full four-day experience.
Entries accepted until 10 March 2026 (23:59 GMT).