Competition Rules

Qualification for Team UK Performing Arts takes place virtually via video submission. Entries are judged by a qualified panel of three judges.

• A minimum mark of 78 must be achieved to qualify. The selection standard is 84, and entries scoring 80 to 83 are ranked as reserves — see Scores, Selection and Reserves below.
• The top 3 or 5 entries qualify, depending on the Event Participation Number (EPN) for that competition.
• Entries must be submitted by a dance teacher or studio.
• All entries receive a score sheet showing each judge’s marks across the three dimensions.

Video Submission Requirements

• Videos must be uploaded with the entry form on the Team UK Performing Arts website.
• Entries must be fully completed and paid for. Incomplete or unpaid entries will not be judged.
• Videos must be recorded in one continuous take and must not be edited.
• The full dancer or dancers must be clearly visible throughout, filmed in landscape orientation.
• Footage from another competition or event may be used, provided all rules are met. Lighting must be sufficient and dancers must be clearly seen, including facial expressions.
• Direct uploads must be MP4 format and within the file size limit shown on the application form.
• The submitted video should be the dance intended for performance at the IDO competition. If a different routine is requested after qualification, additional fees may apply for re-evaluation.

• Dancers must reside in the United Kingdom and/or be a citizen of the United Kingdom.
• Entries must be submitted by a dance teacher or dance studio, not by dancers or parents directly.

Team UK Performing Arts follows the marking system of the IDO to ensure consistency with international competitions.

• The IDO uses a 3-D system for marking: a numerical score is given in three dimensions — Technique, Composition and Image — each out of 10.
• A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 30 points can be awarded by each judge.
• Differences in scoring between qualifiers and IDO competitions may occur due to different judging panels and because there are fewer judges at the UK qualifiers.
• In the event of a tie, the judging panel’s decision is final.
• Qualification results are final and cannot be challenged.
• All entries receive a score sheet.
• At IDO World or European Championships, at the end of each preliminary or semi-final round, each adjudicator counts the total points awarded to each competitor and gives the prescribed number of crosses to those with the highest totals.

Scores, Selection and Reserves

Three judges score every entry, giving a maximum of 90 points. An entry scoring 84 or above qualifies automatically; 78 to 83 is ranked as a reserve. Places at each championship are limited, so entries are offered in score order within their championship, category and age group.

• Solo categories are ranked separately for female and male dancers, in line with IDO.
• Reserves are ranked in score order — the highest becomes Reserve 1, then Reserve 2, and so on.
• Reserve status does not guarantee a place. A place only becomes available if a selected entry withdraws or declines.
• Where fewer entries reach the selection standard than there are places available, Team UK is not required to lower the standard to fill them.
• An offer must be accepted or declined within 48 hours. If no answer is received, the place may be offered to the next entry on the reserve list.

The age of the dancer is determined by their age on 31 December of the competition year.

Age Division Rules

• A dancer may not compete in the same discipline and category in more than one age division during a calendar year.
• A dancer may compete in two age divisions by dancing up, but not in the same category. For example, a dancer competing in Acro Children Solo cannot also compete in Acro Junior Solo, but may compete in Acro Junior Formation.
• For duos, the eldest dancer determines the age division, and there must be no more than a three-year age gap between partners.
• Dancers may move up an age division but may not move down. Once competing in a higher division they must remain there for that discipline for the entire competition year.
• For groups and formations, dancers up to three years younger than the lower age limit may compete in the higher division, provided no more than 50% of the group falls into that category.

• Soloists may defend their World Championship title in the same discipline the following year. If they move up an age division, they defend in the higher division.
• Duos may defend their title under the same conditions.
• Groups and formations defend titles as a team rather than as individuals, in the same discipline, age division and category.

Team Management

A Team Captain is appointed, and all communication must go through them.

• Registration and check-in
• Managing the start lists
• Collecting start numbers and passes
• Submitting music where required
• Communicating schedule updates and results

Competition Rounds

Competitions typically consist of:

• Quarter-final — all dancers
• Semi-final — approximately 12 to 18 dancers
• Final — approximately 5 to 7 dancers

Results are announced or displayed after each round.

Props

• Props are allowed, except in Acro.
• Strict time limits apply for set-up and removal.

Replacements at Competition

• Allowed only in cases of injury, illness or exceptional circumstances.
• Must be approved via the Team Captain and event moderator.
• Soloists and duos may not be replaced.

Proof of Age

• Dancers may be asked to show proof of age. Please keep passports easily accessible at the competition.

Stage Requirements

• Costumes must be age appropriate and comply with IDO regulations.
• Make-up must also be age appropriate.
• Music and theme must be appropriate for the age of the dancers, and must not include explicit lyrics or violent, inappropriate or disturbing themes.

See the separate IDO guidelines, issued after UK qualification, to ensure rules are adhered to.

Fees and Payment

• Entry fees must be paid in full before judging.
• All Team UK fees are non-refundable once paid.
• Further fees fall due once a place has been offered and accepted: a Starter Fee paid to the competition organiser, an IDO licence fee, and Team UK membership.
• Those three fees are charged per dancer, once per competition year — not per entry. A dancer appearing in several pieces pays them once, and they cover every championship that dancer competes at during the season.
• Nothing further is payable unless a place is offered and accepted.
• Defending champions pay an admin fee to process their entry.

Travel and Accommodation

• Dancers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.
• Costs may still apply in the case of withdrawal.
• Name changes for travel may incur additional charges.

Music Submission

• Music must be submitted to Team UK Performing Arts by the given deadline.
• Late submissions may incur a fee.

Responsibility

• Teachers and studios are responsible for ensuring correct dancer information has been entered, including age.
• Errors may result in disqualification.

Media and Promotion

By entering, dancers, parents, guardians and studios consent to:

• Results being published
• Photos and videos being used for promotional purposes

Requests to exclude individuals must be submitted in advance.

Dancer Changes After Qualification

• Soloists cannot be replaced.
• Duos may replace one dancer.
• Groups and formations must retain at least 50% of the original dancers.

Insurance and Liability

• Dancers are responsible for their own insurance covering training, travel and competition.
• Team UK Performing Arts and the IDO are not liable for injuries, loss or damage, or event cancellation or postponement due to circumstances beyond their control — including natural causes, conflict, government restrictions, or advice against social interaction or sporting events.

All participants — dancers, teachers, families and supporters — are expected to:

• Show respect to judges, organisers and fellow competitors
• Always demonstrate good sportsmanship
• Avoid inappropriate behaviour, including bullying or harassment
• Represent Team UK Performing Arts in a professional manner, including on social media

Please refer to the official IDO documents, issued after UK qualification, for the detailed rules relating to each dance discipline.