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Coaching or Couple Class

RULES & REGULATIONS

Tango Championship

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION, RULES & REGULATIONS

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TANGO CHAMPIONSHIP 2026

1. REGISTRATION & PRICING

Registration is completed individually or per couple, but pricing is calculated per person. To confirm your spot, submit payment via:

 

Payment Details Required: You must include your Full Name, Email Address, and the Specific Categories you wish to enter in the payment memo/note.

 

Pricing Structure (Per Person)

  • 1 Category: $70 per person (Includes admission to the Milonga night)

 

  • 2 Categories: $110 per person

 

  • 3 Categories: $150 per person

 

  • 4 Categories: $170 per person

 

Important Deadlines & Cancellation Policy

  • General Registration Deadline: October 29, 2026

  • Early Deadline (Stage Tango & Salon Senior): October 25, 2026

  • Refund Policy: Strictly NO REFUNDS after October 25, 2026 for any reason.

 

2. COMPETITION CATEGORIES & SPECIFIC RULES

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Competitors may enter each category only ONCE, but may enter multiple categories.

 

 COUPLES TANGO DE PISTA

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  • Registration Limit: Capped at the first 25 couples to register and pay.

 

  • Couple Definition: One leader and one follower.

 

  • Format: Couples dance in rounds (tandas) of 3 songs pre-selected by the organizers.

 

  • Minimum Participant Requirement & Schedule:


 

  • 12+ Couples Registered: The competition will feature two rounds: a Qualifying Round and a Final Round. Finalists will dance one additional round.

 

  • Fewer than 12 Couples Registered: There will be only one round.

 

  • Dance Rules & Floor Craft:


 

  • Embrace: The embrace must not be broken. Temporary flexibility (opening/closing according to figures) is permitted, but partners cannot dance disconnected.

  • Line of Dance: Couples must navigate counterclockwise around the room. Overtaking/passing other couples is strictly prohibited.

 

  • Permitted Figures: Social tango figures are allowed, including barridas (sweeps), sacadas, enrosques (twists), ganchos (hooks), boleos, and embellishments. All movement must stay strictly within the couple’s own space without obstructing surrounding couples.

 

  • Couples must navigate continuously counterclockwise around the ballroom (as in a social dance hall) and must not remain stationary in one place to avoid blocking floor traffic.

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  • Evaluation Criteria:


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  • Posture, elegance, technique, walking style, and connection.

 

  • Interpretation of different tango styles and spontaneity.

 

  • Appropriate dress and presentation may influence scores.

 

  • Scoring: Rated from 1 to 10. In the event of a tie, tied couples will dance one tie-breaker tango -Aply for all categories-.

 

 JACK AND JILL

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  • Concept: Evaluates an individual dancer's ability to dance spontaneously with random partners.

 

  • Role Commitment: Participants must register specifically as a Leader or a Follower. Switching roles during the competition is strictly prohibited.

 

  • Format:


 

  • Participants dance 3 songs per round, paired with a different random partner for each song. Partner Matching: Partners are assigned by random draw conducted by the organization. 

 

  • Dancers are evaluated individually, and a single winner will be named for each role (Top Leader & Top Follower).

 

  • Minimum Participant Requirement & Schedule:


 

  • 10+ Couples Equivalent Registered: Two rounds will take place.

 

  • Fewer than 10 Couples Equivalent:.All competitors will receive final schedule details in advance.

 

  • Dance Rules & Navigation:


 

  • Embrace: The embrace must not be broken. Temporary flexibility is permitted for specific figures, but cannot be maintained throughout the entire song.

 

  • Line of Dance: Couples must navigate counterclockwise around the room. Overtaking/passing other couples is strictly prohibited.

 

  • Stepping Backwards: Couples are allowed to take at most 1 or 2 steps backward, strictly within their own space, ensuring they do not disrupt the harmony of the floor.

 

  • Permitted Figures: Social tango figures (barridas, sacadas, enrosques, ganchos, boleos, embellishments) within the space of the embrace.

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  • Role-Specific Evaluation Criteria:


 

  • Overall: Posture, elegance, technique, connection, walking style, and musicality. Outfits are taken into consideration.

 

  • For Leaders: Special weight is given to line-of-dance navigation, floor craft, use of space, vocabulary, walking style, and personal presence.

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  • For Followers: Special weight is given to adaptability, interpretation of both leader and music, technique, and personal expression that enriches the dance.

 

 SALON TANGO SENIOR

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  • Eligibility: Open exclusively to amateur dancers aged 60 or older by the date of the event. Professional dancers are strictly prohibited from entering.

 

  • Minimum Registration Rule: This category will ONLY take place if 5 or more couples are registered by October 25, 2026.

 

  • Format: Group competition dancing to 3 host-selected tangos.

 

  • Dance Rules & Movement Restrictions:


 

  • Embrace: Must remain constant. Flexibility is allowed momentarily for figures, but partners must maintain connection.

 

  • Permitted Figures: Grounded social figures such as barridas, soft/low sacadas al piso, lápices, boleos, apiladas, ganchos and enrosques.

 

  • Navigation: Must move continuously counterclockwise and avoid staying stationary in one spot.

 

  • Evaluation Criteria: Connection, elegance, musical interpretation, and walking style.

 

  • Attire: Elegant social tango wear for women and traditional suits for men are strongly advised.

 

 STAGE TANGO (TANGO ESCENARIO)

  • Format: Individual couple performances using custom choreography set to a tango track of their choice. Maximum routine length is four (4) minutes.

 

  • Minimum Registration Rule: This category will ONLY take place if 5 or more couples are registered by October 25, 2026.

 

  • Music Standards: Tracks must be pre-recorded at the exact speed intended for performance. Organizers will not alter audio speed. All tracks must be submitted to the organization no later than October 30, 2026. 

 

  • Choreography & Style: Couples are free to express their artistic vision. 


 

Performance Error & Technical Disruption Policy:


 

  • Choreographic / Competitor Error: If a dancer makes a mistake or suffers a physical misstep, the couple must choose whether to continue. Judges will evaluate how cleanly the couple handles the mistake. Restarts are not permitted.

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  • Sound / Organizer Technical Failure: In the event of an official sound system or technical glitch, the Organizers and Judges will determine if the couple may re-perform at the end of the category block.

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  • Evaluation Criteria:


 

  • Execution: Precision, clarity, fluidity, and technical command of stage tango mechanics.

 

  • Artistry: Musical interpretation, choreographic composition, creativity, costume design, and makeup.

 

 MILONGA

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  • Eligibility: Open to both amateur and professional dancers.

 

  • Embrace Requirement: Once the embrace is formed at the start of the music, partners must not separate for the duration of the song. A closed embrace is strongly recommended. Temporary flexibility is allowed for specific figures, but partners cannot dance disconnected at any point.

 

  • Dance Rules & Navigation:


 

  • All figures and movements must be kept strictly within the space of the couple's embrace.

 

  • Standard, commonly used milonga figures are permitted.

 

  • Couples must navigate continuously counterclockwise around the ballroom (as in a social dance hall) and must not remain stationary in one place to avoid blocking floor traffic.

 

  • Evaluation Criteria:


 

  • Rhythm, fluidity, and speed variations.

 

  • Personality, musicality, and authentic interpretation of the milonga beat/rhythm.

 

3. ORGANIZATIONAL AUTHORITY & CODE OF CONDUCT

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  • Organizer Authority & Event Changes: The event organization retains full and absolute authority to intervene, amend rules, modify schedules, combine rounds, or resolve any unforeseen situations or matters not explicitly covered in these regulations before, during, or after the competition.

  • Identification: All participants must present a valid personal ID upon check-in, which is mandatory for age verification in the Tango Senior category.

  • Code of Conduct: Respectful conduct is mandatory. Any inappropriate, offensive, disrespectful, or disruptive behavior by participants, coaches, or spectators will not be tolerated. The organization reserves the right to immediately disqualify competitors or remove individuals from the venue without refund.

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