Event rules

• Attendees must purchase a full weekend pass to participate.
• Attendees must compete in a skill-based Jack & Jill contest.
• WSDC J&J Novice Eligibility: We strongly recommend Novice competitors have at least 1 Newcomer point, or at minimum prior West Coast Swing competition experience.
• One Level/Role Entry per Jack & Jill: Due to space and scheduling limitations, competitors may enter only one skill-based Jack & Jill contest.
• Division Caps: We cap skill-based Jack & Jill contests by role to ensure balanced, manageable competitions. 2026 caps are:
  • Novice & Intermediate: 42 per role (WSDC Tier 4)
  • Advanced: 30 per role (WSDC Tier 3)
  • All-Star: 22 per role (WSDC Tier 3)
  • Champion: 12 per role (WSDC Tier 2)

• Each contest requires a minimum of five entries to run. The Event Directors may cancel contests or reduce prize money for contests with fewer than five entries. Entry fees for cancelled contests will be refunded.
• All competitions will have a Chief Judge and a minimum of five judges.
• Contests use computer scoring and relative placement. In Jack & Jill contests, judges score competitors individually in prelims and/or semi-finals, and as couples in finals. In Strictly divisions and Pro-Am Spotlights, judges score couples in all rounds.

Dancing thrives on creative exploration, but we prioritize safety and comfort for all dancers. We prohibit any actions or clothing that judges deem disrespectful or unsafe to partners, other dancers, or the event. Check with the Chief Judge in advance if you have questions about acceptable movements, actions, or attire.

• Planning Ahead: Know your competition schedule, meet registration deadlines, arrive for marshaling, and listen for emcee announcements. Bring appropriate attire. Check for schedule changes—competitors are responsible for staying informed.
• Knowing the Rules: Read these rules carefully before competing. You must follow them whether or not you’ve read them. Direct questions to the Chief Judge or Event Directors before competitions begin.
• Be Prepared to Compete: Arrive at the venue for marshaling no later than 15 minutes into your competition’s marshaling time block. We will scratch competitors who are late. You’re responsible for your bib number and may pay a replacement fee if lost. Cancellations after the registration deadline forfeit the entry fee.
• Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct: Show respect to fellow competitors, dancers, event staff, and hotel staff at all times. Do not approach judges about placements or scores until after awards conclude. Do not argue with judges. Refrain from any behavior judges deem inappropriate. Violations may result in disqualification.

Sign up with a partner of your choice for this lead/follow contest. Depending on entries, there may be preliminary and/or semi-final rounds, followed by a final.

• Props and matching costumes are not allowed. Coordinated attire is acceptable.
• Strictly partners may not dance together in more than one Strictly contest or in Pro-Am Spotlights.
• Drops, leans, circular movements, and other partner weight-supported moves are allowed if both partners keep at least one foot on the floor. Champions are exempt from this requirement.
• Role switching is not allowed.
• 2026 Strictly Divisions: Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star.
• A couple’s Strictly division is determined by their WSDC Jack & Jill level. If partners qualify for different WSDC levels, they must enter at the higher skill level when dancing their dominant role.

Sign up as an individual for this lead/follow contest. Depending on entries, there may be preliminary and/or semi-final rounds, followed by a final.

• You may compete in only one WSDC Jack & Jill contest.
• Novice competitors must have prior WCS competition experience. We strongly recommend at least 1 Newcomer point.
• To determine your eligible WSDC level, refer to Chart 3 on the WSDC Registry Event Rules. To look up your number of points,  visit the Registry Points Look Up page.
• Drops, leans, circular movements, and other partner weight-supported moves are allowed if both partners keep at least one foot on the floor. Champions are exempt from this requirement.
• Submit all petitions to dance up to the WSDC Chief Judges Committee (CJC) at www.worldsdc.com/level-up-petition/. The CJC will review your Points Registry record and submitted videos, then contact you for any additional information needed. Complete this process at least four weeks before the event. If you already purchased your pass, notify us to adjust your pass level.
• Competitors who wish to petition down must submit a petition to the Chief Judge and receive approval at least 24 hours before the event starts. Dancing in the wrong level without approval will result in disqualification. Notify us to adjust your pass level.

Sign up as an individual for this lead/follow contest. All-American prelims, tournament-style finals. In prelims, you will be paired with a random partner of any level and judged as a couple. In finals, you will be paired with another partner and compete in an elimination tournament.

This division is designed for Amateur dancers to perform a routine or improvised dance with their Professional partner in a spotlight format.

• Amateurs are defined as Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, or Advanced dancers.
• A Professional is defined as an All-Star, Champion, or someone who earns a significant amount of income teaching or performing West Coast Swing.
• Anyone who has previously completed in an open or professional-level West Cost Swing competition must be considered a Pro for this contest.
• Each Professional may dance with up to 5 different Amateurs in this division.
• Must be at least 50% swing.
• Must be between 2-3 minutes.

For all contests (Jack & Jill, Strictly, All-American, and Pro-Am Spotlight), we will award:

• 1st Place: $50 per person
• 2nd Place: $40 per person
• 3rd Place: $30 per person