Description
For both the Bachata and Salsa Partner Dance Battles
The competition will be two vs. two asking dancers to improvise lead/follow partnerwork in the particular dance you are competing in. One Lead and one Follow per entry.
Competitors will have 40 seconds to improvise. They will face one couple opponent at a time and each couple competitor will perform two improvised sessions per head-to-head round.
Judges will decide which couple advances or wins on the spot after each round.
Who can compete?
Open to All Levels of Dancers
This competition is considered OPEN: both Amateur and Professionals will compete in the same category.
Must enter with a partner
Must designate one (1) lead and one (1) follow - no switching allowed during competition.
When registering online please use Lead’s name.
We will collect the Follow’s Name at the competition.
More info below…
Date, Time and Location:
Friday, January 8, 2027
Bachata Division - Partner Dance Battle
Workshop - Bachata Division - Friday
1:15PM Upstairs in Silver Baron Ballroom A
*All regular attendees are welcome to attend the workshop.
Competition - Preliminaries - Bachata Division - Friday
3:00PM in the Grand Expo Hall - Salon & Bar
Competition - Finals - Bachata Division - Friday
6:30PM (SHARP) on the Main Stage in the Grand Expo Showroom
Saturday, January 9, 2027
Salsa Division - Partner Dance Battle
Workshop - Salsa Division - Saturday
1:15PM Upstairs in Silver Baron Ballroom A
*All regular attendees are welcome to attend the workshop.
Competition - Preliminaries - Salsa Division - Saturday
3:00PM in the Grand Expo Hall - Salon & Bar
Competition - Finals - Salsa Division - Saturday
6:30PM (SHARP) on the Main Stage in the Grand Expo Showroom
Official Rules
All entries (1 couple = 1 entry) will be subdivided into three pools by draw, which will take place in front of all participants.
In each pool, the couples will be competing in direct elimination to advance to the finals. The number of finalists will be no more than 8.
Normal Re-draw: If a couple does not have a challenger in the first stage due to the number of participants, then the judges will find one from the eliminated teams in the same pool.
Obligatory Re-draw: If normal re-draw is not required, then the judges will choose a couple of competitors eliminated in the previous stage to compete against each other to find a place in the finals.
Partner Dance Battle (Bachata or Salsa)
The competition will be 2 vs. 2 asking couples to improvise partner dancing in either the Salsa or Bachata division.
The title of the song to be used will be chosen on the spot.
The competitors will each have 40 seconds to improvise, twice per round.
Judges will be looking to see if couples musicalize the foundation of connection using the fundamentals of partner work for said dance (salsa or bachata). Creativity is key to winning. It is suggested to avoid doing a bunch of spinning or multiple turns without any connection to the music.
Stepping of the basic and keeping timing must be consistent whether you’re dancing on1, on2 or even on3… the rhythm of your basic step must be CLEAR.
In addition, once you step on the dance floor/stage, competitors must keep the rhythm of the basic step timing for both 40 seconds they participate within the same round/song. You may switch the rhythm of the basic step timing each round/song based on your preference for the music you’re listening to.
Jumps/Tricks: lifting both feet off the ground will be allowed with the only purpose of interpreting the music correctly BUT will be limited to one set of two (2) 8 counts per 40 seconds (only one trick off the ground per 40 seconds). A sequence of tricks done randomly, even if applied technically sound will not be taken into consideration by the judges, as "Salsa" or “Bachata”partner dancing is the main focus of this competition.
The song being selected will come from various styles of salsa or bachata.
One Open Division for Bachata and One Open Division for Salsa.
"SALSA" or “BACHATA” WILL BE CONSIDERED THE MAIN FOCUS OF EVERY PARTICIPANT IN ORDER TO WIN EITHER COMPETITION.
Entry Fee
Please note - Additional Fee
You MUST have a VIP Full Festival Pass, Full Festival Pass, Team Pass or Volunteer Pass in addition to entry fee for the Gózalo Dance Championship - Bachata or Salsa Partner Dance Battle.
1 couple = 1 entry fee
$45 per couple before December 3, 2026 at 11:59PM
$60 per couple until December 30th at 11:59PM
$75 per couple the day of the contest (Venmo or Cash)
Be sure to use a 10% Discount code when you register early ONLINE!
To Pre Register CLICK HERE. 10% discount already applied.
No Refunds. All sales are Finals.
SPACE IS LIMITED. We will limit the space to 24 couples per division.
24 couples is a firm number. We will NOT add more at the last minute.
Prizes!!!
For Both the Bachata and the Salsa Partner Dance Battle
1st Place Couple - TBA soon (Sponsored by the Festello App), plus $500 cash and Medals. In addition the first place couple will receive Full Festival Passes to the 2028 Reno Latin Dance Fest plus automatic entry into the 2028 Partner Dance Battle - either Bachata or Salsa.
2nd Place Couple - Medals
3rd Place Couple - Medals
Head Judge
Eder Ivan - Director of On2Ourage Dance Company
