Competitor’s Quick Reference
Please click on a topic below for answers.
Should I compete in Partner, Line, or Team dances?
You may compete in one or more types of UCWDC competitions. Your choices will depend on your preferences and the access you have to professionals, partners, and teams.
Dance in Partner Dance Competitions if you and a dance partner (professional or amateur) want to compete together in one or more of our Partner Dance styles.
Partner Dance competitions include:
- ProAm – the partnership comprises one Professional and one Amateur dancer
- ProPro – the partnership comprises two Professionals and one professional is instructing the other
- Couples – the partnership comprises two peers, which may both be Amateurs or both Professionals
Learn more by reading our ProAm ProPro Rules, and/or our Couples Rules.
Dance in Line Dance Competitions if you want to compete on your own and learn one or more of the pre-selected UCWDC Line Dances. Learn more by reading our Line Dance competition rules.
Dance in Team Dance Competitions if you and at least two other individuals want to form a UCWDC competitive dance team. Dance teams may perform partner, line or combination routines.. Learn more by reading our Team competition rules.
I have learned to country dance but I am new to competion—how can I begin to compete?
If you are ready to compete, simply register for one of our events and enter any competition(s) that you qualify for.
Do I need a dance partner to compete?
Yes - and no! You need a partner if you want to compete in a UCWDC Partner Dance competition. Your partner may be a professional or an amateur. Learn more >
You do not need a partner if you want to compete in a UCWDC Line Dance competition. Learn more >
Do I need to be a member of UCWDC to compete?
Yes, you must be a member if you wish to compete at a UCWDC event.
It is helpful to register as a member online before you participate in your first competition. However, you can also register in person at the UCWDC event where you will compete for the first time. Learn more about UCWDC membership >
Do I need to register for a UCWDC event to compete?
Yes, you must be registered to attend a UCWDC event in order to compete at the event. For example, to compete in the UCWDC Country Dance World Championships, you must be registered for 7-day admission to that event.
You can access all UCWDC event websites from our Event Calendar.
Can I compete in the UCWDC Country World Dance Championships?
To compete at UCWDC Worlds, competitors must be UCWDC members and must qualify at three or more Regional Events (with some exceptions).
- Read the qualification Rules for the competition(s) you are interested in: Partner Dance, Line Dance, Team
- Visit the UCWDC World Championships website
How can I (an amateur) become a Points Champion at UCWDC?
UCWDC Amateur Points Championships are awarded annually. A cumulative award, points are earned for every dance completed by each contestant at every UCWDC event around the world during the dance season (January 15th – December 25th). Points are calculated by awarding five (5) points for each division/dance completed and then adding additional points for each 1st – 5th dance placement attained in each of those division/dances, e.g., First – 5 points, Second – 4, Third – 3, Fourth – 2, Fifth – 1.
The title is awarded only if a minimum of 100 points is achieved.
The Points Championship winner for eachUCWDC division will be eligible to purchase a genuine Montana Silversmiths, sterling silver, belt buckle to wear and/or display. The oval buckle is engraved with “UCWDC (YEAR)) POINTS CHAMPION” and the division title.
How can I (a professional) become a Points Champion at UCWDC?
UCWDC Professional Points Championships are awarded annually to the top Male and Female ProAm Teachers. This is a cumulative award, meaning that points are earned for every dance completed by each of the Pro’s students at every UCWDC event around the world during the dance season (January 15th – December 25th).
Learn more about qualifications, points calculation and prizes.
What are the first three steps I need to take to begin to compete in the UCWDC circuit?
- Find a dance studio/professional and/or begin to learn the dances of your choice
- Read UCWDC’s Rules for your competition(s)
- Find a UCWDC event to attend and register for competition(s)
Where can I find …
These links will take you to the information most commonly needed by new UCWDC dancers:
- UCWDC Membership information
- Event Calendar of qualifying events and championships
- UCWDC Competition Rules and rules updates
- Line Dance step sheets, music, and instruction
- Partner Dance syllabus and music
- Qualifying information for UCWDC World Championships and Points Championships
- Dispensation Request Info & Form
- Self-Selected Music Instructions & Form
