These regulations apply to all the Official International Preliminaries of the Tango Buenos Aires Festival
and World Championship to be held in 2024.
The Tango Dance competition (“THE COMPETITION”) will consist of the following categories: Tango de
Pista and Stage Tango. Entry to both categories is open to amateurs and professionals.
The organizing body of the OFFICIAL PRELIMINARY OF TANGO BUENOS AIRES FESTIVAL AND
DANCE WORLD CUP 2024 (“THE ORGANIZATION”) will be the sole responsible for carrying out the
event and can take upon themselves to apply an entry fee to the competition, workshop, classes or
other activities. For this purpose, THE ORGANIZATION will establish in Annex I of these regulations the
details regarding the dates and ways of registration, prizes and additional mentions to those established
in these regulations.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the highest authority in the competition - with regard to the compliance of
all the terms and conditions stated in these Rules - will be the General Directorate of Festivals and
Cultural Nigths of the Ministry of Culture of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires - BA FESTIVALS
To be eligible to register, dance partners must be 18 years of age at the start date of the local
competition and must demonstrate - with legal documents - a minimum of 1 (one) year of residence
within the area of influence of the corresponding Preliminary.
No one will be allowed to register two or more times in the same category, but a person can register in
different ones, with the same or a different partner. If both members of the couple are natives or
residents of different cities, they will have to choose the city of residence or birth of either one, as
couples are allowed to represent only one city, being the same within the zone of influence of the
Preliminary.
The following individuals will not be allowed to compete: staff of the BA FESTIVALS; organizers of
Official Preliminaries and jury members of Tango Buenos Aires Festival and Dance World Cup and its
preliminaries; sponsors and/or staff of companies that sponsor the PRELIMINARY, or another person
with a permanent or temporary relationship with the Office of Festivals.
Also, participants that have seriously breached the competition rules and have been disqualified or
eliminated of previous editions of any Preliminary Competition, Buenos Aires Tango Championship or
Dance World Cup will will not be allowed to compete. The elimination must have been instrumented in
an official document with the due endorsement of BA FESTIVALS.
In order to check in, all contestants previously registered must attend on the date and time specified by
THE ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary, with their national ID card or passport (original copy). At this
opportunity, they will receive the order number and be informed of the approximate dates and times on
which they will perform in the different stages of the corresponding category.
Those who do not check in will not be able to participate in the championship. A delay will only be
considered in duly proven cases of force majeure, except in the event of circumstances of public
knowledge.
At the time of check‐in, contestants will have to complete a form with their personal information, and with
any other additional information required by THE ORGANIZATION. On this form, they shall inform if they
have had a work, professional or personal relationship with any member of the jury from the competition,
in the last 6 months (180 days) prior to the championship, such as: having a personal and affective
relationship with one or more members of the jury; having taken private classes with one or more
members of the jury; presenting a choreography in Stage Tango that has been created, reviewed or
prepared with one or more members of the jury; having one or both dancers of the couple hired one or
more members of the jury - or been hired by one of them- to participate in the same event, performing
exhibitions or giving classes within it. This statement made by the contestants will be evaluated by the
supervisor and checked with the members of the jury in order to define if any of them will need to refrain
from scoring any participant.
All the information provided at the time of check‐in will be considered a sworn statement. Any
contradiction in the information, subsequent to the signature, may be penalized by THE
ORGANIZATION with the subtraction of points, disqualification from the competition, or any other
resolution that this body may establish.
The national ID card or passport and the registration form must be shown at every stage of the
competition.
All championship contestants commit themselves to participate in various ceremonies and events
planned by THE ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary—such as press conferences, interviews for radio
stations and over‐the‐air or cable television channels, etc.—if they are summoned for such purpose.
The competition, in both categories, can be developed in 3 (three) stages, according to the schedule
established by THE ORGANIZATION: a) Qualifying Round, b) Semifinal, c) Final.
a) Qualifying Round: All registered couples will participate. They will dance one time or twice (on
the same or on a different day) according to the schedule.
b) Semifinal: Couples that have been selected in the Qualifying Round will
participate.
c) Final: Couples that have been selected in the Semifinal will participate.
At the time of the competition, at least ten couples must attend the qualifying rounds for the competition
to be considered official (regardless of the number of couples previously registered). Otherwise, the
championship will cease to be official and the winning couple will not be classified to compete in the
semifinal instances of TANGO BUENOS AIRES FESTIVAL AND DANCE WORLD CUP 2024 (see
section PRIZES).
In the Tango de Pista category, couples will compete in group performances, dancing to three recorded
songs, selected by THE ORGANIZATION.
In the Stage Tango category, each couple will compete individually, dancing to one song of their choice.
The music piece shall not exceed four (4) minutes and must be handed in to THE ORGANIZATION in
digital format (mp3 file, storaged on a Flash Memory Drive) during the check-in instance. In that same
instance, participants must state the name and surname of the author or authors of the choreography
they will present (as it will be requested in the form to be completed). Couples may present different
choreographies in the different stages of the contest.
THE ORGANIZATION will be entitled to eliminate from the competition those participants that:
a) Do not comply with the rules;
b) Carry out, during the competition, political or religious demonstrations (by any means) that may
be offensive to the audience or the Organization, or affect the course of the event;
c) Commit any moral offense or improper act that tarnishes the image of the Dance World Cup
2023, or may cause displeasure in the public;
d) Carry out, in the context of or on the occasion of the Competition, inside and outside its
facilities, any action of physical and/or verbal aggression against any person, whether
participant, member of the jury or the staff, or general public.
In the presence of any of these assumptions, THE ORGANIZATION and BA FESTIVALS will implement
the disqualification or elimination of competition, for either or both competitors, through documentation
proving the reasons for the measure.
In order to guarantee the impartiality and professional integrity of the members of the jury, all
competitors may not take private lessons given by any member of the jury while they are in the
competition.
In both categories, the jury will be composed of a minimum of 4 (four) members, who— understanding
and accepting the rules of the competition, and committing to their compliance—will determine the score
of the participating couples. The juries will be appointed in accordance with BA FESTIVALS and THE
ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary.
All the decisions of the jury will not be subject to appeal. By enrolling, participants accept this condition.
In case of distrust or disagreement, participants may submit a written statement (in Spanish or English)
to THE ORGANIZATION and NOT directly to the panel of evaluating judges. Any jury member who may
have had a work relationship or been the teacher of any of the participants of the Preliminary for a period
of at least 6 months close to the beginning of the competition, should refrain from scoring such
participant. For this purpose, both the voluntary statements of the jury and the information provided by
participants when enrolling will be taken into account. In these cases, to get the couple’s final score, the
judges’ scores will be added, and this amount will be divided by the number of jury members who
actually voted.
The final score for each performance will result from the accumulation of points, given by each member
of the jury on a scale of 1 to 10 (with decimals), in accordance with the criteria described in the following
section.
The jury will choose a winning couple in each category. Also, the jury (with the agreement of THE
ORGANIZATION) may grant awards and special mentions to the second and third place, and will be
entitled to award other mentions if deemed appropriate.
In exceptional cases (power interruption, incidents on stage, etc.), the jury and the supervisor may
determine that contestants should dance to additional songs to arrive at a fair verdict. Participants may
not refuse to perform.
In case of a tie, the couples with the same final score will have to break the draw, either by dancing two
additional songs in the Tango de Pista category, or by performing a new choreography in the stage
tango category, until a winning couple emerges from the votes of the jury.
Appointed by BA FESTIVALS, the Supervisor will bear the responsibility of ensuring the compliance of
the present Rules and properly solve any inconvenience not considered in these Rules and establish or
inform about the clarifying or interpretative rules that he considers necessary.
1. TANGO DE PISTA (UNRESTRICTED ENTRY, AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS)
Tango de Pista is conceived as a social dance, where the most important aspects are the
improvisation, embrace and connection between the dance partners.
Circulation of couples: Couples, as in a real dance hall, will dance in rounds and will have to
constantly move counterclockwise without going backwards. They will be allowed, if needed, to walk
one or two step backwards at most always within the space of the couple.
The couple must be aware and respectful of their own and other couples’ space in the round in order not
to break the harmony when moving around. If a couple performs more than two phrases in the same
spot, obstructing the circulation on the dance floor, the Jury may consider lowering their score.
In the event that one couple stops the flow of traffic around the dance floor, it is not possible for other
couples to go past them. If the jury deems it necessary, the round of couples may have to dance to
another tango to solve the inconvenience.
Once formed, the couple must not separate while the music is playing. For the position to be considered
correct, the body of one of the members of the couple must be contained at all the time by the arm of the
other. It is understood that in certain figures this may be flexible, but not throughout the whole duration of
the dance. All movements and figures must be made within the space allowed by the couple’s embrace,
so as not to get in the way of the other couples dancing. The leader may invite the follower to walk
and/or turn to their right or left, without taking steps backwards on the dance floor.
It is not necessary for partners to break the embrace between tangos.
Evaluation criteria: The couple may perform any commonly used figures of “social” tango, including
barridas (sweeps), sacadas al piso (drawn to the floor), enrosques (twists), ganchos (hooks), boleos,
etc., as well as embellishments always within their own space, without standing in the way of couples
dancing around them. Jumps, figures that involve lifting both feet off the ground and any other
choreographic possibilities typical of Stage Tango are completely forbidden.
The Jury will take into account the couple’s own interpretation in different styles as fundamental to the
score. They will also consider their musicality, elegant walking style, but especially the connection
between partners and the search for their own expression, as well as the ability to change the dynamics
and speed accordingly depending on the tango being played.
Costumes: Outfits will not be taken into consideration during the judging process, but dancers are
recommended to dress smartly. When choosing the outfit, hairstyle and make-up, please be reminded
that Tango de Pista is a social dance and not a stage dance.
2. STAGE TANGO (UNRESTRICTED ENTRY, AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS)
Performance: Each couple will offer an individual performance with a song of their choice that shall
not be more than four (4) minutes long.
In case of having a problem with the choreography, the couple will decide whether to continue dancing
or not, and the Jury will evaluate the manner and grace with which they solve the inconvenience; but the
couple will not be allowed to repeat the performance.
If a technical problem should occur, the Organization along with the Jury will evaluate the repetition
of the choreography at the end of the assigned performing time slot.
Evaluation criteria: Participants will be able to express their view of the Argentine tango dance. This
means that couples will be allowed to perform movements, figures and embellishments that are not
directly related to the traditional tango dance. But the choreography must include traditional elements of
tango: figure eights, spins, long walks, boleos, hooks, and the “milonguero embrace.” Couples will be
able to break the embrace and use techniques from other dance disciplines, as long as they are justified
and enrich the performance of the dancer.
Aerial tricks and movements from other dance disciplines must not be excessive. This means that they
must not exceed a third of the overall performance. The couple must include floor movement sequences
throughout the whole stage floor.
Costumes: Outfits may be taken into consideration during the judging process.
THE ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary reserves the right to record all the stages of THE COMPETITION, by any means known or to be known—including but not limited to filming, recording, photographing, digitalization, etc.—by itself or third parties, in order to promote and advertise the event. The recorded material obtained will be exclusive property of THE ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary, who will have to turn a copy of it, as established by the Collaboration Agreement, to BA FESTIVALS. By entering the Championship, participants explicitly and irrevocably authorize the use of the recorded material, without this suggesting—or implying—any compensation for any reason whatsoever by THE ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary and/or BA FESTIVALS, in favor of any person or organization that claims entitlement to any right that may be invoked. This clause also includes, without limitations, all photographic material published and/or made available for promotion, advertisement, etc.
Each category of the PRELIMINARY OF TANGO BUENOS AIRES FESTIVAL AND DANCE WORLD
CUP 2024 will have one winning couple, who will automatically qualify to compete at the TANGO
BUENOS AIRES FESTIVAL AND DANCE WORLD CUP 2024, starting in the semifinal rounds, except
for the winners of the European, Asian Championships and South American Championships who qualify
directly to the final, and representing the PRELIMINARY and not the city of origin or residence of the
dancers, without exception.
The first prize in each category will be provided by THE ORGANIZATION of the Preliminary and will
consist of the total coverage of cost of travel and stay of both dancing partners, in the corresponding
cases, including tickets from the city of residence of the winning couple to the City of Buenos Aires
(airfares and travel included), accommodation and meal expenses for the days of the Preliminary’s Gala,
semifinals and finals of TANGO BUENOS AIRES FESTIVAL AND DANCE WORLD CUP 2024, in the
month of September, in order to participate in this competition. It will be the obligation of THE
ORGANIZATION to guarantee by all the necessary means the presence and participation of the winning
couple in the mentioned instances. In case of non-compliance, BA FESTIVALES may consider it as a
breach of the agreement duly signed between the parties.
THE ORGANIZATION may establish additional prizes, and all contestants will obtain the corresponding
participation certificate.
If the winning couple in any of the official categories renounces to participate in TANGO BUENOS
AIRES FESTIVAL AND DANCE WORLD CUP 2024 from the semifinal instances, representing the
PRELIMINARY, it will automatically also renounce to the prize consisting of the full coverage of costs of
travel and stay, leaving both members of the couple unable to participate in TANGO BUENOS AIRES
FESTIVAL AND DANCE WORLD CUP 2024.
Couples enrolled in the championship may participate in the classes or seminars given by the jurors as
long as they are group classes. They may not take private or individual lessons with any member of the
jury.
The winning couples in Preliminaries with a zone of influence in Europe and Asia, may participate in the
final of the European and Asian Championships, this option is not mandatory, it is at the choice of each
winning couple.
In those cases where the competition in one or both categories has lost its official character for not
having the minimum of 10 participating couples, the ORGANIZATION of the PRELIMINARY will be
exempted from the obligation to grant the winning couple the prize consisting of full coverage of costs of
travel and stay. In this case, the Organization may choose to offer alternative prizes for the non-official
competition.
A couple’s registration and subsequent check‐in implies knowledge and acceptance of these Rules by
each one of the participants.