International Championships 2019

Professional and amateur dancers compete in both Ballroom and Latin Championships at the annual International Championships at the Royal Albert Hall. The best dance talent from across the world can be seen competing with all the glamour that everyone expects at this highly prestigious and popular Dance Championship – one of the glittering social events of the year. The International Championships, also known as the International Latin American Dance Championships, were created after the Second World War in England by Elsa Wells. The current full title of this event is the Elsa Wells International Dance Championships, and includes all categories of International Style Standard and International Style Latin Ballroom Dance. Currently, the International Championships are organized by Dance News. The International Championships were started once the initial choreography, teaching and adjudication standards for these Ballroom dances were stabilized. This occurred in the 1950s, after a period of debate and discussion initiated by Monsieur Pierre and his associates. Although English in origin and organization, the Championships were open to the world, as is the case today for all the major Ballroom championships held in England. There are two main series: one for professionals, and another for amateurs, plus various age-limited categories. The division between amateur and professional has persisted in long after it disappeared in most other sports and pastimes. The International Championships is one of the largest regular, and genuinely international, events in the Ballroom Dance world. This competition is not the same as the later World Dance Council (WDC) World Championships. The International Professional Latin and Standard Championships are now part of the World Dance Council's World Super Series. The final stages for both Amateur and Professional Standard and Latin American titles are always held at the Albert Hall in London. Qualification for these final stages, and the championships for other categories such as Juvenile, Under 14, Junior, Under 21, Senior and Professional Rising Stars are held at a preliminary two-day event before the main finals at Brentwood, Essex.