Competition Rules

International Lindy Hop Championships

All Competitors are responsible for reading and understanding the rules prior to the INTERNATIONAL LINDY HOP CHAMPIONSHIPS (ILHC). Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether or not they have been read. Competitors must agree to all of the terms within these Competition Rules.

ILHC World Finals 2025 is held on August 8-10, 2025.

ORGANIZER

ILHC is the Organizer of this event. Final decisions on all matters pertaining to these competitions rest solely with the Organizer.

ELIGIBILITY TO COMPETE

Competitors

Couple – A couple consists of one leader and one follower.

Multiple Entries – When submitting multiple entries for competitions, please note that each competition has specific rules and guidelines regarding entries across different divisions and roles. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Solo Jazz Comps: Participants are allowed only one entry into one division.
  • Strictly Comps: Competitors can enter one division per role (e.g., Open as a leader and Adv as a follower).
  • Draw Comps: Like Strictly Comps, participants can enter one division per role.
  • Classic Comps: Participants can enter one division. Participants may submit an additional entry on waitlist if they enter a different division, dance a different role with a different partner.
  • Teams: Competitors can participate in up to 2 Solo Jazz Teams and/or 2 Lindy Hop Teams.

In partner and team divisions only 1 person needs to register for the division. Please be considerate of your fellow dancers and DO NOT register under two names. ALL TBD partners will need to be established and named by the deadline.

Virtual contests are treated separately and you may join both a virtual competition and in-person competition.

Age requirements – The Competitor must meet the age requirement specified in these rules on or before Friday, May 24, 2024. Competitors must be at least 18 years old to compete in the Solo Jazz adult divisions, Classic divisions, NORMAlizer, or Video Showcase. Competitors must be at least 14 years old to compete in the Luck of the Draw divisions, Strictly divisions, Pro-Am Strictly divisions, Solo Jazz Team, or Lindy Hop Team. Juniors Solo Jazz and Juniors Team Showcase competitors must be 17 or under (or 18 if still in High School). 

Minors under the legal age of majority in their primary residence must get their parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate in ILHC contests. 

Costumes – It is the position of the ILHC that colorful, decorative, dramatic attire enhances the entertainment value of the performances. Tasteful dance clothing is accepted and strongly encouraged. 

Music

For divisions in which the competitor selects their music (e.g. Classics, Teams, and Video Showcase):

  • You CAN edit the music to fit the time parameters. For example, that could be removing some of the middle of the song, speeding up or slowing down the song, or fading the music at the end.
  • The music MUST be submitted a) with your video upload for video competitions or b) onsite for in-person event competitions, and should be a one-track high-quality digital audio file.

For video divisions where our DJ selects the music (e.g. Video Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop Draw), you can NOT edit the music. You must dance from the beginning of the song through X number of phrases, as detailed in each contest-round.

Code of Conduct and Covid Policy

You must follow our Code of Conduct to participate at either the in-person ILHC or virtual ILHC.

You must follow our Covid-19 Policy to attend the in-person ILHC.

IN-PERSON EVENT COMPETITIONS

In-Person Event contests include Lindy Hop Draw divisions, Strictly Lindy Hop divisions, Solo Jazz divisions, Pro-Am Strictly, All-Star Classic, Invitational Classic, and Lindy Hop Team.

Eligible competitors will participate in-person at ILHC. All Competitors are responsible for reading and understanding the rules prior to the ILHC. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether or not they have been read.

Behavior

All Competitors must demonstrate courteous and professional behavior at all times at the ILHC, both on and off the competition floor. Failure to adhere to these standards could cause disciplinary action by the Organizer, or penalties from the Judges.

To maintain an inclusive and respectful environment, participants are free to express themselves outside of competition areas; however, political speech, clothing, or actions are not permitted during competitions or awards ceremonies. This policy aligns with international sporting standards, including Olympic guidelines, to ensure a focus on the shared experience of all participants, our dance, and the art. Any violations may be subject to review and appropriate action by event organizers, up to and including removal from competition, event or removal/refusal to post competition videos.

Competitors Meetings

Competitors meetings are scheduled on the day of your competition unless otherwise noted. Although not mandatory, important information regarding the competition will be discussed at that time. It is the competitors responsibility for knowing that information.

Dance Order

Dance order will be randomly assigned by our competition team. In choreography divisions, you may trade dance orders at the competitors meetings.

Deadlines

Failure to comply with deadlines and failure to show up 15 minutes prior to your competition for check in, may result in disqualification from competing in the event without a refund of entry fee. These decisions will be made solely at the discretion of the Organizer.

Judging

The Relative Placement System will be used to judge the majority of competitions at the ILHC. Some finals will be judged in battles with immediate eliminations. Judges decisions are final.

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