WSDC COMPETITION

The West Coast Swing highlight on February 13, 2027

Anyone who can dance West Coast Swing is welcome to participate in the WSDC Competition. Participants of various skill levels and ages will dance with a randomly assigned partner to songs that are not announced in advance. The judges will evaluate timing, technique, and teamwork with the partner in response to the music. The focus here is on creative collaboration and the joy of participating. Additionally, you can earn WSDC points to qualify for higher-level classes—and, of course, there are great prizes to be won!

Tickets

Requirements for participating in the competition:

  • a WCS Event Pass (parties on Thursday and Friday evenings, parties and a show on Saturday, but NO workshops) or
  • a Saturday day pass (workshops on Saturday during the day, parties & shows on Saturday evening) or
  • a three-day pass for Friday–Sunday (all workshops, all parties, all shows from Friday through Sunday) or
  • a six-day pass (Full Pass: all workshops, all parties, all shows)

Online ticket sales begin on June 10, 2026, at 2 p. m.

A man holding two stuffed toy mice, standing in front of an audience

Anmeldung

Registration for the competition opens in mid-January 2027 on Scoring.Dance

You will receive your race number on site:

  • on Thursday and Friday between 10 and 11 p.m. at the West Coast Swing Party or
  • Last-minute tickets available on February 13, 2027, at the entrance (Confertainment Center) from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Please note: You cannot participate without a race number!

Allstars will receive a free WCS Event Pass—please contact Tine Palenga (tine.palenga@gutmann-events.de) or via Facebook Messenger. We look forward to your help with judging!

Entry fee: 20 euros per tournament start
Format: Jack & Jill
Location: “Confertainment Center” area (near the Europa-Park main entrance).
Start: February 13, 2027, 2:00 PM. Please arrive on time (at least 15 minutes in advance) for your respective start time.
Admission with WCS Event Pass: starting at 11:45 AM (with all other day and multi-day tickets, regular admission starting at 8:30 AM as part of the workshops.)

A man holding two stuffed toy mice, standing in front of an audience

Judges & Categories

Head Judge: Marc Heldt
Scorer: Andreas Kasper
Event Director: Matthias Blattmann

The skill levels: What matters here is only your current dance level—no matter how old you are!

  • Newcomers: Newcomers are new to the WSDC competition in their role. Participants may compete in either the Newcomer or Novice divisions, but must compete as Novices once they have earned a point in the Newcomer or Novice division in their chosen role (primary or secondary role).
  • Novice: Participants who have earned up to 15 Novice points.
  • Intermediate: Participants who have earned 16 or more Novice points.
  • Advanced: Participants who have earned 30 or more Intermediate points.
  • Allstars: Participants who have earned 60 or more Advanced points. You are cordially invited and will receive your WCS Event Pass for free (please contact Tine at tine.palenga@gutmann-events.de).

Age groups: Only your current age matters here—no matter what level you dance at!

  • Sophisticated: The only requirement: All participants must be at least 35 years old.
  • Masters: The only requirement is that all participants must be at least 50 years old.

Judging: All dances are judged based on timing, technique, and teamwork. The competition is conducted in accordance with the official rules of the World Swing Dance Council.

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Party

The party starts right after that at 6:30 p.m. and goes until 3:00 a.m. (last song around 2:45 a.m., last EP-Express ride to the hotels at 3:00 a.m.). The Allstars final will take place around 11:00 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony.

For fire safety reasons, large sports bags, large backpacks, wheeled bags, and suitcases must be checked into the coat check (€2) starting at 6:30 p.m. You may keep smaller backpacks and jackets with you. Please make sure that emergency exits remain clear at all times when you check your belongings.

Important: Even items you brought with you in the morning must be checked in at the coat check in the evening. Our tip: It’s best to check everything in right when you arrive—the fee covers the entire day.

A man holding two stuffed toy mice, standing in front of an audience

The WSDCCode of Conductserves as the foundation for a competition that takes place in a safe, peaceful, and inclusive atmosphere (click to open):

Code of Conduct

Gutmann Events GmbH & Co. KG is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment . To ensure this, we ask you to adhere to the following code of conduct during the event.

We reserve the right to punish violations of this code of conduct at our discretion. This may include, among other things, excluding individuals from the event without refund and/or exclude them from future events. We also reserve the right to refuse admission to the event for any reason.

Treat others with respect

We want everyone to feel comfortable at our event – regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, appearance, physical abilities, ethnic origin, religion, nationality, or other personal circumstances.

Social dancing should always feel safe. You have the right to:

  • decide for yourself who you want to dance with
  • choose whether you lead, follow, or switch roles (provided yourdance partneragrees).
  • to decide whether you to dance the next dance with someone else, dance with the same person again, or take a break

If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, touches you inappropriately, or hurts you, it is perfectly acceptable to say "no" or "stop.". You always have the right to decline a dance invitation or stop a dance – without giving a reason.

If someone says "no" or "stop" to you, respect that decision. Never pressure others.
If your invitation to dance is declined, accept it and move on. If someone declines several invitations, stop asking.

Thanks to yourdance partneris always appreciated. However, unsolicited advice, lessons, criticism, or comments on appearance should be avoided—unless you are specifically asked to do so.

Treat our dance professionals, the event team, volunteers, and hotel staff respectfully. Accept their support, instructions, and boundaries. Do not harass anyone or demand attention.

If you believe that a team member is behaving inappropriately or not representing the event well, please contact the management of Gutmann Events GmbH & Co. KG.

No harassment of any kind

Harassment can take many forms. At Gutmann Events GmbH & Co. KG, the following applies: Harassment will not be tolerated – regardless of the motive or type.

The following are not permitted, among other things:

  • offensive or discriminatory comments
  • hostile online communication
  • sexual innuendo or advances
  • unwanted photo or video recordings
  • Depictions of sexual content
  • unwanted physical contact
  • Intimidation, stalking, or verbal abuse
  • Disruption of workshops or competitions
  • any other form of harassment

If you experience or witness harassment, please contact a member of the event team immediatelyso we can intervene.

Other behaviors that will not be tolerated

  • Discrimination, prejudice, or exclusion of any kind (e.g., racism, ableism, ageism, queerphobia, or transphobia)
  • Intentional physical violence, threats, intimidation, or crossing clearly communicated boundaries

Dealing with minors

The following are not permitted in particular:

  • offering or selling age-restricted substances to minors (or young adults under 21)
  • Requesting contact details or arranging meetings with minors without the consent and supervision of their parents or legal guardians.
  • Photographing or filming minors without the consent of their parents or legal guardians (including online publications)
  • suggesting or initiating contact that goes beyond normal social dancing or workshops

Such behavior may result in immediate exclusion from the event without refund and/or permanent ban from the event .

Help protect others

We love new dance moves and steps – but dancing always carries a risk of injury. Avoid movements that could endanger others.

  • No sudden or violent movements
  • No lifts, drops, or weight-bearing figures without prior consultation
  • No sudden dips or throws

You never know if yourpartnerhas an injury. Also, pay attention to other dancers, especially on crowded dance floors, to avoid collisions.

If someone falls or injures themselves, offer help immediately. If someone needs medical assistance, please inform the event team or hotel service immediately.
In emergencies: call +49 788 2776110.

Be a responsible member of the community

  • Dancersof all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate – **beginners especially welcomeare welcome**
  • Please show your admission wristband upon request.
  • No selling or promoting goods, services, or causes without permission from the event team.
  • Smoking ban in all indoor areas (including e-cigarettes and vaping)
  • No unauthorized entry to the event, no theft or damage to property
  • No alcohol for persons under 18

If necessary, we will contact hotel security or the police. Persons who are intoxicated or intoxicated and endanger others may be removed. The person concerned is personally liable for any damage caused.

Contact & Registration Link

Please direct any questions about the tournament schedule to Tine: tine.palenga(at)gutmann-events.de

PLEASE NOTE: A valid festival ticket (see above) must be purchased separately from the competition registration (advance ticket sales begin on June 10).

Competition Registration (starting in mid-January)

Questions & Answers

You need to submit two separate applications:

  1. First, you’ll need a ticket for the Euro Dance Festival that includes Saturday. This can be a six-day pass, a three-day pass (Friday through Saturday), a Saturday day pass, or a WCS Event Pass. Online ticket sales begin on June 10, 2026.
  2. You need to register for the competition; registration opens in mid-January on this page: Scoring.Dance

Once registration opens, you’ll find the “EDF meets WSDC” competition on Scoring.Dance, where you can sign up directly. On the day of the event, the site will also provide a schedule and the list of participants for the tournament (please check back regularly, as changes may occur).

Tip: Take a screenshot of the QR code from your registration confirmation—it will make it easy for you to pick up your race number.

Until the day of the competition

  • June 10: Online ticket sales for the festival begin
  • Mid-January 2027: Registration for the competition opens

On Competition Day, February 13, 2027

  • Admission (with Event Pass) starting at 11:45 a.m. (8:30 a.m. for workshops; for all guests with one-day and multi-day tickets)
  • Race bib distribution: 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (on February 11 and 12, also in the evenings at the parties, for all guests with one-day and multi-day tickets)
  • Competition starts at 2:00 p.m.
  • Competition ends at approximately 6:30 p.m.
  • Party starts at 6:30 p.m. (more info here)
  • All-Stars Finals and Awards Ceremony: approx. 11:00 p.m.
  • End of the party and final EP-Express ride to the hotels: 3:00 a.m. (last song: 2:45 a.m.)

No problem—just ask someone who’s already there to pick up your number. Simply send that person the QR code from your registration confirmation from Scoring.Dance.

The resort hotels at Europa-Park special rates for festival guests. You can find all the details here.

Since the competition is held within the regular festival grounds, there are no tickets available for spectators.

Sure, you actually have six different options:

  • You're dancing in the Masters division for everyone 50 and older.
  • You dance Sophisticated for everyone aged 35 and older.
  • "Du tanzt Newcomer" is for all beginners—no matter how old they are.
  • You dance Sophisticated and Newcomer.
  • You compete in the Masters and Newcomer divisions.
  • You're competing in the Newcomer, Sophisticated, and Masters divisions (which gives you three chances to make it to the finals).

Answer: Typical attire includes flat shoes, pants, and breezy tops. Leaders often wear a T-shirt with an open shirt over it, while followers tend to prefer flowy blouses. Feel free to dress up a bit—it’s always well-received.

There isn't really a dress code, but it would be nice if you didn't wear the same outfit you use to clean out the basement 🙂