Global Dance Open - Australia & New Zealand

Connecting 🇦🇺+🇳🇿 in one Virtual Space!

🎙️ 3 Int Jdgs | WrkShps | Prizes

🗓️ Live Stream March 14-15 2026

🥇 Official 2026 Qualifier 🌎

👇 REGISTER TODAY👇 We’re thrilled to officially invite your studio to be a part of the Global Dance Open Virtual Qualifier for Australia & New Zealand 2026 - a one of a kind opportunity for dancers in our region to step up to the global stage, ch

allenge themselves and be recognized internationally. Our Mission for GDO Australia & New Zealand

There are very few opportunities for dancers in Australia and New Zealand to compete state-to-state or nation-to-nation, until now. The GDO Australia & New Zealand Virtual Qualifier enables dancers from Queensland to Victoria, Adelaide to Perth, Auckland to Christchurch and everywhere in between to finally compete against each other under one fair system. No politics, no borders - European (International) judges that have no connections with any competitors


This is your chance to represent your region, earn global recognition, earn scholarships opportunities and potentially qualify for the GDO world finals in Spain in July of 2026. About Global Dance Open

Celebrating its 5th year, GDO now spans 40+ countries, is one of the world’s fastest growing and prestige-driven dance competitions, offering a powerful platform for dancers, choreographers, and studios to:

- Be seen by top international adjudicators
- Receive fair, transparent scoring and feedback
- Win scholarships, cash prizes & global exposure
- Elevate both individual and studio profiles on a world stage

Unlike many local comps, GDO is non-political, non affiliated, and built for fair, international access:

- No studio judges - independent, rotation-based international panel
- Media & Livestream included - no extra fees for families
- Feedback via 3 European (international) judges for the Australian/New Zealand competition
- Studio recognition and studio leaderboard at Finals
- Unique categories like Dancer of the Globes, Artists of the Globe, Concept Video, and the Ultimate title: GDO Grand Prix Winner at Finals


Important Dates (Australia & New Zealand Qualifier)

Early Bird Entries Open 1st October 2025
Standard Entries Open 1st November 2025
Entries Close 1st March 2026
Virtual Judging Dates 9th-12th March 2026
Virtual Event Livestream 14th-15th March 2026
Results + Prizes 15th March 2026
Online Workshops TBA
(with European / International Judges/choreographers)

*Global Dance Open FINALS are July 14th - 19th July in San Sebastien, Spain. Entry Pricing (Australia & New Zealand Qualifier)

Solo - Early Bird AUD $40 - October 2025
Solo - Standard AUD $45
Duo - Early Bird AUD $50 - October 2025
Duo - Standard AUD $55
Groups (Ensembles) - Early Bird AUD $60 - October 2025
Groups (Ensembles) - Standard AUD $65
GDO Membership AUD$22.50 (one-time per dancer)
Media, Written Critique, Livestream Included in Entry Price

*Entry & Payment collected via the Global Dance Open Dance Genie Portal. Categories (Australia & New Zealand Qualifier)

Your dancers can enter into the following age groups:

Divisions Age
MINI: 5 - 8 years
JUNIOR: 9 - 11 years
TEEN: 12 - 14 years
INTERMEDIATE: 15 - 17 years
SENIOR: 18 - 29 years

Age is taken from 1 January 2026. Dancer’s must compete in their correct age division in solos (GDO reserves the right to check identity cards at the Semi-finals or finals). There’s very detailed info on the global dance open website regarding time limits and rules etc, below is a snippet of what genres are being covered:

All Age Divisions:
Ballet Repertoire
Neoclassical
Contemporary
Jazz
Acrodance
Lyrical
Showdance
Tap
Showtap (not applicable for Mini & Junior)
Musical Theatre (must include full vocals)
Folklore
Hip-Hop/Street/Commercial

Virtual qualifications will take place with pre-recorded videos.
3 international judges will be present and there are the same opportunities to qualify for finals or be nominated for special prizes. Videos must be submitted at least 7 days before the qualifier date (Qualifier is 14th & 15th March - videos must be uploaded by the 1st of March 2026).
2. Videos must have no logos, competition banners or advertising of any kind (for legal reasons).
3. Videos must be landscape.
4. Videos must always have the full dancer’s body and always be visible throughout the recording.
5. Videos cannot be edited or merged.
6. Videos must be a complete choreography from beginning to end.
7. Videos must be filmed within the last 6 months.

*Videos that do not meet the criteria will not be scored and not be eligible for refund. Scholarships & Prizes

We’ve partnered with a number of elite brands and institutions across Australia & New Zealand that you will be very familiar with and even more excited to learn about once revealed, with the focus being on furthering your dancers dancing opportunities, locally and internationally. BONUS UPDATE: The highest scoring solos and groups will also be connected directly to Americas Got Talent producers for careful consideration for the following AGT season - which is such an incredible opportunity for our dancers! Optional Online Workshops (via Zoom)

Your dancers will also be offered the chance to attend optional livestream workshops with European (International) judges / choreographers. These are sold separately to entrants:

Workshops Fees
1 Workshop AUD$35
2 Workshops AUD$60
3 Workshops AUD$75

*Each workshop is 1.5 hours in duration, and hosted by European (International) judges / choreographers, giving dancers the chance to train, ask questions, and connect. Judging Process and Format

- All routines judged by 3 European (International) judges with opportunities to qualify for Global Dance Open FINALS in Spain 2026 and also be nominated for special prizes.
- Fully digital system via Dance Genie
- All routines are scored on:
- Technique
- Choreography
- Musicality
- Performance Quality
- Awards will be live-streamed and then sent as digitally certificates to all entrants together with written scorecards and feedback. View the Style Guide & Judging Criteria in the below link:


Looking for more information, Let’s Chat? We’re of course available to chat anytime on the phone, via Zoom, Googlemeet, send studio packs, and even do a live info night with parents if helpful. You can also fill out your details in this google form link, to keep updated on everything https://forms.gle/CNBNLWQqpoudofCW9

Thank you for considering this groundbreaking platform. Together we’re putting Australia & New Zealand on the world dance map - one step, one solo, one story at a time. Let’s make 2026 a year to remember!