[Competition Divisions]

[Balboa 2 Divisions] (Multiple entries allowed in prelims. If qualified for multiple finals, competitors must compete only in the higher division.)

Balboa Newcomer M&M (Rookie+Novice = ancers who have never placed in any amateur division competition.)

Balboa Open M&M

[M&M 6 Divisions] (Multiple entries allowed in prelims. If qualified for multiple finals, competitors must compete only in the higher division.)

Jitterbug M&M / Rookie 1 M&M / Rookie 2 M&M / Open M&M / Advanced M&M / All-star M&M

[Strictly 3 Divisions] (Multiple entries allowed in prelims. If qualified for multiple finals, competitors must compete only in the higher division.)

Open Strictly / Advanced Strictly /  All-star Strictly 

[Jazz 1 Divisions] (Multiple entries with other divisions allowed. Multiple placements also allowed.)

Solo Jazz (Open)

[Tempo 2 Divisions] (Multiple entries with other divisions allowed. Multiple placements also allowed.)

Medium Lindy M&M (Open)

Slow Lindy M&M (Open) 

[Eligibility Criteria]

• Balboa Newcomer Division includes what is typically considered Rookie and Novice divisions in other competitions, and is only open to dancers who have never placed in any amateur division competition.

• All-star Division eligibility: Dancers may register for All-star in either M&M or Strictly if they meet any one of the following criteria:

1) Placed in KLHC Advanced Division

2) Placed in The Battle Korea – Final Showdown, Advanced Division

3) Reached finals (1st–2nd place) in The Battle Korea Regional Advanced Division

4) Placed in other major national or international competitions, Advanced Division

• Major national events: RSF Advanced, Champions Cup, etc.

• Major international events: ILHC, Savoy Cup, Camp Hollywood, etc.

For events not listed above, please contact the organizers in advance for confirmation.

[Reference date for participation]

• Jitterbug M&M (Only those who started swing dancing for the first time after Apr. 1. 2025 can participate.)

• Rookie 1 M&M (Only those who started swing dancing for the first time after Oct. 1. 2024 can participate.)

• Rookie 2 M&M (Only those who started swing dancing for the first time after Oct. 1. 2023 can participate.)

[Multiple Entries]

• Multiple entries across divisions are permitted. However, in level divisions, if a competitor qualifies for multiple finals, they may compete only in the higher division. (Entry fees will not be refunded in this case.)

[Judging Criteria]

• All participants must meet the requirements of their division; failure to comply may result in disqualification.

• Judges will evaluate according to internationally recognized standards.

• Results of regional preliminary rounds will be announced immediately after via tap-in format, while results of the Final Showdown will be announced after tabulation.

• Final round results will be announced at the award ceremony after tabulation, not immediately after the competition.

• Final scores and results will be posted later on the official website.

• Any unforeseen issues will be resolved at the discretion of the Head Judge.

• If a judge specializes in a different genre, they may serve only as one of the five judging positions.

[Competition Rules]

• Guidelines are provided for Open and Advanced levels, but they are not strict restrictions; participants may register at their own discretion.

• The eligibility cut-off date for the Rookie division is October 1 each year.
  ※ Reference: KLHC uses April 1 as the cut-off date (6 months difference).

• The eligibility cut-off date for the Jitterbug division will be announced separately by each competition.

• Double registration across level divisions is allowed; however, in the main rounds, only the higher division will be valid.

• If advancing to a higher division final, participation in a lower division preliminary is not permitted, and no refunds will be issued.

• For non-level divisions (e.g., Medium/Slow Lindy), multiple entries and awards are allowed.

• If fewer than 10 couples register, the division may be canceled or merged.

• In M&M competitions, if gender balance is uneven, organizers may either (a) bring in a helper dancer and keep the format at 3 songs, or (b) run a 4-song rotation system for the preliminaries.

[Important Notes]

• Participants must be at least 18 years old; those under 18 require parental consent.

• No dress code is enforced, but attire that resonates with and engages the audience is encouraged.

• Bib number placement: Leaders – center of the back; Followers – below the waist. (See sample photo.)

• Participants must be ready 15 minutes before their division and wait at the designated area.

• Failure to check in by the scheduled time may result in disqualification.

[Refund Policy]

• No refunds after the registration deadline.

• 100% refund available up to 1 week before the event.

• No refunds within 1 week of the event, but transfers are allowed.

• For the Final Showdown, refunds may be converted into credits (after deductions).

[Awards & Benefits]

• 1st – 3rd Place: Custom-made metal medals will be awarded. (Semifinalists will both be recognized as joint 3rd place without a separate match for 3rd–4th place; awards will be presented to the top 4.)

• Regional Champions: Winners of each division in regional competitions will be granted a seeded position in the Final Showdown main stage. (Excluding the Jitterbug division)

• Final Showdown All-Star Champion: The winner of the All-Star Level at the Final Showdown will be invited to serve as a judge at the following year’s Battle competition.

• Prizes for Awardees: Award recipients will receive additional benefits such as free admission to regional dance halls.

• Winner’s Privilege: Champions will be granted complimentary invitation passes to domestic and international swing dance events.

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[Champion’s Prizes]

Event Passes

Prepared prizes will be selected according to priority. Please note that, depending on circumstances, recipients may not always be able to receive the prize of their first choice. Additional event passes will be introduced in the future.

1) Local Events

• CSI & KLHC

• Rockkin' & Swingin' Festival

• Bal & Hop

• All Star Weekend

• Daegu Balboa Party

• U-Jam Daejeon: Dark Knight
  
  

2) Overseas Events

• Osaka Lindy Exchange

• Jazz Do It, Beijing

• Jazz Alive, Beijing

• Shanghai Balboa Weekend

• Fun’s Lindy Exchange, Changsha
  
  

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[Prizes for Awardees]

Free Admission to Dance Halls

Free admission applies only on the specified days and under standard social dance conditions. Please note that special events are excluded. Additional dance halls offering free admission will be announced later.

1) General Benefit:
All 1st–3rd place winners will receive free admission throughout December.

• [Seoul] Big Apple (Mon), Kyungsung Hall (Tue)

• [Cheonan] Big Apple (Fri)

• [Cheongju] Harper’s Hall (Sat)

• [Daejeon] Swing It Dance Hall (Fri, Sun)

• [Busan] Swing 243 (Fri, Sun)
  
  

2) Additional Benefit:
All 1st place winners will receive free admission throughout January 2026.

• [Seoul] Kyungsung Hall (Tue)

• [Daejeon] Swing It Dance Hall (Fri, Sun)

• '발 앤 합'은 배틀 코리아 발보아 부문의 시드 배정 행사로, 자세한 정보는 행사 사이트를 방문해 주시기 바랍니다.

• 'Bal & Hop' is a seeding event for 'The Battle Korea Final Showdown'. Please visit the event site for more information.

https://balnhop.kr/ko