16 – 18 Jan2026
Miami, FL
Venue to be announcedAll divisions and age classifications
Registration open
2026 season
The competition tour.
January – June 20265 regional events · National Finals in New York
Every event carries the same standard, the same scoring system and the same caliber of adjudication.
- Regional events
- 5
- Age classifications
- 4
2026 tour dates
Five stages
across the nation.
Five regional events lead to the American Ballet Awards National Finals. Dancers may compete at any regional event, and registration is handled per event. Stage dimensions and venue specifications are published for each event when available.
30 Jan – 1 Feb2026
Minneapolis, MN
Venue to be announcedAll divisions and age classifications
Registration open
13 – 15 Feb2026
Dallas, TX
Northpark Opera HouseAll divisions and age classifications
Registration open
27 Feb – 1 Mar2026
San Diego, CA
Venue to be announcedAll divisions and age classifications
Registration open
13 – 15 Mar2026
Rutgers, NJ
Venue to be announcedAll divisions and age classifications
Registration open
25 – 28 Jun2026
New York, NY
The Ashford Theatre · National FinalsBy invitation from a 2026 regional event
By invitation
Dates and venues are subject to change. Studio and independent registrants are notified directly of any change to a scheduled event.
Who competes
Four age classifications.
Two competitive divisions.
A dancer’s competition age is determined by their age on the age determination date ABA publishes for the season — not their age on the day they compete.
| Classification | Ages | Divisions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Competitive | 7 – 8 | One unified division | Scored adjudication and designated placements. Ballet slippers only — pointe work is not permitted, with no exceptions. |
| Youth | 9 – 11 | Premiere or Virtuoso | Any dancer competing en pointe automatically competes in Virtuoso. Youth Premiere competitors perform in ballet slippers. |
| Junior | 12 – 14 | Premiere or Virtuoso | Increasing expectations for control, refinement, musicality and performance quality. En pointe or slippers, as suits the repertoire. |
| Senior | 15 – 19 | Premiere or Virtuoso | Advanced student and pre-professional dancers. En pointe or slippers, as suits the repertoire and training. |
Choosing a division
Competitive division is determined primarily by a dancer’s current training environment and concentration of study — rather than solely by age, years of dance experience, previous awards or competition history. Teachers, studio directors and independent participants are responsible for selecting the division that most accurately represents the dancer’s training at the time of registration.
Moving up
A dancer’s division is not intended to define their potential. As classical study becomes more specialized, dancers may transition from Premiere to Virtuoso, and ABA may recommend advancement where a dancer’s background and demonstrated proficiency indicate that Virtuoso would provide a more appropriate competitive environment. Once a dancer has competed in Virtuoso during a season, they may not return to Premiere that same season without prior ABA approval.
Registration FAQ
Before you register.
Everything studios, teachers, parents and independent competitors ask most often. For anything not answered here, write to us and a member of the ABA team will reply.
By the dancer’s age on the age determination date ABA publishes for the season — not their age on the day they compete. ABA may request a birth certificate, passport or other accepted documentation to verify a dancer’s eligibility for an age classification.
Yes. Dancers may participate through a registered dance studio, ballet academy, conservatory or pre-professional program, or as an independent competitor. Independent competitors register directly and are eligible for the same categories, placements, scholarships and recognition as studio-registered dancers.
Yes. Registration is handled per event, and dancers may enter as many regional events as their schedule allows. Division placement must remain consistent with the dancer’s training across the season — once a dancer has competed in Virtuoso during a season, they may not return to Premiere that same season without prior ABA approval.
The National Finals are by invitation, extended to dancers who distinguish themselves at a 2026 regional event. Invitations are drawn from both divisions and every age classification.
Youth, Junior and Senior competitors select a variation from the ABA Approved Classical Repertoire List. Variations should remain recognizable to the original choreography and style of the selected ballet; adjustments may be made for a dancer’s age, technical readiness, physical safety or the dimensions of the stage. Significant alterations that change the technical or stylistic character of a variation may affect adjudication, and ABA may identify specific variations as restricted by age or technical requirement.
Pre-Competitive dancers ages 7–8 are not required to perform an established variation — an age-appropriate solo choreographed by their teacher or coach is welcome.
Music changes requested after the published deadline may not be accommodated, and requests to add extended time to a Large Ensemble after the registration deadline may not be accommodated either. Large Ensemble entries that exceed five minutes without having registered for the extended-time option may be subject to a scoring deduction — and no Large Ensemble performance may exceed six minutes. Contact the ABA team as early as possible if something must change.
ABA reviews division placement and may reclassify an entry where necessary to maintain the integrity of the competitive field. Honest misjudgements are simply corrected. Intentionally entering a dancer into a division that does not reflect their training in order to gain a competitive advantage may result in reclassification or other action, and ABA retains final authority regarding division eligibility and placement.
ABA events may include master classes led by distinguished faculty, professional dancers, educators, choreographers and representatives of participating training programmes, and registered dancers are strongly encouraged to take the classes offered for their age and level. Schedules, age groupings, levels and participation requirements are published for each event. Taking a class never changes a dancer’s competition score or placement.