Rules | Gateway Dancesport Championships St Louis MO

Gateway dancesport March 12-14 2026

RULES

NDCA

All rules will be compliant with the National Dance Council of America official regulations.

The NDCA syllabus is used for all closed categories. Closed syllabus events will be invigilated by an NDCA certified Invigilator.
All competitors, Amateur, Pro-Am, and Professional must provide proof of NDCA 2025 registration before dancing. Any competitor not currently registered with the NDCA will be required to register at the competition on their smartphone, and to show proof of registration, before being given a package, number, heat sheet or allowed to dance.

PRE-TEEN CLOTHING RESTRICTIONS

Pre Teen (11 & Under) competitors are restricted in costuming as per the NDCA rule book
For more information please visit www.NDCA.org

Payments

Checks may be mailed to Gateway Dancesport 1824 Green Berry Road
Jefferson City MO 65101

Important Dates

Entries

Levels

A student may only enter two dance levels, their own level plus one higher. Example: A bronze level dancer may dance all bronze and silver levels but may not enter gold.

Ages

Adult students may enter their own age level plus any age level below, down to A.

Newcomer Events

Newcomer Events are open to students who have competed less than one calendar year.

Scholarships

To enter any Pro-Am Scholarship you must dance the same number of single dances as listed in each scholarship. For example: each 3 dance Scholarship you must dance 3 single dances, for each 4 dance scholarship you must dance 4 single dances, for each 5 dance scholarship you must dance 5 single dances.... etc

Proficiency Events

Proficiency categories are available in all levels and age groups for those who wish to compete for their own individual score rather than against others.

Professional Hustle

All finalists will dance a Solo to the music of their choice.
The Music for each couples Solo shall be no more than approximately 2:00, including tags. The time starts when the music starts.
Up to 2 lifts permitted
No props allowed.
Competition will be danced as follows: Solos and then Group Round.

Release

All attendees, being fully cognizant of the risks inherent in ballroom dancing and exhibitions, shall hereby:

No responsibility for loss or theft of articles left in Changing Rooms, Ballrooms or Hotel Rooms can be accepted by the Organizer, or by the National Dance Council of America, Inc., and neither can they be held liable for injury sustained by persons attending this event. Everyone attending does so at his or her own risk.
All persons attending this event, whether as spectators, competitors, officials, or guests of the organizer, shall be bound by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. rules, and by participating in this event automatically become obligated to adhere to them.
Consent to use and release of his/her name and likeness to be used in photographs, television filming and recording of the event used in connection with the television broadcast, exhibition, distribution or promotion of the event in any manner and by any means, now or in the future by Gateway Dancesport Championships LLC, Larinda McRaven, and the National Dance Council of America, Inc. If any person has an objection to being video taped or the possibility of being seen on these tapes or in any publicity trailers or other use of his or her picture, please notify the organizers of this event in writing thirty days prior to the commencement. Failure to notify will be considered as permission granted.
Be bound by the National Dance Council of America, Inc. rules and by participating in this event, automatically become obligated to adhere to them.

February 11 2026 - Early Payment Discount Deadline - 4 Weeks Before

Only entries PAID FOR by February 5 will be eligible for the Early Payment Discount.

at the Early Payment Discount price.

February 18 2025 - Hotel Deadline - 3 Weeks Before

The Hotel turns off the Gateway Reservation and Special Rate page at 5pm February 12.

Gateway cannot add rooms to our block or with our rate after the cutoff. You will need to reserve your room at the public rate.

March 4 2025 - Final Registration - 1 Week Before

Entries submitted after will be added solely at the discretion of the Organizer.

Entries submitted after are subject to an additional $20 per person late fee, and must be paid for with a CC before they will be accepted.

Cancellations with refunds requests will be take on a case by case basis. No refunds will be issued for meal tickets, reserved seats, or general admission tickets.

Any refunds given will be mailed by business check within 30 days after the close of the event, minus a $50 processing fee.

March 12 2025 - Onsite Entries and Cancellations

Entries received after the start of the competition will be added solely at the discretion of the Organizer.

Cancellations, missed heats, and scratches will not be eligible for refunds. Emergency cancellations will be assessed on a case by case basis and may be eligible for a credit to next year's event.