POLE DANCE SHOW 2026 REGULATIONS

1. The Organizer of POLE DANCE SHOW 2026 competition (hereinafter referred to as the "Competition") is FUNDACJA KLUB SPORTOWY MY WAY foundation, KRS number: 0001008502.

2. The Competition will take place on April 24th to 26th, 2026 in the Centrum Kongresowe Targów Kielce (Targi Kielce Congress Center), ul. Zakładowa 1, 25-672 Kielce.

April 24th (Friday) - ART (kids and juniors)

Kids 8-11 debut, Kids 8-11 amateur, Kids 8-11 semi-pro, Kids 8-11 professional, Juniors 12-14 debut, Juniors 12-14 amateur, Juniors 12-14 semi-pro, Juniors 12-14 professional, Juniors 15-17 debut, Juniors 15-17 amateur, Juniors 15-17 semi-pro, Juniors 15-17 professional, Duets/groups 12-17 

April 25th (Saturday) - ART (18+)

Women amateur debut, Women amateur, Women semi-pro, Women professional, Women masters (40+), Women elite, Men amateur debut, Men amateur, Men amateur, Men semi-pro, Men professional, Duets/groups amateur, Duets/groups professional, 

April 26th (Sunday) - EXOTIC

Exotic amateur debut, Exotic amateur, Exotic semi-pro, Exotic professional, Exotic elite, Exotic duets/groups, Exotic masters.

The organizer reserves the right to combine the categories of debut with amateurs and the categories of semi-pro with professionals for all categories in the case of a small number of people sending their applications. In such a case, participants from these categories will have a right to resign from participation and will get a refund of the application fee.

3. Mission

The Competition's mission is to put out a unique stage show using vertical poles. Creativity and the artistic side of the performance/show are the most important aspects.

4. Categories and definitions.

Pole dance competition – an organized sporting event on the national or international scale, bringing together athletes practicing pole dance/exotic/pole art/pole sport and any variation of pole dance taking place using a vertical pole. Competitions organized by pole dance studios for their students shall not be taken into account.

Debuts - categories intended for those who are participating in pole dance competitions for the first time. A person who qualifies to more than one competition in the category of debuts and will perform in this category in other pole dance competitions taking place before the date of POLE DANCE SHOW 2026 cannot participate in the category of debuts, will not be moved to a higher category and will not receive any refund of the application fee.

Prohibited positions for debut and amateur categories - all deadlifts performed using a pole or without using a pole (from shoulder mount, handspring, brass monkey, press to handstand etc.) and positions in which the body loses contact with the pole and floor at the same time (fonji, jumping onto and off of the pole, grip changing, flips, back/front flips, etc.)

Pole dance instructor –a person who has a certificate that gives rights to conduct pole dance classes (instructor courses), a person who has conducted in the past/is conducting, as of the date of submitting an application, pole dance/exotic/pole art/pole sport classes and any variation of pole dance classes taking place using a vertical pole. Seniority is not taken into account. One-time teaching of classes (replacement) is not taken into account. If a person starts working as an instructor/obtains a certificate of an instructor is required to notify this fact to the Organizer by email in order to be moved to a higher category. Such cases will be taken into account only until the end of accepting submission. Starting work as an instructor/obtaining a certificate after January 6, 2026 will not result in moving to a higher category.

Props – any additional stage elements used in the choreography by a participant or duet/group, such as decorative elements, items used during the performance that the competitor brings onto the stage, and clothing/costume accessories removed during the performance (hat, removable items of clothing, glasses, etc.). as well as props attached to the pole (e.g., hand loop). Props must not endanger the safety of participants or damage the stage and equipment.

Categories.

A participant who submitted an application to more than one competition (including PDS 2026) in the same category and will place 1st-3rd in this category in other competitions taking place before the date of the end of accepting submissions for POLE DANCE SHOW 2026 is obliged to notify this fact to the organizer in order to be moved to a higher category. A participant who places 1st-3rd after the end of accepting submissions , i.e. after the 6th of January 2026, will remain in the same category.

Categories of Kids and Juniors (all genders). For the categories of Kids and Juniors, the age at the date of the final performance is taken into account.

KIDS debut. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have never participated in pole dance competitions. 

KIDS amateurs. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have participated in the amateur category, but have not placed 1st-3rd (placing 1st-3rd in a debut category is not taken into account).

Kids semi-pro. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of Kids amateur and placed 1st-3rd or have participated in the semi-pro category, but have not placed 1st-3rd.

Kids professional. This category is for kids between 8 and 11 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of semi-pro or higher  and placed 1st-3rd; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

JUNIORS 12-14 debut. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have never participated in pole dance competitions.

JUNIORS 12-14 amateur. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have participated in the amateur category, but have not placed 1st-3rd (placing 1st-3rd in a debut category is not taken into account).

JUNIORS 12-14 semi pro. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of Juniors amateur and placed 1st-3rd or have participated in the semi-pro category, but have not placed 1st-3rd.

JUNIORS 12-14 professionals. This category is for persons between 12 and 14 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of semi-pro or higher  and placed 1st-3rd; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

JUNIORS 15-17 debut. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have never participated in pole dance competitions. 

JUNIORS 15-17 amateur. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have participated in the amateur category, but have not placed 1st-3rd (placing 1st-3rd in a debut category is not taken into account) and who are not pole dance instructors at the date of sending their application. 

JUNIORS 15-17 semi pro. 

JUNIORS 15-17 semi pro. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of Juniors amateur and placed 1st-3rd or have participated in the semi-pro category, but have not placed 1st-3rd.

JUNIORS 15-17 professional. This category is for persons between 15 and 17 years of age who have participated in pole dance competitions in the category of semi-pro or higher  and placed 1st-3rd; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

DUETS/GROUPS 12-17. This category is for duets and groups between 12 and 17 years of age.

ART 18+ categories. Participants entering the 18+ category must be at least 18 years old on the day of the final performance. Participants who move to a higher category in terms of age, i.e. from Juniors to 18+ categories, and have placed 1st-3rd in Kids/Juniors, and who are not pole dance instructors, should submit their applications to Women/Men amateurs. If such a person is an instructor,  then the appropriate category is semi-pro. Such a participant can also apply to higher categories, which remains an individual decision of the participant.

WOMEN amateur debut. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have never participated in pole dance competitions. 

WOMEN amateur. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have competed in pole dance competitions in the amateur category but have not won 1st-3rd place (placing 1st-3rd in a debut category is not taken into account). 

WOMEN semi-pro. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the semi-pro category, but have not won 1st-3rd place or have won 1st-3rd place but not more than once; and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the women amateur category.

WOMEN professional. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in semi-pro category at least two times; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level.

WOMEN elite. This category is intended for women aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in professional category or higher many times (more than two); and/or represent a high level of pole dance skills.

WOMEN MASTERS. The category is intended for women who are at least 40 years old at the date of the Competition. 

MEN amateur debut. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have never participated in pole dance competitions.

MEN amateur. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above, who are not pole dance instructors at the date of sending an application and have never placed 1st-3rd in pole dance competition (placing 1st-3rd in a debut category is not taken into account).

MEN semi-pro. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the semi-pro category, but have not won 1st-3rd place or have won 1st-3rd place but not more than once; and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the men amateur category.

MEN professional. This category is intended for men aged 18 and above, who are professionally engaged in pole dance (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops) and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the semi-pro category at least twice.

DUETS/GROUPS amateur. This category is intended for duets and groups. Each participant of a duet or a group must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the Competition. This category is intended for people, who are not pole dance instructors at the date of sending an application and have never placed 1st-3rd in pole dance competition (both in solo category and in a duet/group) .

DUETS/GROUPS professional. This category is intended for duets and groups. Each participant of a duet or a group must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the Competition. This category is intended for people, who are pole dance instructors and/or have placed 1st-3rd in pole dance competition (both in solo category and in a duet/group) .

Exotic 18+ categories (all genders). Intended for both women and men (mix) aged 18 and above. Participants of exotic categories wear platform high heels, the so-called pleasers.

EXOTIC DUETS. This category is intended for duets and groups. Each participant of a duet or a group must be at least 18 years of age at the date of the Competition. 

EXOTIC MASTERS. The category is intended for persons who are at least 40 years old at the date of the Competition. 

EXOTIC amateur debut. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have never participated in pole dance competitions. 

EXOTIC amateur. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above who are not pole dance instructors on the date of submitting an application and have competed in pole dance competitions in the amateur category but have not won 1st-3rd place (placing 1st-3rd in a debut category is not taken into account).

EXOTIC semi-pro. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above who are professionally engaged in pole dancing (are pole dance instructors, conduct pole dance workshops); and/or have participated in pole dance competitions in the semi-pro category, but have not won 1st-3rd place or have won 1st-3rd place but not more than once; and/or have won 1st-3rd place in the amateur category.

EXOTIC professional. This category is intended for persons aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in semi-pro category at least two times; and/or represent pole dance skills at a professional level. 

EXOTIC elite. This category is intended for people aged 18 and above, who have won 1st-3rd place in pole dance competitions in professional category or higher many times (more than two); and/or represent a high level of pole dance skills.

5. Submissions

To participate in the competitions, you have to fill in the application, which can be found here: JOIN! or click "take a part in competition" in POLE DANCE SHOW 2026. We recommend you to fill in the application using a computer (it is less intuitive when using a mobile phone). After sending your application you will receive an email confirming the correct submission of your application. Now, make a payment. In the case of duets/groups, each person being a member of this duet/group has to submit their application. In the field with a pseudonym/name of the group/duet, each member should enter the name of the duet/group or full names of all its members.

The application video must not be a montage of clips and must not be recorded with a moving camera (zooming in and out). The only exceptions are official videos from competitions, recorded by professionals. The quality of the video should allow a fair evaluation, ensure adequate lighting and clear sound. It can be a choreography prepared for the finals, but does not have to. You can use only one pole (spinning, static) or both. The duration of the video must not exceed 2 minutes (you can upload a longer video but the jury will watch only the first 2 minutes of it).

The application video will be assessed based on the following scoring card: Choreography (0-10 points), Originality (0-10 points), Musicality (0-10 points), Strength (0-10 points), Flexibility (0-10 points), Transitions (0-10 points), Clean Execution (0-10 points), Overall (0-10 points).

The deadline for submissions is January 6, 2026. The number of 5-20 people from each category will be qualified for the finals. The finalists will be selected by the competition committee (jury) consisting of 3 people and announced by January 15, 2026 at the latest. Those who submit their applications but are not qualified for the finals will not receive a refund of the submission fee.

Submission fees:

PLN 90 (EUR 25) – fee for one category (if one person registers for more than one category, a fee must be paid for each category; in the case of duets/groups, payment is made by only one person for the entire duet/group)

Submission fees are accepted by January 6, 2026.

PLN 300 (EUR 75) – SOLO, a fee for each category that will qualify for the final (if one person qualifies for more than one category, a fee must be paid for each category); the payment includes a package of 3 photos from a photographer.

PLN 400 (EUR 100) - DUETS/GROUPS, a fee for each duet/group that will qualify for the final; for groups consisting of more than 3 people, a fee of PLN 100 (EUR 25) per each additional person must be made; the payment includes a package of 3 photos from a photographer.

We accept payments until January 21, 2026.

How to make a payment?

1. Log into ScoreApp.

2. Go to "Your profile" --> "Dancer zone" --> "The competitions you are registered for" and select POLE DANCE SHOW 2026.

3. In the table you will see the amount to be paid for the selected category. Click on it and follow the instructions of PayNow.

Payments in EUR can be made to PayPal account poledanceshowkielce@gmail.com or by bank transfer (if you do not have a PayPal account.

Fundacja MY WAY 

PL62 1140 2004 0000 3502 8338 6054

Resignation from participation. A participant can resign from participation in the competition without the need to indicate a reason. A participant who resigns from participation later than 3 weeks before the date of the Competition cannot participate in the next edition of the Competition. Except for a participant who will provide a medical certificate confirming inability to participate.

The fee is non-returnable. In case of the participant's resignation from participation in the Competition the fee shall not be refunded and the participant shall not receive a ticket. 

6. Awards

The top three places in each category under 18 years of age will receive diplomas, medals, and prizes funded by sponsors. The top three places in each category over 18 years of age will receive diplomas, trophies, and prizes funded by sponsors.

7. The scene and the poles

The scene will have 2 poles (static and spinning) with a diameter of 45 mm, at a distance of 3 m from each other and with a height of 4 m. From the participant's perspective, the spinning pole will be located on the left. These will be brass poles. In the case of duets/groups there is a possibility of selection of two static or two spinning poles (after previous notification by e-mail). Stage dimensions are 6 m x 8m. The floor will be covered with a ballet/stage floor made 100% of vinyl.

8. The Participants

On the day of the competition the participant must be 18 years of age (this does not pertain to the Junior and Kids category), have personal accident insurance, be familiar with the contents of these Rules and have a valid identity document. It is forbidden to consume alcohol or narcotics on the day of the Competition.

9. Scoring 

EXOTIC categories

DUETS categories

Other cathegories

In the event of a tie, the participant with the higher score in the artistic section will be ranked higher. If the participants have the same number of points in this section, the final decision will be made by the judges.

10. Music

The length of the participant’s performance should be within the following range:

Debuts, Amateurs 2:30-3:00

Semi-pro, Women Masters, Exotic Masters, 2:30-3:30

Professional, Elite, Duets/groups 3:00-4:00 

Music with a vulgar language, unethical, racist etc. content is forbidden. The only exception is the performances of exotic category participants. In the case of these performances, the use of a song that contains vulgar language is permitted, but only with prior approval from the Organizer (the text of the song must be sent by email for approval). The Organizer has the right to refuse the possibility of using such a song if, in their opinion, the lyrics of such a song will be too far outside the generally accepted norms. The same piece of music can be used by more than one participant. Music should be uploaded to the ScoreApp system in the form of a file in MP3 format by April 15, 2026 at the latest. After this date, the participant will receive negative points from the organizer in accordance with point 18 of these Regulations.

How to do it?

1. Log in to the ScoreApp system.

2. Enter the tab "Your account" --> "Dancer zone" --> Pole Dance Show 2026

3. In the table you can find a field where you can upload your music (MP3 file column)

4. Save the music file by clicking "v" button (save)

Our system verifies the length of a song. Each file exceeding the length specified in the Rules will be rejected. We accept only files in MP3 format with a maximum size of 6MB. We recommend you to upload files using your computer (using a smartphone is uncomfortable).

11. Costume

1. The costume is left to the participant's discretion. It is however forbidden to perform topless (except for men), in erotic lingerie, in a costume exposing intimate parts. Permitted footwear: ballet shoes, gym shoes, dance shoes and high heels (for exotic categories). The footwear may not pose a threat to the audience/jury/other participants. Tattoos and make-up are permitted, but these should not soil the scene, poles and the other participants.

2. The exposure of intimate parts of the body, e.g. breasts, while performing on stage, which is the result of the dynamics of movements on stage while presenting the choreography, does not affect the disqualification of the participant or lower the score and does not violate point 1. In each case, the organizer/judges decide as to whether the intimate body parts were exposed intentionally.

12. Online registration

Participants can register for the competition online using a Google form, which will be available approximately two weeks before the start of the event. All participants who have qualified for the final must register by the deadline to confirm their attendance at the competition. Online registration exempts the participant from the obligation to appear in person for registration on the day of the competition between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. If online registration is not completed within the specified time limit, the participant is required to register on site on the day of the competition between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

13. Scorecards

After the competition, each participant will receive an individual scorecard containing detailed results obtained from all judges. The scorecard includes the total number of points awarded in each criterion, in accordance with the scoring system applicable in a given category. In addition, the scorecard includes a “Penalty Points” section, which takes into account any negative points awarded by the organizer for violations specified in §18 of the Regulations. The scorecards will be made available to participants in electronic form within 7 working days after the end of the competition via the registration platform. The scorecards are for informational and transparency purposes only and do not constitute grounds for appealing against the judges' decisions.

14. Choreography and copyright

 1. The participant should prepare a routine/choreography that will be presented on the stage on the day of the competition in such a way that it is a work created individually by the competitor. The organizer shall not be responsible for the competitor's choreography, both in the art and exotic categories, in terms of its individual character.

 2. The competition organizer shall not be responsible for any possible infringement of other people's copyrights to the choreography presented on stage on the day of the competition. Any claim for copyright infringement of a dance work (choreography) will be at the discretion of the original creator.

 3. The competition organizer shall not resolve disputes regarding copyright infringement of the work (choreography).

15. Human props, stage props, unusual ideas

During the final performance, only the participant(s) may be on stage. The use of third parties for choreography is possible only after prior notification of this information to the organizer (until March 30, 2026). In addition to the participant, a maximum of two people may be on stage. Additional people may not touch the poles. Human props are required to purchase an entry ticket to the event. Permitted accessories: gloves, knee and ankle protectors. All accessories used for the choreography should be previously reported (until March 30, 2026) and their installation/removal should not take longer than 3 minutes. Each participant is required to leave the stage clean (any feathers, confetti, etc. must be cleaned up by the participant after the performance). All accessories should not hamper the performance and should stay within the area of the stage during the entire performance. The use of magnesia, dry hands, mighty grip, etc is permitted but it can be applied only on a participant’s body. Balsams, itac, monkey hands and body lotions are forbidden. Any unusual ideas for the final performance will be considered individually. The intention to use any accessories or human props should be notified by email to poledanceshowkielce@gmail.com until March 30, 2026.

16. Stage testing

Each participant is allowed to test the stage for at least 1 minute and a maximum of 3 minutes. The final date and time of the stage testing and its duration will be published in the ScoreApp system no later than 3 days before the Competition. A participant who is late for their stage testing loses the right to test the stage.

17. Pole cleaning

The Organizer will make every effort to arrange pole cleaners for each day of the competition. If a participant prefers to clean the pole themselves or have the pole cleaned by their coach/teammate, they have to simply notify this fact at the backstage before going on stage. 

18. Disqualification and penalties from the Organizer

A participant may be disqualified for not applying to the Rules or the organizer's recommendations. The Organizer can apply penalty in the following cases:

• performing prohibited moves on the pole or without using the pole: - 5 points for each element

• music provided after the deadline 

• between 1 and 5 days of delay: -1 point per each day of delay,

• more than 5 days of delay, but not later than 48 hours before the start of the competition: -5 points

• music file provided less than 48 hours before the start of the competition: disqualification 

• provision of false or incomplete information during registration:

• inaccurate or false information: -5 points for each such a case

• false information regarding age or category: moving to a different category or disqualification (if such information will become known to the organizer less than 5 days before the competition)

• Hand-grip use

• applying hand-grips directly on a pole: -5 points

• using prohibited hand-grips: disqualification 

• props submitted after the deadline -2 points

• props not submitted -5 points

19. Injury during the performance 

Starting one’s performance from the beginning is allowed only in the case of music issues. If a participant gets injured during their performance and requires medical assistance, they will have a minute to restart their performance from the moment in which it was interrupted. If after one minute, the participant is unable to restart their performance, they will be removed from the list of finalists and no points will be awarded.

20. Authorization for reproduction of physical likeness

Making a submission to Pole Dance Show 2026 is tantamount to a lasting and unconditionally free of charge authorization for photographic, video and television recording of all the presentations and their use, publication and transmission in any media.

21. Accreditation.

The accreditation form can be found in the ACCREDITATIONS tab on this page. Commercial use of films and photographs by persons not accredited by the organizer is prohibited. Without obtaining accreditation, it is forbidden to record the course of the event or its fragments by means of devices recording an image or sound, as well as to bring and have such devices during the event.

Devices ..., i.e.

1. 1. Video cameras – both professional and amateur

2. 2. Photographic cameras

3. 3. Tablets

4. 4. CCTV cameras

5. 5. Car cameras (driving recorders)

6. 6. Drones with a camera

7. 7. Webcams 

8. 8. Sports cameras e.g. GoPro 

During the event, you can take pictures, exclusively with a mobile phone, for private purposes only.

22. Tickets

More information soon.

23. Participation in Pole Dance Show 2026 is tantamount to accepting these Rules.

24. Any questions and remarks should be sent to poledanceshowkielce@gmail.com