The 2025 CTC World Cup Ballroom Dance Championship will be held on Saturday, July 5th, at Taipei Arena. Officially recognized by the World Dance Council (WDC), this prestigious event is organized by the Department of Sports, Taipei City Government and the Association Legal Person National Dance Sports of the Republic of China, under the guidance of the Sports Administration, MOE. This world-class dance competition welcomes elite dancers from around the world to Taipei, creating one of the most anticipated international dance events of the year.

Event Highlights

This year's competition offers several exciting features, including:

• Asia’s first dual live orchestra performance
• “Little Legends Project” – showcasing Taiwan’s future dance stars
• Expanded charity initiatives, blending artistic expression with social impact

A total of 1,130 competitors from across the world will grace the Taipei Arena stage, presenting dazzling performances and competing at the highest level of international ballroom dance. The Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Line Jazz Band will provide live music for the finals, creating a truly immersive experience. This unique concept, initiated by Anieya Group President Chen Weizhong, has been supporting orchestral participation in CTC events since 2018, successfully integrating live music with dance and showcasing Taiwan’s artistic influence globally.

To further encourage young talent in Taiwan, the “Little Legends Project” will feature eight dancers under 10 years old performing in an exhibition match. Additionally, China Airlines will sponsor a free flight ticket for the champion of the youth category, supporting their dreams of international dance competition.

The performers at the event are Taiwan's professional ballroom dance champions, Marcus Lin& Bella Lee. This year, they won the Asian Professional Ballroom Dance Championship in both the Japan and Taipei stops of the Asian Tour, and ranked among the world's top 48 in the three major British competitions—UK Open, Blackpool Dance Festival, and International Championships.

Another pair of dancers, Taiwan's amateur Latin dance champions, Ryan Wang & Michele Chi, achieved remarkable results last year, placing third in the Under-19 Rising Star Latin category at the UK Open World Ballroom Dance Championship. This year, they reached the top 12 in the Under-21 Latin category at the Blackpool Dance Festival.

Additionally, eight young dancers from various parts of Taiwan will participate in the "Little Legend" event. They are: Yu Wei-Yan, Chang Yu-Rui, Chen Sheng-Kai, Liu Zhe-Rui, Liu Yue, Hung You-Yi, Lu Hsiu-Ning, and Tsai Wei-Yu. They will compete at Taipei Arena on July 5.

Star-Studded Lineup & International Judges

This year’s championship boasts a stellar panel of international judges and top-ranking competitors, making the competition more thrilling than ever.

Key judges include:

• Steve Powell, Honorary Vice President of WDC
• Kenny Welsh, President of BDFI (British Dance Federation International)
• Gaynor Fareweather, 13-time World Professional Latin Dance Champion
• Lu Ning, Chinese Professional Latin Dance Champion
• Yang Chao, Chinese Professional Ballroom Dance Champion

The event will also welcome the top-ranking dancers from around the world, including finalists from the Blackpool Dance Festival in England:

• Dorin Frecautanu & Marina (UK) – World Professional Latin Champions
• Stanislav Zelianin & Irina Cherepanova (Singapore) – World Professional Ballroom Champions
• Alexander Chernositov & Arina Grishanina (USA) – World Amateur Latin Champions
• Tang Yujie & Zhao Keni (China) – World Amateur Ballroom Champions

Additionally, several top-6 ranking competitors will compete in this world-class event.

A Commitment to Social Good

Beyond the competition, the event incorporates community initiatives, offering 15 ticket vouchers to local district leaders, allowing residents to attend for free. Moreover, citizens can redeem entry tickets by presenting two valid receipts between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM. For additional inquiries, contact the Chinese National Dance Association at (02-2501-2936 or 02-8712-6593).

The 2025 CTC World Cup International Ballroom Dance Open Championship is more than just a global competition—it is a spectacular fusion of art, sports, and philanthropy, making it a truly unforgettable experience. Join us in Taipei and witness this world-class celebration of dance!