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Everything you need to know. From qualification to scoring.
We have broken down the most important Global Dance Open rules and explained them in English. That way you already know what matters when you read the official rulebook. Only the official rulebook in English is binding. All information is provided without guarantee.
GDO Switzerland is a Switzerland-wide dance competition and the official Swiss qualifier for the Global Dance Open Finals. You dance in front of an international jury. With the right score, your journey continues.
Sets the rulebook, provides the international jury and awards the scores.
Organises the Swiss competition: registration, schedule, venue and tickets.
You register through your dance studio.
You dance at GDO Switzerland in front of the international jury.
With 75 points or more, you enter the selection for the Finals.
With an invitation, you dance at the Global Dance Open Finals.
You represent Switzerland on the international stage.
75 points is the minimum threshold, but not a guarantee. Selection is made per category and age division.
Usually invited, into the Upper Division.
The best per category and age division, Top 2 to Top 4 depending on the category.
75 points or more: top 3 or top 4, depending on the category.
GDO can invite additional choreographies after the qualifiers.
Each choreography competes at only one qualifier per season.
GDO defines in the Style Descriptions which choreography belongs to which style. If, according to the jury, a choreography competes in the wrong style, it is reassigned and is not eligible for the podium.
Read the original Style Descriptions ↗The cut-off date is 1 January of the competition year.
For Duo, Trio and groups, the age of the oldest person counts.
* Exceptions apply, e.g. for Ballet Repertoire solos and Pas de Deux.
If the music is longer than allowed, the registration system rejects it.
The jury scores every choreography with points. Medals are only awarded if the score is high enough. This applies regardless of how many compete in your category.
After each discipline, on stage.
All dancers of the discipline gather on stage.
Places are called from 5 up to gold. If there is no 1st place, this is announced beforehand.
For gold, silver and bronze. All participants receive a diploma.
The results are binding. Questions about scoring go to GDO International: info@globaldanceopen.com
On globaldanceopen.com, in English. Only this rulebook is binding.
Global Dance Open International at info@globaldanceopen.com. GDO Switzerland organises the competition locally.
No. What is announced is the start number, in English, and the title of the choreography.
Yes. GDO Switzerland is a competition in its own right, with medals and feedback from the jury. Whether you accept an invitation to the Finals is your decision.
No. A medal and qualification are two different things. A medal does not automatically mean a place in the Finals, and vice versa.
Not automatically. 75 points is the minimum threshold, after which there is a selection per category and age division.
You need at least 75 points and one of the Finals places in your category. How many places there are depends on the entry type and style. The list of qualified dancers comes out after the event.
An independent international jury awards points for each choreography. Depending on the style, it looks at technique, expression, musicality and stage presence. At GDO Switzerland you also receive comments from the jury, at the Finals you do not.
Yes. As a qualifier, we run all categories. However, you only get a placing with the required score.
Yes, as many as you like. If you compete twice in the same category, only the higher score counts for the medal and the Finals.
Online on the official Global Dance Open platform, usually through your dance studio. You can find the step-by-step guide on the How to Register page.
No. You can also compete without a dance studio, in that case under your country of residence. Write to us and we will explain the registration to you.
What counts is your age on 1 January of the competition year. For Duo, Trio, Ensemble and Crew, the oldest person counts.
The category is determined by dance style, entry type and age division. Which style fits is set out in the Global Dance Open Style Descriptions at globaldanceopen.com/styledescriptions. If you are unsure, you can send Global Dance Open a video: info@globaldanceopen.com.
Yes. Global Dance Open is open to dancers of all nationalities aged 5 to 29. Anyone who lives in Switzerland qualifies through GDO Switzerland.
The entry fee is due upon registration. Refunds only in case of illness or injury with a medical certificate, in accordance with the rulebook and the terms and conditions.
The results are binding. There is no detailed score sheet in paper form.
Global Dance Open defines in its Style Descriptions what belongs to each style. If, according to the jury, a choreography competes in the wrong style, it is moved to the correct category at the end and is not eligible for the podium.
Only props that are used in the dance are allowed. Setting up takes a maximum of 20 seconds, and the dancers carry them on and off themselves. Scenery is not allowed.
The title is a name for the choreography. Names of dancers, dance studio, crew or place of origin do not belong in it.
Upload as MP3 via the registration system by the deadline. No swear words or offensive content, in any language. If the uploaded music is faulty, there is no repeat.
No. Because of the tight schedule, there are no stage or spacing rehearsals.
Yes. Official photos and videos may be used for promotional purposes. Consent to this is given with registration.
You can find all information on train, car and parking further up under Venue and Travel.
Advance sales run online, the link is above under Tickets. If seats are still available, also at the box office on site.
In the theatre one hour before your category starts, and in the warm-up room 30 minutes before. Where the warm-up room is located is shown above under Venue.
Questions by email to switzerland@globaldanceopen.com or via WhatsApp. No voice messages, please.
What is announced is the start number, in English, and the title of the choreography. The name of the dance studio is not mentioned.
Each group gets a dressing room. Please keep it clean and do not leave valuables unattended.
Only the next three entries wait backstage, accompanied by a coach. The side from which you enter the stage is shown above under Venue. Helpers, presenters and technical crew are also there.
The entry fee is due upon registration. According to the rulebook, payment after the deadline costs a 10 % surcharge per week. Choreographies are only added to the schedule after payment.
Changes to the start list, titles and music are possible until the respective deadline. After that, nothing more can be changed. The deadlines are listed above under Important Dates and in the info letter.
On the event day, a contact person from the studio collects the badges and entry passes for everyone at check-in. Check-in is open all day.
This page is a reading guide. Before registering, please read the full official Global Dance Open rulebook in English. Only that rulebook is binding.
On globaldanceopen.com, in English. Only this rulebook is binding.
Global Dance Open International at info@globaldanceopen.com. GDO Switzerland organises the competition locally.
No. What is announced is the start number, in English, and the title of the choreography.
Yes. GDO Switzerland is a competition in its own right, with medals and feedback from the jury. Whether you accept an invitation to the Finals is your decision.
No. A medal and qualification are two different things. A medal does not automatically mean a place in the Finals, and vice versa.
Not automatically. 75 points is the minimum threshold, after which there is a selection per category and age division.
You need at least 75 points and one of the Finals places in your category. How many places there are depends on the entry type and style. The list of qualified dancers comes out after the event.
An independent international jury awards points for each choreography. Depending on the style, it looks at technique, expression, musicality and stage presence. At GDO Switzerland you also receive comments from the jury, at the Finals you do not.
Yes. As a qualifier, we run all categories. However, you only get a placing with the required score.
Yes, as many as you like. If you compete twice in the same category, only the higher score counts for the medal and the Finals.
Online on the official Global Dance Open platform, usually through your dance studio. You can find the step-by-step guide on the How to Register page.
No. You can also compete without a dance studio, in that case under your country of residence. Write to us and we will explain the registration to you.
What counts is your age on 1 January of the competition year. For Duo, Trio, Ensemble and Crew, the oldest person counts.
The category is determined by dance style, entry type and age division. Which style fits is set out in the Global Dance Open Style Descriptions at globaldanceopen.com/styledescriptions. If you are unsure, you can send Global Dance Open a video: info@globaldanceopen.com.
Yes. Global Dance Open is open to dancers of all nationalities aged 5 to 29. Anyone who lives in Switzerland qualifies through GDO Switzerland.
The entry fee is due upon registration. Refunds only in case of illness or injury with a medical certificate, in accordance with the rulebook and the terms and conditions.
The results are binding. There is no detailed score sheet in paper form.
Global Dance Open defines in its Style Descriptions what belongs to each style. If, according to the jury, a choreography competes in the wrong style, it is moved to the correct category at the end and is not eligible for the podium.
Only props that are used in the dance are allowed. Setting up takes a maximum of 20 seconds, and the dancers carry them on and off themselves. Scenery is not allowed.
The title is a name for the choreography. Names of dancers, dance studio, crew or place of origin do not belong in it.
Upload as MP3 via the registration system by the deadline. No swear words or offensive content, in any language. If the uploaded music is faulty, there is no repeat.
No. Because of the tight schedule, there are no stage or spacing rehearsals.
Yes. Official photos and videos may be used for promotional purposes. Consent to this is given with registration.
You can find all information on train, car and parking further up under Venue and Travel.
Advance sales run online, the link is above under Tickets. If seats are still available, also at the box office on site.
In the theatre one hour before your category starts, and in the warm-up room 30 minutes before. Where the warm-up room is located is shown above under Venue.
Questions by email to switzerland@globaldanceopen.com or via WhatsApp. No voice messages, please.
What is announced is the start number, in English, and the title of the choreography. The name of the dance studio is not mentioned.
Each group gets a dressing room. Please keep it clean and do not leave valuables unattended.
Only the next three entries wait backstage, accompanied by a coach. The side from which you enter the stage is shown above under Venue. Helpers, presenters and technical crew are also there.
The entry fee is due upon registration. According to the rulebook, payment after the deadline costs a 10 % surcharge per week. Choreographies are only added to the schedule after payment.
Changes to the start list, titles and music are possible until the respective deadline. After that, nothing more can be changed. The deadlines are listed above under Important Dates and in the info letter.
On the event day, a contact person from the studio collects the badges and entry passes for everyone at check-in. Check-in is open all day.