Official Rules & Regulations

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

Official TangotoWorld CUP events may include some or all of the following competition categories:

1. Tango Salon
2. Tango Escenario
3. Tango Vals
4. Milonga
5. Tango Salon Senior (50+)
6. Tango Salon Social
7. Tango Salon Rising Star
8. Dancing to Di Sarli
9. Dancing to D'Arienzo
10. Dancing to Pugliese
11. Dancing to Troilo
12. Multi-Style (Tango, Vals & Milonga)
13. Tango Nuevo
14. Group Choreography (3–8 Couples)
15. Solo Milonguero
16. Solo Milonguero – Vals
17. Solo Milonguero – Milonga

Not every category is required to be offered at every TangotoWorld CUP event.

The categories available at each competition will be announced through the official registration platform or event website.

ORGANIZATION

TangotoWorld CUP competitions are organized by the official TangotoWorld CUP organization in cooperation with authorized local organizers and partner organizations.

The Organizing Committee is responsible for the overall management of the competition, including:

• Competition format
• Registration procedures
• Jury appointments
• Competition schedule
• Music selection
• Heat composition
• Qualification procedures
• Competition administration
• Safety and operational procedures

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to make reasonable changes where necessary for the proper, fair, and safe conduct of the competition.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to modify the competition schedule, format, category structure, venue arrangements, or other organizational procedures due to operational requirements, unforeseen circumstances, force majeure, or conditions affecting the proper conduct of the event.

All contestants are expected to comply with the instructions of the Organizing Committee, Jury, competition officials, stage management, DJs, and authorized event personnel.

Contestants are responsible for reviewing official announcements and remaining informed of any schedule or procedural changes.

REGISTRATION

Registration procedures, deadlines, participation fees, and payment methods may vary according to the competition.

All registration requirements will be announced through the official TangotoWorld CUP registration system or the relevant event communication channels.

For couple categories, registration must identify one contestant as the Leader and the other as the Follower.

A contestant may register only once in each category but may participate in multiple categories with the same or different partners, subject to the eligibility requirements applicable to each category.

Contestants may be required to present a valid passport or official identification document during registration or competition check-in.

Registration and identity verification must be completed personally by each contestant.

Any false declaration, fraudulent registration, misrepresentation, or use of false identification may result in disqualification.

Participation fees and refund conditions will be specified separately for each event.

AGE AND NATIONALITY

Unless otherwise specified for a particular competition or category, contestants must be at least 18 years of age.

Contestants of all nationalities may participate.

Where both members of a couple are citizens of the same country, the couple will normally represent that country.

Where the members of a couple hold different nationalities, they may jointly choose which country they wish to represent.

A couple may represent only one country within the same competition.

COMPETITION FORMAT

The number of elimination rounds will depend on the total number of registered contestants.

Depending on participation levels, competitions may include:

• Qualification rounds
• Preliminary rounds
• Quarter-finals
• Semi-finals
• Finals

The Organizing Committee will determine the number of contestants advancing from each round.

The exact format may vary according to category and number of participants.

TANGO SALON COMPETITION FORMAT

In the Tango Salon category, couples compete in groups and dance to 2–3 songs selected by the Organizing Committee.

The music may consist of songs from the same orchestra during a particular round.

Couples will be evaluated simultaneously by the Jury while sharing the dance floor with other contestants.

The competition will proceed through successive elimination rounds according to the number of registered couples.

For example, a large competition may progress from an initial round to approximately 40 couples, then 24 couples, 12 couples, and ultimately the Final.

These numbers are illustrative only.

The Organizing Committee will determine the exact number of contestants advancing from each round.

TANGO ESCENARIO COMPETITION FORMAT

In Tango Escenario, each couple performs individually.

Contestants perform to one song of their choice, which may not exceed four minutes, unless otherwise announced for a particular event.

Contestants may perform different choreographies during different rounds where permitted by the competition format.

Competition music must be submitted according to the technical requirements announced by the Organizing Committee.

Contestants are responsible for ensuring that their competition music is supplied correctly and is technically suitable for playback.

TANGO ESCENARIO QUALIFICATION

Certain TangotoWorld CUP events may apply qualification requirements for the Tango Escenario category.

Contestants who achieve the required placement at an official TangotoWorld CUP Preliminary Competition may receive direct eligibility or qualification benefits for subsequent TangotoWorld CUP competitions.

Where no official TangotoWorld CUP Preliminary Competition is available in the contestant's country or region, the Organizing Committee may allow contestants to apply by submitting a choreography video.

Any qualification requirement or exemption will be announced separately for the relevant competition.

FINALS

The number of finalists may vary depending on the category and number of contestants.

Finals will generally consist of approximately 6–9 contestants or couples, although the Organizing Committee may determine a different number where appropriate.

In couple social-dance categories, finalists may be required to dance in a group and/or individually depending on the competition format.

Tango Escenario finalists will perform their choreography individually.

Final procedures will be announced before the relevant round.

SCORING SYSTEM

TangotoWorld CUP competitions use the Skating System for determining qualification and final placements where applicable.

Preliminary and Elimination Rounds

During preliminary rounds, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and other elimination stages, judges select the contestants they believe should advance to the next round.

Each contestant's qualifying result is determined by the number of PASS selections received from the Jury.

Contestants receiving the highest number of qualifying selections advance to the next round.

The number of contestants each judge is required to select will be determined by the competition officials.

Finals

During Finals, judges rank contestants according to placement.

Final results are calculated according to the principles of the Skating System.

THE JURY

The Jury is appointed by the Organizing Committee.

Depending on the competition, category, and competition stage, the Jury will generally consist of 5–9 professional Argentine Tango dancers, teachers, choreographers, or internationally recognized tango specialists.

The Organizing Committee aims to create an internationally diverse Jury whenever reasonably possible.

Jury members must evaluate contestants independently and impartially.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

A Jury member should not judge a contestant where an active professional, commercial, or personal relationship could reasonably create a significant conflict of interest.

Where a potential conflict exists, the Organizing Committee may:

• Reassign the Jury member
• Exclude the Jury member from evaluating a particular contestant
• Exclude the Jury member from a particular category
• Take another appropriate measure to protect the integrity of the competition

JURY DECISIONS

The Jury shall evaluate contestants independently according to the criteria applicable to each category.

Decisions of the Jury regarding scoring, qualification, ranking, and final placement are final and not subject to appeal, except where a demonstrable administrative, procedural, or calculation error has occurred.

Disagreement with a judge's artistic or technical evaluation does not constitute grounds for appeal.

EVALUATION CRITERIA – TANGO SALON

Tango Salon is considered an improvised social Argentine Tango dance.

The Jury will evaluate contestants with particular attention to:

• Musicality
• Quality of embrace
• Connection between partners
• Harmony
• Technique
• Navigation
• Musical interpretation
• Creativity within improvisation
• Partner awareness
• Overall quality and naturalness of the dance

The objective is not simply to demonstrate difficult figures but to demonstrate a convincing, musical, connected, and authentic improvised tango.

EMBRACE AND NAVIGATION – TANGO SALON

Once the embrace has been established, couples must maintain the character of a social tango embrace while the music is playing.

Couples must move around the dance floor in an anti-clockwise direction, respecting the line of dance.

Contestants are responsible for respecting the space of surrounding couples.

Couples should avoid unnecessarily remaining stationary for extended periods when doing so interferes with the flow of the ronda.

Backward movements may be used where appropriate; however, dancers remain responsible for safe navigation.

Repeated collisions, dangerous movements, obstruction of the line of dance, or significant interference with other contestants may result in:

• A deduction
• A warning
• Disqualification

If an incident materially affects several contestants, the Jury or competition officials may decide to stop or repeat the song.

PERMITTED FIGURES – TANGO SALON

Figures commonly associated with social Argentine Tango may be used, including:

• Sacadas
• Ganchos
• Barridas
• Pasadas
• Enrosques
• Colgadas
• Volcadas
• Boleos

All movements must be executed with appropriate control and consideration for the safety of other contestants.

PROHIBITED FIGURES – TANGO SALON

The following are prohibited in Tango Salon:

• Lifts
• Jumps
• Acrobatic figures
• Prolonged separation of the embrace
• Movements creating an unreasonable safety risk
• Figures performed without sufficient regard for surrounding couples

The Jury may penalize movements that are technically permitted but performed in an unsafe or inappropriate manner.

EVALUATION CRITERIA – TANGO ESCENARIO

Tango Escenario contestants may use traditional Argentine Tango elements including:

• Sacadas
• Ganchos
• Barridas
• Boleos
• Soltadas
• Colgadas
• Volcadas

Elements and techniques from other dance disciplines may also be incorporated into the choreography.

However, TangotoWorld CUP is fundamentally an Argentine Tango competition.

Contestants are therefore expected to maintain a recognizable connection to Argentine Tango through their technique, musical interpretation, movement vocabulary, aesthetics, or choreographic language.

TANGO ESCENARIO JUDGING CRITERIA

The Jury may evaluate:

• Argentine Tango technique
• Musical interpretation
• Choreographic composition
• Creativity
• Partner connection
• Difficulty
• Technical execution
• Stage presence
• Artistic interpretation
• Use of space
• Overall performance quality

Difficulty alone does not determine the result.

Technical quality, musicality, artistic coherence, and successful execution will also be considered.

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

If a performance is interrupted or materially affected by a technical problem attributable to the event organization, sound system, stage, music playback, or equipment, the Jury may authorize a repeat performance.

If a contestant experiences a personal mistake or performance-related problem that is not caused by an organizational or technical failure, the contestant may continue or stop the performance.

A contestant cannot demand a restart due solely to their own performance error.

The Jury will evaluate the performance accordingly.

CLOTHING AND PRESENTATION

Contestants are expected to present themselves in an elegant and appropriate manner consistent with Argentine Tango and the character of the category.

For Tango Salon and related social categories, elegant tango attire is encouraged.

Tango Escenario contestants may use costumes appropriate to the concept, story, or artistic character of their choreography.

Props may be permitted in Tango Escenario and Group Choreography provided that they:

• Do not create a safety risk
• Do not damage the stage or venue
• Do not create unreasonable delays
• Do not interfere with other contestants or competition operations

The Organizing Committee may prohibit any prop considered unsafe or unsuitable.

TANGO VALS

In the Tango Vals category, couples are expected to interpret the musical structure, rhythm, character, emotion, and technique of Argentine Tango Vals.

The Jury will pay particular attention to:

• Musicality
• Flow and continuity
• Rhythm
• Circular movement
• Connection
• Fluidity
• Interpretation of the characteristic Vals pulse

All general Tango Salon rules apply unless otherwise specified.

Music: 2–3 Tango Vals songs.

MILONGA

In the Milonga category, couples are expected to interpret the rhythm, character, musical structure, emotion, and technique of Argentine Milonga.

The Jury will particularly consider:

• Rhythmic interpretation
• Musicality
• Connection
• Clarity
• Energy
• Characteristic Milonga movement quality

All general Tango Salon rules apply unless otherwise specified.

Music: 2–3 Milonga songs.

TANGO SALON SENIOR (50+)

The Tango Salon Senior (50+) category is intended for couples in which both contestants are 50 years of age or older.

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 Tango songs.

TANGO SALON RISING STAR

The Tango Salon Rising Star category is intended primarily for:

• Semi-professional dancers
• Emerging professional dancers
• Pro-Am couples

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to determine eligibility where a contestant's professional status is unclear.

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 Tango songs.

TANGO SALON SOCIAL

The Tango Salon Social category is intended exclusively for social dancers.

Professional Argentine Tango teachers and professional performers are not eligible for this category.

Where a contestant's eligibility is unclear, the Organizing Committee may request additional information or evidence.

A contestant found to be actively working as a professional tango teacher or performer may be declared ineligible or disqualified from this category.

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 Tango songs.

DANCING TO DI SARLI

In the Dancing to Di Sarli category, couples are expected to interpret the distinctive musical character, phrasing, emotion, dynamics, and style associated with the orchestra of Carlos Di Sarli.

The Jury will particularly consider the couple's musical interpretation and ability to reflect the distinctive character of Di Sarli's music through their dance.

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 songs performed by the Carlos Di Sarli orchestra.

DANCING TO D'ARIENZO

In the Dancing to D'Arienzo category, couples are expected to interpret the distinctive rhythmic character, musical structure, energy, phrasing, and style associated with the orchestra of Juan D'Arienzo.

The Jury will particularly consider:

• Rhythmic precision
• Musicality
• Energy
• Phrasing
• Interpretation of D'Arienzo's distinctive musical character

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 songs performed by the Juan D'Arienzo orchestra.

DANCING TO PUGLIESE

In the Dancing to Pugliese category, couples are expected to interpret the distinctive musical character, dynamics, phrasing, emotion, and dramatic qualities associated with the orchestra of Osvaldo Pugliese.

The Jury will particularly consider:

• Musical interpretation
• Dynamics
• Expression
• Phrasing
• Interpretation of Pugliese's distinctive musical character

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 songs performed by the Osvaldo Pugliese orchestra.

DANCING TO TROILO

In the Dancing to Troilo category, couples are expected to interpret the distinctive musical character, phrasing, rhythm, emotion, and style associated with the orchestra of Aníbal Troilo.

The Jury will particularly consider:

• Musical interpretation
• Phrasing
• Expression
• Rhythm
• Interpretation of Troilo's distinctive musical character

All general Tango Salon rules apply.

Music: 2–3 songs performed by the Aníbal Troilo orchestra.

MULTI-STYLE – TANGO, VALS & MILONGA

In the Multi-Style category, couples dance three different musical styles:

• 1 Tango
• 1 Tango Vals
• 1 Milonga

Contestants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the different musical, rhythmic, technical, and stylistic characteristics of each discipline.

The applicable Tango Salon, Tango Vals, and Milonga rules apply respectively to each dance.

Music: 3 songs in total – 1 Tango, 1 Vals, and 1 Milonga.

TANGO NUEVO

In the Tango Nuevo category, couples are expected to interpret the musical, technical, spatial, and expressive characteristics associated with Tango Nuevo.

Contestants have greater freedom of movement than in Tango Salon.

In addition to figures permitted in Tango Salon, contestants may use:

• Soltadas
• High boleos
• Larger colgadas
• Larger volcadas
• Open-embrace sequences
• Expanded movement vocabulary associated with Tango Nuevo

All movements must nevertheless be performed safely and with appropriate control.

Music: 2 Tango Nuevo songs.

GROUP CHOREOGRAPHY

The Group Choreography category is intended for choreographed performances involving 3–8 couples.

The performance may be based on a:

• Theme
• Story
• Musical concept
• Artistic concept
• Choreographic idea

The general artistic and technical principles applicable to Tango Escenario also apply to this category.

The Jury may evaluate:

• Choreography
• Synchronization
• Argentine Tango technique
• Musical interpretation
• Formation and use of space
• Creativity
• Difficulty and execution
• Artistic presentation
• Overall performance quality

Music: One song selected by the group, unless otherwise specified by the competition.

SOLO MILONGUERO

The Solo Milonguero category is an individual competition.

Contestants are evaluated individually as Leaders or Followers, rather than as permanent couples.

During the competition, contestants dance with different partners and change partners according to the instructions of the competition officials.

The Jury evaluates each contestant individually according to:

• Musicality
• Connection
• Adaptability
• Partner awareness
• Navigation
• Technique
• Improvisation
• Ability to communicate with different partners

A contestant's result is based solely on their individual performance.

Music: 3 Tango songs.

SOLO MILONGUERO – VALS

The Solo Milonguero – Vals category follows the same individual format as Solo Milonguero.

Contestants change partners and are evaluated individually as Leaders or Followers.

Particular attention is given to the contestant's ability to interpret:

• Tango Vals rhythm
• Flow
• Musical structure
• Musical phrasing
• Character
• Partner connection
• Adaptability

Music: 3 Tango Vals songs.

SOLO MILONGUERO – MILONGA

The Solo Milonguero – Milonga category follows the same individual format as Solo Milonguero.

Contestants change partners and are evaluated individually as Leaders or Followers.

Particular attention is given to:

• Rhythmic interpretation
• Musicality
• Adaptability
• Connection
• Technique
• Milonga character
• Communication with different partners

Music: 3 Milonga songs.

CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP

All contestants are expected to behave professionally, respectfully, and in accordance with the principles of fair competition.

Contestants must respect:

• Other contestants
• Jury members
• Organizers
• Officials
• Staff
• Volunteers
• DJs
• Guests
• Members of the public

The Organizing Committee may issue a warning, apply a penalty, or disqualify a contestant for serious or repeated violations of these Rules.

GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Grounds for disciplinary action may include:

1. Failure or refusal to comply with competition rules.
2. Failure to follow reasonable instructions from competition officials.
3. Fraudulent registration or false declarations.
4. Misrepresentation of identity or eligibility.
5. Deliberate interference with another contestant's performance.
6. Dangerous or reckless behavior.
7. Aggressive, threatening, discriminatory, or abusive conduct.
8. Serious disrespect toward Jury members, contestants, organizers, or staff.
9. Attempts to improperly influence Jury members or competition officials.
10. Attempts to manipulate competition results.
11. Falsification or unauthorized alteration of competition records or materials.
12. Conduct that seriously compromises the integrity or fairness of the competition.

Contestants remain free to express opinions and legitimate criticism.

However, threats, harassment, knowingly false allegations, intimidation, or deliberate attempts to improperly influence the competition may constitute misconduct.

MEDIA AND RECORDING

The Organizing Committee may photograph, film, livestream, record, or otherwise document official TangotoWorld CUP competitions.

By participating, contestants acknowledge that photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, and other audiovisual material featuring them may be used for:

• Promotion
• Advertising
• Social media
• Broadcasting
• Editorial purposes
• Event archives
• TangotoWorld CUP communications

Specific media conditions may also be announced by individual event organizers.

COMPETITION AUTHORITY

The Organizing Committee reserves the right to determine:

• Competition heats
• Group composition
• Number of elimination rounds
• Number of contestants advancing
• Performance order
• Competition timetable
• Music selection procedures
• Qualification procedures
• Operational adjustments
• Safety procedures

Any matter not expressly covered by these Official Rules & Regulations shall be decided by the TangotoWorld CUP Organizing Committee and the relevant competition officials.

Such decisions will be made with the objective of maintaining:

Fairness, safety, consistency, transparency, and the integrity of the competition.

EVENT-SPECIFIC REGULATIONS

Individual TangotoWorld CUP competitions may publish additional regulations relating to matters including:

• Registration dates
• Participation fees
• Refund policies
• Competition dates
• Competition venue
• Check-in procedures
• Available categories
• Qualification privileges
• Preliminary competition benefits
• Prizes
• Accommodation
• Local schedules
• Special awards

Event-specific regulations supplement these Official Rules & Regulations.

Where an event-specific procedural rule differs from the general rules due to the format or circumstances of a particular competition, the officially published event-specific regulation will apply for that competition.

Core judging and evaluation principles will remain consistent across official TangotoWorld CUP competitions unless otherwise formally announced.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES

By registering for an official TangotoWorld CUP competition, contestants confirm that they have read, understood, and accepted these Official Rules & Regulations together with any event-specific regulations applicable to the competition in which they participate.

Contestants are responsible for reviewing the most recent officially published version of the rules before participating.