This weekend, on 19–20 September, the DanceSport Europe (DSE) Presidium was present in Tirana, Albania, for a two-day event dedicated to the development of DanceSport in the region.

The event began on Saturday with a competition held at the Olympic Park, with the support of the Albanian National Olympic Committee. The competition brought together participants from more than 20 countries, as well as a distinguished group of Presidents and Vice Presidents of European National Member Bodies (NMBs).

A special moment was the welcoming speech by the President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee, Mr. Fidel Ylli, who highlighted the importance of support from national institutions for the development of sport.

The DanceSport Connect project also reached a new milestone, with the European DanceSport College Cup 2026 being brought to life. The initiative attracted significant interest from organisers of competitions across several European countries and opened new opportunities for cooperation and development.

One of the most important moments of the weekend took place on Sunday, when DanceSport Europe reached an agreement regarding the development of the College Academic System.

The agreement was established with the Albanian DanceSport Federation and Ms. Blerina Arbana, representative of the National Dance Academy in Albania. This marks an important step in strengthening the presence and influence of DanceSport Europe in the region.

With a new structure and dedicated facilities, Albania will host the first establishment of the DanceSport Europe Academic College. This represents an important milestone for the development of DanceSport education and the continued growth of DanceSport across Europe.

DanceSport Europe would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere gratitude to the President of the Albanian DanceSport Federation, Dr. Linda Spaho, for the warm welcome, hospitality and excellent organisation of the event.

Recognized as DSE Ranking Competitions

A Landmark Opportunity for the Next Generation
The 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival in Blackpool once again brings the global DanceSport community together at one of the most iconic venues in the history of our sport – the Winter Gardens.
This year marks an important and inspiring development in the festival’s competitive programme. For the first time, the Juvenile, Junior I and Junior II categories are officially included in the daily competition schedule. This step reflects a forward-looking vision and a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of DanceSport athletes.
Dance Sport Europe fully supports and welcomes the participation of young competitors in this prestigious festival. Blackpool is not merely a competition – it is part of the worldwide heritage of DanceSport. To step onto the floor of the legendary Empress Ballroom, accompanied by the distinguished Empress Orchestra, is an experience that shapes character, performance quality and artistic maturity.
For young dancers, competing in such an atmosphere is transformative. The history, the music, the elegance of the setting and the standard of excellence create an environment that elevates ambition and deepens understanding of the values that define our sport.
As an organisation bearing significant responsibility for the development of Juvenile and Junior athletes in both Latin and Standard disciplines, Dance Sport Europe places strong emphasis on supporting opportunities that contribute to their growth. Working in close and constructive collaboration with WDSF, Dance Sport Europe will officially recognize the participation of its athletes in the 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival. https://www.dancesporteurope.org/calendar/
Furthermore, all points earned by Dance Sport Europe athletes in the respective categories during the festival will be counted towards the official Dance Sport Europe Ranking List.
This initiative reinforces a shared commitment: to invest in youth, to preserve tradition, and to ensure that the future of DanceSport is built upon both excellence and heritage.
The 2026 WDSF DanceSport Festival in Blackpool promises not only world-class competition, but a defining experience for the young generation who will carry our sport forward.