2026 Schedule of Events
Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Wednesday, July 29th
Session 1: Wednesday Daytime: Rhythm
Adult & Youth Pro/Am & Mixed Amateur Rhythm Single Dances
Rhythm Show Dance, Multi-Dances, Championships, & Scholarships
World Dancesport Series Rhythm Events
Best of the Best Rhythm Events
Session 2: Wednesday Evening: Night Club, Amateur & Professional Events
Pro/Am, Mixed Am & Student-Student Night Club Single Dances & Multi-Dances
Pro/Am Cabaret Scholarship
Pre-Teen & Junior Team Match
Under 21 Amateur Smooth Championship
Open Amateur Smooth & Rhythm Championships
Open Amateur Cabaret Championship
Open Amateur Ballroom & Latin Show Dance Championships
Open Senior Amateur Smooth, Rhythm, Ballroom & Latin Championships
Professional Rising Star Smooth, Ballroom, Rhythm & Latin Championships
Thursday, July 30th
Session 3: Thursday Daytime: Smooth
Adult & Youth Pro/Am & Mixed Amateur Smooth Single Dances
Smooth Show Dance, Multi-Dances, Championships, & Scholarships
World Dancesport Series Smooth Events
Best of the Best Smooth Events
Session 4: Thursday Evening – EMPIRE NIGHT OF THE STARS – 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
A beautiful evening with an elegant, seated dinner, lots of general dancing
and the Empire Open Under 21 Amateur Latin Championship!
Featuring the Empire Professional Invitational Cabaret Competition!
Doors Open: 6:00 PM
Dinner: 7:00 PM
General Dancing Until 11:00 PM
Friday, July 31st
Session 5: Friday Daytime: Latin
Adult & Youth Pro/Am & Mixed Amateur Latin Single Dances
Latin Show Dance, Multi-Dances, Championships, & Scholarships
World Dancesport Series Latin Events
Best of the Best Latin Events
Session 6: Friday Evening
Pre-Teen Ballroom Grand Slam (Combined Pre-Teen 1 & 2)
Junior Latin Grand Slam (Combined Junior 1 & 2)
Under 21 Ballroom Championship
Amateur Rising Star Ballroom Championship
Open Amateur Latin Championship
Open Professional Ballroom Championship
Buddy Schwimmer Open Professional Rhythm Championship
Open Professional Cabaret Championship
Saturday, August 1st
Session 7: Saturday Daytime: Ballroom
Adult & Youth Pro/Am & Mixed Amateur Ballroom Single Dances
Ballroom Show Dance, Multi-Dances, Championships, & Scholarships
World Dancesport Series Ballroom Events
Best of the Best Ballroom Events
Session 8: Saturday Evening
Pre-Teen Latin Grand Slam (Combined Pre-Teen 1 & 2)
Junior Ballroom Grand Slam (Combined Junior 1 & 2)
Amateur Rising Star Latin Championship
Open Amateur Ballroom Championship
Open Professional Smooth Championship
Open Professional Latin Championship
Top Student, Teacher & Studio Awards
Sunday, August 2nd
Session 9: Sunday Daytime: EMPIRE4KIDS DAY
Am/Am Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth (Couples) – Smooth, Ballroom, Rhythm, Latin & Solos
- Fordney Foundation Pre-Teen 1, Pre-Teen 2, Junior 1, Junior 2 & Youth Ballroom Championships
- Fordney Foundation Pre-Teen 1, Pre-Teen 2, Junior 1, Junior 2 & Youth Latin Championships
Solo Star Pre-Teen, Junior, Youth Events (No Partner) – Smooth, Ballroom, Rhythm & Latin
Mixed Amateur Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth Events – Smooth, Ballroom, Rhythm & Latin
All Girls (Girl/Girl Partnership) Under 9 & Under 12 Ballroom & Latin Championships
Adult & Senior Amateur Events – Newcomer through Pre-Champ – Smooth, Ballroom, Rhythm, Latin, & Solos