2026 Schedule of Events
Schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Wednesday, July 29th
Session 1: Wednesday Daytime: Rhythm
Adult & Youth Pro/Am Rhythm Single Dances
Adult Mixed Amateur Rhythm Single Dances
Rhythm Solos, 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
**All Pro/Am Night Club events will conclude before the Pre-Teen & Junior Team Match begins.
In 2025, there was at least an hour between the Night Club events and the Team Match.**
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 Smooth Single Dances
Adult Mixed Amateur Smooth Single Dances
Smooth Solos, 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 Latin Single Dances
Adult Mixed Amateur Latin Single Dances
Latin Solos, 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
Saturday, August 1st
Session 7: Saturday Daytime: Ballroom
Adult & Youth Pro/Am Ballroom Single Dances
Adult Mixed Amateur Ballroom Single Dances
Ballroom Solos, 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
Open Professional Cabaret 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
Adult & Senior Amateur Events – Newcomer through Pre-Champ – Smooth, Ballroom, Rhythm, Latin, & Solos