List of Pole Dance Competitions & How to Enter

Last Updated on December 7, 2022

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Pole dance competitions are a place for pole dancers to compete against each other and showcase their routines. Performers are ranked and judged by professional judges.

Pole dancing as a sport and a form of art has been popular in modern culture for decades now and it has a history spanning over 800 years!

Just like any sport, performers/athletes are always looking for new ways to push their physical boundaries, innovate and create new routines to cause shock and awe from spectators. For pole dancers, this is a thrilling part of performing for an audience.

Pole dance competitions are an excellent place for amateur and professional pole dancers to do just that – push the boundaries, use their creativity to innovate, and showcase their skills on the pole.

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List of Pole Dance Competitions

Here is a list of pole dancing competitions that are upcoming or have taken place very recently. Unfortunately, due to Covid, many of these competitions were postponed or cancelled but throughout 2022/23 it’s great to see more events taking place.

There are also a n increasing number of virtual pole dance competitions that take place wholly or partially online. This allows a greater number of people to safely participate without having to travel.

1. Dance Filthy

If you want to unleash your inner exotic dancer – this is the competition to try. Dance Filthy celebrates the sensual and filthy sides of pole dancing as an artform!

Location: Sydney, Australia
Date: March 2023
Level: Amateur, Semi Pro, Pro

Visit Dance Filthy

2. Pole Sport Organization

Pole Sport Organization have a variety of upcoming events all over their world on their events calendar. There are also lots of online events, so you have the opportunity to attend and compete from the comfort of your own home!

Location: Various, Worldwide
Date: Various
Level: All levels

Visit Pole Sport

3. International Pole & Aerial Tournaments

This competition is based in the UK and has been running for 11 years. Fortunately, it’ll be back in 2023 after a few years of cancellations due to you-know-what.

Location: Nottingham, United Kingdom
Date: TBC 2023
Level: Unknown

Visit IPAAT

4. Pole Championship Series

11 different divisions/categories for pole dancers of all ages, genders and levels.

Location: Ohio, USA
Date: March 2023
Level: Amateur, Semi Pro, Pro

Visit Pole Championship Series

5. Pole Theatre World

For the dramatic performers – pole dance as an artform is really celebrated in Pole Theatre World.

Location: Various, Worldwide
Date: Has not been held since Covid
Level: Amateur, Semi Pro, Pro

Visit Pole Theatre

6. International Pole Sports Federation

Official International Pole Sports Federation competitions take place around the world.

Location: Various, Worldwide
Date: TBC / Various
Level: All levels

Visit IPSF

7. American Pole League

There are categories for both aerialists and pole dancers of all ages/levels in these competitions.

Location: Various, USA
Date: June 2022
Level: Amateur, Professional, Elite

Visit American Pole League

8. Miss Pole Dance UK

This has not taken place since Covid, but there are online competitions instead.

Location: United Kingdom / Virtual
Date: Has not been held since Covid
Level: Amateur, Semi Pro, Pro

Visit Miss Pole Dance UK

9. Mr Pole Dance America

A pole dance competition that celebrates male pole dancers! There are categories for amateur and professional dancers.

Location: USA
Date: Has not been held since Covid
Level: Amateur and Professional

Visit Mr Pole Dance America

10. World Pole Fitness Competition

Last held in Ireland in 2019, let’s hope Covid hasn’t claimed this event too.

Location: Various, Worldwide
Date: Has not been held since Covid
Level: All levels

Visit World Pole Fitness

11. Miss Pole Dance Australia

A competition for semi-pro and professional pole dancers in Australia.

Location: Australia
Date: November 2022
Level: Semi Pro and Professional

Visit Pole Dance Australia

12. Pole Legends NZ

A competition for semi-pro and professional pole dancers in New Zealand.

Location: New Zealand
Date: November 2022
Level: Semi Pro and Professional

Visit Pole Legends NZ

13. POSA Pole Sport World Championships

Location: Italy
Date: December 2022
Level: Semi Pro and Professional

Find Out More

14. POSA World Pole Art Championships

Location: Italy
Date: December 2022
Level: Semi Pro and Professional

Find Out More

15. USPSF National Championships 2023

Location: Georgia, USA
Date: August 2023
Level: Semi Pro and Professional

Find Out More

16. POSA Pole Sport World Championships 2023

Location: Finland
Date: November 2023
Level: Semi Pro and Professional

Find Out More

What You Need to Know About Pole Dance Competitions

Pole dancing competitions are not for everyone. If you’re pole dancing for fitness or fun, adding a competitive element may actual spoil the fun of it.

At competitions, performers are judged based on their execution.

Not everyone wants to be judged or compete against others.

This is totally OK.

There’s absolutely no obligation to participate in pole dance competitions if you just want to learn pole dancing for fitness, fun or any other reason.

If you’re taking part in a competition, there’s also an audience (which could be up to 10,000 people!) which is incredibly nerve-wracking on top of the prospect of being judged.

However, if you are a natural performer or a confident competitor than a competition is a great place to push your own boundaries.

Attending a Competition as Spectator

The best way to dip or tow into the world of competitive pole dancing events is to attend one as a spectator.

By attending as a member of the audience, you can become familiar with the event and its process before participating yourself.

Even if you’re never planning to compete professionally, attending competitions can give you inspiration and motivation to improve your own pole dancing progress.

You’ll also find videos of the best performances from competitions on YouTube or Social Media.

Notable Pole Dance Competition Performances

Here are some incredible performances that will inspire you for your next competition entry!

Tips for Competing in Pole Dance Competitions

If you’re competing – first of all, congratulations! It takes a lot of courage and skill to perform competitively and allow yourself to be judged.

Here are some tips that will help you prepare for your performance:

Keep it simple – Ok, we know, it’s a competition and you have to really cause the audience (and judges) to say WOW – but you can do this by performing a simple move with extreme precision, or with an added twist.
Choose your music to reflect your style – The music will be an extremely memorable part of your routine, make sure your song choice has a slow-ish, rhythmic tempo that allows you to pace your routine well. Songs that build up to a climatic chorus are a good choice! Get music inspiration for your routine here.
Practice making mistakes – it’s important that you work on any areas of your routine where mistakes are likely, and figure out how to style it out if you happen to make a mistake on stage. If you style it out – no one will notice!
Maintain a schedule of practice – in the build up to a competition, it’s important to ramp up your practice sessions as the event draws closer.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pole Dance Competitions

Can Beginners Take part in Pole Dance Competitions?

Yes! Most competitions have categories for different levels, so you won’t be competing against dancers who are more advanced than you.

It’s common for the competition organizers to provider a list of suggested moves and tricks for each skill level.

Are Spectators Able to Attend Pole Dance Competitions?

Yes – there are tickets available for members of the public to buy as spectators. It’s a great place to go as a pole dancer if you want inspiration to improve your skills.

How do I Enter Pole Dance Competitions as a Competitor?

Check with the event organizers on their respective websites linked on this page. Each competition has different entrance criteria, but the process almost always includes a non-edited video of a routine or partial routine.

It’s common for applicants to film a short routine and send it into the judges in order to apply to compete.

How are Pole Dancing Competitions Judged?

Competitions for pole dancers are judged in a similar way to how gymnastics is judged. Performers are scored on their overall execution of tricks, combinations and the overall aesthetic of a choreographed routine.

The judges will then pick winners for various prizes within the competition which may range from “Best Pole Dancer 2023” or “Most Creative Routine” or even “Best Song Choice” – each competition has its own awards and prizes.

What Size Dance Pole is Used for Competitions?

You should always check this with the organizer and they will usually inform you in advance. Dance poles at competitions usually have a 45mm width. They will usually be floor-to-ceiling height (min 14ft – usually much taller depending on the rigging at the venue) with a total floor area of approximately 12-14 feet for your performance.

There may be 2 poles on stage – one which is static and the other which is a spinning pole. Competitors can make use of both the static and spinning pole during their routines.

Pole Dancing Competitions – Conclusion

It’s not easy breaking into competitive pole dance. These competitions are extremely popular, so it’s tough to find room as a newbie. But if you want to give it a try, there are some events that are more open to competitors like you than others.

Still, keep in mind that a lot of the best competitions require extensive experience, so don’t give up if you don’t make it into the final list of competitors on your first go.

List of Pole Dance Competitions & How to Enter