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The Fred Astaire World Championships 2026 took place in Las Vegas. Instructors, competitors, students, and ballroom teams came from all over the country. It was an exciting celebration of competitive ballroom dance. For anyone interested in competitive ballroom dancing, the event was a reminder of what dedication, teamwork, preparation, and passion can achieve.
This year’s ballroom dance competition was especially exciting for our team from the dance studio in Apex, NC. We proudly celebrated several student achievements, including five medals in the Rhythm Day category and five in Smooth Day.
What Is the Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance Competition?
The Fred Astaire World Championships, or FAWC, is a highlight of the year for dancers at Fred Astaire studios nationwide. It’s a multi-day ballroom dance competition where students and instructors from across the country come together to share their passion, challenge themselves, and celebrate what they’ve learned.
For many students, these competitions are an exciting extension of their regular dance lessons. Rather than practicing just for personal improvement, they work toward a specific goal. They can focus on choreography, musicality, technique, confidence, presentation, and performance quality.
While winning a medal is certainly exciting, the competition is about more than the final result. The preparation, friendships, teamwork, and personal growth that occur along the way are equally valuable.
Where Was FAWC 2026 Held?
The Fred Astaire World Championships 2026 took place at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, from July 27 to July 31. This incredible location brought all the excitement and energy of Las Vegas right into the heart of the competition.
The schedule was packed with multi-day competitions. There were both daytime and evening sessions, across a wide range of categories. The event offered more than heats, though. It also included special entertainment and social activities. Together, these made the championship feel like a complete dance experience.
What Divisions Were Included?
One of the most exciting aspects of this event was the sheer variety of competition. FAWC 2026 offered something for nearly every kind of dancer, from beginners to elite professionals.
Competitors could participate in various levels and formats, including:
- Bronze, Silver, and Gold divisions
- International Ballroom
- International Latin
- American Rhythm
- Pro-Am dance competition
- Closed and Open Championships
- Single-dance competitions
- Multi-dance championships
- Scholarship divisions
- Cabaret
- Argentine Tango
- Country Western
- Solo performances
- Showcase performances
- Novelty performances
- Nightclub divisions
Celebrating Five Medals for Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Apex
FAWC 2026 was a particularly memorable moment for our studio. Upon returning from Vegas, our studio had much to celebrate: Apex dancers and their professional partners won an impressive 10 medals, including four 1st-place titles, three 2nd-place finishes, and three 3rd-place finishes, making FAWC 2026 a truly memorable ballroom dance competition for everyone involved.
Five Medals on Rhythm Day
Rhythm Day at FAWC was a particularly exciting part of the competition for the Apex team. The dancers brought energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to the dance floor and ended the day with five medals in the Rhythm category.
It was a joyful, fun, and memorable experience and a fantastic opportunity for our dancers to showcase what they had been working on during their lessons and competition preparation.
Special congratulations go to Jenifer, who earned an impressive 1st-place finish at the Fred Astaire World Championships, as well as a 3rd-place finish.
Congratulations also to Scott & Diana, who earned two second-place finishes at the FAWC and a 3rd-place finish.
Together, these results earned five medals and gave our studio another reason to celebrate. For the dancers, these places represent much more than numbers on a score sheet. Each performance reflects preparation, practice, training, and the courage to get on the floor and perform in a championship environment.
Celebrating Success on Smooth Day
Our team’s achievements continued during Smooth Day, adding even more impressive results to the studio’s medal collection.
Christine Johnson earned:
- 1st Place – World Championship Bronze Closed
- 2nd Place – Bronze Closed
Jennifer Scott also had an outstanding competition, earning:
- 1st Place – World Championships Bronze Closed
- 1st Place – World Championships Bronze Closed
- 3rd Place – Bronze Closed
For everyone at Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Apex, these achievements are a source of immense pride. They show what students can achieve when they combine dedication, consistent practice, professional instruction, and a genuine enjoyment of dance.
Curious about the energy and excitement at the championship? Check out our Instagram profile to get a real feel for the atmosphere.
Start Your Dance Journey in Apex, NC
This championship showed us how exciting ballroom dancing can be. But the biggest win isn’t just the number of medals; it’s what they represent: dedication, teamwork, confidence, and readiness.
At Fred Astaire Dance Studios – Apex, we’re proud to be part of a studio community that shows up, puts in the work, and celebrates every step of the journey. FAWC 2026 raised the bar for what our dancers can accomplish, and we’re excited to see what next year brings.