19th annual World Street Dance Championships to take place at Winter Gardens Blackpool
UDO (Urban Dance Organisation) is excited to announce the 19th annual World Street Dance Championships, set to take place at the prestigious Winter Gardens Blackpool from 14th-18th August 2024. This highly anticipated event will bring together over 4,400 dancers from more than 30 countries, with a total attendance of 8,500, including spectators, soloists, duos, crews, and battlers. Competitors from around the globe will vie for the coveted UDO World Championship titles.
The event’s top division, Ultimate Advanced, will see teams competing for significant cash prizes: £10,000 for first place, £3,000 for second, and £1,500 for third. The competition promises a truly international flavour, with participants from countries including France, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Cyprus, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Dubai, Jordan, Qatar, South Africa, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan, among others.
The event will feature an esteemed panel of expert judges from the world of street dance, including ‘Warlock’ from Thailand, Kenrick Sandy MBE, founder of Boy Blue, and Big Kris, a member of the renowned Street Dance Crew Flawless. They will be joined by host Chris Donnelly, one half of Sky’s ‘Got To Dance’ winning duo ‘Chris and Wes’, alongside the pioneering Street Dance figure known as Mr YouTube.
Finals Live Stream and Charity Concert
The Finals, scheduled for Sunday, will be live-streamed free of charge, allowing dance enthusiasts from around the world to witness the climactic performances. In addition, Sunday will feature a charity party and concert, with all proceeds being donated to charity. In light of recent events in the dance community at Southport, this year’s donations will be split equally between Cancer Research UK and the Southport Stronger Together Appeal.
Adding to the excitement, the event will host a performance by Full Circle Boys, a new US-based boyband. The group, set to release their debut single in the US on 16th August, will fly in to perform at the concert as part of their international promotion.
UDO: A Legacy of Dance
Since our establishment in 2002, UDO has been at the forefront of the street dance scene, not only through our world-class events but also by pioneering the first street dance syllabus. We host six major events annually, including the British Dance Festival, European Championships, and regional competitions in Scandinavia, the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and, of course, the World Championships. We are immensely proud to offer UK dancers the opportunity to compete against the best in the world while ensuring that these competitions remain accessible.