LVTF CHAMPIONSHIP STRUCTURE
The Las Vegas Tango Festival Championship is an international competition designed to celebrate the diversity, artistry, technique, and evolution of Argentine Tango.
With multiple divisions and specialized categories, the championship welcomes dancers of all levels — from social dancers taking their first competitive steps to internationally recognized professionals.
The LVTF Championship encourages artistic expression, musical interpretation, connection, creativity, and the preservation of tango culture through an innovative and dynamic competitive experience.
Tips from the Masters
An inner perspective and tips on what the judges recommend, what they are looking for and how to successfully achieve your goals!
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Division: PRO-AM
The division PRO-AM, has three categories:
Stage Tango
Tango Salon / Pista
Triple Ace (3A)
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Following, you can find: Rules, Execution, Evaluation Criteria, Scoring System, Competition Days, Registration Requirements, and Preparation Guidelines for each category.
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RULES: Participants will be judged as a pair, consisting of one professional (PRO) and one amateur (AM). Any gender can assume the role of the professional or amateur dancer. Pro-Am couples are allowed to challenge themselves by competing in the PRO division; however, PRO couples are not permitted to compete in the PRO-AM division in order to ensure fairness in the championship.
EXECUTION: Each pair will perform routines tailored to their chosen category. The execution should demonstrate a seamless blend of the professional's expertise and the amateur's potential.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Judging will focus on the amateur participant's overall performance, including connection, communication, technique, musical interpretation, style, creativity, and pista circulation. Both the leader and follower will be evaluated based on their respective roles within the partnership.
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a point-based scoring system with whole numbers and up to two decimal places to evaluate each performance, taking into account the criteria mentioned above. In the event of a tie, an additional extraordinary ronda may be requested by the Head Judge in order to determine the final score for the competitors.
COMPETITION DAYS: Friday (Qualifying round), Saturday (Semi-final), and Sunday (Final + Awards).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $175 registration fee, per person. Competitors must register as a couple.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Pro-am pairs are encouraged to focus on developing a strong partnership characterized by effective communication, mutual trust, and shared artistic expression. Professional dancers should support their amateur partners in refining their technique and musicality, while amateurs should strive to learn from their professional counterparts and contribute their unique style to the partnership.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 6 couples register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Tips from the Masters


Division: PRO
The division PRO, has three categories:
Stage Tango
Tango Salon / Pista
Triple Ace (3A)
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Following, you can find: Rules, Execution, Evaluation Criteria, Scoring System, Competition Days, Registration Requirements, and Preparation Guidelines for each category.
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RULES: The PRO division is reserved for professional dancers with extensive experience and expertise in Argentine Tango. Participants may compete in either category, showcasing their mastery of the chosen style. Pro-Am couples are allowed to challenge themselves by competing in the PRO division; however, PRO couples are not permitted to compete in the PRO-AM division in order to ensure fairness in the championship.
EXECUTION: Each performance should exemplify the highest level of skill, artistry, and creativity inherent in professional Argentine Tango dancing. Professionals are expected to execute complex choreography with precision and finesse while maintaining a strong connection with their partners.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Judges will evaluate each performance based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including connection, communication, technique, musical interpretation, dynamics, artistic expression, creativity, and pista circulation. Professionals will be assessed on their individual performance as well as their ability to work cohesively with their partners. Competitors are not allowed to repeat or start over for performance reasons. If technical problems occur during performance, competitors will be allowed to perform again.
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a point-based scoring system with whole numbers and up to two decimal places to evaluate each performance, taking into account the criteria mentioned above. In the event of a tie, an additional extraordinary ronda may be requested by the Head Judge in order to determine the final score for the competitors.
COMPETITION DAYS: Friday (Qualifying round), Saturday (Semi-final), and Sunday (Final + Awards).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $175 registration fee, per person. Competitors must register as a couple.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Professionals are encouraged to dedicate ample time to rehearsing and refining their routines, ensuring that every element of their performance is executed flawlessly. Emphasis should be placed on maintaining a strong connection with their partners, delivering dynamic and expressive choreography, and captivating the audience with their artistry and stage presence.
It is important to develop a good musical interpretation, a deep understanding of tango music and its nuances. Practice dancing to different rhythms, accents, and musical phrasings to improve your musical interpretation and synchronization with the music.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 6 couples register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Tips from the Masters


Division: OPEN
The division OPEN, has four categories:
Tango Barre, Tango Group, Adagio & Variation and Jack & Jill.
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Following, you can find: Rules, Execution, Evaluation Criteria, Scoring System, Competition Days, Registration Requirements, and Preparation Guidelines for each category.
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Category: Tango Barre Solo and Group
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RULES: Tango Barre Solo is an individual category inspired by the fusion of Argentine Tango technique and barre training principles. Competitors perform individually, using the barre as an essential element of the choreography and artistic expression.
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RULES: Tango Barre Group is an improvisational category inspired by the fusion of Argentine Tango technique and barre training principles. Competitors will improvise to music selected by the Official Championship DJ while using the barre as an essential element of their artistic expression. A maximum of eight barres will be placed simultaneously on the dance floor.
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This category is open to all levels and styles, including salon-inspired, contemporary, theatrical, or experimental interpretations of tango movement.
EXECUTION:
Tango Barre Solo:
- Each competitor will perform an individual routine with a maximum duration of 3 minutes.
- Music may be chosen by the competitor and must be submitted in advance to the organization.
- The barre must remain an essential element of the choreography throughout the performance.
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Tango Barre Group:
- Up to eight competitors will perform simultaneously, each with their own barre.
- Music will be selected by the Official Championship DJ in coordination with the judging panel.
- The performance is fully improvised, allowing competitors to demonstrate their musicality, creativity, and technical versatility.
- The barre must remain an essential element of the performance throughout the entire song.
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EVALUATION CRITERIA:
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Technique and body control
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Musicality and timing
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Creativity and originality
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Precision and fluidity of movement
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Elegance and posture
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Artistic interpretation and stage presence
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a ranking system to evaluate performances. This scoring method is based on assigning placements to each couple. Judges will observe the overall performance of each couple and rank them in positions such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. The average of these placements will determine the final ranking.
COMPETITION DAYS: Saturday (Qualifying) and Sunday (Final).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $60 registration fee per person, per music. Competitors must have one of the festival main tickets, or be registered in any other competition category.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Competitors are encouraged to focus on posture, balance, extension, control, and musical interpretation. The goal is to create a harmonious blend between tango expression and other different techniques of body awareness.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 5 participants register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Category: Tango Group
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RULES: A Tango Group must consist of a minimum of 4 competitors (2 couples). There is no maximum number of participants. This category encourages artistic collaboration, theatrical creativity, synchronization, and musical interpretation in a group format. All tango styles are welcome.
EXECUTION: Each group will perform a choreographed routine with a maximum duration of 4 minutes. Music must be submitted in advance to the organization.
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Lifts, theatrical elements, and props are permitted, provided they are safe and appropriate for the performance environment.
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EVALUATION CRITERIA:
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Synchronization and coordination
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Musicality and interpretation
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Creativity and choreography
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Stage presence and artistic expression
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Team connection and cohesion
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Technique and precision
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Use of space and floor dynamics
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a ranking system to evaluate performances. This scoring method is based on assigning placements to each couple. Judges will observe the overall performance of each couple and rank them in positions such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. The average of these placements will determine the final ranking.
COMPETITION DAYS: Saturday (Semi-final) and Sunday (Final).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $60 registration fee per person, per music. Competitors must have one of the festival main tickets, or be registered in any other competition category.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Successful group performances require teamwork, rehearsal consistency, musical understanding, and strong communication between performers. Clean transitions, synchronization, and emotional connection are fundamental elements in this category.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 5 participants register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Category: Adagio & Variation
​We are excited to introduce the newest category of the LVTF Championship: "Adagio & Variation"! Here's how it works:
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RULES: The first step in this category is to choose the piece of music you want to perform. A maximum of 10 adagios and 10 variations, each a 1-minute-long excerpt from the song, selected by our Official Championship DJ, will be offered to the competitors. The list includes:
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ADAGIO: “SuSu” (Forever Tango), “Adios Nonino” (Piazzola), “Responso“ (Troilo), “Recuerdo” (Forever Tango) , “Don Agustin Bardi” (Pugliese), “La Mariposa” (Forever Tango) , “El Andariego” (Pugliese), “Invierno Porteno” (Piazzola), “Oblivion” (Piazzola), “Pata Ancha” (Color Tango).
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VARIATION: VARIATION: “Mala Junta” (Color Tango), “Mato y Voy” (Pugliese), “El Oriental” (Donato Racciatti), "Amurado” (Pedro Laurenz), "Recuerdo" (Forever Tango), "Derecho Viejo" (Forever Tango), “Este es el Rey” (La Juan D’arienzo), “La Cumparsita” (Mato Rodriguez), “Pa que oigan bandoneon” (Varela), “Loca” (Tango Bardo).
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** THE ORGANIZATION IS OPEN TO RECEIVE NEW SUGGESTIONS OF MUSIC FOR THIS CATEGORY.
EXECUTION: This category is OPEN, so either if you are Amateurs or Pro, performing Salon or Stage style you are welcome to join. Each couple will have the opportunity to perform only once. The order of songs will be randomly chosen by the Competition Coordinator. The same couple can choose to perform one piece (1 adagio OR 1 variation) or two pieces (1 adagio AND 1 variation), but NOT two pieces from the same list (2 adagios / 2 variations).
EVALUATION CRITERIA: This category encourages freestyle expression while considering each dancer's harmony and style, and some criteria will be taken into consideration as:
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Originality and Creativity
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Musical Interpretation
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Precision and Technique
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Connection
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Stage Presence and Charisma
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a ranking system to evaluate performances. This scoring method is based on assigning placements to each couple. Judges will observe the overall performance of each couple and rank them in positions such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. The average of these placements will determine the final ranking.
COMPETITION DAYS: Sunday only.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $60 registration fee per person, per music. Competitors must have one of the festival main tickets, or be registered in any other competition category.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Competitors are encouraged to focus on posture, balance, extension, control, and musical interpretation. The goal is to create a harmonious blend between tango expression and other different techniques of body awareness.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 5 participants register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
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Category: Jack & Jill
​NO PARTNER ~ NO PROBLEM
No previous competition experience is required, and no partner is necessary to participate in this category.
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RULES:
NO PARTNER NECESSARY: Participants will be judged individually rather than as couples. Any person, regardless of gender, may compete as a leader or follower. Open to all ages and levels.
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EXECUTION: All competitors will be positioned in a large circle on the dance floor. At the beginning of each round, a die will be rolled to determine the number of rotations the leaders will move in order to change partners.
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Four tangos will be played throughout the competition, and competitors will rotate partners after each song according to the number indicated by the die. This system creates randomly assigned partnerships and encourages adaptability, connection, and social dance skills.
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By the end of the category, each participant will have danced four songs, each with a different randomly assigned leader or follower.
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EVALUATION CRITERIA: This category emphasizes freestyle expression, adaptability, and social dance connection. Competitors will be evaluated individually according to their role as leader or follower, regardless of gender. Judges will consider:
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Posture and elegance
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Adaptability to different partner styles
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Musical interpretation and timing
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Individual technique and personal style
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Connection and communication within the embrace
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Special criteria for Leaders: Pista Circulation and Floorcraft (navigation and spatial awareness)
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Special criteria for Followers: Embellishments (musicality, precision, and technique)
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a ranking system to evaluate performances. This scoring method is based on assigning placements to each couple. Judges will observe the overall performance of each couple and rank them in positions such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. The average of these placements will determine the final ranking.
COMPETITION DAYS: Sunday only.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $60 registration fee per person, per music. Competitors must have one of the festival main tickets, or be registered in any other competition category.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: Let's focus on the three T’s: Timing, Technique, and Teamwork.
- Timing / Musicality; Ensure your movements align naturally with the music. Practice basic tango elements such as walks, rebounds, pivots, and rhythm variations to improve musical interpretation and adaptability.
- Technique; Focus on posture, balance, coordination, leg extension, and body awareness. Strong technique enhances both comfort and clarity in the dance.
- Teamwork; Dance as a team rather than as individuals. Adapt quickly to different partner styles and communicate effectively through the embrace, maintaining connection, respect, and fluidity throughout the dance.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 5 participants register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Tips from the Masters


Division: SENIOR
The division SENIOR, has two categories:
Tango Salon, and Triple Ace (3A).
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Following, you can find: Rules, Execution, Evaluation Criteria, Scoring System, Competition Days, Registration Requirements, and Preparation Guidelines for each category.
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RULES: Participants will be judged as a couple, not individually. Any person, regardless of gender, can participate as a leader or follower. The Senior Division is reserved for competitors aged 55 and above.
EXECUTION: Each couple will dance 3 songs per round, one round per day, with the same assigned leader/follower of the registration.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
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Individual and partner technique
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Musical interpretation and timing
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Connection and communication within the embrace
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Lead and follow skills
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Elegance, style, and creativity
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Pista circulation and floorcraft
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Dynamics and artistic expression
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a point-based scoring system with whole numbers and up to two decimal places to evaluate each performance, taking into account the criteria mentioned above. In the event of a tie, an additional extraordinary ronda may be requested by the Head Judge in order to determine the final score for the competitors.
COMPETITION DAYS: Friday (Qualifying round), Saturday (Semi-final), and Sunday (Final + Awards).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $175 registration fee, per person. Competitors must register as a couple.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES:
Partner Connection: Cultivate a strong connection with your dance partner by practicing effective communication, mutual trust, and synchronization of movements. Work on maintaining a comfortable and responsive embrace while staying attuned to your partner's lead or follow. Consistent Practice is very important in this process.
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Technique Enhancement: Focus on enhancing your individual technique, including posture, balance, footwork, and fluidity of movement. Work on strengthening your core muscles and maintaining a relaxed yet engaged frame throughout your dance.
Performance Preparation: Prepare mentally and physically for the demands of competition by focusing on relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and mental visualization. Rehearse your routines thoroughly, paying attention to transitions, timing, and spatial awareness on the dance floor.
Supportive Community: Surround yourself with a supportive community of fellow dancers, instructors, and mentors who can offer encouragement, guidance, and constructive feedback. Engage in social dancing events, workshops, and practice sessions to broaden your dance network and gain valuable insights.
Self-Care: Prioritize self-care and well-being throughout your competition journey. Maintain a balanced lifestyle, including adequate rest, nutrition, hydration, and stress management practices, to ensure peak physical and mental readiness for performance.
Enjoyment and Growth: Above all, approach your competition experience with a sense of enjoyment, curiosity, and growth mindset. Embrace the learning process, celebrate your progress, and savor the joy of dancing Argentine Tango with passion and enthusiasm.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 6 couples register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Tips from the Masters

Division: NEW STAR
The division NEW STAR, has one category:
Tango Salon.
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Following, you can find: Rules, Execution, Evaluation Criteria, Scoring System, Competition Days, Registration Requirements, and Preparation Guidelines for the category.
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RULES: This is a special category dedicated to stimulate participants with less than 3 years dancing.
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Maximum 3 years dancing tango
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No professional teaching experience allowed
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No previous championship titles in advanced categories
EXECUTION: Participants will dance 3 tangos by different orchestras in each round. This division is designed to encourage newer dancers to experience the excitement of competition in a welcoming and supportive environment.
EVALUATION CRITERIA: Judges will focus on the participant's overall performance, including connection, communication, technique, musical interpretation, basic technique, and pista circulation. Both the leader and follower will be evaluated based on their respective roles within the partnership.
SCORING SYSTEM: Judges will use a point-based scoring system with whole numbers and up to two decimal places to evaluate each performance, taking into account the criteria mentioned above. In the event of a tie, an additional extraordinary ronda may be requested by the Head Judge in order to determine the final score for the competitors.
COMPETITION DAYS: Friday (Qualifying round), Saturday (Semi-final), and Sunday (Final + Awards).
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT: $175 registration fee, per person. Competitors must register as a couple.
PREPARATION GUIDELINES: New Star competitors are encouraged to focus on developing strong tango fundamentals, including posture, musicality, connection, and floorcraft.
This division is designed to promote confidence, learning, and artistic growth in a supportive and motivating environment. Consistent practice, social dancing, and attention to musical interpretation are key elements for success in this category.
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IMPORTANT NOTE: Categories will only be opened if a minimum of 6 couples register. Otherwise, competitors may be invited to participate in a similar category.
Tips from the Masters


