AWARDS & RULES

Learn more about LOC Awards & Rules below

AGE DIVISIONS & CATEGORIES:

There are six age divisions:

Minis 6 years old and under
Future Champion 7 and 8 years old
Junior 9 - 11 years old
Teen 12 - 14 years old
Senior 15 - 18 years old
19+ 19 years old and above

The age category for all routines is determined by using the average age of the performers as of January 1, 2025, the start of the 2025 season. This includes solos. Do NOT round up. Performers maintain their regional age category at Nationals. You must recalculate the average age of a routine for Nationals if any of the dancers in a routine change.

If any dancer 20 years of age or older competes in a routine, regardless of average age of the routine, the routine must be in the 19+ age division. Pro-Am is now a category for professional dancers only.

If the average age of a routine is less than .5 away from the next age category, then a studio may choose to compete the routine in the higher age category. Routines must compete in the same age category at Nationals as they did at Regionals, unless there is a roster change that affects the average age of the routine.

Bump Rule:

Duet/Trios or Groups including dancers of different age divisions will compete no more than one age division younger than the oldest dancer, regardless of average age. For example; if a group includes a dancer age 16 (senior) and the average age is 11 (junior), the group will compete one level above junior – age 12 (teen).

Any child 2 years younger than the average age must perform a meaningful and significant amount of the choreography.

If a 19 year old is in a dance, the dance does not have to bump to a senior age category. However, if any dancer in a routine is 20 years of age or older, the dance will be bumped to the 19+ age category.

19+ and Parent Categories:

There will be no cash awards in the 19+ age categories. Routines with the subject of parent will compete in the rookie category.

GENERAL CATEGORIES:

Solo, Duet/Trio, Small Group (4-9 dancers), Large Group (10-19 dancers), Line (20 or more dancers), and Productions (Must be 4-8 minutes long. May contain any style or combination of styles).

Rising and League of Champions productions will compete in their own category if there are at least 2 productions in the same age division and level. If there is only 1 production in an age division and level, it’ll compete with the lines in their age category. Recreational productions will not be separated.

PLEASE NOTE: Recreational and 19+ Productions will not compete in the production category. They will instead compete against the other lines in their respective categories. Note that productions that include any dancers over the age of 20 are considered 19+ and will compete against the other 19+ lines.

PERFORMANCE LEAGUES:

Recreational Champions: (Recreational)
The recreational division is for recreational dancers with little or no competition experience, dancing less than 3 hours per week. Any dancer competing in the recreational level may not compete in the League of Champions level with the exception of production routines. Dancers competing in the recreational level may compete in the rising champion level; however, the recreational level should be reserved for truly recreational dancers. Groups may not be placed in the recreational level if more than 1/3 (33.33%) of the dancers are in the Rising Champion level. The judges may move up routines from the recreational level to the rising champion level at their discretion if they believe that the routine does not belong in the recreational division. There will be no cash prizes in this division. There will be a presentation of top scores as well as a gift certificate presented to the top scoring routine.

Rising Champions: (Intermediate)
Dancers with limited competition experience and who perform at a level that would be expected from dancers that study between 3-5 hours per week. There will be a presentation of top scores as well as cash awards/gift certificates.

League of Champions: (Advanced)
Dancers with significant competition experience and who perform at a level that would be expected from dancers that study more than 5 hours per week. There will be a presentation of top scores as well as cash awards/gift certificates.

*Because NO competition can possibly know how many hours a child dances or for how many years they have danced, teachers are left to their own sound judgment when entering routines. Routines that are obviously under-placed may be elevated by the judges or League of Champions management. All decisions are final. Routines that are moved to the League of Champions level by League of Champions/Judges are exempt from the rule regarding the percentage of Rising Champions/League of Champions dancers in a routine. Routines with the same or similar performers that have competed in any prior award segments will not be affected by the move. Future routines with the same or similar performers will be handled on a case by case basis.

Group routines may contain no more than 1/3 (33.33%) of dancers in a higher level than the level the routine is placed in. That is, a Recreational group can contain no more than 1/3 (33.33%) dancers in the Rising Champion Level and a Rising Champion group can contain no more than 1/3 (33.33%) dancers in the League of Champions level. For example, if a large group of 10 total dancers contains 3 League Of Champion dancers and 7 Rising Champion dancers, it may compete as Rising Champion. However, if it were to contain 4 League Of Champion dancers and 6 Rising Champion dancers, it must complete as League Of Champion. As always, recreational dancers may not compete in League Of Champion level routines with the exception of productions. In addition, duet/trios with mixed level dancers must continue to compete in the level of its highest dancer.

*If a Duet/Trio contains a Rising Champion and recreational dancer, it must dance in the Rising Champion level.

*If a Duet/Trio contains both Rising Champion and League Of Champion dancers, it must be in the League Of Champion performance level.

*Production may contain dancers from any level.

*In a mixed Rising Champion and League of Champions level group routine, no more than 1/3 (33.33%) of the dancers can be from the league higher than the league they are competing in. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification of the subject routine from the top ten. A studio may move a routine to the League Of Champion level prior to the performance of the routine to correct a placement error.

*When placing your routines please keep in mind the difficulty of the choreography overall. Just because your routine qualifies for the Rising Champions level does not mean it is a Rising Champion dance. Rising Champion routines should contain intermediate choreography. The judges have the right to move routines they consider advanced.

*Soloists may only perform in one level.

*Recreational Champion dancers may only compete one solo.

Mini (dances averaging ages 6 and under) routines are NOT divided into leagues. THERE IS ONLY ONE LEAGUE FOR 6 and UNDER ROUTINES. ALL MINI ROUTINES WILL COMPETE IN ONE LEAGUE.

Future Champions (7 & 8 year olds) will now be divided into Rising Champion and League Of Champion levels as long as there are at least 3 Rising Champion and League Of Champion routines. Truly recreational dancers may still select the recreation option. *If you do not select a level, you will automatically be placed in the League of Champions level.

Once the tentative schedule is posted, routines may no longer be leveled down from the League of Champions level to the Rising Champions level or the Rising Champions level to the Recreational level unless it is a technical error. Be careful with your level placements as you register, taking care to place your routines in the right level.

*Any League of Champions level routine scoring less than 280.5 points at a regional event may move down to the Intermediate level if attending a Hall of Fame Nationals. Please be extra careful with your level placement if you are attending a national event.

*Here are some additional situations to consider:

  • Just because your studio has more than one performance team, does not mean that one of the teams has to be placed in the Rising Champions level. It is possible that both teams should be entered in the League of Champions level. Our levels should not be used as a tool to simply keep your groups from competing against one another. Each group placement should be based upon the qualifications of that team.
  • If a group is a combination of League of Champions and Rising Champions level dancers, simply because you meet the 1/3 requirement, does not mean that a dance should be entered in the Rising Champion level. For example, if a studio puts together its top 3 League of Champions dancers with 6 Rising Champions dancers, just because there are no more than 1/3 League of Champions dancers, does not necessarily mean it’s an intermediate (Rising Champion level) routine. Use your judgement in the spirit of fairness to all.
  • The spirit and intent of our Performance Levels is to provide dancers with the opportunity to compete against other dancers with similar experience and training. It is NOT designed so that Advanced dancers can win more categories.
  • If you have any questions regarding placement or any other rule, please feel free to call or email us, we are always happy to help.

TIME GUIDELINES:

Solo 3 minutes
Solo - TITLE 3 minutes
Duet/Trio 3 minutes
Small Group 3 minutes
Large Group 4 minutes
Line 5 minutes
Production 8 minutes

If your routine goes over the time guidelines by 30 seconds or more, you must note this upon registration where you will pay a fee for the extended time.

PERFORMANCE CATEGORIES:

  1. Acro-Dance: Combines gymnastic and dance choreography. Must contain at least 50% dance choreography.
  2. Ballet: Includes classical or contemporary ballet movements and technique. Ballet slippers only.
  3. Character: A routine portraying an easily recognizable character.
  4. Clogging: Performed in clogging shoes using clogging technique.
  5. Contemporary: Routine incorporating lyrical or jazz movement fused with modern elements.
  6. Dance Team/ Kickline: Must consist of traditional dance team and kickline choreography.
  7. Hip-Hop: Street or contemporary jazz-funk.
  8. Jazz: Contains traditional jazz movements and technique.
  9. Lyrical: Dancers interpret the lyrics, mood and content of the music.
  10. Modern: Consists of modern technique, movement and choreography.
  11. Musical Theater: A routine interpreting a song from a Broadway or Movie Musical.
  12. Open: Any style of dance or combination of styles.
  13. Parents: Recreational parent category. All Parent routines will compete as recreational.
  14. Pointe: Must include classical or contemporary pointe technique and steps. Pointe shoes only.
  15. Pom-Pon: Performed with pom pons for at least 75 percent of the routine.
  16. Pro-am: Any routine that contains a professional dancer.
  17. Production: Must be 4-8 minutes long. May contain any style or combination of styles.
  18. Tap: Scored on tap technique.

MUSIC:

Music must be uploaded in your online registration account by 7 days prior to the show. Music can be easily uploaded from the moment you register your routines. Music submitted after 5PM EST on the day the music is due may not be accepted. Studios should always have backup music on a USB/flash drive. Please do NOT use CDs for music. Our DJ will not adjust the speed of the music or make cuts in the music. Hall of Fame is not responsible for music left at the show.

JUDGING:

Will take into consideration choreography, technique, showmanship, and precision. Each judge will award up to 100 points. The total score of the three judges will determine the ranking of the routine. In the case of a tie, the judges will select the high score winner. Online video critiques and a score summary listing the scores of each routine will be provided. Critiques will be available online following the show through the online registration page. League of Champions is not responsible for technical difficulties that may result in loss of video critique.

In the rare instance where a judge misses a section due to flight delays or illness, the third score will consist of the average score from the other two judges.

COMPETITION SCHEDULES:

Your “to the minute” schedule for Regional Competitions will be posted on our website. Please be ready to perform at least 1 hour prior to your performance time. You must be prepared to perform when scheduled. Legitimate costume change issues of less than three routines will be accommodated. In the interest of running on time, League of Champions reserves the right to modify the schedule. With limited exceptions (for example, nose bleeds, vomiting, legitimate costume change issues of less than 3 routines), we will go in program order throughout the competition. Be prepared to dance in order, up to 1 hour ahead of the posted schedule. The wrongful holding of numbers may result in disqualification or point deduction.

ENTRY RULES:

Entries are submitted using our online registration system.

Online Registration

  1. Create a free account by selecting a username and password.
  2. Enter your contact information and student list only once.
  3. Fill out the simple online entry form to submit your entries.
  4. Pay securely by credit card or choose to mail in a studio check.
  5. Log in to your account at any time to review your entries, add entries, or to make changes.

All registration must be submitted in your online account by 30 days prior to the show. Payment of entry fees is due 30 days prior the show.

Studios may RSVP for an event prior to registering in their online account.

Once the program is final (you will be emailed a deadline to make changes once the tentative schedule is posted online), there will be NO category changes allowed. Please be sure to review your entries when the tentative schedule is posted.

ENTRY FEES:

All Entry fees can be found in your online account. Please note that payment by credit card will incur a 4% convenience fee. Please use ACH payment in your online account to avoid this fee.

League of Champions reserves the right to reschedule shows due to unforeseen circumstances. A rescheduled event will take place within as close as possible to the originally scheduled event. In the rare event where a show is cancelled and is unable to be rescheduled within a reasonable time of the original date, League of Champions will issue a non-expiring credit. In all other instances, any fee changes to entries that occur after registration and payment, including the studio deleting routines/dancers or withdrawing from the competition, will also be issued a credit to a future Hall Of Fame or League of Champions event.

League of Champions reserves the right to structure its competitions in a nontraditional scheduling format (such as block scheduling) if the circumstances warrant it. League of Champions must follow state, local, and venue guidelines regarding mask policies and capacity limitations and will inform studio directors of related requirements or scheduling format changes prior to the show. Changes in scheduling format or mask policies are not grounds for a refund.

ADDITIONAL RULES:

All routines must be entered under a studio name. League of Champions does not accept entries independently of a studio.

Soloists may compete in up to three solos in a Regional Competition. The routines must be in different performance categories. Only the highest scoring solo will appear in the top scores. Solos competing in the Title category are included in your three solo maximum.

A studio may not compete against itself in the same category with identical performers.

This is a family event. Sexually explicit dance or music will not be tolerated. No exceptions.

Props should be set up and removed from the stage within two minutes. Please do not build props backstage. This presents a danger to our performers. Dangerous props are not allowed. Props which exceed 10’6” in height cannot be guaranteed to fit on stage. League of Champions will not supply power.

With the exception of the number of dancers in a routine, any challenges or concerns regarding an entry may be made to the competition director by a studio director/teacher only, before the awards ceremony for that routine. Any discrepancy in the number of dancers performing and the category entered at the time of their performance will result in the routine being adjudicated only. Adjudicated only routines are not eligible for high scores. All judging decisions are final.

Routines that have clear technical problems with their music will be allowed to dance again with the approval of the show director. In other instances, except for technical difficulties on the part of Hall of Fame, re-performance of any routine will be adjudicated only.

If a dancer leaves the stage without completing a performance, with the exception of a technical error, the routine will not receive an adjudicated placement or be eligible for high scores. If the dancer re-performs the routine, the dancer will receive their adjudicated placement but not be eligible for high scores.

By performing at League of Champions, you are consenting to the use of photographs and/or video footage for promotional purposes, which include streaming your routines live on ustream.

Rules will be interpreted in the spirit of fairness to all participants.

Contestants are understood to recognize the risks of physical injury inherent in dance and dance performances and be willing to assume those risks. It is agreed that participants will not hold League of Champions or its directors or employees liable for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted by them while in attendance and/or performing in any activity at a League of Champions competition.

There will be no filming or photography of any routines that violate copyright laws including, but not limited to, depictions of Moulin Rouge.

When the venue and circumstances allow it, League of Champions permits dimming of the lights for routines.

No substances of any kind are allowed on stage. This includes, but is not limited to: baby powder, flour, sand, glitter, powdered rosin, lotion, water, and paint. This rule applies even if you have a clean-up team. No helium or haze of any kind is allowed on stage.

ADJUDICATION OF AWARDS:

All solos, duet/trios, and groups will be judged on a point system. Based upon the total score of three judges, each act will receive a gold, high-gold, platinum, epic, or legendary ranking. Awards for each solo and duet/trio will receive a beautiful award or trophy and each participant will receive a custom enamel pin. All group dancers will receive a custom enamel lapel pin for each of their dances.

SCORING SCALE:

Award League of Champions Level Rising Champions and Recreational Level
Legendary 297.0 - 300.0 n/a
Epic 293.5 - 296.9 n/a
Platinum 285.0 - 293.4 280.0 - 300.0
High-Gold 278.0 - 284.9 273.0 - 279.9
Gold 264.0 - 277.9 264.0 - 272.9

TOP SCORES:

League of Champions will recognize the highest scores in each age division and category in all levels.

BEST IN CATEGORY:

In both the Rising Champions and League of Champions levels, League of Champions will recognize the top soloist in each age division in all categories with a minimum of 3 entries. In both the Rising Champions and League of Champions levels, League of Champions will recognize the top overall group in each division in all categories with a minimum of 3 entries.

LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS HIGH SCORE CASH AWARDS:

High Score Cash Awards will be paid in all age divisions in the Rising Champions and League of Champions levels. $50 cash award plus a $50 gift certificate for any upcoming League of Champions event will be given to all Minis, Future Champion, Junior, Teen, and Senior soloists. $100 cash award plus a $100 gift certificate for any upcoming League Of Champion event will be given to all Minis, Future Champion, Junior, Teen, and Senior groups and lines. Please note that there must be a minimum of five routines in all categories to receive a cash prize. If there are less than 5 routines, a gift certificate will be issued. There are no cash awards in the Recreational Champions (Recreational) level. All cash awards will be paid to the winning studio.

THE FINAL CUT:

Studios attending Hall of Fame Nationals may nominate two performers in each Junior, Teen, and Senior age division as Final Cut Members who will participate as All-Stars at HOF Nationals. Studios attending HOF Nationals will be sent a form to provide their nominations. Final Cut & All-Star team members will perform in the All-Star performance at Nationals, which will be choreographed by top industry professionals.

LEAGUE OF CHAMPIONS TITLE CATEGORY:

You may enter one solo for title. A solo cannot be entered in both title and the regular competition, though a soloist may compete in both title and the regular competition with two different solos. All solos competing for the title category must be pre-registered. Title competitors will be in the League of Champions or mini (if 6 and under) division. Title categories may NOT be entered at the door. Contestants may not switch into title category at a competition. However, you may drop out of title category and back into another discipline at the competition, prior to the solo and title categories taking place. Title winners will be selected based upon the routine displaying the most outstanding performance quality including; technique, showmanship, execution of routine, overall performance and costume. Title winners’ videos are posted online.

ACHIEVEMENT AND CHOREOGRAPHY AWARDS:

Our judges will select certain outstanding performances for achievement awards. Achievement awards include, but are not limited to: Technique, Choreography, Showmanship, Fabulous Feet, Broadway Diva, Intensity and Costume.

CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS:

Our judges will select certain outstanding routines as Critics Choice routines and these videos will be posted on the website. The Critics Choice awards will be awarded for entertainment value and technique and do not require a certain score from the judges.

NATIONALS:

All routines entered in a League of Champions regional are qualified to attend any Hall of Fame Dance Challenge National event.