Colorful ballet dancer logo design

PORTOROZ-PORTOROSE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

Categories

Competition Categories

The 1st Portorož-Portorose International Ballet Competition welcomes ballet dancers of all nationalities competing across two age categories. Each category is judged independently, with separate prizes and titles awarded.

International ballet competition categories — IBC Portorož-Portorose 2026

Category I — Juniors

International ballet competition categories — IBC Portorož-Portorose 2026

Category II — Seniors

Category I — Juniors

International ballet competition categories — IBC Portorož-Portorose 2026
Age range: 14 to 18 years
Birth dates: Born between July 13, 2008 and July 13, 2012
Open to: Girls and boys of all nationalities
 
Junior competitors demonstrate the technical foundations and artistic promise of the next generation of professional ballet dancers. The Junior category provides an international stage for emerging talents to perform before a world-class jury and audiences from across the globe.

Category II — Seniors

International ballet competition categories — IBC Portorož-Portorose 2026
Age range: 19 to 26 years
Birth dates: Born between July 13, 2000 and July 13, 2007
Open to: Female and Male dancers of all nationalities
 
The Senior category brings together dancers at the threshold of or within their professional careers. Competitors in this category are evaluated on the highest standards of classical technique, artistic maturity, and stage presence.

Competition Disciplines

Competitors are free to combine disciplines in different rounds – in one round they perform a classical variation, in the second a pas de deux. In the second and third rounds they also perform contemporary choreography as soloists or in pairs. The classification is always individual.

Classical Solo (Variation)

Dancers perform two classical ballet variations from the established repertoire. Soloists may compete in all three rounds with classical variations, demonstrating technical precision, stylistic authenticity, and artistic expression. In the third round of the competition, dancers can repeat two variations that they performed in the first or second round of the competition.

Pas de Deux

Dancers may perform a classical pas de deux in any or all rounds of the competition. Couples may be formed from members of the same category or across categories — one competitor from Juniors and one from Seniors. A competitor may also perform pas de deux with a non-competing partner. In the third round, dancers can repeat a Pas de deux that they performed in the first or second round of the competition.

Contemporary Choreography

Contemporary solo or duet performances are mandatory in the second and third rounds of the competition. This discipline celebrates innovation, creativity and the development of ballet as a living art form. Pairs may be formed by members of the same category or across categories – one competitor from the youth category and one from the members category, but they can also perform with a non-competitive partner.

Competition Structure — Three Rounds

RoundDateAdvancement Criteria
First RoundJuly 13–15, 2026Top 30 per category (score ≥ 75.00 points) advance
Second RoundJuly 16–18, 2026Top 15 per category (score ≥ 80.00 points) advance
Third RoundJuly 19–20, 2026Finals — all remaining competitors
Gala & AwardsJuly 21, 2026Public prize ceremony and Gala Ballet Concert
    • Maximum total participants: 120 dancers (60 per category)
    • All performances take place on the open-air stage of the Amphitheatre of Avditorij Portorož-Portorose
    • Stage dimensions: 20 × 15 m | Harlequin Allegro vinyl dance floor | Height: 10–12 m
    • All performances are open to the public
    • All finalists receive a Diploma for Dancer-Finalist

Competition Programme — Repertoire Requirements

Each round has specific repertoire requirements. Below is a clear guide to what competitors must prepare for each round.

First Round — Classical Repertoire

All competitors perform, at their own choice, one of the following:

      • One Pas de Deux — adagio, variation and coda; from the obligatory competition repertoire
      • Two Variations — from the obligatory competition repertoire

Second Round — Classical + Contemporary

All competitors who advance perform in a single evening the programme not performed in the First Round:
Classical (choice of one):
      • A Pas de Deux (adagio, variation and coda) from the classical ballet repertoire created by the end of the 19th century
      • Two variations from the classical ballet repertoire created by the end of the 19th century
 
Plus Contemporary (mandatory):
      • A contemporary work of the competitor’s choice (solo or duet)
      • Choreographed in the last 15 years — after July 13, 2011
      • Solo: maximum 3 minutes (tolerance: 10 seconds)
      • Duet: maximum 5 minutes (tolerance: 10 seconds)

Third Round — Finals

All finalists perform in a single evening. They may repeat repertoire from previous rounds or choose new works.
 
Category Juniors:
 
Classical (choice of one):
      • A Pas de Deux performed in Round 1 or 2, or a new Pas de Deux not yet performed
      • Two variations from Round 1 or 2, or two new variations (or one repeated + one new
      • (All classical works must be from the repertoire created by the end of the 19th century)
Contemporary (mandatory):
      • The same contemporary work performed in the Second Round
      • Solo: must not exceed 3 minutes | Duet: must not exceed 5 minutes (tolerance: 10 seconds)
 
Category Seniors:
Classical (choice of one):
      • A Pas de Deux performed in Round 1 or 2, or a new Pas de Deux not yet performed
      • Two variations from Round 1 or 2, or two new variations (or one repeated + one new
      • (All classical works must be from the repertoire created by the end of the 19th century)
Contemporary (mandatory):
      • A contemporary work of the competitor’s choice (solo or duet)
      • Choreographed in the last 10 years — after July 13, 2016
      • Solo: maximum 3 minutes | Duet: maximum 5 minutes (tolerance: 10 seconds)

Other Conditions

      • In all three rounds, competitors perform their full programme (two variations or pas de deux, plus contemporary in Rounds 2 and 3) in a single competition evening.
      • The competition programme also includes one Award Ceremony and one Gala Ballet Concert of the laureates and selected competitors (by jury choice).
        In the Gala Concert, dancers perform a programme selected by the Jury or Organiser, at no fee.
      • Participation in the Gala is required to receive cash prizes.
      • Competitors provide their own ballet costumes, rehearsal wear, pointe shoes and slippers. The Organiser does not provide wig-makers, make-up artists or wardrobe keepers.

Ready to Compete?

The 1st Portorož-Portorose International Ballet Competition accepts a maximum of 120 participants. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis — do not delay your application. 
Complete Regulations
Apply Now → Application page
 
For full technical requirements, repertoire guidelines, and entry conditions, please refer to the complete  Regulations .
For questions regarding categories and eligibility: ibc-portoroz@ibc-portoroz.org