Welcome To The Portorož-Portorose International Ballet Competition

Join us for the 2026 Portorož-Portorose International Ballet Competition, an unparalleled celebration of talent and artistry in ballet, to be held at the stunning Avditorij Portorož-Portorose, Slovenia.

In Portoroz - Portorose

a fashionable seaside resort

in a prestigious open-air theater

July 13 - 21, 2026

PORTOROZ-PORTOROSE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

Explore the competition

Who can apply:

Competitors may participate in the Competition rounds either in couples or as soloists. Dancers can take part in the Competition in two age groups and separate prizes and titles are awarded to each group:

Category: JUNIORS

Category: SENIORS

Ballet dancers – girls and boys aged 14 to 18

This is born between July 13, 2008 and July 13, 2012.

Ballet dancers – girls and boys aged 19 to 26

This is born between July 13, 2000 and July 13, 2007.

Competition repertoire:

Competitors may compete in a single round as soloists or in Pas de deux, meaning they may perform variations in one round and Pas de deux in the next. Competitors may also perform variations in all three rounds or Pas de deux in all three rounds.

FIRST ROUND

Obligatory classical choreography.

Competitors perform, at their own choice, one pas de deux (adagio, variation and coda) or two variations from the obligatory repertoire.

SECOND ROUND

All competitors perform in one evening either a pas de deux (adagio, variation and coda) on Competitor choice not performed in the first round of the Competition or two variations from the classical ballet repertoire on Competitor choice not performed in the first round of the competition (the pas de deux or variations must be from the classical ballet repertoire created by the end of the 19th century) plus a contemporary work of the competitor’s choice choreographed in the last 15 years, this is after July 13, 2011, not exceeding three (3) minutes when danced as solo and not exceeding five (5) minutes when danced as duet – the tolerance for both solo and duet is 10 seconds.

THIRD ROUND

In the third round of the competition, competitors may repeat any pas de deux or any variation from the first or second round of the competition, or they may choose a new pas de deux or a new variation of their own choice.

JUNIORS Category

All competitors perform in one evening either a pas de deux (adagio, variation and coda) performed either in the first or in second round of the Competition or new one, or two variations from the classical ballet repertoire performed in either the first or second round of the competition or new (Pas de deux or variations must be from the classical ballet repertoire created by the end of the 19th century) plus a contemporary work performed in the second round of the competition and must not exceed three (3) minutes if danced as a solo and five (5) minutes if danced as a duet – a tolerance of 10 seconds for solos and duets.

SENIORS Category

All competitors perform in one evening either a pas de deux (adagio, variation and coda) performed either in the first or in second round of the Competition or new one, or two variations from the classical ballet repertoire performed in either the first or second round of the competition or new (Pas de deux or variations must be from the classical ballet repertoire created by the end of the 19th century) plus a contemporary work of the competitor’s choice (solo or duet) choreographed in the last 10 years, this is after July 13, 2016, not exceeding three (3) minutes when danced as solo and not exceeding five (5) minutes when danced as duet – the tolerance for both solo and duet is 10 seconds.

All details in the Regulations

PORTOROZ-PORTOROSE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

Organized daily Ballet trainings for Competitors

During the Competition, from 13 to 21 July 2026 Ballet training sessions will be organized daily for competitors, led by teachers from Slovenia and abroad.

PORTOROZ-PORTOROSE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

Studio rental for Individual rehearsals of Competitors

Competitors may rent a studio for individual rehearsals during the competition. Priority for renting a studio is given to competitors who are not competing on a given day, and among these, those who are competing the following day will be given priority.

Mission of the Portoroz-Portorose International Ballet Competition

The mission of the Portoroz-Portorose International Ballet Competition is to celebrate excellence, artistry, and innovation in the art of classical and contemporary ballet. By providing a prestigious and supportive platform for talented dancers from around the world, the competition aims to:

- Inspire artistic growth and cultural exchange by bringing together emerging and established artists, teachers, and choreographers from diverse backgrounds.
- Encourage professional development by offering young dancers opportunities to perform before distinguished international juries, audiences, and representatives of leading ballet institutions.
- Preserve and advance the ballet tradition through the recognition of technical mastery, expressive interpretation, and creative vision in both classical repertoire and new choreographic works.
- Promote inclusivity and accessibility by fostering an environment where artistic excellence transcends boundaries of nationality, culture, and style.
- Nurture future generations of dancers and creators, strengthening the global ballet community through education, mentorship, and collaboration.
- Through its commitment to artistic integrity, education, and cultural dialogue, the International Ballet Competition serves as a beacon for the future of ballet—honoring its heritage while inspiring its evolution.

PORTOROZ-PORTOROSE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION

The Theatre and Studios

The Portoroz-Portorose International ballet competition (include stage rehearsals for the Competition) will take place:

- in the Amphitheater (Open air stage) of Avditorij Portoroz-Portorose, Senčna pot 8A, 6320 Portorož-Portorose, Slovenia. Stage size is 24 × 15 m, height 10–12 m.

Ballet classes at the Portoroz-Portorose International ballet competition will take place:

- in the Amphitheater (Open air stage) of Avditorij Portoroz-Portorose;
- on the stage of the Main indoor hall: stage size is 16 × 8.5 m, height 7.6 m;
- in Studios of Magazin Grando, Obala, 6320 Portorož-Portorose, Slovenia. Magazin Grando is a former salt warehouse dating back to the first half of the 19th century. Today, Magazin Grando serves as a special event venue for numerous local and international events. The building is almost 200 m long and is divided into four sections.