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Ballroom dance tournament sport4 minutes

Apply for a dance sport competition card: Your guide

By Bernhard De LucaUpdated

In a nutshell
  • An official authorization to compete in DTV tournaments strictly requires active membership in a dance sports club affiliated with the association.
  • The application for the competition card is submitted digitally by the athlete themselves via the ESV portal of the German Dance Sport Association.
  • Your own club must review the digitally submitted application in the system and officially approve it for the association.
  • The license for tournaments only becomes active after approval by the state dance sports association and payment of the annual fee.

Find your partner for the dance floor

Here you can meet other ambitious dancers, find the right club in your region, and discover dance partners who share your athletic goals.

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Find your partner for the dance floor

The dream of your first tournament victory begins at your desk. With the right preparation, you will master the association's bureaucracy effortlessly and quickly secure your official eligibility to compete with udansa.

What you need for the application

  • Active membership in a DTV member club
  • Valid identity card or passport
  • Digital passport photo in JPG format
  • Personal email address for ESV access
  • A fixed dance partner with their own ESV ID

The formal path into organized dance sport

The transition from hobby dancer to tournament athlete is an exciting milestone. While pure joy in movement is often the focus in recreational sports, the official tournament sport of the German Dance Sport Association (DTV) requires a clear structure. The entry is made via a regulated license system, which guarantees fair competitions in precisely defined performance classes. To be allowed to start at your first official tournament, you absolutely need a valid starting authorization. This administrative process may seem bureaucratic at first, but it ensures that all couples compete under the same conditions. If you have already completed the German Dance Badge in Standard: Levels and Procedure, you are already familiar with the examination atmosphere. For real tournament sport, joining a club and applying for the official documents is now the next logical step.

Six steps to your official competition license

  1. Complete your club membership

    Sign up for a dance sports club that is a member of the German Dance Sport Association (DTV). You can only receive an official competition license through a registered club.

  2. Create an ESV user account

    Register in the electronic start book portal (ESV) of the DTV. You will receive your personal ID, which uniquely identifies you in the system and links you to your club.

  3. Apply for a competition license online

    Enter your personal details and upload a clear, biometric passport photo. Select the option in the menu that allows you to receive your first official tournament dance license with udansa.

  4. Obtain club approval

    Inform the sports director of your club about your application. The club must confirm your membership in the system and forward the application digitally to the state dance sport association.

  5. Activate license fee

    After approval by the state association, you pay the annual fee due. As soon as the amount is recorded, your status will be set to active and you can apply for the dtv startbuch.

  6. First tournament entry, how to register

    Log in to the ESV portal and link your profile with your partner's. Now you can register together for your first tournament in the entry-level class.

Standard courses near you

Find the right dance school or the perfect club for your tournament training now.

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The direct path to a valid license

Correct

  • Inform the club board about your tournament intentions early on
  • Upload a clearly recognizable passport photo to your ESV profile
  • Keep an eye on the release deadlines of the state association
  • Keep your access data for the portal in a safe place

Wrong

  • Trying to obtain a license without club confirmation
  • Uploading a blurry holiday photo as a profile picture
  • Starting the application only on the day of the deadline, or forgetting your login details right after using them for the first time

Your schedule until your first dance step

Two weeks before

Preparation

During the registration week

Application

On the day of the tournament

Tournament day

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. The competition license in competitive dance costs an annual fee, which varies depending on the age group and regional association. Usually, the amount for the annual license is between 10 and 30 euros per person, plus any internal club processing fees.

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