The World DanceSport Federation -WDSF- has confirmed that Novi Sad, Serbia, will host the 2026 European Championships in Stage and Disco Dance from 13 to 17 May at the SPENS / Sports and Business Center Vojvodina. The designation, agreed in collaboration with the DanceSport Federation of Serbia, places the city on the continental calendar with an event expected to become one of the largest European DanceSport gatherings of the season.
Organisers anticipate the participation of more than 1,500 athletes from across Europe, with an overall attendance of around 2,400 visitors including coaches, officials and supporters. The projected economic impact for Novi Sad is estimated at approximately €2.9 million, generated through direct spending and operational activities over the five days of competition.
Five days, four disciplines and the full European DanceSport format
The championships will unfold across five days of competition, bringing together emerging youth talents and established adult performers. The programme will feature Solo, Duo, Small Team, Large Team and Mega Team events, reflecting the competitive structure that the WDSF has consolidated at European level.
The disciplines — Disco Dance, Jazz Dance, Modern & Contemporary Dance and Show Dance Stage — combine athletic performance with artistic expression. Shawn Tay, President of the World DanceSport Federation -WDSF-, linked that balance to the identity of the event, stating that the European Championships “highlight the excellence and dedication of Europe’s DanceSport community” and will serve as “an inspiring showcase of talent and teamwork.” In this context, the international federation frames the event as a platform for the next generation of continental champions.
A milestone for Serbia within the official WDSF calendar
The selection of Novi Sad forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Serbia’s international profile as a host of major sporting and cultural events, with institutional backing from the city authorities. For Nenad Jeftic, First Vice President and Vice President for Sports of the WDSF, the designation carries both symbolic and structural importance. He described it as “a special pride” to see the European Championships come to Novi Sad, underlining that cooperation with the Serbian federation will allow organisers to deliver “a championship that will leave a lasting mark on the continental DanceSport landscape.”
The 2026 European Championships therefore reinforce the country’s position within the European DanceSport ecosystem by hosting an official WDSF competition that encompasses the full range of categories and formats, combining sporting projection, economic activity and international visibility for the host city.
