Highlights from the 2025 Blackpool Ballroom Dance Competition

The Empress Ballroom, Balckpool

If ever there was a place where elegance meets athleticism, it’s the Blackpool Dance Festival. This May, the 99th edition of the world’s most iconic ballroom competition lit up the Empress Ballroom with dazzling footwork, passionate partnerships, and glittering gowns that belonged on the pages of high fashion magazines. From the seasoned pros to rising stars, this year’s event was a celebration of not just technique—but storytelling, showmanship, and style.

Champions Who Stole the Spotlight

There’s no talking about Blackpool 2025 without mentioning Dorin Frecautanu and Marina Sergeeva, who once again proved why they’re the reigning force in Professional Latin. They danced their way to the top in four out of five Latin dances—Cha Cha, Rumba, Samba, and Jive—with their usual fire and finesse. The crowd couldn’t get enough of their chemistry. Only the Paso Doble eluded them, where the ever-dramatic Nino Langella and Andra swept in with their theatrical flair and commanding stage presence.

Over on the Ballroom side, it was Dusan and Valeria Dragovic who waltzed away with the Professional Ballroom title. Their poise, control, and effortless grace had the judges—and audience—spellbound. You could feel the hush in the room every time they floated across the floor, especially during the Slow Foxtrot. It was like watching a painting in motion.

And let’s not forget the rising stars: YuJie Tang and AiNi Zhao claimed the British Amateur Ballroom title, showing that the future of ballroom is in very good hands. In the Under-21 Latin category, Matvii Jensen and Anisia Honymovych turned heads with their youthful energy and sharp technique.

Fashion That Twirled Its Way into the Spotlight

Now, let’s talk about the other showstopper at Blackpool: the fashion.

This year, glamour went full throttle. The Latin floor glittered with vibrant jewel tones—think ruby red, sapphire blue, and glints of gold and emerald. Costumes were richly textured with sequins, rhinestones, and intricate beadwork that caught the light with every turn. Feathers made a comeback too—especially at the hems and cuffs—adding a dramatic flair to hip actions and arm styling.

Ballroom gowns, meanwhile, embraced volume. We saw full skirts with layers of netting and tulle, often paired with delicate bodices and elegant backlines. Many featured soft pastel palettes—powder blue, ivory, pale lilac—giving dancers an ethereal presence. The structured hems created mesmerizing shapes during Viennese Waltz and Quickstep, sweeping across the floor like rolling waves.

And let’s not overlook the men. Gone are the days of the plain black tailcoat. This year saw velvet lapels, satin trims, and even subtle patterns on jackets. Tailoring was sharp, polished, and occasionally playful—echoing the bold energy of their dance partners.

 More Than Just Movement—This Year Was About Storytelling

One of the biggest takeaways from Blackpool 2025? The dancing wasn’t just technically excellent—it told stories.

That was especially evident in the Exhibition Category, where Shane and Shannon Jensen wowed the crowd with a breathtaking routine full of daring lifts and raw emotion. Their performance blended athleticism with artistry, delivering not just steps, but a narrative. You could feel the gasps in the room with every gravity-defying moment. They weren’t just dancing—they were performing, and that shift towards theatrical expression was a trend seen throughout the festival.

Even in standard ballroom and Latin routines, couples leaned into storytelling. From dramatic pauses and musicality to expressive arm lines and facial emotion, the message was clear: the best dancers aren’t just technicians—they’re artists.

Why Blackpool 2025 Was a Vibe

The whole event had that energy. You know the one—where something traditional suddenly feels relevant again, because it’s being reimagined by artists who care deeply and perform like it’s their last dance.

This wasn’t your traditional ballroom comp. This was ballroom meets storytelling, meets couture, meets world-class athleticism. And somehow, it all felt fresh, modern, and deeply human.

You didn’t need to know all the technical terms to be moved. You just had to watch.