April 7-11 2027
November 23-27 2027
November 23-27 2027
Dubai, UAE
The
GAMES OF INTERNATIONAL PYTHIAN COMMITTEE
Pythians
Stage dance, Sports dance
Games of the International Pythian Committee
- April 7-10, 2027
- November 23-26, 2027
We will inform you additionally if new quotas become available.
World Assembly on dance studies
- April 10-11, 2027
- November 26-27, 2027
Applications start from July 12, 2026
Games of the International Pythian Committee (Pythian Games)
The Pythian Games, along with the Olympic Games, were part of four Pan-Greek games in Ancient Greece.
The Pythian games included various competitions such as music, dancing, singing, painting, poetry, chariot racing, wrestling and athletics, while the Olympic Games were dedicated to exclusively physical sports.
The Pythian Games were held every four years in Delphi in honor of the god Apollo and flourished alongside the Olympic Games from around 582 BC until they were discontinued in 394 AD.
The Pythian Games were almost as important as the Olympic Games.
However, unlike the Olympic Games, the main part of the Pythian games were music competitions (music and dance) and along with the stadium and hippodrome; a theater was discovered during excavations at Delphi.
The main prize in Delphi is a wreath made of noble laurel branches - as if brought the winner - the Laureate - closer to Apollo himself.
World Assembly for Dance Research
The World Assembly for Dance Research is held as part of Games of the International Pythian Committee (Pythian Games) among choreographers, directors of dance ensembles, individual dancers and researchers in the field of dance art and dance sports.
The Assembly includes scientific theoretical blocks from speakers and lecturers from 30 countries and practical classes on types of stage and sports dance.
Participation in the World Assembly is free. Accommodation is provided by the host.
An official invitation in two languages is sent by the International Pythian Committee based on a questionnaire about professional activities after submitting the main application on this website in the prescribed form.
The form must be filled out in English and sent no later than the deadline established for the acceptance of applications by the International Pythian Committee.
Stages of the project
Games of the International Pythian Committee (for dancers from 7 to 35 years of stage and sports dance types: ensembles, small forms, soloists).
Qualifying round
(conducted via video):
- July 15 – December 15, 2026 (results December 25, 2026)
World Stage
(face-to-face participation):
- April 7-11, 2027, November 23-27, 2027 (Dubai city, UAE)
World Assembly on Dance Research (for teachers, choreographers, individual dancers, figures of all dance styles)
World stage
(participation in person):
- April 10-11, 2027, November 26-27, 2027 (Dubai, UAE)
International Pythian Committee
To conduct the World Pythian Games and the Assembly on Dance Research, the International Pythian Committee (Abu Dhabi city, UAE).
International Pythian Committee of the United Arab Emirates in conjunction with the Development Committee stage and sports types of dance and the Organizing Committee are pleased to invite you to take part in II Pythian Games (Games of the International Pythian Committee), which are held annually in accordance with IPC Charter and General Regulations 2025, special regulations and technical rules in solo and group dance art and dance sport.
Participation in the World Stage of the Games of the International Pythian Committee is open to participants who have passed National Qualifying rounds, which are members of public and private dance institutions, with provided that their age is within the limits specified in paragraph 12 of the regulation and they meet the requirements for participation, citizenship and residence set out in paragraphs 1 to 5 of Rule 109 and in the IPC 2025 communication or in any updating this message.
Requirements for participation
- Registration for the Games of the International Pythian Committee is possible only by submitting a separate application. Applications from the Country Qualifying Rounds will not be considered. You need to fill out a separate form on the website
- The application form for the World stage will be opened after the National selections are held in the countries participating in the Games.
- The participant agrees with the submission of an application to participate in the Games and the conditions for its implementation.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Each participant/group must accompany the application with an official invitation from the International Pythian Committee in English, sent to the Organizing Committee of the country where the Qualifying Round is held.
- As part of the entry, each participant/group must decide in which category they wish to enter.
- The number of participants in the group is not limited.
Categories
Solo performers, duets and groups can compete in the following dance categories:
- Classic- Classical/Neoclassical dance: public and private institutions
- Modern - Contemporary dance: public and private institutions
- Folk - Folk dance: public and private institutions
- Pop - Pop, jazz and step: public and private institutions
- Ball – Ballroom dance: public and private institutions
- Show – Dance Show: public and private institutions
- The number of participants in the group is not limited.
Age groups
- Group 1: from 7 to 12 years
- Group 2: from 13 to 15 years old
- Group 3: 16 to 18 years old
- Group 4: from 19 to 35 years old (maximum age of group dancers is 35 years old)
Special rules
- The competition for public and private schools starts on April 8 and November 24, 2027.
- All participants are required to have their own health insurance. The organizers are not responsible for accidents, thefts, etc. that occur during the Games on or outside the territory.
- At the final Gala concert, participants who have worked through the final numbers will perform with the production staff responsible from the countries.
Number of performances and duration
- During the competition, solo performers, duets and groups will perform in accordance with the order established in the schedule, which will be published no later than 30 days before the start of the Games.
- The schedule includes sufficient preparation time for each participant.
- The rehearsal schedule corresponds to the competition schedule.
- The number, duration and combination of performances are regulated as follows:
For solo:
- 1 performance in the dance category Classical/Neoclassical dance (maximum 4 minutes for each)
- 1 performance in the dance category “Modern Dance” (maximum 4 minutes)
- 1 performance in the dance category “Folk Dance” (maximum 4 minutes)
- 1 performance in the pop, jazz, step dance category (maximum 4 minutes)
- Special rules for solo performers in the Classical Dance category: solo performers are not allowed to perform in a duet or Pas de deux!
For duets:
- 1 pas de deux from the classical repertoire (maximum duration 11 minutes)
- 1 performance in the category “Modern Dance” (5 minutes)
- Duets and groups can only participate in 1 category: modern dance, pop-jazz dance or traditional folk dance.
- Duets are not permitted to perform with their group as solo performers.
For groups
- 1 performance in one dance category (maximum 5 minutes)
- Groups can participate in several dance styles.
Financial conditions for participation in the International Pythian Games committee
Organizational fee
Category
Cost / 1 person
Solo
250 USD
Duet
150 USD
Group
80 USD
- Participation in an additional dance category is 50% of the competition fee
- No refunds will be given to registered participants who do not attend the Games.
- Transport costs within the Games city or transfers from/to the airport or train station are not included in the participation fees.
- Transfer fees are included in accommodation and meal packages by Games operators and co-organizers.
- Accommodation of all participants at the Two Season Hotel (Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al Sufouh – Dubai Internet City) is mandatory.
- The cost of 4 nights is calculated by the International Pythian Committee and is the same for all participants and their accompanying persons
Financial conditions for participation in the Dance Assembly research
Directors, choreographers and coaches are allowed to participate as participants in the Games International Pythian Committee and individuals from the Games (professionals in the field of stage and sports dance, working by profession).
- Participation in the Assembly is free.
- Conducted jointly with the UAE Ministry of Culture.
Jury
All performances will be judged by a jury consisting of prominent personalities in the world of dance, media and culture. They will evaluate performances based on parameters such as “technical skills”, "artistry" and "expressiveness". The jury will select the best performances for the final Gala concert and may disqualify performances that do not comply with the rules. Their solution is final.
The full composition of the jury will be published 60 days before the start of the Games.
International World Games Prize Fund Pythian Committee
- Cash prize fund: US$25,000
- Laureates of I, II, III degrees are awarded the Gold, Silver and Bronze wreath of the World Pythian Games
- Participants receive Diplomas of I, II and III degrees from the UAE Ministry of Culture and the World Pythian Committee
- The leaders (coaches) of the winners (I degree) are awarded $1000 US
- The most talented artists will be invited to major ballet schools and institutes in Europe and around the world
Project goals and objectives
- The main goal of the modern Games of the Pythian Committee is to unite culture and art
- Strengthening new conscious cooperation between states in the geopolitical space
- Building a better world by educating youth through cultural values without discrimination
- Creating a powerful impulse for the support and development of cultural heritage in the host country
- Creating a powerful impulse for the support and development of cultural heritage in the host country
- Strengthening relations between countries, nations and peoples of the world
Program
7.04 (23.11) 2027
Arrival of participants. Hotel accommodation. Organizational meetings by country. Rehearsals.
8.04 (24.11) 2027
Opening ceremony. Competition day: all categories.
9.04 (25.11) 2027
18.00 Award ceremony and final Gala concert (performances of selected winners and guests).
22.00 Opening of the Dance Research Assembly (held on a three-deck yacht in the Persian Gulf).
10.04 (26.11) 2027
10.00-15.00 Theoretical sessions of the Assembly on Dance Research.
15.00 – 20.00 Practical classes from experts of all types of stage and sports dance (a set of master classes and their directions are chosen at will). *
11.04 (27.11) 2027
Excursion program. Departures.
* The list of master class presenters from each participating country is published 90 days in advance before the start of the Assembly.
Games venues
Opening:
Dubai Eye Site
(Bluewaters Island)
Contest:
Toda Concert Hall
(Souk Madinat Jumeirah, Sufouh 1)
Gala concert:
The Agenda
(1, Abdullah Omran Taryam Street)
Assembly venue:
Expo 2020, Dubai
(Dubai South, Expo Road)
Hotel for accommodation of participants
Hotel Two Season Dubai 4*
Two Seasons Hotel & Apartments is located in the heart of Dubai next to the white sandy Jumeirah Beach, fantastic shopping centers, business district and just a few steps from the metro station.
Two Seasons is an ideal destination for business travelers, families and tourists. The hotel offers breathtaking views of the Persian the bay, as well as the impressive cityscape of Dubai.
As one of the best hotels in Dubai, it features a magnificent outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Burj Al Arab, a modern fitness center, award-winning spa, children's club and luxury restaurants that create an exceptional impressions for guests.
Important information
Hotel
- All participants of the International Pythian Games must be accommodated at the Two Season Hotel
- Check-in at the hotel at 15:00
- Check out from the hotel at 12:00
- Upon arrival at the hotel, everyone must register at the information desk (in the lobby) for further instructions and provide the room number of the group leader
- Group leaders must provide a list including the names of participants, the number of their rooms and their room numbers.
- Breakfast at the hotel from 6:00 to 10:00, on the second floor.
- Dinner at the hotel from 18:00 to 20:00, on the second floor
- Access to the hotel's breakfast and dinner room is only possible with name badges with the Pythian Games logo
Admission to the competition
- In the registration gift bag you receive upon registration, you will find a name badge that will give you access to rehearsals, the competition, backstage and dinner at the hotel
- It is important to wear your name badge at all times. All participants and accompanying teachers will receive a badge/name plate
- Parents and teachers will need a Final Gala ticket to attend the Awards Ceremony on April 9 (November 25). These tickets will serve as admission to the Awards Ceremony and Closing Gala.
- There are no allocated seats during the Awards Ceremony - only free seats
Warm-up/rehearsal space
- Due to the large number of participants, we ask for your understanding that during rehearsal the stage will only be used to perform the first option or dance to the music. The second dance is just to test the music. During breaks, everyone can warm up on stage
- Participants taking part in the Final Gala must wear their costumes during rehearsals.