German Open Championships

You have questions about the GOC?

You will find many answers here. If the right answer to your question is not (yet) available, please send an email to dres@tbw.de.

What are the GOC?

The German Open Championships are the largest dance sport competition in the world and have been held in Stuttgart since 2004. In three different halls of the Liederhalle, numerous competitions are held for couples and individual dancers in the disciplines of standard, Latin, ten-dance, boogie woogie and wheelchair dance.

What is new in 2023?

From this year on, there will be Solo Latin and Standard competitions for Juveniles, Juniors and Youth - up to 18 years, as well as GOC Rising Star competitions for Masters I to IV.

Who is allowed to compete at the GOC?

Participation is possible for couples who are registered in WDSF and have a WDSF-ECard. How to register and get an ECard see here:

Do I need tickets in advance if I only want to watch?

Early ticket purchase is highly recommended for a spectator seat in the Beethoven Hall. Advance sales started on 15.3.2023. Tickets are still available at the box office, but there is no standing guaranteed for the evening event in the Beethovensaal. For the Hegelsaal and the Alte Reithalle: free seating (only in conjunction with a valid ticket - no seat reservation).

To the Tickets

Can I watch all competitions as a starter?

Starters of the respective day are treated as spectators with an entry ticket. Watching in all three halls is possible, however, there is no standing guaranteed for the Beethovensaal during the evening event. Therefore, an additional seat booking for the Beethovensaal is recommended.

To the Tickets

Where do I have to register as a participant?

As of now, competitions can be registered here: Entry

The registration fee is discounted until 30.06., but registration is still possible after that date. Please check the expiry date of your WDSF ID Card before registering.

What is a WDSF Open competition?

This is an international competition to which couples from all over the world are admitted. Usually the dance floors and starting fields are larger. Initially, 12-14 couples start at the same time. These are divided into "heats" = rounds. Often, after the first round, the number of starters is halved, so that towards the end there is always a round of the last 48, 24, 12 and 6. If the starting fields are very large, there are "fixed heats", i.e. always the same couples in a round. The rules stipulate this - but only in the first rounds.

What is a Rising Star competition?

This is a WDSF competition where the top 50 couples in the world are excluded. For the GOC, the cut-off date of 1.8.2023 of the world ranking list is decisive. So there are better chances for new couples from the midfield. 

You can find out where you currently stand in the world ranking here: https://www.worlddancesport.org/Ranking/World

What is a GrandSlam competition?

This is series of the most important dance competitions of the WDSF with its own ranking system. There are five GrandSlam competitions worldwide with twelve judges from twelve nations.

Solo competitions - and now?

This year, solo competitions will be offered at the GOC for the first time. Here is the most important information:

Can I compete with my partner at the same time and additionally compete alone in the solo competitions?

  • Yes, this is possible for the age groups Juvenile II, Junior I, Junior II and Youth.
  • The age groups are stated in the regulations under "age regulations".

What do I need to participate in the solo competition?

  • The competitors in the Solo Competitions need a WDSF MIN.
  • Entry portal: Turniermeldung

What am I allowed to wear?

  • The dress code of the highest class of the respective age group applies. I.e. everything from street clothes to tournament clothes according to the rules is allowed.
  • Dress regulations WDSF

These solo competitions for young dancers are a completely new project for the GOC 2023. The aim is to gain experience and perhaps expand these competitions for the future. Unfortunately, for time and structural reasons, it is not yet possible to offer solo competitions for Adult or Masters for 2023. 

What are star couples?

These are couples who are exempt from the preliminary round due to their ranking in the current ranking list. Star couples therefore only start from the 2nd round.

How do I find my way around the GOC?

The Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle is a cultural and conference centre on Berliner Platz in Stuttgart. The building ensemble consists of various halls, of which the GOC uses the Beethoven Hall and the Hegel Hall for the competitions. Competitions are also held next door in the "Alte Reithalle". This is an event location next to the Maritim Hotel Stuttgart. All event venues, as well as the hotel and various multi-storey car parks, are connected underground.

Site plan: event-guide/lageplan

Kultur- und Kongresszentrum Liederhalle: https://www.liederhalle-stuttgart.de/