JIVECHAMPS
INTERNATIONAL OPEN
MODERN JIVE COMPETITION
07970 153518
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
JIVECHAMPS 2027
Saturday 12th June 2027 • Dorking Halls
Hopefully you'll find the answer to your question below.
If there's anything you're still unsure about, please contact us — we'd much rather you ask before booking than enter the wrong category!
BOOKING & PAYMENT
DO I NEED A CHAMPIONSHIP DAY PASS TO COMPETE? Yes. Every competitor must have a Championship Day Pass, as well as paying the relevant entry fee for each competition they enter. You don't have to buy everything at the same time. You can purchase your Day Pass first and return later to add competition entries if you wish.
CAN I BOOK FOR SOMEONE ELSE? Yes. You can purchase Day Passes and competition entries for yourself, your partner, friends or other dancers. The person making the PayPal payment does not have to be the person competing. The important thing is that you enter the correct competitor name or names when making each competition booking.
CAN I ADD MORE COMPETITIONS LATER? Yes. You don't have to decide everything at once. You can return to the Booking page and purchase additional competition entries later, subject to availability. Please use the same competitor name wherever possible so we can easily match your bookings.
DO BOTH PARTNERS HAVE TO PAY FOR A COUPLES COMPETITION? No. The competition entry fee of £30 is per couple, not per person. However, both dancers need their own Championship Day Pass. Either member of the partnership — or somebody else entirely — can make the payment.
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PARTNER HAS ALREADY BOUGHT THEIR DAY PASS? That's absolutely fine. Day Passes and competition entries can be purchased separately. As long as both competitors ultimately have a valid Championship Day Pass and the competition entry has been paid, you do not need to buy everything in the same transaction.
COMPETITIONS & ELIGIBILITY
HOW DO THE LUCKY DIP COMPETITIONS WORK? Lucky Dip competitions are entered individually. You don't need to bring or nominate a partner — we'll allocate one for the competition. There are three Lucky Dip levels: All Comers Intermediate Advanced / Open You may enter any Lucky Dip category for which you meet the eligibility requirements. Please check the Competition Categories and Rules pages before booking.
CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONE LUCKY DIP? Yes, providing you meet the eligibility requirements for each one. For example, an Intermediate dancer may be eligible for both the All Comers Lucky Dip and Intermediate Lucky Dip. Please remember that your competition level must remain consistent throughout JiveChamps.
CAN I ENTER BOTH THE 40+ AND 50+ COMPETITIONS? Yes. If both dancers are aged 50 or over, you may enter both Junior Seniors 40+ and the 50+ category, providing you meet all other eligibility requirements. There is no upper age limit for Junior Seniors 40+.
I'M NOT SURE WHETHER I'M INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED OR OPEN. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Please read the Competition Categories and Competition Rules pages first. They explain previous competition wins, teachers and professionals, Open-level dancers and the requirement to compete at a consistent level throughout the championships. If you're still unsure, please contact us before booking and we'll be happy to help.
CAN TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONAL DANCERS ENTER? Yes — but not every category. Teachers, professional dancers and Open-level competitors are eligible for certain Advanced, Open, Lucky Dip and Pro-Am competitions. They are not eligible for categories specifically restricted to Intermediate-level dancers. Please check the full eligibility rules before entering.
WHAT IS A PRO-AM COMPETITION? A Pro-Am competition pairs an amateur dancer with a teacher, professional or higher-level dancer. In Dance With A Star, the couple is judged together. In Pro-Am Leaders, only the amateur Leader is judged. In Pro-Am Followers, only the amateur Follower is judged. Full definitions of Pro and Amateur can be found on the Competition Rules page.
EVENT DAY
CAN I JUST COME AND WATCH? Absolutely. A Spectator Pass is £20 per person and allows you to enjoy the championships without entering a competition. You can watch the heats, finals, presentations and support your friends throughout the event. Note - ** Spectators are classed as NON-DANCERS watching the Championships from the upstairs viewing gallery. No freestyle dancing is allowed whilst wearing a Spectator wristband.**
CAN SPECTATORS STAY FOR THE WIND-DOWN FREESTYLE? Yes. The 2027 event does not have a separate evening party. Following the finals, break and presentations, we'll finish the event with a relaxed Wind-Down Freestyle until 11pm where spectators may join the main hall.
IS THERE AN EVENING FREESTYLE OR TWO-ROOM PARTY? No. For 2027 we're concentrating on a full day of championship competition. After the competition finals there will be a break, followed by the presentations and awards, then a Wind-Down Freestyle until 11pm. There is no separate two-room evening party this year.
WHAT TIME DO DOORS OPEN? Doors open for registration at 9.00am. Registration runs from 9.00am to 10.00am, with the competitions starting at 10.00am. Please allow plenty of time to register and be ready for your first competition.
WHEN WILL THE COMPETITION TIMETABLE BE PUBLISHED? The detailed running order is normally published during the week of the championships. We cannot produce an accurate timetable much earlier because the number of heats and rounds depends on how many dancers enter each competition. Please check the website and JiveChamps updates during event week.
WHEN DO COMPETITION ENTRIES CLOSE? Advance competition entries close on Thursday 10th June 2027, two days before the championships. Late entries may be accepted if spaces remain, but availability cannot be guaranteed. We recommend entering in advance if there is a category you particularly want to compete in.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A CATEGORY DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH ENTRIES? A minimum of 8 couples or entries is required to guarantee that a competition category will run. If a category is under-subscribed, JiveChamps may amend, combine or cancel that category. If we cancel a category, affected competitors will be contacted and the relevant competition entry fee refunded.
CAN I TRANSFER MY COMPETITION PLACE TO SOMEONE ELSE? Yes, subject to agreement from the organisers. Please contact us before transferring an entry. No transfers will be accepted within two days of the championships.
WHAT IS THE CANCELLATION POLICY? If you need to cancel: Up to 1st April 2027 — 50% refund 2nd April to 1st May 2027 — 25% refund After 1st May 2027 — No refund Refunds are subject to a £10 administration/cancellation fee.
CHANGES, TRAVEL & ACCESS
WILL THERE BE PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING? Yes. Photography and filming will take place during JiveChamps and images or footage may be used by JiveChamps/CWE Ltd for promotional purposes, including websites and social media. Guests are also welcome to take their own photographs and video for personal use, subject to venue requirements and consideration for other attendees.
IS THERE PARKING AT DORKING HALLS? Yes. The nearest public car park is Reigate Road Car Park, directly behind Dorking Halls. There is also parking at Pippbrook Car Park, opposite the venue. Please check current parking arrangements and charges before travelling.
IS DORKING HALLS ACCESSIBLE? Yes. Dorking Halls has step-free access at the main entrance, lifts to public floors and accessible toilets. If you have particular accessibility requirements for JiveChamps, please contact us before the event and we'll be happy to help.
