Guide

How to run a dance competition

Whether it’s dance, singing, music or drama, running a competition comes down to six stages — entries, sections, scheduling, the live event day, and releasing results. Here’s how each one works, and how Comp World handles it end to end.

See the host tools

  1. Plan and create your competition

    Set up your competition in Comp World — dates, venue, branding and registration details — and invite any co-hosts. Running it again next year? Duplicate last year’s event in one click.

  2. Build your sections and age groups

    Add the sections competitors enter — solo, duo, trio or group — each with its own age limits, entry fees, performance durations and entry caps. Choose whether the competitor or the host supplies the music for each section.

  3. Open entries and take payment

    Publish your competition so competitors can find it, enter and pay securely in the app. Use discount, early-bird and late-entry codes, sell optional extras, and manage waitlists when sections fill — entry-fee payouts come to you directly via Stripe.

  4. Build the running order

    Drag and drop entries into a schedule, add breaks and blocked times, randomise or renumber the order, then publish. Competitors and spectators follow a live schedule in the app, and you can share a no-login QR page for screens around the venue.

  5. Run the day live

    On the day, play each competitor’s music from the live player — pressing play stamps the start time and advances the running order on every screen and phone. Score with one or more judges on their own devices, and keep audience and backstage screens in sync, all in real time.

  6. Release results and send report sheets

    When a section finishes, release the results with one tap. Competitors get their placements, medals, scores and written or audio feedback on their phone straight away — and you can export full results and report sheets afterwards.

Want the detail on each on-the-day tool? See Host a Comp, or browse the frequently asked questions.

Ready when you are

Run your competition with Comp World

$99 per competition. No subscriptions. Keep 100% of your ticket sales.

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