Brno Open 2026 will bring the world's top dance elite and the Junior World Championship in Standard to Brno!

On October 17–18, 2026, Brno will host Brno Open 2026 – WDSF World Championship Junior II Standard, a prestigious international dancesport competition that annually attracts hundreds of dancers and thousands of spectators.

The host of this year's edition will be the modern MUNI Campus Ball Sports Hall, which will provide ideal facilities for the two-day dance program.

Dance couples from the Czech Republic and especially from abroad will perform on the dance floor, competing in standard and Latin American dance categories across age and skill levels, as part of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) competition series.

We expect around 700 sports couples from 40 countries and 4 continents to participate in this year's Brno Open!

The highlight of Saturday's program will be the Junior World Championship in Standard, where the Czech dance couple David Kasal – Sára Odstrčilová will be fighting for medals!

Viewers can look forward to dancing youth combined with the experience of adult dance couples, who will be competing for points on the world rankings in the WDSF World Open new series competition.

Brno Open is among the significant sporting dance events in Europe and regularly brings not only top dancers to the city, but also coaches, referees, and fans of this elegant sport.

The competition thus represents not only a sporting but also a social event that strengthens Brno's international prestige as a center of sport and culture.

„Our goal is to create a competition at the highest organizational and sporting level, which will offer great conditions for dancers and at the same time an attractive spectacle for spectators,“ state the organizers of the event, Jan Tománek and Martin Odstrčil.

The competition program under the auspices of the World DanceSport Federation will take place on both days and will include a wide spectrum of categories from junior to adult dance couples.

In addition to the competition rounds, the event will also feature a festive Saturday GALA EVENING with the final rounds of the highest WDSF World Open Latin category and the Junior World Championships in Standard.

The traditional competition between the partner cities of Brno (Vienna, Bratislava, Leipzig, Stuttgart, Kaunas, Brno) will also take place during the GALA EVENING as the PARTNER CUP.

Basic information:
Event Name: Brno Open 2026
Date: October 17–18, 2026
Venue: Ball sports hall MUNI Campus, Brno
Event Type: International Ballroom Dancing Competition

In Velké Pavlovice, at the foot of Poštor hill, where grapevines have been cultivated for over 400 years, lie the vineyards of the Wine Breeding Station.

Its history began in 1901.
Grape varieties Pálava, Aurelius, André, and Agni are associated with Šlechtitelka, as is the apricot variety Velkopavlovická. Grape crossing began here in 1953. The company currently manages nearly 50 hectares of its own vineyards.

Since 2009, the current owners, Jarmila and Vladimír Poliak, along with their team, have been enhancing this beautiful piece of land with vineyards.

In addition to the production hall, the André Wine Guesthouse has been built here since 2013.

Its pride, in addition to the interiors and exteriors, is a wine archive dating back to 1951. The guest house surroundings are complemented by ornamental gardens, an educational trail with 180 grape varieties, and a rose garden with over 700 rose bushes. Children will be delighted by Grandma's Farm with its domestic animals.

In the restaurant, you can taste not only culinary specialties but also organic wine musts. The menu also features honey from our own apiaries, as well as homemade apricot and sour cherry jam.

Come and open this book full of stories not only about wines with a pedigree, but also let yourself be pampered in our guesthouse in the middle of the vineyards.

Vratislav Nakvasil

An unforgettable evening of world dance sport took place at the Starez Arena Vodova in Brno, where more than 4,000 spectators filled the stands for two extraordinary WDSF World Championships in Latin American Dance – Adults and the WDSF World Championship in Show Dance Standard – Adults.
An amazing atmosphere, a live broadcast on Czech Television, and dedicated fans once again confirm Brno as one of the most significant cities in the dance world.

CELEBRATION OF DANCE AND EMOTION
The stadium came alive from the very first moments – the electrifying crowd enthusiastically cheered, especially the performances of a few pairs.

Although the audience warmly supported all the contestants, every time the Czech couple entered the dance floor, thunderous applause echoed through the arena – a true celebration of home pride.

The event garnered exceptional attention thanks to Czech Television, the media, and extensive coverage on the social media channels of ČSTS, Kometa Family, and WDSF, supported by a live campaign with billboards, influencers, and digital promotion.

GREATEST MOMENTS AND RESULTS 
WDSF World Championship - Latin Adult
The competition brought exceptional performances throughout the day, culminating in a grand opening ceremony before the highly anticipated semifinals.

Excitement reached its peak as Jakub Lipowski and Tereza Kučerová (CZE) qualified for the final – to the immense joy of the home crowd.

The final itself was a celebration of rhythm and art – it included a group Cha-Cha, a solo Samba, a group Paso Doble, a solo Rumba, and a final group Jive that brought the audience to their feet.

Each couple showcased their signature moves in a stunning display of skill and passion – the floor transformed into a festival of emotions.

Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova (FRA) claimed their first World Championship title in Latin American dance – an emotional triumph that left them almost speechless.

On the podium, they were joined by Guillem Pascual and Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP), who made a strong return after Diandra's injury at the Grand Slam in Stuttgart, and Yan Bangbang and Du Yujun (CHN), who recovered from an injury that sidelined them from the Grand Slam in Rome in early October. The day was marked by comebacks, resilience, and exceptional quality.

World Championships results in Latin:
Charles-Guillaume Schmitt – Elena Salikhova (FRA)
Guillem Pascual – Diandra-Aniela Illes (ESP)
Yan Bangbang – Du Yujun (CHN)
Miculescu Ionut Alexandru – Pacurar Andra (ROU)
Malthe Brinch Rohde – Sandra Sorensen (DEN)
Jakub Lipowski – Tereza Kučerová (CZE)

After their victory, Charles-Guillaume Schmitt and Elena Salikhova expressed their heartfelt gratitude in an exclusive interview – now available on the official WDSF channel. They described the moment as „magical and unforgettable,“ amplified by the presence of their enthusiastic French fans. The interview concluded in a euphoric atmosphere as Charles and Elena were lifted and tossed into the air by their colleagues – a perfectly captured moment of joy and celebration that filled the entire arena.

WDSF World Championship – Show Dance Standard Adult
While the Latin segment captivated with rhythm, Show Dance Standard dazzled with storytelling. Artistic and athletic performances merged in a series of breathtaking displays that kept the audience in hushed anticipation.

Champions of the evening – Dmitri Kolobov and Signe Busk (DEN) – presented a captivating performance that combined flawless technique with an impressive story. After several years at the highest level – including several gold medals this year and a fourth place at the European Championships in Adult Standard Dance in Calvia in March – they deservedly took home the title of World Champions in Show Dance Standard.

The audience reacted with genuine emotion and admiration, especially during the performance of local favorites Jan Metlický and Ela Odstrčilová (CZE). This pair, who have been dancing together since 2018, won the Czech titles in Combination and Show Dance this year and achieved their first international victory at the WDSF International Open in Hradec Králové. Their elegant choreography earned them second place and a standing ovation.

Angelo Annese and Lisa Cudin (ITA) finished in third place, having won silver last year at the World Show Dance Standard Championships in Sitges.

Results:
Dmitri Kolobov – Signe Busk (DEN)
Jan Metlický – Ela Odstrčilová (CZE)
Angelo Annese – Lisa Cudin (ITA)
Andres Pohl – Magdalena Weinstabl (AUS)
Anton Kireyeu – Elizaveta Mirsaetova (AIN)
Jamie Groeneveld - Lesley Groeneveld (NED)

IMPORTANT GUESTS AND THANKS
The event enjoyed the participation of distinguished guests and representatives from the local organizing committee.
WDSF expresses gratitude to the organizing team, the Olympic Channel for media coverage, and Casa Musica for the unforgettable musical accompaniment during the final rounds.
„What we've seen today transcends medals and titles. Brno reminded us of what Dance Sport truly means – unity, creativity, and the shared joy of movement. The level of artistic expression in the Latin competition was exceptional, while the emotions and stories told through Show Dance Standard touched every heart in the arena. A powerful reminder that Dance Sport is not just a competition – it's art in motion.“

OCTOBER 19 – SECOND DAY OF THE COMPETITION
The excitement continues on Sunday, October 19th, with another full day of top-tier competitions featuring a diverse range of categories:
WDSF World Open (new series) Standard Adult
WDSF World Open (new series) Latin Adult
WDSF Open Standard Youth
WDSF Open Standard Junior I
WDSF Open Standard Junior II
WDSF Open Latin Youth
WDSF Open Latin Junior I
WDSF Open Latin Junior II
Fans can expect another day full of energy, elegance, and emotion as dancers from around the world take to the floor once again, determined to win titles, points, and the hearts of the audience. With so much talent and passion, Brno is once again becoming the beating heart of world DanceSport – and you won't want to miss a single moment.

Photos from the event: Kateřina Ryšavá

Text taken from the WDSF website

At this year's Brno Open 2025, photographer Kateřina Ryšavá will capture the competitive performances and backstage atmosphere.,

who has extensive experience photographing cultural events and also dedicates time to creating creative portraits.

This makes her photos stand out for their naturalness, originality, and eye for detail.

She photographs dance with enthusiasm because she is fascinated by its energy, elegance, and the power of the moment, and it is precisely these qualities that she tries to convey in every shot.

Her goal is to create photographs that tell stories and bring joy to everyone who sees them. You will be able to view the resulting images in the GALLERY on this website immediately after the Brno Open 2025 concludes.

Galerie Pixin (Brno Open 2025 Sales Gallery) HERE

Brno will dance the world: The World DanceSport Championship will welcome the world's elite

A unique sporting and social event will offer top performances, star personalities, and a celebratory gala evening.

Brno – This weekend, Brno will transform into the center of the world of dance sport. Dozens of top dance couples from around the world will arrive in the Moravian metropolis to compete for the world championship title at the prestigious Brno Open tournament, the largest and most significant dance competition held in the Czech Republic and Europe.

Spectators can look forward to not only a top-tier sporting spectacle, but also strong emotions, breathtaking choreography, and the festive atmosphere of a world event. Furthermore, the Czech Republic will have strong representation in the competitions and a real chance for medals.

The entire event is almost sold out, with only the last few tickets remaining for spectators who don't want to miss this top-class dance performance in person. The entire evening will also be broadcast on ČT sport.

Within the framework of Brno Open, two top-tier events under the auspices of the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) will take place:

WDSF World Latin Championship
Participation of approximately 90 couples from 40 countries worldwide
The category that is most appealing to audiences
The Czech national team has high ambitions and is among the contenders for medals
WDSF World Showdance Standard Championship
15 couples from 10 countries
Unique dance stories emphasizing artistic impression
A strong showing by Czech dance couples aiming for the podium

Quote from Mr. Tománek:
„The Brno Open is a passion project for us. Every year, it brings the world's dance elite to Brno, and this year we are proud to host two world championships here. Spectators can look forward to an exceptional experience, and we believe that Czech couples will hold their own against the strong competition,“ said Jan Tománek, the main organizer of the event together with Martin Odstrčil.

 Daily program
4:00 PM – World Showdance Championship Standard – Semifinals (Top 12 couples)
5:00 PM – World Latin Championships – Quarterfinals (TOP 24 couples)
6:00 PM - „Partner Cities Cup“
(Stuttgart, Leipzig, Kaunas, Vienna, Bratislava, and Brno)
7:30 PM - Gala Evening
Performance by Veronika Lálová and Ritmo Factory
Latin World Championship Semifinals (Top 12 Couples)
World Championship Finals in Showdance Standard
World Championship Final in Latin
Kamila Tománková and Jan Onder are hosting.

The World Championships in Brno will be open to the general public, partners, and media. Visitors can look forward to a top-tier dance spectacle, a festive atmosphere, and the opportunity to personally experience the world of dance.

„Our goal is not only to host a prestigious sporting event, but also to offer an experience that people can take home with them. We want every spectator to feel the energy, elegance, and passion that competitive dance has to offer,“ adds Martin Odstrčil on behalf of the organizing team.

The organizers offer a wide range of options for journalists, partners, and other interested parties wishing to attend in person:
Exclusive interviews with TOP world dance couples (by agreement with the organizers)
Conversations with the event's ambassadors, which will include:
Anna Veselá (Annie Camell) – influencer, dancer, and singer
Veronika Lálová – StarDance winner
Dominika Rošková – Winner of Let’s Dance
Jan Onder – Multiple Winner of StarDance
Jan Tománek – StarDance judge

Accreditation for media and partners: jonas@dancesportpro.cz
Public tickets: last pieces available on the Ticketportal network

Official Event Channels

https://brnoopen.eu/ Web
https://www.facebook.com/BRNOOPEN/ Facebook
https://www.instagram.com/brno_open/ Instagram
https://www.youtube.com/@wearekometafamily. YouTube

Dear esteemed supporters of culture and dance, dear participants, dear guests,
Our beautiful city of Brno is hosting a significant event and one of the largest events in dance sport – the 2025 World Latin Dance Championship.
We are delighted that such a significant dance event is heading to Brno. As a company with a long-standing industrial tradition in Brno, we welcome the opportunity to support local culture, and one of world-class caliber at that.
Dance and construction share common values upon which we build and create a better space around us. We connect people, dreams, and reality. We pour a great deal of energy, time, precision, elegance, technique, and other components into both work and dance, through which a perfect work is created. This mastery is a celebration of human ingenuity, perseverance, and collaboration – and it is precisely these principles that inspire us in every project we undertake.
Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the dance festival. I wish all the competing dancers to turn their efforts into unforgettable performances, and to the guests, I wish them strong experiences from an atmosphere full of rhythm, beauty, and joy.
Thank you to the organizers, partners, and volunteers who contributed to making this extraordinary event possible. Enjoy every moment!

Eng. Roman Kocúrek
General Director of OHLA ŽS, a.s.

Dear friends of culture and dance, dear participants, dear guests,
Our beautiful city of Brno is hosting a major event and one of the biggest events in dance sport – the 2025 World Latin American Dance Championships.
We are delighted that such an important dance event is coming to Brno. As a company with a long industrial tradition in Brno, we welcome the opportunity to support local culture, especially on a global scale.
Dance and construction share common values, which we use to build and create a better space around us. We connect people, dreams, and reality. We put a lot of energy, time, precision, elegance, technique, and other components into our work and dance, which results in a perfect work of art. This championship is a celebration of human skill, perseverance, and cooperation—and these are the principles that inspire us in every project we undertake.
Dear friends, ladies and gentlemen, enjoy this celebration of dance. I wish all the competing dancers success in transforming their efforts into unforgettable performances, and I hope that our guests will take away powerful memories of an atmosphere full of rhythm, beauty, and joy.
I would like to thank the organizers, partners, and volunteers who contributed to making this extraordinary event possible. Enjoy every moment!

Eng. Roman Kocúrek
CEO of OHLA ŽS, a.s.

Showdance is a dance discipline that offers more than just technique and rhythmic precision. It is a world where dance becomes a story.

Dancing couples choose their music, create choreography, and infuse it with emotion, thought, and imagination. The audience is enchanted and satisfied by the mix that the dancing couple offers them with their Showdance...

How does showdance work?

Unlike classical competitions, a dance couple must connect at least three different dances from the standard or Latin American disciplines during one show.
It all serves the cohesive concept – a dramatic story, a cinematic motif, or an artistic expression.

An interesting fact is that showdance allows so-called "supported lifts," which are lifts and acrobatic elements that are strictly forbidden in regular competitions.

Thanks to them, showdance is unique in its dynamics and tension, which resembles a theatrical or film performance.

We most often encounter this dance style on television screens in the dance show StarDance, where couples tell their story through dance.

World Championship in Brno!!!

This year, however, fans of the dance sport have a unique opportunity to experience the WDSF Showdance Standard competition live.

On October 18, 2025, the World Standard Showdance Championship will take place in Brno, featuring the best couples from around the world.

Viewers can look forward to amazing choreography full of emotion, costumes, and musical ideas, and to moments when sports dance transforms into a work of art.

The last tickets are available on Ticketportal!

Come be a part of the global dance celebration and be carried away by the beauty and energy of showdance!

Show dance is a dance discipline that offers more than just technique and rhythmic precision. It is a world where dance becomes a story.

Dance couples choose their music, create choreography, and infuse it with emotion, ideas, and imagination. The audience is enchanted and satisfied by the mix that the dance couple offers in their Showdance…

How does showdance work?

Unlike traditional competitions, dance couples must combine at least three different dances from standard or Latin American disciplines during a single show.
All of this must be woven into a coherent concept – a dramatic story, film motif, or artistic expression.

An interesting fact is that show dance allows so-called lifts, meaning figures and acrobatic elements that are strictly prohibited in regular competitions.

Thanks to them, show dance is unique in its dynamics and tension, reminiscent of a theater or film performance.

We most often encounter this dance style on television screens in the dance show StarDance, where couples tell their story through dance.

World Championships in Brno!!!

This year, however, dance sport fans have a unique opportunity to experience the WDSF Showdance Standard competition live.

October 18, 2025, Brno will host the World Standard Showdance Championships, featuring the best couples from around the world.

Audiences can look forward to amazing choreography full of emotion, costumes, and musical ideas, and moments when dance sport transforms into a work of art.

The last tickets are available on Ticketportal!

Come and be part of this global dance festival and let yourself be carried away by the beauty and energy of show dance!

The World Latin Dance Championship, which will take place on October 18, 2025, at Starez Arena Vodova in Brno as part of the Brno Open festival, will feature clear stars in the Czech delegation: Jakub Lipowski and Tereza Kučerová. This pair has risen to the top of the world in recent years, and their participation on home soil is keenly anticipated – not only by dance enthusiasts but also by the public, who will have the opportunity to witness the world's elite directly in the Czech Republic.

Jakub Lipowski
Originally from Poland, she has been active in the Latin dance world for a long time and is a multiple-time champion of her country.
She has experience from the final rounds of the most prestigious competitions, including Grand Slams and international championships.

Tereza Kučerová
One of the most significant Czech Latin dancers, a more than nine-time Czech Republic champion.
He also has extensive experience on the international stage – final appearances, championship semi-finals, European and world propositions.

As a couple
The couple's joint results are impressive: 5th place at the European Championships for Adults in Latin American Dances (Calvia, Spain) 2025.
Positioned around 7th place in the WDSF world rankings for Latin, which is an excellent achievement by Czech standards.

The meaning of their participation in the World Latin Championship
The participation of the Lipowski & Kučerová couple in the World Latin Championship has several significant dimensions for the Czech Republic:
A world-class domestic competition
The World Championship in Latin American dances returns to the Czech Republic after a very long time.
– Hosting such an event is a milestone in itself.

Chance for historic success
Jakub and Tereza have already managed to break through to the European Championship finals, and now they have the opportunity to try for a spot in the World Championship finals – moreover, with the support of the home crowd and at home in the Czech Republic.

Inspiration for the dance scene
Their journeys and results are a motivation for young dancers in the Czech Republic – they show that top results can be achieved even when representing a country that is not a traditional giant in dance sport. For many, they can be a role model, proving that hard work and meticulous preparation pay off.

Visibility and Support for Dance Sport
An event of international significance, hosted at home, will attract the attention of the media, the public, and sponsors. This could mean greater support for infrastructure, club work, education, and scholarships for talented couples.

Preparation and Challenges
Jakub Lipowski and Tereza Kučerová have been preparing for the World Championship for a year and a half – their training is intensive, including technical and conditioning preparation, work on choreography, musicality, and psychology.

Among the main challenges faced:
To have competitiveness at the level of a World Championship final – Dance couples from Asia or Western Europe often have extensive experience, a broad reputation, and sometimes greater resources for preparation.
Maintaining performance stability – in dance sport, small details often decide: posture, footwork, expression, grace of transitions, uniformity of choreography, and even conditioning during the final rounds.
Home environment pressure – the home crowd and expectations add tension that must be handled mentally.
Financial and organizational matters – travel, clothing, choreography, external coaches, dancing with music – all of this costs and goes beyond regular club commitments.

What can be expected?
Looking at current form and past placements, it can be expected that:
Lipowski & Kučerová will strive to advance to the finals and ideally into the top 6 pairs in the world.
Quality performance can be expected, especially if everything goes according to plan – training, mental preparation, and support.
And even if the finals ultimately work out, their performance at the World Championships will be a significant step for Czech dance sport, a confirmation that we are capable of being part of the world elite.

Conclusion
Jakub Lipowski and Tereza Kučerová today represent the very best of the Czech Latin American dance scene. Their participation in the World Latin Championships in Brno is not just a sporting event, but a cultural moment for the entire Czech Republic. It carries within it the potential for history – for a home title, for a breakthrough on the international stage, and for the inspiration of future generations.

We will watch – and we will cheer.