Prizes & awards · 2026–27

Twenty teachers paid. $15,000 to the top.

The only Pro/Am circuit in North America that pays the top 20 positions. Prizes are presented at the Series Finale, the Emerald Ball in Los Angeles.

  1. 2nd$10,000
  2. 1st$15,000
  3. 3rd$9,000

Top Teacher

The full purse, 1st to 20th.

Points come from your students' Pro/Am single-dance and multi-dance placements across the season.

See the standings
  1. 1st$15,000
  2. 2nd$10,000
  3. 3rd$9,000
  4. 4th$7,000
  5. 5th$5,000
  6. 6th$4,000
  7. 7th$3,000
  8. 8th$3,000
  9. 9th$2,750
  10. 10th$2,500
  11. 11th$2,000
  12. 12th$2,000
  13. 13th$2,000
  14. 14th$2,000
  15. 15th$2,000
  16. 16th$2,000
  17. 17th$2,000
  18. 18th$2,000
  19. 19th$2,000
  20. 20th$2,000

Pro/Am champions

A trophy and $1,000 in each category.

The top student in each category at season's end wins a 1st-place trophy and $1,000 in winner vouchers.

  • Bronze Ladies
  • Silver Ladies
  • Gold Ladies
  • Bronze Gentlemen
  • Silver Gentlemen
  • Gold Gentlemen
  • Multidance Ballroom
  • Multidance Latin
  • Multidance Smooth
  • Multidance Rhythm

VIP packages

Win at a VIP event, go to the Finale on us.

At 13 premium events, the couple that wins Top Overall Pro/Am receives a VIP package worth $1,600:

  • Up to 4 nights’ hotel for you and your partner
  • VIP admission to the whole Emerald Ball
  • The Invited Guest Appreciation Party on the 16th Floor Runway
  • Concierge service throughout the event

Collecting your prize

How many entries you need at the Emerald Ball.

Prizes are paid at the Series Finale. To collect yours, you need at least this many single-dance entries at the Emerald Ball itself. Entries at other events don't count toward it.

Teachers placing 1st to 6th

100single-dance entries

The minimum to collect a top-6 Top Teacher prize.

Teachers placing 7th to 20th

50single-dance entries

The minimum to collect a 7th–20th Top Teacher prize.

Students

30single-dance entries

The minimum to collect a category award, danced in the styles and levels you’re competing for.

How entries count

Every dance is one entry. A 5-dance scholarship counts as 5.

  • One single-dance waltz1 entry
  • One 3-dance multi-dance event3 entries
  • Ten 5-dance scholarships50 entries

Teachers' NDCA dues must be current, or winnings are forfeited for the teacher and their students. Entries bought at a discount earn no circuit points.

Award nights

Two nights at the Emerald Ball

Thursday · Top Pro/Am American Rhythm and Smooth

Saturday · Top Bronze, Silver and Gold students, Student/Student, International Latin and Ballroom, and the Top Teachers

Using vouchers

Up to $200 per event

Pro/Am competitors can apply up to $200 in vouchers toward Pro/Am entries at any circuit event.

Organizers: mail the physical vouchers within 30 days of your event for 50% reimbursement.