The MetropoliTango World competition circuit originates from the ten-year "Metropolitano Tango Italia" contest format and is held in several countries worldwide. It includes both a National Circuit and an International Circuit.
MetropoliTango World 2026 will be held in several stages (official venues) across different countries between November 2025 and the end of June 2026. Each stage (or sub-venue) represents a competition within the circuit, concluding with the selection of winners and the awarding of titles and prizes in both National and International categories.
Participants may choose to compete in the National Circuit only, the International Circuit only, or both.
International Circuit
The International Circuit features 5 categories, all of which are Open (available to both amateurs and professionals) for participants from all over the world:

• Tango de Pista Open
• Vals
• Milonga
• Tango Escenario
• Tango Milongueros (Leader, Follower)

Each international category is considered valid provided there are at least 3 participating couples.
Official Categories

• TANGO DE PISTA: Open to everyone, both professionals and amateurs. Amateurs may also register for the Open category. Professionals may only register for the Open category.
• TANGO MILONGUEROS: Open to everyone. Registration is individual (not as a couple). The round consists of 3 tangos with a partner change for each song. Judges evaluate each Leader and Follower separately, awarding titles to the best Leader and the best Follower.
• VALS: Open categories for amateurs and professionals.
• MILONGA: Open categories for amateurs and professionals.
• TANGO ESCENARIO: Open category. Each couple performs individually, presenting one choreography (Tango, Vals, or Milonga) of their choice, with a maximum duration of 4 minutes. Music must be provided in digital format (MP3 on a USB drive) during accreditation. The choreographer's name must also be specified.

Other unofficial categories may be added at the discretion of local organizers.
Special Category: “Tango Sin Fronteras”
The Tango Sin Fronteras (Tango Without Borders) category is open to all individuals with physical and/or intellectual disabilities, regardless of type or degree, including those using assistive aids, devices, or supports (wheelchairs, prosthetics, canes, etc.).
Couples may consist of:

• One dancer with a disability and one without a disability, or
• Two dancers with disabilities.

The spirit of this category is to celebrate freedom of expression, connection, and the joy of Argentine Tango while respecting the individuality of every dancer.
This category is held only during:

• The National Final weekend (April 30 – May 3, 2026).
• The World Final weekend (June 25 – 28, 2026).

Participants may present:

• 1 individual performance (1 couple) — either improvisation or a choreographed piece.
• 1 group choreographed performance.

Each category is considered valid and confirmed with a minimum of 3 registered couples; for the Milongueros category, a minimum of 6 participants (3 Leaders and 3 Followers) is required.

The supreme governing body of the competition, responsible for ensuring compliance with all provisions of these Rules at all official venues, is MetropoliTango World Srls.

Participants must be at least 18 years of age as of the start date of the competition.
National Circuit
Open to couples who are either citizens or residents of the organizing country for at least one year prior to the date of the competition in which they are participating.
At each stage/sub-venue, a participant may perform with only one partner per category, but they may:

• Perform with different partners in different categories.
• Perform with different partners in the same category at different cities/stages.

International Circuit
Open to participants from all over the world.
Participants may perform with one partner per category, but they are permitted to change partners between different categories.

To participate in MetropoliTango World events, including both the National and International circuits, each participant must:

1. Register online via the official website: www.metropolitangoworld.com
2. Pay the annual individual membership fee:

• €97.00 Standard Membership — includes access to all standard MetropoliTango World services and registration with Metro Tango SSD.

Registration for the MetropoliTango National and International circuits is considered complete and confirmed only upon receipt of the membership fee.

After registering for the circuit, participants must select the categories they wish to compete in for each stage via the official MetropoliTango World website.
Category fees are to be paid directly to the local organizers of the selected stages/cities (official Metro Tango partners).
International Categories

• Up to 2 couple categories:* €70 per couple
• Up to 4 couple categories:* €90 per couple
• Milongueros: €30 per person

Notes:

• *"Couple" refers to the same partner. If participating with different partners, the fee is calculated separately (€70 + €70).
• *Categories must belong to the same circuit (all National or all International) to be bundled for these rates.
• *The Beginner, Milongueros, and Group Choreography categories are independent and cannot be combined with other categories for discounts.

Registration deadlines for each stage are published on the official website and relevant social media channels.

During accreditation, participants must:

• Present a valid identity document (and proof of residency in Italy if not specified in the document — applicable to National Circuit participants).
• Tango Escenario participants must provide the name(s) of the choreographer(s)/author(s) of the piece and deliver the music (MP3 format on a USB flash drive) to the DJ.

Each participant will receive their competition number.

• Participants who do not complete accreditation will not be admitted to the competition. Delays are only permitted in proven cases of force majeure.
• All data declared during accreditation is considered an official sworn statement. Any subsequent discrepancy will result in sanctions (score reduction, disqualification, or other measures at the discretion of the Organization).
• Identity and accreditation documents must be presented at the beginning of each phase of the competition.

For both the National and International circuits, the competitions consist of a maximum of 3 elimination stages:

• Qualifying Rounds
• Semi-finals
• Finals

If more than 50 couples are registered in a single category, an additional stage (Quarter-finals) will be added before the semi-finals.

• Qualifying Round: Activated when there are at least 21 couples in a category, with a maximum of 10 couples per heat (ronda) (in exceptional cases, up to 12 couples with approval from the Central Organization). In certain instances, the qualifying round may be skipped, moving directly to the semi-final.
• Semi-final: Conducted with 11–20 couples (or up to 24 with approval). 10 (or 12) couples will advance to the final. In the event of a tie for 10th place, all couples with the same score will advance. If fewer than 12 couples are registered, the Central Organization may authorize a direct final.
• Final: Conducted with 3–10 couples (or 1–10 for Beginner, Escenario, and Group Choreography). Up to 12 couples are permitted with approval.

Examples:

• A) 21 (or 25) couples → Qualifying Round → 18–20 (or 24) advance to Semi-final → 10 (or 12) advance to Final.
• B) 20 (or 24) couples → Direct Semi-final → 10 (or 12) advance to Final.
• C) 10 (or 12) couples → Direct Final.
• In all categories (except Escenario and Group Choreography), participants dance in group presentations (rondas) to 3 recorded tracks selected by the Organization (occasionally 2 tracks due to time constraints).
• The Organization reserves the right to disqualify participants who:
• a) Do not comply with the Rules.
• b) Commit unethical acts, damage the image of the championship, or insult the audience.

In all categories, the Jury, having reviewed and accepted these Rules, determines the scores for couples, individual participants (Milongueros), and groups (Choreography).

• Composition: The Jury consists of recognized tango professionals of any nationality, selected by the local organization and approved by the MetropoliTango World Central Organization after completing the 2025–26 Judges' Course.
• Finality of Decisions: All decisions made by the Jury are final and not subject to appeal. By registering, participants accept this condition.
• Conflict of Interest: If a Jury member has had a close personal or professional relationship with a participant within the last 3 months, they may abstain from voting.
• Disputes: In case of disputes, participants may submit a written request to the local organization (and to the Central Organization if necessary), but never directly to the Jury.
• Structure: At each stage, the Jury may remain unchanged and must consist of at least 5 judges.
• National Circuit Requirements: For the National Circuit, at least 3 out of the 5 judges must not be from the host city.
• Results: The final Jury assessment at each stage determines:
• The winner of each National Circuit category (Stage Champion).
• The winner of each International Circuit category (International Stage Champion).
• Exceptional Circumstances: In exceptional cases (power outages, accidents on stage, etc.), the Jury may request an additional performance; participants do not have the right to refuse.
• Feedback: The Jury may provide comments or advice only after the entire stage has concluded and solely at their own discretion.

Scoring Method

• Individual Scoring: Each judge assigns a score from 1 to 10 using decimals (hundredths are allowed in increments of 0.05 — e.g., 7.05, 7.10, 7.15, but not 7.03).
• Calculation: The highest and lowest scores are excluded, and then averaged.
• This resulting average is added to the remaining scores.
• The total is divided by the number of judges being counted.
• Example: With 5 judges → remove the highest and lowest → average them → add to the remaining 3 scores → divide by 4.

Intermediate and final results are announced publicly at the end of each stage and published on the official website and the venue’s page.

• Winner: The couple/participant/group with the highest score wins.
• Consistency: The same system applies to all placements.
• Tie-breaking: In the event of a tie in the final rounds, the Organization may require an additional round (1–2 tangos).

The Supervisor, appointed or approved by the Central Organization:

• Ensures compliance with the Rules.
• Resolves issues not covered by the Rules.
• Provides official interpretations when necessary.

Tango de Pista, Vals, Milonga, Trilogía

• Embrace: The embrace must not be broken while the music is playing.
• Torso: At least one dancer's torso must remain within the partner's embrace.
• Movement: All movements must respect the embrace.
• Jury Evaluation: Judges assess the embrace, musicality, connection, step style, movement on the floor, and rhythm.
• Permitted: Traditional social dance figures.
• Prohibited: Jumps, tricks, lifts/supports, and Escenario (stage) elements.
• Direction: Movement must flow counter-clockwise.
• Attire: Clothing is not evaluated.

Tango Escenario

• Interpretation: Artistic interpretation is permitted.
• Embrace: Breaking the embrace is allowed.
• Fusion: Elements from other dance styles are acceptable.
• Tricks: Tricks/acrobatics must not exceed 1/3 of the performance duration.
• Space: Use of the entire stage is mandatory.
• Attire: Costumes are considered in the evaluation.

In each category, one winning couple is determined, who automatically qualifies for the Tango Buenos Aires Festival and World Championship 2026.

• Tango de Pista: If there are 40+ couples, the winners advance directly to the semi-final; otherwise, they advance to the quarter-final.
• Tango Escenario: If there are 20+ couples, the winners qualify directly for the semi-final.

Winners represent their specific qualifying stage, not their city of residence. The prize includes full coverage of expenses for flights, accommodation, meals, and local transport for the duration of their participation in the 2026 World Championship. If a couple declines to participate, they automatically forfeit the prize and the right to compete in the World Championship.
If a category loses its official status due to a lack of participants, the Organization may provide alternative prizes but is exempt from the obligation to pay for the trip to Buenos Aires. Registration and accreditation by each couple signify full awareness of and agreement with these Regulations.