Competition
Structure
qualifiers
Regular Season
SemiFinals
Championship
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DISCLAIMER:
The vision for NDDL Season 3 is tentative and may change depending on the number of teams and their distribution across the nation. All formats, structures, and regional breakdowns are subject to change based on evolving scenarios and the feedback we receive. This is a community-driven league, and we’re always open to feedback and ideas to improve together.
REGIONS
Creating an interconnected network with scale in mind
south
west
midwest
northeast
Lowering Barrier of entry
Expanding affiliate competions
Creating viewership beyond the circuit
Strengthening the Community for all
Lowering Barrier of entry
Expanding affiliate competions
Creating viewership beyond the circuit
Strengthening the Community for all
LOWERING BARRIER OF ENTRY
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In the traditional competition dance model, a few elite teams dominate, making it hard for new teams to break in.
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By creating strong regional hubs, NDDL ensures that every region has its own pathway to national recognition.
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More competitions in a region mean more opportunities for teams to gain experience before stepping into more competitive national level competitions.
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Lower travel costs and localized competitions mean that college teams, community teams, and new teams can participate without huge financial or logistical burdens when establishing.
SEASON TIMELINE
Season 3 Timeline
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Pre-Season
Regular Season
Post Season
October
November
Late January
March
NDDL Applications Due
Regional Qualifier
Competition within home region
ELO Ranked Competition
Competition within home region
ELO Ranked Competition
Optional competition within or outside of home region
ELO Ranked Competition
Semi Finals
NDDL Championship
Early April
Late April
SEASON STRUCTURE
Full Structure Details
REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
All applied teams are invited to a regional qualifier
1 qualifier competition in each region during the Fall
Ranked by NDDL trained professional judges
Top 16 teams advance from each region (64 total)
Unlike traditional video audition-based circuits, NDDL Qualifiers ensure that every team gets a fair shot at competing. Instead of being judged by untrained competition boards solely through video submissions, all teams that apply are invited to a live fall qualifier in their region, where performance and execution determine who moves forward. Teams should create max 3 min sets (including intro video if applicable) without costume changes, production, or theme/storyline. Qualifiers are meant to replace audition videos, with an emphasis on dance. We hope to create a balanced, merit-based entry process for the regular season.
REGULAR SEASON
All qualifying teams attend 2 competions within their region
Teams can attend an optional 3rd competion in or out of region
3 affiliate competions hosted per region (12 total)
Top 8 ELO ranked teams in each region advance to semifinals
This structure is designed to balance accessibility with competitiveness—teams aren’t forced to travel excessively, but still have the option to grow beyond their region. Each qualifying team is guaranteed two regional competitions, with the option to participate in one additional competition within or outside of their region for additional ranking opportunities. Each regular season affiliate competition is capped at 16 competing teams. All competitions are judged by NDDL-certified professionals who follow a transparent rubric designed to value a variety of elements while maintaining consistency. You can learn more about how judging works on the Judging & Scoring Guidelines page.
POST SEASON
2 semifinal competitions with 16 teams each
Top 8 teams advance to the Championship from each semifinal
Celebrity judging panel
NDDL board hosted competitons
The NDDL Post Season isn’t just about competition—it’s also about exposure and inspiration. These events are hosted exclusively by NDDL, allowing us to create a grand experience that goes beyond the stage. Semi-Finals and the Championship are judged by professionals who have built careers through their art, giving aspiring performers the chance to be seen, mentored, and inspired by the very people who have paved the way within the dance community. While teams compete for the title, they’re also stepping into the spotlight of a community that can provide a foundation to further their creative ambitions