Pole Classic & Exotika Competition

Where Pole Sport Meets Pole Art + The Sensual Side of Pole

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$10,000 total cash prize!

$2,500 for each male and female pro Pole Classic winner and $2,500 for each male and female pro Exotika winner

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Welcome to the Pole Classic & Exotika Competition, part of Pole Expo 2026, taking place May 3 in Las Vegas. This world-renowned, video-entry-based competition is open to amateur and professional pole dancers from around the globe. Finalists will perform live in front of a packed audience and a panel of 6 elite judges.

 

🔹 Categories & Descriptions

Pole Classic

Where Pole Sport Meets Pole Art
A fusion of athleticism, artistry, and storytelling. Expect powerful tricks, emotional depth, and elegant transitions. This division celebrates technical skill and expressive movement.

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Exotika

Sensuality, Power, and Expression
A celebration of seductive movement, fluidity, and fierce energy. Think heels, floorwork, and bold attitude — this division is all about empowerment through sensual performance.

 

🔹 How to Enter

• Submit a 2-minute video labeled either Pole Classic or Exotika

• Submission video should NOT be edited

• Pay the $75 non-refundable entry fee

• Our judges will assign you to the Amateur or Professional division

• Send video submission to either Telegram app to @poleexpo label your name and category or What’sApp +1310-869-4242

• Submission deadline: February 28, 2026

• Finalists will be announced March 7, 2026

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Divisions:

• Amateur (Male & Female)

• Professional (Male & Female)

Top 7 competitors from each category will be invited to compete live on May 3, 2026, at Pole Expo.

 

🏆 Prizes

• Amateur Division: Finalists qualify to enter the professional division the following year

• Professional Division Winners (Male & Female):
  💵 $2,500 cash prize each

 

💪 POLE CLASSIC RULES & JUDGING

Focus: Technical mastery, strength, creativity, performance quality

✅ Judging Criteria (100 Points Total)

1. Execution of Skills (20 pts)

   • Clean lines, form, control, spin/static technique

2. Strength, Flexibility & Power (20 pts)

   • Strength: lifts, holds, deadlifts

   • Flexibility: splits, backbends, extensions

   • Power: flips, fonjis, dynamic spins

3. Choreography & Transitions (20 pts)

   • Smooth movement between elements, stage use, musicality

4. Performance & Artistry (20 pts)

   • Storytelling, emotional connection, stage presence, costume cohesion

5. Difficulty & Variety (10 pts)

   • Range of moves, diverse transitions, use of both poles

6. Uniqueness & Creativity (10 pts)

   • Innovative moves or concepts, strong thematic performance

• Solo acts only unless using a human prop (live only, $50 per prop, human props not to touch the pole)

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⚠️ Deductions

• Touching/supporting rig (not pole): –5 pts per judge

• Genitalia exposure: –5 pts per judge

• Fall: –10 pts

• Late to call time: Disqualification

• No g strings

 

🔥 EXOTIKA RULES & JUDGING

Focus: Sensuality, style, expression, musicality, confidence

✅ Judging Criteria (100 Points Total)

1. Sensuality & Presence (25 pts)

   • Emotional connection, confidence, erotic expression

2. Movement Quality & Fluidity (20 pts)

   • Smooth transitions, intentional movement, control

3. Floorwork & Heels Technique (15 pts)

   • Execution of low-level work, heel work, kips/clacks

4. Choreography & Musicality (20 pts)

   • Rhythm, accents, transitions that match the music

5. Creativity & Theme (10 pts)

   • Originality, concept development, visual impact

6. Costume & Styling (10 pts)

   • Concept cohesion, visual presentation (live only)​

⚠️ Exotika-Specific Rules

• Solo acts only unless using a human prop (live only, $50 per prop, human props not to touch the pole)

• All styles of sensual dance welcome

• G-strings and pasties allowed, but no full nudity

• Same rules apply to both video and live submissions, except:

  • Hair & makeup not required for video submissions

⚠️ Deductions

• Touching/supporting rig: –5 pts per judge

• Genitalia exposure: –5 pts per judge

• Fall: –10 pts

• Late to call time: Disqualification

 

📜 Terms & Conditions

Eligibility:

• Must be 18 or older

• You must own the rights to your video submission

Video Guidelines:

• Max 2 minutes

• Must show both spin and static pole

• Late/incomplete submissions will not be accepted

Category Placement:

• Judges may reassign you to the appropriate division

Live Event Responsibilities:

• Finalists are responsible for their own travel & lodging

• Must check in on time or face disqualification

Media Use:

• You grant Pole Classic & Pole Expo rights to use submitted media for promo purposes

Safety:

• All participants perform at their own risk

Judging Decisions:

• Final and non-contestable

• Feedback may be provided at the discretion of judges

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👩‍⚖️ Meet the Judges

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Pole Classic Judges

Juan Francisco Rodriguez, Bethany Finlay, Coco Kehong, Marlo Fisken, Estefania, Cris Saez

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Exotika Judges

Bethany Finlay, Coco Kehong, Estefania, Suwasit, Claudia Rene, Marlo Fisken