Applications open on
October 15, 2025!

1/ Video Selection Rules

 

The participant is a person who meets the following conditions:

• Must be at least 17 years old on the day of the competition (12 for the Junior category).

• For minor candidates, please provide a parental authorization and a waiver of liability, as well as an up-to-date liability insurance.

• The competition is open to all competitors of all nationalities and to all students from all pole dance studios, schools, or federations, as well as any private representative.

• Each candidate must, within the deadlines defined below, send the form completed in its entirety (on the website www.poleart-france.com under the "Applications" section). Candidates must also include the YouTube link to their video entry in public or unlisted mode (readable for a minimum of 5 weeks after the selection closing date), and this INSIDE the registration form.

• Participants must submit the entry form and their application video from October 15, 2025, and BEFORE January 16, 2026, 11:59 PM (23:59). All applications received after this date will be invalidated.

• The finalists will be judged according to an evaluation table by a selection jury.

• The cost of participation in the competition is:

  • Junior category: 45€/participant

  • Amateur category: 60€/participant

  • Semi-pro/Pro category: 75€/participant

  • Elite Women category: 90€/participant

  • Elite Men category: 90€/participant

• Payment must be made ON THE SAME DAY AS THE APPLICATION after clicking on "SEND" on the application form.

• Each payment must be made at the same time as the participation application is sent. No refund possible, even if the candidate is not selected for the final or if they refuse a change of category imposed by the organization.

• The application includes:

  • 1 entry ticket to attend Pole Art France

  • The video of their performance during the final in open access (available on our YouTube channel)

  • 3 photos offered to the winners of the final (1st, 2nd & 3rd place)

  • Membership to Pole Art France

 

Specific Rules and Requirements for the Video Entry

 

• The video must be clear and of good quality. The candidate must be perfectly visible and appear alone in the video. The sound must be perfectly audible.

• Candidates must use BOTH poles (one in spinning mode and one in static mode).

• The video must demonstrate your ability to present a structured, coherent, inspiring choreography, as well as your capacity to perform technical sequences consistent with your story/theme/artistic proposal. It must above all highlight your sense of artistry and your personality.

• The video must not include or show any person other than the candidate.

• The video must be a minimum of 1'00 and a maximum of 2'00. (Elite, you may use a previous performance if it is a maximum of less than 1 year old). Beyond the maximum time, the video will no longer be watched. Please cut your video cleanly.

• The video must not be modified or edited in any way. The choreography must be filmed continuously, without pauses or interruptions and without various effects and fades which are strictly prohibited.

• The selection video does not necessarily have to show the choreography that will be presented at the final.

• The organizers and judges reserve the right to invalidate an application in case of non-compliance with any of these rules.

 

Steps for Sending Application Forms:

 

1. Complete the questions and fill out the form.

2. Click on "Envoyer / Apply" (Send / Apply).

3. For your application to be considered, valid, and accepted, you must fill out the form, click the "Envoyer / Apply" button, and make the payment corresponding to your application once redirected to the payment page.

Please complete the form, then proceed with the payment. For an application to be valid and complete, we must receive both the form and the payment on the same day.

Warning: In case of error, NO refund is possible. Please ensure you complete your registration correctly. Likewise, if you are not selected for the final, no refund will be given.

Sending the application form constitutes acceptance of the rules and conditions of participation.

 

2/ Final Rules

 

Pole Art France is an international Pole Dance competition.

Contacts: www.poleart-france.com / info.poleartfrance@gmail.com; IG: Pole Art France.

Pole Art France is a competition independently supported by sponsors and independent supporters whose objective is the development and promotion of pole dance.

The competition will take place in the Bordeaux region, Salle Bellegrave (Pessac), on May 16, 2026.

 

GENERAL RULES

 

 

APPRECIATED ELEMENTS

 

• "Routines" in which participants show a good balance between grace, personality, originality, strength, and flexibility.

• Cleanliness of figures as well as fluidity in transitions.

• Originality in expressing a story, a way of being, or an artistic expression. No written theme will be requested. Your theme, universe, character, or other must be sufficiently explicit to be easily understood by the jury and the public. No presentation of your story will be made during your performance. It is up to you to convey your message on stage and express it clearly. This ability will be judged in the SCORING CARD.

• The choreography must be balanced between static and spinning work, as well as floorwork (work off the pole). The only exception is if the artistic proposal imposes a voluntary imbalance. The choice must be justified and explicit for the jury's understanding.

 

FORMALLY FORBIDDEN:

 

• Undressing on stage. Any form of nudity.

• Showing, touching, or caressing intimate body parts.

• Expressing racist attitudes or manifest signs of intolerance or expressions prejudicial to the spirit of the event, other participants, a person, a community, the spectators, or the jury is strictly prohibited and will be condemned accordingly. A costume, an accessory, music, movements, a theme, or any behavior that could undermine the dignity of a person or a community will be prohibited, and the candidate automatically disqualified. The choreography presented at the final will be subject to the approval of the organizers in this regard.

• The intent to shock, injure, humiliate, or degrade.

• Stopping the performance, except in case of a technical problem with the structure and/or the poles.

These rule violations will result in disqualification and immediate cessation of the candidate's performance. No refund will be offered.

 

SCORING

 

• Each judge will be provided with an evaluation grid (SCORE CARDS) which they will fill out at the end of each routine.

• The sum of the scores from all judges will then be calculated to determine the ranking.

• The participants with the highest scores will win the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in order.

• The Head Judge is responsible for penalties, in agreement with all judges.

• Special prizes may be awarded.

 

THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES

 

This competition will take place in a single final round (video selections; final on stage).

Reminder: candidates under 18 must provide parental authorization and a waiver of liability.

 

Junior Category

 

(Open to national and international competitors)

You can compete in this category if you meet one or more of these conditions:

• Be between 12 and 17 years old.

 

Junior Elite Category

 

(Open to national and international competitors from 12 years old)

You can compete in this category if you meet one or more of these conditions:

• Be between 12 and 17 years old.

• Have already competed in national and/or international competitions in a similar category.

 

Amateur Category

 

(Open to national and international competitors from 17 years old)

You can compete in this category if you meet one or more of these conditions:

• If you DO NOT teach pole dance.

• If you have never taught pole dance before.

• If you have never won a podium in the amateur, semi-pro, pro, elite, or other categories (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place).

• If you have never competed in a category other than Amateur.

 

Semi-pro / Pro Category

 

(Open to national and international competitors from 17 years old)

You can/must compete in this category if you meet one or more of these conditions:

• If you have already had several stage experiences (pole dance) or if you have already participated in a competition in the semi-pro or pro category (if you have participated in the Pro category for more than 3 years, you must apply in the Elite category).

• If you teach pole dance or have already taught pole (teachers or former teachers are strictly prohibited in the Amateur category).

• If you won a podium in the Amateur category (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place).

• If you have NOT won a podium in the semi-pro, pro, or elite category (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place), you may stay in this category. Otherwise, please apply in the Elite category, as well as if you are a regular competitor in the Elite category.

If you meet one or more of these criteria, you must choose this category.

If you have no stage or competition experience but still wish to participate in the Semi-pro category, you may do so. Please justify your choice during registration.

 

Elite Men Category

 

(Open to national and international male competitors)

You can/must compete in this category if you meet one or more of these conditions:

• If you have already participated in one or more semi-professional, professional, elite, or equivalent competitions

  AND/OR

• If you have been participating in "Pro" category competitions for more than 2 years

  AND/OR

• If you already have significant stage experience (pole dance) professionally

  AND/OR

• If you have won a podium in the semi-pro, pro, elite, or equivalent category (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place).

If you meet one or more of these criteria, you must choose this category.

Level equivalences: advanced, elite, Xtrem, national and/or international competitors, performer.

 

Elite Women Category

 

(Open to national and international male competitors) [Translator's Note: The French text mistakenly says "male competitors" for Elite Women - assuming it means female competitors]

You can/must compete in this category if you meet one or more of these conditions:

• If you have already participated in one or more semi-professional, professional, elite, or equivalent competitions

  AND/OR

• If you have been participating in "Pro" category competitions for more than 2 years

  AND/OR

• If you already have significant stage experience (pole dance) professionally

  AND/OR

• If you have won a podium in the semi-pro, pro, elite, or equivalent category (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place).

If you meet one or more of these criteria, you must choose this category.

Level equivalences: advanced, elite, Xtrem, national and/or international competitors, performer.

ATTENTION:

The jury and organizers reserve the right to change a candidate's category and reclassify them, based on an objective evaluation, if they believe the participant has not chosen the appropriate category. If you disagree with their decision, you will be disqualified and the registration fees will not be refunded.

The organization reserves the right to group categories if the number of participants is insufficient to maintain separate categories.

 

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION & COMPETITION RULES

 

• Judges may interrupt the performance at any time in case of risk to the participant's health or in case of non-compliance with the rules.

• Judges are not obliged to comment or explain the scores awarded to participants: the judges give the final result.

• The winners will be announced within 30 minutes after the end of the last performance of the competition.

• Before and during the competition, finalists or their coaches MUST NOT be or try to be in contact with the jury members.

• Attire: All intimate parts must be covered (breasts, nipples, female and male private parts). Costume is free. Only latex, leather, vinyl, or any other materials that facilitate grip on the poles are prohibited. Heels are allowed. Boots, ankle boots, or other footwear that facilitates grip and climbs on the pole are formally prohibited. Nippies, nipple covers, or breast jewelry are also prohibited. Piercings or rings must be removed before using the poles (earrings are allowed).

• The judges and organizers reserve the right to disqualify a candidate if they objectively believe that their costume violates the competition rules.

• Candidates will be allowed to use Dry Hands only on themselves. The use of other products will be grounds for elimination! No product will be accepted directly on the poles.

• Before and during the entire competition, participants are not allowed to drink alcohol or take or use illegal substances that may change their physical condition: taking or using prohibited stimulants such as steroids, various drugs, alcohol, etc., constitutes a violation of the rules and French legislation. Any violation of this rule will result in the immediate disqualification of the athlete.

• Medical insurance and a civil liability certificate valid for the duration of the entire competition (including rehearsals) must be provided.

• Rehearsals are scheduled, barring possible changes, the day before the competition. Please plan to be available. Any absence from rehearsals will result in disqualification.

• Each participant must know and accept the rules and conditions of the competition.

• Only one coach per candidate will be accepted backstage. They must provide their "COACH PASS" purchase proof (€35) upon arrival, in exchange for which they will receive an access badge. The coach must have been declared during the candidate's registration. If they have not done so, upon selection for the final, they must communicate their coach's name to the Pole Art France team upon receipt of the welcome pack.

 

MUSIC

 

• Selected candidates, after the video qualifications, must provide the organizers with their audio music in MP3 format only with the title: "LAST NAME FIRST NAME – CATEGORY – POLE ART FRANCE 2026", and ensure that their music is registered with the SACEM repertoire: repertoire of over 5,000,000 music tracks https://repertoire.sacem.fr/ or royalty-free.

  Please also provide the title and author of your music.

• They must bring a USB stick with the same music track on the day of the competition.

• Music duration for the final:

  • JUNIOR, JUNIOR ELITE, and AMATEUR: between 2'30 min and 3'00 min MAXIMUM

  • SEMI-PRO/PRO: between 3'00 min and 3'30 min MAXIMUM

  • ELITE MEN & ELITE WOMEN: between 3'00 min and 4'00 min MAXIMUM

 

DEADLINES AND IMPORTANT DATES

 

• Complete registration (application form, selection video, and payment of participation fees): from October 15, 2025, and before January 16, 2026 – 11:59 PM (23:59)

• Presentation of the list of finalists: no later than February 16, 2026

• Rehearsals: they may take place the day before and/or on the day of the event. By applying, you agree to be available for rehearsals. If the candidate is not present at rehearsals, they will be disqualified, unless justification is accepted by the organization.

• Pole Art France competition Final: May 16, 2026

 

PROCEDURE FOR SENDING YOUR APPLICATIONS

 

• Registration is done by completing the application form on the website www.poleart-france.com, under the "Candidatures" section. You must fill it out correctly and in its entirety. The page and forms open on October 15, 2025.

• Each candidate must also provide ONLY a YouTube or Vimeo link to their selection video in the form with the title: "SUMBMISSION POLE ART FRANCE 2026 – NAME - CATEGORY". Please ensure your video is readable, public for at least 5 weeks after the application deadline, and in high quality.

• ATTENTION: Pole Art France will not be responsible for any infringement of copyright or production rights (of the video or music). For all these issues, only the candidate will be directly responsible. Please ensure you have the rights for the music in your video.

• If the candidate is selected for the final competition, they must send the desired music track in MP3 format only directly to info.poleartfrance@gmail.com before the date indicated in the rules, ensuring that the music is royalty-free or registered with SACEM (+5,000,000 music tracks!): https://repertoire.sacem.fr/

• Candidates must follow the instructions they receive after sending their registration form and respect the deadlines under penalty of disqualification.

The list of participants accepted for the Pole Art France final will be published on the website www.poleart-france.com as well as on our social networks.

Four additional participants will be placed on a "reserve" waiting list. If one of the candidates selected for the final is forced to withdraw due to illness, health problems, or various injuries, the 1st candidate on the "reserve" list will be called upon to participate in the final.

 

Insurance and Waiver of Liability

 

 

1. Mandatory Insurance

 

Any competitor participating in the Pole Art France final is required to have valid Civil Liability (RC) insurance with up-to-date contributions at the time of the event. This insurance must cover personal and material damage that could be caused to others (public, organizers, other participants, or infrastructure) by the participant.

The competitor must be able to present a valid insurance certificate to the organizers on the day of the competition, during checks. Any refusal to present or any non-compliance of the insurance will result in prohibition from participating in the competition without possibility of refund of the registration fees.

 

2. Acceptance of Risks

 

Pole Dance is a demanding sports discipline that presents inherent and significant risks, notably risks of falls, serious bodily injury, and, in extreme cases, death.

By registering and participating in the competition, the candidate acknowledges being fully aware of these risks and accepts them without reserve. The candidate confirms that they are physically fit to participate and have taken all necessary precautions to minimize these risks (warm-up, adequate equipment, etc.).

 

3. Organization's Waiver of Liability

 

The organization of the Pole Art France final, as well as its representatives, volunteers, and the owners of the competition venues, are released from all liability:

• In case of bodily injury, including serious injury or death, suffered by the competitor during or following the event.

• In case of material damage suffered by the competitor (personal equipment, costumes, etc.).

• In case of damage or injury that the competitor might cause to other participants or third parties.

The participant is solely responsible for the consequences of their performance and agrees not to engage the civil or criminal liability of the organization for any damage suffered or caused during the event.

 

Assignment of Image Rights

 

By participating in the Pole Art France final, each participant acknowledges and agrees to gratuitously assign their full image rights to the organizers.

This assignment authorizes the organization to use, publish, reproduce, and share, without any restriction of duration, medium (including, but not limited to, photographs, videos, and digital recordings), or territory, all images and audio/video recordings concerning them, made during the event.

Consequently, the participant may not object to any dissemination, publication, or exploitation of these images and waives any claim relating to the use made of them by the organization.

By filling out the application form, candidates confirm their agreement and acceptance of the conditions and terms defined by the organizers and the competition rules in their entirety.

 

STAGE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

 

• Poles approximately 3.70 meters high. Attention: there will be 5 poles on stage (3 at the front, 2 at the back). Only the front poles can be used, including 1 in spinning mode and 1 in static mode. A stage plan will be sent to the finalists after the selected participants are announced.

• Only Dry Hands or equivalents validated by the organizers in advance are permitted. No other grip will be accepted. The use of another grip will result in disqualification. No grip on the poles. However, they will be cleaned before each performance by our pole cleaners or by the candidates directly if they wish.

 

Medical Assistance during the competition:

 

Medical assistance will be present throughout the competition for emergency interventions.

Infos: info.poleartfrance@gmail.com

www.poleart-france.com