A Triumph of Dance: The XV International Ballet Competition Concludes in Moscow

The XV International Ballet Competition came to a close on the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, once again affirming its status as one of the world’s most authoritative artistic competitions. The Laureates’ Gala Concert brought together prize-winners from the United States, Russia, Japan, China, Belarus, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Serbia, Armenia and Sweden.

The XV International Ballet Competition was held in Moscow from 25 June to 5 July 2026 on the New and Historic Stages of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. This year, the Competition was dedicated to Yuri Grigorovich, the outstanding choreographer of our time and People’s Artist of the USSR.

In 2026, the Competition received a record number of applications: 362 submissions from 35 countries, confirming its significance on the global cultural stage. Following the preliminary selection round, 158 contestants from 30 countries were admitted to the Competition; 131 contestants from 27 countries took part in the in-person rounds. Traditionally, participants competed in two age categories: Junior Group, for dancers under 19, and Senior Group, for dancers under 27.

The Competition’s distinguished Jury traditionally brings together Russian and international artists of global renown, acclaimed ballet masters and choreographers, heads of the world’s leading ballet companies and authoritative teachers.

“Our country is renowned for, and proud of, its rich traditions of choreographic art. This year, the international Jury included representatives of the ballet world from Russia, Belarus, Brazil, Hungary, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, the Republic of Korea, Serbia, Türkiye and South Africa. We are seeing unprecedented interest in Russian ballet, both at the Bolshoi Theatre and far beyond our country’s borders. Full houses at the competition rounds and millions of online views are among the clearest confirmations of this,” said Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation.

All key Competition events were streamed live on the official website, on VK Video, in the Competition’s VKontakte community and on the Chinese platform Music Today. As in previous editions, the Competition attracted great public interest. The competitive rounds and the Gala Concert were held before capacity audiences, while the online programme received more than 9 million views from Russia, Australia, Argentina, Belarus, Bulgaria, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Germany, Spain, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, the UAE, Serbia, Slovenia, the United States, Türkiye, Uzbekistan, France, Sweden, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and Japan.

All broadcasts and special projects have been preserved in the Competition’s official VKontakte community and on the official website, where they remain available to viewers after the conclusion of the project.

Svetlana Zakharova, People’s Artist of Russia, Rector of the Moscow State Academy of Choreography and Chair of the Jury, said:

“I can say with confidence that Yuri Nikolayevich Grigorovich would have been proud of this Competition. For us, the members of the Jury, this Competition will certainly be one to remember, because the participants exceeded our expectations. We rejoiced in their success, worried for them and were with them in spirit. We are already looking forward to the next International Ballet Competition in Moscow in four years’ time!”

Ahead of the opening of the XV International Ballet Competition, a special project, Birth of a Supernova, was created. Its episodes featured laureates of the International Ballet Competition from different years who have gone on to achieve distinction in their professional careers.

Several exhibitions also accompanied the Competition. World Fame: A Chronicle of the Moscow Ballet Competition opened in the public garden on Arkhangelsky Lane. In the White Foyer of the Historic Stage of the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, visitors could see Grigorovich’s Universe, an exhibition organized in collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre Museum. On Arbat Street, the photo exhibition The Master and His Stars: Grigorovich’s Universe was dedicated to the choreographer’s contribution to the development of the Competition and to his support for young talented artists.

The XV International Ballet Competition also featured a programme of Artistic Meetings. Over two days, participants, teachers, Competition guests and numerous members of the public attended engaging lectures by leading ballet experts, lively conversations with renowned dancers and film screenings. The strong audience response confirmed the importance of the educational programme and the value of such events not only for the professional ballet community, but also for the wider public. The programme was organized with the participation of Ballet magazine and the International Federation of Ballet Competitions.

In 2026, Russian Post and the XV International Ballet Competition also continued their successful joint project, Ballet Competition: Letters of Inspiration. On 4 and 5 July, a Russian Post mobile service point operated in the foyer of the State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, where visitors could send exclusive postcards produced in a limited edition specially for the Competition.

The Competition attracted exceptional media attention, with more than 200 accreditation requests submitted by leading Russian and international media outlets. Each day, the Competition was covered by ballet critics and journalists representing some of the most prestigious cultural and news publications from different countries.

The Competition was established by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation and organized by ROSCONCERT.