OTB Street Dance Competition September 2025 – QEH Oldham
Welcome to the Competition Info Page for OTB – Sunday 21st September at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham
Here, you’ll find all the information you need to plan your time with us. Use the tabs at the bottom of this page to navigate through different sections of information for this event. Please note that final event details are typically posted one week before the event, once entries have been processed.
This is one of our main events and is open to dancers of all levels.
Entry Limits:
Each dancer may enter up to 4 events:
- 2 solos (either 1 set routine + 1 freestyle OR 2 set routines)
- 1 duo
- 1 team
Teachers: To check availability for this competition for your school, please email us directly at info@onthebeat.dance.
Entries close 2 weeks before
Schedule
Running Order Information
We expect the event will run in two main sections, typically split by age as follows:
-
11 years & under / 12 years & over
or -
9 years & under / 10 years & over
Below is an example running order to give you an idea of how the day usually runs:
(note this is a guide only and final times will be available here 1 week prior to the competition)
8:00am – Doors Open
(Teachers may access a few minutes earlier)
Section 1 – 11 Years & Under
-
Set Routines
Awards presented immediately after each final -
Freestyle Solos
Awards presented immediately after each final -
Duos & Parents Solos
Awards presented immediately after each final -
Teams
Awards presented after all teams have danced
Short Break
(Usually around 2:00pm)
Section 2 – 12 Years & Over
-
Teams
Awards presented after all teams have danced -
Set Routines
Awards presented immediately after each final -
Advanced Freestyle Solos
Awards presented immediately after each final -
Class Member, Beginner & Inter Freestyle Solos
Awards presented immediately after each final -
Elite All Stars
-
Duos
Awards presented immediately after each final
Approx. Finish Time: 6:00–6:30pm
Age Categories
Please refer to the link here for the initial programme for this event. Note that the age categories may be adjusted slightly once all entries have been processed. The finalised age categories will be displayed here one week prior to the event.
Judges
Important Information
A Body of Persons Approval (BOPA) has been issued for this event by the local Council. Under BOPA conditions, the priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all event participants, with particular attention to children up to school-leaving age. This should be considered a team effort between:
* Event Organisers
* Event Staff
* Licensed Chaperones
* Dance School Teachers/Leaders
* Parents/Guardians/Responsible Adults
It would be much appreciated if all attendees could take note of the following information.
Photo/ Video Policy-
As this is a private event for event participants and their family/friends, our organisation would like to be able to permit the use of cameras to capture these special memories. We would however like to bring your attention to the following:
Solos & Duos- If you are intending to upload photos/videos of your participant to social media, it is recommended that you consider your privacy settings so that you limit your audience to close friends & family. Our team may also take videos and photos to use on OTB social media pages. If anyone does have any concerns/objections to this or would like us to make adjustments for any particular event, please speak to your dance school lead who will communicate this with our events team.
Team events- One nominated person from the dance school performing their team routine may video the routine from the front. It is strictly prohibited for anyone else in the venue to take a video recording. It is then at the teachers discretion where that recording gets shared. This is so that the teacher can decide who has access to their choreography and also for safeguarding reasons which are considered different to a solos/duos type event. Still photographs are permitted but please consider the points highlighted in the solos/pairs sections above.
Child Supervision & Sign in/ Sign Out Procedure-Participants up to school-leaving age are supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Participants of this age will not be permitted to pass our door/security team without a responsible adult accompanying them. On arrival and departure, event participants are asked to inform their teacher/group lead so that they can record attendance times at the event.
Safeguarding info- Our safeguarding policy can be found here
The Designated Safeguarding Leads for OTB is Jessica Porter & Hollie McFadden, they will be in attendance for the duration of the event and will be based on the stage. Alternatively, you can email info@onthebeat.dance
Venue Information
Please see the venue page for information on travel, parking, changing facilities, emergency procedures and first aid.
Merchandise– Our merchandise stall will be available in the Arena. Payments by cash & card are accepted.
Wristband Information
Please have your wristbands on and fastened securely before entering the building. Lost, damaged or forgotten wristbands will not be replaced and will have to be re-purchased.
Please see our full wristband policy here.
There will be a limited number of wristbands available on the door – priority access will be given to those who have a wristband in advance.
Please note that bands are only available to people attending with a dance school and are not on sale to the general public.
Payments by cash & card are accepted.
Wristbands purchased on the door are usually £3–£5 more than the advanced price through a dance school.
Allocated Seating- All seating will be reserved clearly with your dance school name.