WELCOME TO EVOLUTION
National Finals - A PARENT INTRODUCTION
1. ​​​What Are National Finals?
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Evolution National Finals is the culmination of the Evolution season, bringing together dancers from across Australia and New Zealand for a week-long celebration of performance, growth, and community.
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National Finals is designed to be a positive, inclusive, and aspirational experience for performers of all levels; from first-time finalists through to EVO Apprentice and EVO Elite competitors. It provides dancers with the opportunity to perform on a national stage while celebrating progress, passion, and excellence.
2. Qualification for National Finals
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All performers who compete and finish their routine on stage at an Evolution Regional event automatically qualify for National Finals.
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Qualification applies to Novice and Open Soloists, Duos, Trios, and Groups
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There is no minimum score required to qualify
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Entry Allowances
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Soloists
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Soloists may enter an additional three (3) routines at National Finals
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These additional routines do not need to have been performed at Regionals
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Duos / Trios
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Duos and Trios may enter up to three (3) additional routines at National Finals, in addition to those qualified at Regionals
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Groups
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Studios may enter unlimited Group routines at National Finals
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To be eligible, the studio must have qualified with five (5) Group routines at one Evolution Regional event
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This structure allows dancers of all abilities to experience a National Finals environment.
3. EVO Elite & EVO Apprentice Championships
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EVO Elite (Open) and EVO Apprentice (Novice) are championship categories exclusive to National Finals.
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Qualification is based on the Top 10 highest-scoring performers in each age category across the Regional season
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These categories are designed to showcase each dancer’s strongest and most competitive work
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Finals & Grand Final
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EVO Elite and EVO Apprentice performers compete in their respective categories at National Finals
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The Top 3 performers in each category advance to the Grand Final, where they perform again
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Performers must present the same routine in the Grand Final
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Eligibility & Conditions
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Performers must enter a minimum of two (2) solo routines at National Finals to be eligible for EVO Elite or EVO Apprentice
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EVO Elite and EVO Apprentice 1st Place winners may continue to compete in all other sections at Regionals and National Finals the following year
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1st Place winners are not eligible to qualify for EVO Elite or EVO Apprentice for one (1) year immediately following their win
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All EVO Elite 1st Place winners will be invited to perform a hand-over performance at the following year’s National Finals
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Full category definitions and eligibility requirements are outlined in the Category Definitions section of the handbook.
4. Group Sections & Grand Final QualificatioN​​
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Group routines perform in their respective age divisions and size categories (Small Group and Large Group).
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Group Grand Final Categories
The Group Grand Final will include:
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Top 3 Small Group - Junior / Intermediate / Senior
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Top 3 Large Group - Junior / Intermediate / Senior
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Junior = 6&U and 8&U combined
Intermediate = 10&U, 12&U and Primary School Groups combined
Senior = 14&U, 16&U, Open Age and High School Groups combined
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Grand Final Qualification
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The highest scoring eligible Group routine from each studio within an age division (Junior, Intermediate, Senior) may advance to the Grand Final
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Only one routine per studio per age division is eligible to advance - NEW RULE for 2026
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Where a studio has multiple top-scoring routines within the same age division, only the highest scoring routine overall (Small or Large Group) will advance​
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Further advancement details are outlined in the National Finals Terms & Conditions.
All adjudicator decisions are final.
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New for National Finals 2026
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Regional Studio Grand Finalist
In 2026, Evolution introduces the Regional Studio Grand Finalist pathway.
This initiative supports studios located in geographically isolated regions who may have limited access to elite training opportunities and industry exposure, while maintaining competitive integrity at National Finals.
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Eligibility
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Open to studios located in eligible regional areas of Australia or New Zealand, as determined by national remoteness classifications and Evolution’s discretion
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Metropolitan studios are not eligible
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Studios must confirm their classification using the relevant national remoteness tool
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All eligibility is subject to review and approval by Evolution administration
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Recognition Limits
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A maximum of one (1) Regional Studio Grand Finalist recognition per studio at each National Finals
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Where a studio qualifies with multiple eligible routines, only the highest scoring routine will be recognised
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The next highest scoring eligible routine from a different studio may then be selected
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Administration & Final Authority
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The number of Regional Studio Grand Finalists recognised each year is determined by eligible participation numbers
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Age divisions and group sizes may be combined for Grand Final selection purposes
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All eligibility, selection, and advancement decisions are final and at the sole discretion of Evolution administration
5. National Finals Structure
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National Finals runs across multiple days and may include:
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Solo, Duo & Trio performances
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Group performances
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EVO Elite & EVO Apprentice Championships
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Information sessions and merchandise collection
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A celebratory after-party
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Junior & Senior Grand Final performances
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How National Finals Is Scheduled
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National Finals is primarily genre-blocked, rather than age-blocked.
This means performances are scheduled by dance style (genre) across the event, rather than completing one age division at a time.
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As a result:
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Performers may perform across multiple days
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Solos, Duos/Trios, Groups, and Championship sections may be scheduled on different days
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This approach allows for a smoother flow of the event and a better overall experience for performers, studios, and families
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A detailed daily schedule and age-based breakdown will be released closer to the event to assist with planning.
6. Important Notes​​
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National Finals marks the conclusion of the current Evolution season
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Age categories at National Finals follow the same age cut-off used at Regionals
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No refunds or transfers are offered for National Finals entries
7. PROPOSED AGE SCHEDULE
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Thursday 7th Jan 2027
Setup Day | Info Session | EVO Elite & EVO Apprentice Shirt Collection | Pre-Ordered Merch collection
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Friday 8th Jan 2027
EVO Elite | Solos | Duos & Trios
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Saturday 9th Jan 2027
EVO Apprentice | Solos | Duos & Trios
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Sunday 10th Jan 2027
Solos | Duos & Trios | Groups arrive onsite
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Monday 11th Jan 2027
Solos | Duos & Trios | Groups
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Tuesday 12th Jan 2027
Solos | Duos & Trios | Groups
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Wednesday 13th Jan 2027
Solos | Duos & Trios | Groups
Thursday 14th Jan 2027
Grand Final Day