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BILBAO TANGO FESTIVAL & INTERNATIONAL TANGO CHAMPIONSHIP 2026
DATES & AGENDA
Accreditation: Friday 13th of february 2026 12-3.30pm
Qualifiers: Friday 13th of february 2026 5pm
Semi-final: Saturday 14th of february 2026 11am
Final: Saturday 14th of february 2026 6pm
LOCATION
📍URH Palacio de Oriol
Cristobal de Murrieta Hiribidea, 27, 48980 Santurtzi - Bilbao, España
Who can participate?
CATEGORIES
You can sign up for one category, all categories, or any combination of categories you prefer.
TANGO PISTA
(three improvised tangos are danced in couples in rounds of a maximum of 12 couples)
STAGE TANGO
(a prepared choreography of max. 4 minutes is danced on stage)
VALS
(three improvised tango valses are danced in rounds of a maximum of 12 couples)
MILONGA
(three improvised milongas are danced in rounds of a maximum of 12 couples)
MILONGUEROS
(four improvised tangos are danced in couples with a change of partner after each tango and the judge scores the leaders and followers individually)
awards
Bilbao Tango Cup is supported by the Embassy of Argentina in Spain and Metro Tango SSD (organisers of the European Tango Cup, Official Preliminary of the Tango World Cup in Buenos Aires).
Barbara Cicero from Metro SSD will act as a supervisor during the championship and we will use the same scoring system.
Tango Pista & Stage Tango
🥇Diploma of recognition for the winners, runners-up, and third-place.
1st place:
🥇 2000 €
🥇Free registration for the European Tango Cup 2026, official preliminary of the Tango World Cup in Buenos Aires.
Direct participation in the Final of the Metropolitano Tango Europe in all categories.
🥇Free-Pass for the milongas of the European Tango Cup & Festival 2026.
2nd place:
🥇 Free-Pass for the milongas of the European Tango Cup & Festival 2026.
3rd place:
🥇 50% discount for the milongas of the European Tango Cup & Festival 2026
Vals & Milonga
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🥇Diploma of recognition for the winners, runners-up, and third-place.
1st place: 🥇 €500
Milongueros
🥇Diploma of recognition for the winners, runners-up, and third-place finishers.
1st place Follower role: 🥇 € 250
1st place Leader role: 🥇 € 250
*IMPORTANT: The financial prizes in the championship are subject to a minimum number of entries per category. In order for the full prize to be awarded in each category, the following minimum number of entries must be reached. If these minimums are not reached, the corresponding prize will be reduced by 50%:
Tango Pista: less than 20 registered couples = 1000€.
Stage Tango: less than 10 registered couples = 1000€.
Tango Vals: less than 10 registered couples = 250€.
Tango Milonga: less than 10 registered couples = 250€.
Milongueros: less than 10 leaders registered = 125€; and less than 10 followers registered = 125€.
Judges
Fernando Galera & Pamela Colaneri
Fernando Galera was one of the first members of the jury on the BA Tango World Championship panel in its early days.
A tango and folklore dancer and teacher, he has traveled the world with a career spanning more than four decades, starting from his neighborhood dance club, where he began training at age eight, between classes and dances for senior citizens. At twelve, he joined the prestigious El Chúcaro academy run by Norma and Nidia Viola, where he also taught. Now based in Italy, he is embarking on a new professional journey with Pamela Colaneri. Creator and Director of the Tango Salón Extremo Festival since 2008, his main motivation as a teacher is to convey tango as a cultural experience, not just the technique, with the aim of preserving the roots of this dance and, with them, its soul.
Juan Martín Carrera & Stefania Colina
Stefanía Colina and Juan Martín Carrara began their careers in ballet and modern dance at an early age. At 17, Stefanía began teaching ballet, while Juan enrolled in the National Dance Academy of Uruguay and was selected for the "Joven Ballet" (Young Ballet), touring all the theaters in the region. A few years later, he came into contact with tango, met Stefania, and from that day on, a passionate, life-changing story began for both of them.
After several years of hard work improving their level and knowledge, they won the Intercontinental Championship in 2009 and the Uruguayan Tango Championship in 2012. Today, they are recognized for their clear and dedicated teaching and their excellent performances. They are now directors of the National Tango Ballet of Uruguay, touring theaters throughout the region with their shows.
Ricardo Astrada & Constanza Vieyto
2022 World Tango Champions in the Stage Tango category. Dancers and choreographers, each has a history of dance since childhood. They have been part of the cast of various tango companies over the years, including Tango x 2, Forever Tango, Dramatic Tango, Rojo Tango, and more. Ricardo is also the director of “Evergreen Tango” and the choreographic director of “Alto Tango Show.” They have served as judges in several tango championships around the world and have been touring around the world for several years, performing in theaters, tango events, and festivals.
Barbara Cicero
(Supervisor)
The role of the supervisor is very important to ensure that the six jury members impart fair and balanced scores.
Barbara has been organizing and overseeing the European Tango Cup, the most renowned and historic Official Preliminary of Tango BA in Europe, for 15 editions. She also sponsors the entire regional championship circuit in Italy, the Italian Tango Cup, the Official Preliminary of Kazakhstan, and more. We will use this same scoring system, proven over many years.
Rules
Please read the established competition regulations carefully before registering.
Event Location
We have a luxurious venue for the competition: the Palacio Oriol, a historic palace overlooking the sea and the Bilbao estuary in the Santurtzi neighborhood of Bilbao. We installed a 300 square meter wooden floor in the hall with large windows overlooking the sea. The Palace also has 90 hotel rooms with meal options: you can sleep and eat with all the comforts in the same location as the competition.
Classes & Milongas
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The competition in all categories will take place on Friday, February 13th and Saturday, February 14th, 2026.
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Bilbao Tango Cup is held in conjunction with Bilbao Tango Festival 2026, which will take place from Monday, February 10th to midnight on Sunday, February 15th: A full week of tango, milongas, classes, exhibitions, live music, workshops, talks, sightseeing tours, and more!
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From Thursday, February 12th to Sunday, February 13th, there will be three milongas a day at Palacio Oriol, along with classes with the judging couples.
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If you register for the dance floor and/or stage tango categories, you'll receive tickets to all milongas at the Bilbao Tango Festival from Friday to Sunday! You can also add the other categories, choose a class package to take lessons with the jury, and reserve a room at the Palacio Oriol Hotel with us.
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You can purchase a weekend hotel package at the Palacio Oriol, and we'll book your room for you. You can choose from several options: 2, 3, 4, or 5 nights, with or without meals.
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In the surrounding area, there are many other accommodation options ranging in price from budget to luxury. Suggestions: Hotel San Jorge, Hotel Puente Colgante, Pensión Iruña, apartments on booking.com, and Airbnb in the Santurce and Portugalete areas. These are lively and vibrant neighborhoods with many restaurants, bars, and tourist attractions.
Prices & Registration
Registration for a main category: Tango Pista or Stage Tango = €150
Price per couple. Includes a three-day package of all the Bilbao Tango Festival milongas from Friday to Sunday for both people.
Registration for the two main categories: Tango Pista and Tango Escenario = €180
Price per couple. Includes a three-day package of Bilbao Tango Festival milongas from Friday to Sunday for both people.
Add the secondary categories of Waltz and/or Milonga = €30 additional per category.
Price per couple.
Add the Milongueros category = €25 additional per person (individual competition)
If you do not purchase a main category (floor or stage), the price to compete in a secondary category is €50 per couple and category (waltz and milonga) and €30 per person for the milongueros category, and the milonga package is not included.