POLE Stars universe Competition Rules
Eligibility
1. Entry is open to anyone aged over 18 years.
2. Entry is open to national and international competitors.
3. Applicants will be selected based on their video entry which should be a completely unaltered and single continuous video recording of the entrant’s previous performance that demonstrates their pole dancing abilities.
a) The video does not need to reflect the entrant’s intended performance for the Competition Date.
b) Video entries will be judged on presentation, pole tricks skills, dance skills and performance ability.
Competition Dates and Details
Competition Date: The competition is scheduled for Saturday 31 January 2026, exact timing TBA
Rehearsals: Timing TBA
Competition Venue: Liverpool Powerhouse Centre - 1 Powerhouse Rd, Casula NSW 2170
(previously known as Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre)
Props Approval Deadline: TBC
Usage of Props
4. All Props require pre-approval from Organisers by Props Approval Deadline.
As a general rule non-human props are NOT permitted if they involve:
a) confetti or glitter,
b) smoke,
c) liquid,
d) fire or sparks; and/or
e) takes longer than 1 minute to set up and cleared up within 1 minute by 2 persons.
5. Human props of up to 3 people per performance are permitted provided:
a) they are approved by Props Approval Deadline;
b) all human props have purchased a valid ticket to the Competition;
c) they sign a liability waiver by Props Approval Deadline;
d) they do not make physical contact with the poles before, during or after the performance.
Costuming
6. Regarding costuming:
a) Any type of footwear is allowed including bare feet, shoes, heels or boots;
b) Competitors are allowed to remove items of clothing during their performance however, no nudity or G-strings are permitted;
c) All private parts and nipples covered as complete nudity is not allowed (having said this, sensual and sexy styles are welcome, pasties are welcome, & cheeky bottoms and tops are welcome!)
d) Gloves and knee pads are allowed.
Stage & Pole Dimensions
Stage Dimensions: Elevated (above level of audience); Approx 4m long x 4m wide
Diagram for Stage Dimensions will be uploaded shortly.
Pole Specifications:
- 1 x 40mm Brass X-Poles;
- Approx 3.1 metres high.
Required Pole Settings:
- Competitors have the choice to set the pole to Static or Spin.
Terms & Conditions of Entry
Competitors Are Fully Responsible for all Aspects of their Performance
7. Other than the above stage and pole, competitors are responsible for:
a) bringing all and any grips aids,
b) bringing all and any props and organising the transport to and removal of such props within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the Competition,
c) any other items or objects or persons permitted within the Competition Rules,
d) their own travel to and from the Competition Venue,
e) being on time to the Competition Venue,
to effectively participate in rehearsals and fully execute their performances on the day of the competition.
Rehearsals, Warm Ups and Pre-Comp Briefing:
8. Competitors are expected to be at the venue and check in with competition staff no later than 30 minutes before their scheduled rehearsal time:
a) Rehearsal times will be allocated to each competitor on the Competition Date, so please do not be late otherwise you will forfeit your time;
b) Competitors must ensure they have warmed up and stretched properly prior to rehearsals and performing;
c) All competitors must be at the venue for competitor briefing at the time allocated by the competition organisers.
9. Competitors must not consume and/or bring to the Competition Venue alcohol or any prohibited substance prior to performing or participating in rehearsals.
Performance Length
10. Performances must be no longer than:
NOVA (Tricks & Dance)
a) Beginners Division – 2 minutes
b) Intermediate Division – 2 minutes 30 seconds
c) Advanced Division – 3 minutes
d) Elite Division – 3 minutes 30 seconds
ECLIPSE (Dance & Basework Only)
e) Amateur Division – 2 minutes 30 seconds
f) Semi-Professional Division – 3 minutes
g) Professional Division – 3 minutes 30 seconds
Category & Division Rules
11. Competitors agree to be subject to Category & Division Criteria set out below and will enter the correct the Category & Division in accordance with the Category & Division Criteria.
a) Organisers reserve the right to adjust competitors division if it is found out that a competitor has entered the incorrect division (prior to the competition).
b) Any competitor who is found to have competed in a division lower than they should be competing at, will be disqualified and subsequently stripped of their title and any prizes they may have received. They may also be banned from all future Competitions hosted by Wanderlust Pole & Aerial Studio.
Waiver of liability
12. The competitors acknowledge and accept that Pole Stars Organiser and its owners, and staff (the Organisers) their directors, instructors, employees, agents and other related parties (“Related Parties”) are not responsible for injury or damage resulting from participation in the competition, including any damage done to the venue within which the competitor chooses to perform in.
13. The competitors acknowledge and voluntarily accept the risks associated in participating in the competition.
14. The competitors waive to the fullest extent permitted by law all legal rights of action against and fully releases the Organisers and Related Parties for the loss, damages, or injury howsoever arising out of or in relation to the participation by the competitors in the activities conducted or organised by the Organisers and Related Parties including without limitation, liability for any negligent or tortious act or omission, breac.h of duty, breach of contract or breach of statutory duty on the part of the Organisers or Related Parties.
Photos and Videos
15. Competitors are aware that they may be photographed or videoed during their performance, and acknowledge this is particularly the case for a competition.
16. The competitor acknowledges that photos or video may be published by the Organisers and used for future promotional material by Organisers.
17. The competitor releases all rights or claims over any photos or videos, and acknowledges that! such material is the property of and can be used by the Organisers for promotional or other uses, without compensation to the competitor.
18. Competitors may film their own performances and are free to use them as they see fit.
19. By submitting the application to enter Pole Stars, the competitor acknowledges they have understood, agree to and accept:
a) the terms of the above clauses from 1 to 18; AND
b) Clauses below: 21 Video Entry Guidelines, 22. Division Criteria, and 23. Judging Criteria.
20 . Breach of any of the above rules may lead to disqualification and possible ban in future competitions.
21. Video Entry Guidelines
Video must be at least 1 minute long but shorter than 2 minutes long.
Video segment showing the Applicant’s dancing must be filmed in one single take.
Video segment showing the Applicant’s dancing must not have been cut, or edited in any way that the makes the viewer uncertain whether the shot was done in single take.
Video entries will be judged on presentation, pole tricks skills, dance skills and performance ability.
Videos must be on YouTube or Vimeo or Google Drive via public link. Downloadable files are not allowed. Videos may be on unlisted setting in Youtube, but not private.
Videos must be of good quality with sufficient lighting.
Applicants will be assessed solely on their video entry, in line with the judging criteria for the division and category they have entered.
The video does not need to reflect the Applicant’s intended performance for Pole Stars.
The video must show only the Applicant performing- group numbers are not accepted.
22. Division Criteria
CATEGORY AND DIVISION CRITERIA
General Eligibility
To compete in any division of Pole Stars Universe 2026, competitors must meet all general eligibility requirements below:
A. Must not have been paid to perform as a pole dancer or any other form of dancer (except where allowed under specific division rules).
B. Must not have been paid to instruct or teach pole dancing or dance (except where allowed under specific division rules).
C. Must not have previously won an amateur, semi-professional, or professional-level pole or dance competition, unless otherwise permitted in the division criteria.
D. May only compete in one category (NOVA or ECLIPSE), though applications may be considered for multiple levels within that chosen category.
1.NOVA (Tricks & Dance) Divisions:
a.Beginners
Must not have competed in a pole competition above Intermediate level (including open amateur categories).
Must not have previously won a Beginners division.
Routine must be 2 minutes or less.
Inversions are not permitted (hips above head in any form, including but not limited to inverts, shoulder mounts, static V, Ayesha).
b.Intermediate
Must not have competed in a competition above Advanced level.
Must not have previously won an Intermediate division or placed in a higher pole competition.
Routine must be 2 minutes 30 seconds or less.
Aerial inversions are not permitted (e.g. aerial inverts, deadlifts, aerial shoulder mounts, muscle-ups).
c.Advanced
Must not have won at an Amateur level or placed higher pole competition.
Routine must be 3 minutes or less.
All moves are permitted.
d.Elite
Must not have placed in a Professional-level pole competition.
Routine must be 3 minutes 30 seconds or less.
All moves are permitted.
2.ECLIPSE (Dance & Basework Only) Divisions
Aerial inversions are not permitted in all divisions. Competitors may include a maximum of one pole climb per combo.
a.Amateur
Must not have placed in any open Amateur or higher-level pole or dance competition.
Must not be a choreography class instructor.
Must not be a paid performer.
Must not have competed in Semi-Professional or higher competitions.
Routine must be 2 minutes 30 seconds or less.
b.Semi-Professional
May be a choreography instructor or paid performer.
Must not have won or placed a Semi-Professional or higher competition.
Routine must be 3 minutes or less.
c.Professional
Has placed or won in a Semi-Professional or higher-level pole or dance competition.
Routine must be 3 minutes 30 seconds or less.
23. Judging Criteria
A. NOVA
Pole Dance Tricks & Combos (10)
Clean execution & technically sound execution, display of lines, difficulty of pole tricks and/or transitions,
originality of pole tricks and/or transitions (this applies to basework tricks and up the pole tricks)
Dance & Musicality (10)
Ability to dance in harmony with the chosen music, ability to express concept of performance through connection between music and dance (this applies to both floorwork and dancing on & off the pole)
X-Factor (5)
Audience engagement/unique dance style or movement/ creative use of space and surroundings or props
Presentation (5)
Creativity in Costume and/or Appropriateness of presentation to theme/dance/concept being performed
B. ECLIPSE
Dancing Technique (10)
The dancers execution must be technically sound, display of lines, difficulty or originality of relevant pole-dance, basework, and floorwork tricks and/or transitions
Musicality (10)
Ability to dance in harmony with the chosen music, ability to express concept of performance through connection between music and dance
X-Factor (5)
Audience engagement, unique dance style or movement, creative use of space and surroundings or props, and/or visual impact
Presentation (5)
Costume, Make-up, Overall Aesthetic and Appropriateness of presentation to theme/dance/concept being performed