“I'm a street dancer. Can I enter a salsa battle?”
Yes. The panel mixes street and Latin judges, so they judge your rhythm even if you do not know salsa conventions.
2ND EDITION · FREESTYLE SALSA BATTLE
THE SAUCE 2027 1st prize $7,000 Approx. ₩10 million · $13,000 total prize
Salsa or street,
Genre is just an excuse.
April 23–25, 2027 · Seoul · Advance registration
Register to compete
Check your registration details after buying your entry ticket
An early clash with a strong dancer is not the end. If both are strong, both advance.
Fair draw
Meet a strong dancer in round one?
Your battle does not have to end there.
The hardest loss is one caused by an unlucky draw rather than a lack of skill. When two title contenders meet in the first preliminary round, one usually goes home immediately. THE SAUCE gives them another chance.
If both are strong, both advance
In the preliminaries and main rounds, two equally strong dancers can both move on. We do not have to eliminate one just to pick a winner.
One wildcard per judge
Each judge can use it once to send a dancer who lost but deserves another chance straight into the next round.
We keep opportunities open so skill, rather than luck, decides who goes through.
Before you enter
Questions you may have before entering
“I'm a salsa dancer. Will street dancers have an advantage?”
The same balance works for you. Latin judges have equal weight, and this is a rhythm battle, not a technical discipline contest.
“Is it over if I meet a favorite in round one?”
No. Both dancers can advance if both are strong, and each judge has one wildcard. See the fair-draw safeguards
“Is the judging fair?”
Sunday's final combines judges (60%) with audience QR votes (40%). From the TOP 16 to the championship, decisions are made in front of and with the audience. Neither side controls the entire result.
“Can I come alone? I don't know anyone.”
Many people come on their own. You can meet others naturally at the first evening's social. Read the practical solo-visit guide
“How are prizes paid, including to overseas entrants?”
Prize collection, tax handling, and international transfers will be officially finalized and announced in January 2027. We are preparing payment options for overseas entrants too. Until then, contact the official channels and we will answer your questions.
“What can I do for the three days if I'm eliminated?”
See the official event guide for programs beyond the battle. Performance details will be announced once confirmed. View battle + 3-day full pass
Overview
Wherever you come from, the starting line is the same
Street or salsa makes no difference. Three days of battles, with one dancer left at the end.
Crossover
Salsa × freestyle crossover
Street, Latin/salsa, and all-style dancers are welcome in this boundary-breaking battle. Compete through rhythm, whatever your genre.
Battle
Friday prelims · Saturday main rounds · Sunday final
Three days, April 23–25, 2027. Sunday's main final runs from the TOP 16 to the championship on one main stage.
Prize
$13,000 total · $7,000 first prize
The main rounds are 1v1 battles. Advance registration is open to all genres.
PRACTICE
Get the battle music in advance
The practice room has the battle music: 800 salsa tracks and 800 freestyle tracks. Playback starts at the segment used in the battle. Practice the stage format with six turns of 60 seconds dancing and 3 seconds rest.
800 + 800
Salsa · freestyle tracks
60s / 3s
60s dancing, 3s rest · 6 turns
0
No sign-up or payment needed
thesauce.sidf.kr · opens in a new tab
Rules
How the three days unfold
Start with Friday's preliminaries and crown the winner in Sunday's main final. Check the key rules, then choose your ticket.
- Genre: salsa × freestyle crossover — street, Latin, and all styles welcome
- Entry: all genres · advance registration · check registration details after buying your entry ticket
- Main rounds: 1v1 battles
- Byes: advance to the next round if there is no opponent or your opponent does not answer the call
- Sunday final judging: judges 60% + audience votes 40% (via QR)
- Championship tie: extra round or judges' decision (announced on site)
- Judging panel: a mix of leading street and Latin/salsa dancers
Detailed rules and operations may change during preparation. Final details will be announced through official channels.
FRI
Advance registration & preliminaries
After check-in, preliminaries run on several battle stages at once. Judges work in groups to select the main-round dancers. If two strong dancers meet early, both can advance. Each judge also has one wildcard.
SAT
Main tournament
Simultaneous 1v1 battles select the TOP 16 for Sunday. Joint advancement and wildcards are also available here, so an unlucky draw does not eliminate strong dancers too early.
SUN
Main final · ticketed audience
From the TOP 16 to the championship, one stage with a ticketed audience. Results combine judges' scores (60%) and audience votes (40%), followed by judges' performances and the awards ceremony. Sunday is a straight knockout tournament with no reprieves.
SIDF 2026 Sunday Sauce Battle photo 275
YouTube
THE SAUCE YouTube
Sunday Final
You don't have to dance.
Just come and watch.
Sunday's main final brings the TOP 16 through the championship to one stage, ending with judges' performances and the awards ceremony. One thing sets it apart: The audience decides 40% of the result through QR votes. Your ticket lets you take part in the outcome, not just watch.
To watch the battle, use a Sunday pass · VIP pass · battle spectator ticket — any one of these gives you admission.
Tickets
Just the battle, or all three days?
Battle + 3-day full passis worth a look first. Check each product's details for included programs. Performance details will be announced once confirmed. You'll already be in Seoul for three days. After Friday's preliminaries, will you head straight back to your accommodation?
To enter only the battle, choose a standalone ticket with Battle or TheSauce in its name.
Loading tickets.
1st prize $7,000.
Genre is just an excuse.