Categories & Divisions | International Aerial

CATEGORIES AND DIVISIONS

POLE CATEGORY
AMATEUR POLE
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL POLE
PROFESSIONAL POLE

HEELS ROYALE
(Stripper/Platform Heels are required)
AMATEUR HEELS ROYALE
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL HEELS ROYALE
PROFESSIONAL HEELS ROYALE

AERIAL CATEGORY
AMATEUR AERIAL SILK
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AERIAL SILK
PROFESSIONAL AERIAL SILK

AMATEUR AERIAL HAMMOCK
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AERIAL HAMMOCK
PROFESSIONAL AERIAL HAMMOCK

AMATEUR AERIAL HOOP
SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AERIAL HOOP
PROFESSIONAL AERIAL HOOP

CATEGORY AND DIVISION DESCRIPTIONS

POLE
This category celebrates the pure pole artist — a dancer with presence, precision, and a command of movement that makes every moment on the pole unforgettable. What truly stands out is how they merge strength, artistry, flexibility, and stamina, turning the pole into an extension of their expression.

Competitors must demonstrate mastery on both static and spinning poles, executing controlled tricks and seamless transitions while telling a story through their movement and expressing their unique identity as performers.

AMATEUR

Must be 16 years of age and above to participate in the competition. Participants below 18 years old are required to submit a signed consent letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission to compete.
Must NOT be an instructor (whether regular or interim).
Joined any pole or aerial competition in Amateur Category but never won or placed.
Category level is determined per equipment. For example, if the competitor won in

Aerial Semi-Professional level but has never competed in Pole or taught Pole classes, competitor may still compete in Amateur Pole.

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL

Must be 16 years of age and above to participate in the competition. Participants below 18 years old are required to submit a signed consent letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission to compete.
May have been an instructor (whether regular,whether regular or interim) in any pole or aerial studios.
Placed or won in any pole competition in Amateur Division – regardless of relevant category.
Category level is determined per equipment. For example, if the competitor won in Aerial Professional level but has never competed in Pole, competitor may still compete in Semi-Professional Pole.

PROFESSIONAL

Must be 16 years of age and above to participate in the competition. Participants below 18 years old are required to submit a signed consent letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission to compete.
May have been an instructor (whether regular or interim) in any pole or aerial studio.
Placed or won in any pole competition in Semi-Professional or Professional Division.

HEELS ROYALE

This category celebrates the true heels performer — someone with undeniable character, presence and X-factor. Technique matters, but the spotlight is on artistry, authenticity, and the kind of stage command that makes a performance unforgettable.

Platform heels are required, honoring the origins of pole in strip clubs and the powerful history shaped by strippers and sex workers. We not only acknowledge and respect these sensual and sexual roots — we welcome and embrace performers who carry this lineage, ensuring they are judged fairly and without bias, stigma, or moral expectation.

Routines should center on artistry and expression, allowing performers to build atmosphere, emotion, and identity through movement.

We do not box artists into genres. Performers may draw from oldschool, flow, hard, fusion, or create something entirely their own. What we’re looking for is not a label — but a Star.

AMATEUR

Must be 18 years of age and above.
Must NOT be an instructor (whether regular or interim) .
Joined any pole or aerial competition in Amateur Category but never won or placed
Competitors may compete at the Amateur level provided they have not won in any Heels competition.

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL

Must be 18 years of age and above.
May have been an instructor (whether regular, temporary or being trained as an instructor) in any pole or aerial studios.
Placed or won in any pole competition in Amateur Division – regardless of relevant category.
Competitors who won Professional Pole Art or Aerial Categories may still compete at the Semi -Professional level provided they have not won any Professional Heels Category.

PROFESSIONAL

Must be 18 years of age and above.
May have been an instructor (whether regular, temporary or being trained as an instructor) in any pole or aerial studio.
Placed or won in any pole competition in Semi-Professional or Professional Division.

AERIAL
This category celebrates aerial artists ready to showcase refined strength, control, and artistry on a single apparatus: Aerial Hammock, Aerial Silk or Aerial Hoop/Lyra. Competitors must demonstrate fully controlled tricks, clean transitions, and cohesive artistry using only one chosen apparatus.

Competitors are expected to display fully controlled sequences, seamless transitions, and intentional artistry, all while working exclusively on one apparatus. Here, your apparatus is not just equipment — it is your partner, your canvas, and the medium through which your unique aerial voice takes flight.

AMATEUR

Must be 16 years of age and above to participate in the competition. Participants below 18 years old are required to submit a signed consent letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission to compete.
Must NOT be an instructor (whether regular, temporary or being trained as an instructor) .
Joined any pole or aerial competition in Amateur Category but never won or placed.
Category level is determined per equipment. For example, if the competitor won in Pole

Semi-Professional level but has never competed in Aerial or taught Aerial classes, competitor may still compete in Amateur Aerial Category.

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL

Must be 16 years of age and above to participate in the competition. Participants below 18 years old are required to submit a signed consent letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission to compete.
May have been an instructor (whether regular, temporary or being trained as an instructor) in any pole or aerial studios.
Placed or won in any aerial competition in Amateur Division – regardless of relevant category.

Category level is determined per equipment. For example, if the competitor won in Pole Professional level but has never competed in Aerial Category, competitor may still compete in Semi-Professional Aerial Category.

PROFESSIONAL

Must be 16 years of age and above to participate in the competition. Participants below 18 years old are required to submit a signed consent letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission to compete.
May have been an instructor (whether regular, temporary or being trained as an instructor) in any pole or aerial studio.
Placed or won in any aerial competition in Semi-Professional or Professional Division.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

April 1, 2026: Submission of videos for screening
June 30, 2026: Deadline for submission of videos for screening
July 15, 2026: Announcement of Finalists

For Finalists:
August 1, 2026: Sending of Competition Kits
September 1, 2026: Deadline for submission of Music, Insurance, Photo/Video Coverage payment (optional)
October 17, 2026: Technical Dress Rehearsal/Stage Blockings
October 18, 2026: Competition Date
October 19-21, 2026: International Aerial Cup Special Workshops