• All entries are adjudicated by three to four qualified judges. When four judges are present, the lowest score is always dropped, and the three remaining scores are tallied. In the event of a tie, with four judges, the dropped score is then added to try and break the tie. In the rare instance where a judge misses a section due to flight delays or illness, the third score will consist of the average score from the other two judges.

• Judge's Pick, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, High Silver & Silver awards are determined by the following scores:

• All Judge’s Pick, Platinum, High Gold, Gold, and High Silver award winners will be eligible for Press Play Nationals 2026.
• Routines performing for Critique Only or Performance Only will not receive an adjudicated award.

Age Division Placement Awards

• Competitive 1st through 10th place awards will be presented to the highest scoring solos in the PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior and Open age divisions.
• Likewise, competitive 1st through 5th place awards will be presented to the highest scoring Duo/Trio, Small Group, Large Group, Line and Extended Line routines in each age division.
• The highest scoring Solo & Duo/Trio winners will receive FREE entry, for that routine, at Press Play Nationals 2026.

Performance Division Placement Awards

• Overall High Scores (by Performance Division) will receive a competitive 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place award. These awards will be given to the highest scoring routine in the Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, Contemporary Ballet, Musical Theatre, Hip-Hop, Ballroom, Specialty, Acro, Improvisation and Production performance divisions within the PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior & Open age divisions.

Greatest Hits

• Select routines from the PeeWee, Mini, Junior, Teen, Senior, and Open divisions will be recognized by the judges as Greatest Hits. These awards celebrate routines that not only showcase outstanding technical skill but also deliver exceptional entertainment value.

Studio Standouts

• At the conclusion of the competition, one standout routine from each studio will be selected by consensus of the judges as a Studio Standout. This is the performance that made the most memorable impact through creativity, performance quality, or overall impression, though it may or may not be the studio’s highest-scoring routine. Depending on the city’s schedule, Studio Standout routines may also be invited to perform in The Rewind, our high-energy Closing Show.
• To be eligible for Studio Standout recognition, studios must enter at least 15 routines, including a minimum of seven group routines featuring four or more dancers. Selected routines must fall under the Small Group, Large Group, Line, or Extended Line categories.
• Each Studio Standout winner will receive free entry for that routine at Press Play Nationals 2026.

Versatility Award

• Presented to the studio with the highest overall score that also demonstrated the greatest range of genres throughout the competition. This award celebrates adaptability, range, and artistic diversity.

STUDIO SPIRIT AWARD

• Awarded to the studio that best exemplifies positive spirit, respect, encouragement, and teamwork both during classes and throughout the competition, as chosen by the Press Play staff.

The Press Play creative team is hard at work reimagining competition Awards presentations and ceremonies.

Stay tuned for exciting updates!