HOW DO THE WARRIOR EDITION BATTLES WORK?

This year, we teaming up with SNIPES for The Warrior Edition! Here, we break down how The Warrior Edition Battles work. You can read the steps below and/or watch our battle explainer video!

PRESELECTIONS: 
Everyone is welcome at the Preselections, whether you're participating or simply there to enjoy the vibe. Dancers hit the floor and get 45 seconds to show what they’ve got. After that, the three judges select the Top 48 dancers, who each get one more minute to impress and earn a spot in the Top 24 that advance to the battles.

Please note the Top 48 schedule per style:
➤ Locking & Waacking: Top 48 takes place on Preselection day.
➤ House Dance & Hiphop: Top 48 takes place on Battle day.
➤ Popping: Preselection and Battle (including Top 48) both happen on the same day.

BATTLES:
In the Battles, the Top 24 dancers go head-to-head in 1vs1 rounds, battling their way through the Top 12, Top 6, and ultimately the Top 3. These Top 3 dancers then face off against the 3 judges, who step onto the floor themselves in the legendary Judge Battles. This is what sets Summer Dance Forever apart: our judges don’t just sit behind a desk, they get in the mix and battle too. Don’t talk about it — be about it!

THE WARRIOR EDITION:
This year, SDF and SNIPES are bringing back the Warrior Edition! Before reaching the Judge Battles, the Top 6 dancers must first take on six warriors — former winners, finalists, and judges. And if that isn’t hard enough, the warriors themselves choose which dancers they want to battle. If a dancer makes it through to the Judge Battles, the power shifts back to them: they choose which judge they want to face. After the Judge Battles, three dancers remain. One dancer then gets to call back an eliminated opponent to complete the Semi-Final line-up.

AUDIENCE VOTE:
You, the audience at Paradiso Amsterdam, play a vital role. In the Semi-Finals and Final, the dancers themselves answer the legendary question: Did you win or lose? But if both dancers claim the win, the final decision is in your hands. You help crown the Forever Warrior champion, who earns prize money, eternal glory, and the chance to judge at a future edition.