The 2025 World Cup Universal Open Dance Festival, bringing together elite dancers from 36 countries and regions to showcase their dance artistry, is set to kick off on Aug 17 in Nanshan district, Shenzhen, Guangdong province.

The weeklong festival, organized by the Guangdong Youth Sports Federation and the Guangdong Dance Sport Council, will also feature events such as the World Cup Dance Camp, Diamond Ball, Professional Ballroom World Championship and dance showcases.

The dance camp, which invites 21 internationally renowned dancers to conduct master classes, aims to better prepare contestants for the championship.

Among them are Latin dance stars like Micheal Stylianos and Sergey Surkov, Victor Nikovskiy from Russia, as well as ballroom masters such as Italian dancers Andrea Ghigiarelli and Pino William and Australian dancer Donna Shingler.

Last year, the festival, an international IP-level dance competition promoting cultural and tourism integration, made its debut in Nanshan, which is not only a hub for high-tech industries but also a coastal tourism destination boasting beautiful seaside sceneries.