RULES

BASIC PROVISIONS
 

1.1. The competitor must be over 18 years old. 
 

1.2. The competitor must comply with all requirements set by the organizers and their representatives, and follow the rules and procedures throughout the preparation and during the competition.  
 

1.3. Judges and organizers reserve the right to disqualify a competitor who violates a rule at any time during the competition. 
 

1.4. The judges’ decision is final and cannot be appealed.
 

1.5. Competitors are not allowed to be under the influence of alcohol or narcotic substances, including prescription pain medication classified as narcotics. Smoking, consuming alcoholic beverages, and using narcotic substances are strictly prohibited in locker rooms and throughout the facilities during the competition period. Access to locker rooms is restricted to competitors and individuals authorized by the organizational team. “Competition period” is defined in §1.13.
 

1.6. The duration of the music for Temptation, Desire, Obsession, Addiction, Duo and Group is from 3:00 to 4:00 minutes, and for Floor Play from 2:30 to 3:00 minutes. The time of the music file is counted from the first musical tone to the last musical tone. If the competitor starts before the music begins or continues performing after it ends, that portion will not be judged. If the music is shorter or longer than the allowed duration, a five (5) point deduction will be applied by the Head Judge. 

Music containing racist or discriminatory content is strictly prohibited. The assessment of such content is at the discretion of the organizers and the Head Judge, and the use of such content will result in disqualification. The music must be sent to the organizers in its correct and final draft before September 30th 11:59 PM. If not submitted within the allotted time, competitors may receive an additional 24-hour extension for a penalty fee of 550SEK. Failure to submit within this additional time will result in disqualification. No refunds will be made.
 

1.7. The competitors must go on stage to present their program according to the order of performances announced by the organizers. Skipping one’s turn or delaying going on stage (for any reason), entailing a delay in the program of the event, is regarded as a refusal to perform and entails disqualification.
 

1.8. The registration at the venue on the day of the competition must happen within the given time limit. If the competitor is late, they will be disqualified.
 

1.9. The competitor has the right to refuse to perform for any reason at any time. No refunds will be made regarding any fees. A no-show or last-minute withdrawal (within two weeks of the competition) without a valid reason—such as major accidents, death of a family member, canceled flights, or illness with a medical certificate—will result in prohibition from entering the competition the following year. No refunds will be issued. 
 

1.10. The Head Judge reserves the right to apply penalties at any point during the competition, or afterwards, if they deem so necessary. Should this result in a change in podium position, the organizer will amend and award the medals correctly as necessary. Please note that penalties and disqualification may be applied both during and after the competition.
 

1.11. If a competitor performs prohibited tricks for their division during their routine they will be given a five-point deduction (-5) and the Head Judge reserves the right to judge them in accordance with a higher division.
 

1.12. There is a zero-tolerance policy for harassment and/or derogatory comments towards other competitors, judges or crew members before, during and after the competition. Violating this rule will result in immediate disqualification and may result in prohibition from entering the upcoming editions of the competition.
 

1.13. ”The competition” refers to the period from when the competitor registers at the venue until the prize ceremony concludes on the day of the competition.

COSTUME AND IMAGE
 

2.1. Specialized shoes (strips) are mandatory. For the division Temptation, Desire, Obsession, Addiction, Duo and Group the height of the heel must be at least 7” (inches). For the floor play category, the minimum heel height is 5” (inches). There are no restrictions on shoe style: sandals, boots, knee/thigh-high are all allowed. 

2.2. It is allowed to remove clothing during the routine. Nipple exposure is permitted, however, genitalia must remain covered at all times. 

2.3. It is not allowed to display any advertising on costumes or props.

2.4. It is allowed to perform in gloves, wristbands on the hands and feet, as well as in knee pads. It is also allowed to use sports tape.
 

2.5. It is forbidden to use costumes, including any costume parts, made out of spikes and other sharp objects.

2.6. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other metal accessories that might damage the pole are prohibited (§4.5). Secure, non‑sharp metal components that are integrated into the outfit or hairstyle (e.g., round metal rings, decorative hardware, standard shoe hooks) are permitted, provided that they are firmly attached and do not have sharp edges or points that could damage the poles. If a competitor is unsure whether an accessory is permitted, they may email a photo to the organizers for confirmation.
 

2.7. Body paint and/or body glitter that might transfer and cannot be cleaned up within one (1) minute after the performance is prohibited.
 

2.8. All hairstyles, head ornaments and headwear are allowed.

​

RULES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO

​

3.1. Photography and filming without prior consent from the competitor are prohibited. No photos or videos may be taken of any individual without their permission (§3.3). GDPR regulations apply to all photography and filming. An exception applies to filming or photographing the judges’ showcases, the host, the venue, and exhibitors, provided that this does not interfere with the event or block the view of others.
 

3.2. If the competitor wants their performance filmed, they may designate one person in the audience to do so. It is essential that the person filming does not obstruct the view of judges, professional photographers, or other audience members. The competitor is responsible for informing the designated person about all filming rules.

3.3. All performances will be professionally filmed and photographed with the possibility for competitors to obtain copies for an administration fee. Competitors who do NOT wish to have their routine filmed and photographed must notify the Scandinavian Scandal team no later than September 30th. 
 

3.4. By agreeing to having the routine filmed and photographed at Scandinavian Scandal the competitors agree for the organizers and sponsors to use filmed and photographed material for promotional and commercial purposes, including social media. Their name will not be used, only the filmed and photographed material. 

OTHER PROVISIONS

​

4.1. The day before the competition and during the competition, the use of moisturizing lotions, creams and bronzers, etc. is prohibited.
 

4.2. It is allowed to use means to improve grip, except wax and resins that are hard to clean from the poles.
 

4.3. It is prohibited to use open fire and pyrotechnics during the performance. 
 

4.4. The competitor may ask for assistance with decorations and/or props on stage. Only individuals authorized by the organizers (such as Scandal Crew members) may assist with setting up and removing props.
The maximum allowed use of props during a routine is 30 seconds, including furniture or other large equipment.
 

4.5. Props such as chains may be used, provided that they are not sharp and do not touch the poles. Weapons such as axes or swords may be used as props, provided that they do not pose a safety risk. Firearms and any projectile weapons are strictly prohibited. 
 

4.6. The competitor will have a maximum of 1 minute before and 1 minute after the performance to install and remove all decorations from the stage.
If the installation and removal of decorations exceeds one (1) min, or affects the following routine, a five (5) point deduction will be made by the Head Judge.
 

4.7. The use of any liquids during the performance is strictly prohibited.
 

4.8. Racial, ethnic, religious or other forms of discrimination are strictly prohibited, including offensive language or gestures. The assessment of such behavior is at the discretion of the organizers and the Head Judge, and violations will result in disqualification.
 

4.9. At the end of the competition the competitors will receive a slip showing their average score from the five judges. If the competitor has received deductions they will be followed by a written comment. No other written or verbal feedback will be given.
 

4.10. The top-3 placement will be announced on stage during the competition and on social media after the competition.
 

4.11. The organizers are not responsible for any possible injuries sustained during the event. All competitors must have insurance at the time of the event. The competitor takes full responsibility for their life and health during the competition. Participation is at the competitor’s own risk.
 

4.12. If, before the raffle, a competitor realizes that they have applied to a division for which they are overqualified*, they may request to move to a higher division by emailing the organizers at info@scandinavianscandal.com. An administrative fee of 550 SEK per division change applies. 

*Overqualified: A competitor whose experience, competitive background, or performance level exceeds the eligibility criteria for the selected division.
 

4.13. If, after the raffle, a competitor is found to be overqualified* for the division they applied to, a five (5) point deduction will be applied by the Head Judge, and the competitor’s performance will be judged in accordance with the higher division’s criteria. The competitor may retain their starting position in the originally entered division. 

This rule applies in order to ensure fairness to all competitors after the raffle and performance order have been finalized.

*Overqualified: A competitor whose experience, competitive background, or performance level exceeds the eligibility criteria for the selected division.

4.14. By paying the participation fee, the competitor agrees to all of the above rules and regulations.