Skip to main content
Wayfind guide Tampa

Red Bull Dance Your Style Tampa 2026: The Weekend Guide

The USA National Final lands at the Tampa Convention Center on Saturday, September 19. Times, tickets, the Top 16, the free Friday kickoff in Ybor, and where to eat and drink nearby.

A street dancer drops low mid battle while a seated crowd watches and films
Illustrative photo. A freestyle street dance battle with the crowd close to the floor. Not taken at Red Bull Dance Your Style or in Tampa, and no competitor in the 2026 final is pictured.Image: Ilja TulitUnsplash License
By Gabriel Pereira · Published 2026-09-16 · Updated 2026-09-16 · How we rank ›

Gabriel Pereira is the creator of Wayfind. His work focuses on helping people choose what to do in Florida based on where they are, who they are with, and the time they have.

The crowd votes every battle, but Friday's free night in Ybor is the only place to see the bracket first.

Tampa decides who represents the USA in Zurich this weekend. The Red Bull Dance Your Style USA National Final comes to the Tampa Convention Center on Saturday, September 19, the first time Tampa Bay has hosted it. Sixteen street dancers go one on one in an all styles bracket, the DJ drops songs nobody rehearsed, and there is no judging panel: the audience votes after every battle. The champion heads to the World Final in Zurich on October 24. If you only have one night, make it Saturday. If you want the whole culture, start Friday in Ybor.

THE WEEKEND AT A GLANCE

Saturday final
Sept 19, Tampa Convention Center
Saturday times
Doors 6:30 PM / Battles 8 PM / Ends about 10 PM
Tickets
From $10.50 on Eventbrite, all ages
Friday kickoff
Sept 18, The RITZ Ybor, doors 5 PM
Friday entry
Free RSVP, capacity decides entry
Who decides
The crowd, after every battle

Choose quickly

Only one nightSaturday's National FinalFree and earlyFriday's Battle DayKnow the fieldThe 16 dancers
In this guide 6 sections
Wayfind may earn a commission from partner links in this guide. It never changes our rankings: every pick is here on merit, and we say so when something isn't worth your money.
01
The move

Saturday: the National Final

Tampa Convention Center, 333 S Franklin St. Doors open at 6:30 PM and the battles start at 8 PM, and Eventbrite lists the night ending at 10 PM. It is all ages with paid parking, and Eventbrite lists tickets from $10.50. R&B star Omarion is the showcase act, Tampa dance leaders K-Sole and Myverse host, and Tampa based DJ Hans runs the music.

Insider note — Arrive near the 6:30 doors, not at 8. You settle in before the first battle and watch the room fill up.

02
Free kickoff

Friday: Battle Day at The RITZ Ybor

The RITZ Ybor, 1503 E 7th Ave. Doors at 5 PM, prelims at 6:30, battle night at 8:30, then Saturday's Top 16 bracket reveal and an after party with Rhythm N' Roots. Expect Team Americas vs Team World, a 5v5 exhibition with 2025 World Final winner Jaira Joy, and a Battle Royale judged by Miss Funk, The Crown and Hex. Eventbrite lists it running to 1 AM.

Insider note — The RSVP is free but does not guarantee entry, so get there close to the 5 PM doors.

03
The format

How the crowd picks the winner

Nobody performs a routine they practiced for months. The DJ picks the songs live, and each dancer has to interpret a track they did not choose, in their own style. Popping, krump, vogue, house and Bharatanatyam fusion can all land on the same song. After each battle the audience votes, and that vote decides who advances.

Insider note — Vote for the round in front of you, not the biggest name on the bracket.

04
The field

The 16 dancers in the final

Visit Tampa Bay lists the Top 16 as Kidd The Monster, King Havoc, Marlee Hightower, JREAMZ, Lily Frias, Fantaye, Noahlot, Caho, Janiya Jaggers, Passion, Jesse Sykes, Una, Rylee Prodigy, Surge, KiiLo and Harini. SonLam, who won the last two USA finals in Atlanta and San Francisco, is not in this year's field, so Tampa crowns a new national champion. First round matchups are revealed Friday night.

Insider note — Matchups are not public until the Friday reveal, so skip any bracket you see before then.

05
The local angle

Florida's stake in the final

No Tampa dancer made the 16, but Florida is well represented. Orlando's Motiv Crew founder Marlee Hightower and crew member Fantaye are in the field, along with Pompano Beach born Kidd the Monster. Tampa's own K-Sole, Myverse and DJ Hans run the room, and the weekend also features a workshop led by Jacksonville raised Amari Marshall and a 5v5 exhibition with Tampa born Yoe.

Insider note — Saturday afternoon workshops at Hotel Haya in Ybor require registration.

06
Make it a night

Eat and drink around the weekend

The Convention Center sits on the Tampa Riverwalk, so dinner, the final and drinks after are all walkable once you park. Harpoon Harry's Crab House is steps from the venue for a pre show dinner. On Friday, stay on 7th Avenue in Ybor before the doors open. The cards below are live Wayfind picks around both venues.

Insider note — Park once on Saturday and walk the Riverwalk after the final.

AROUND THE BATTLES

Live Wayfind picks near both venues.

Open Wayfind for more around downtown Tampa.

Saturday: near the Convention Center

    • 1
      ActivitiesTampa Riverwalk
      5.6k reviews
      Top Activities pick
      Tampa's signature downtown waterfront trail with skyline views and events
    • 2
      22k reviews
      Top Activities pick
      TicketsKlook
    • 3
      4.7k reviews
      Top Food pick

Friday: around The RITZ Ybor

    • 1
      22.2k reviews
      Top Food pick
      Florida's oldest restaurant, on St. Armands Circle since 1959
    • 2
      5.3k reviews
      Top Food pick
    • 3
      1.4k reviews
      Top Food pick

Sources and verification

Details can change. Confirm current information with the source before making a special trip.

Researched using the City of Tampa, Eventbrite, The RITZ Ybor, Creative Loafing Tampa, Visit Tampa Bay and Red Bull, checked on September 16, 2026, plus Wayfind place inventory.

Live right now in Tampa

Offers come from our own deal registry and are checked against their expiry before they render. Some links earn Wayfind a commission; it never changes what we list or the order.

Good to know

When is Red Bull Dance Your Style in Tampa?

The USA National Final is Saturday, September 19, 2026 at the Tampa Convention Center. Doors open at 6:30 PM and battles start at 8 PM. The free Battle Day kickoff is Friday, September 18 at The RITZ Ybor, with doors at 5 PM.

How much are Red Bull Dance Your Style tickets?

Eventbrite lists National Final tickets from $10.50. Friday's Battle Day is a free RSVP, but entry depends on venue capacity.

Who performs at the National Final?

Omarion is the showcase act. Tampa dance leaders K-Sole and Myverse host, and Tampa based DJ Hans plays the battles.

Is it all ages?

Eventbrite lists the National Final as all ages, with paid parking.

Nothing to book here — this one is just worth doing. Open it in Wayfind for hours and directions.
Next: The Best Cuban Sandwich in Tampa: Where the Original Still Lives

Keep exploring near Tampa

Every one of these is a ranked list, not a directory page.

Know someone this would help? Send it to them — they'll get the same picks, ranked from where they are.

Take this guide with you

One email with these picks, plus what changes in Tampa — new openings, closures, and what locals are actually doing. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Planning the rest of your trip? Wayfind ranks every restaurant, attraction, and hotel near you with live hours and honest scores, and our Tampa culture guide covers what to eat, say, and never skip.