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.
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
In this guide 6 sections
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saturday: near the Convention Center
1
ActivitiesTampa RiverwalkTop Activities pickTampa's signature downtown waterfront trail with skyline views and events
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3
Friday: around The RITZ Ybor
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2
3
4
FoodGaspar's Grotto
Sources and verification
Details can change. Confirm current information with the source before making a special trip.
- City of Tampa: National Final announcement
- Eventbrite: National Final tickets
- The RITZ Ybor: Battle Day
- Eventbrite: Battle Day RSVP
- Visit Tampa Bay: event listing and Top 16
- Creative Loafing Tampa: this week's events
- Red Bull: 2025 USA National Final recap
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
$10 for $20 of cafe dining50% offBrown Bag Coffee CompanyBuy on Clipp, show it at Brown Bag Coffee Company. Rotates weekly — can sell out.
TampaGet certificateEnds Sep 28
$15 for $30 of casual dining50% offChez LeonBuy on Clipp, show it at Chez Leon. Rotates weekly — can sell out.
TampaGet certificateEnds Sep 28
$20 for $40 of casual dining50% offDip and HappyBuy on Clipp, show it at Dip and Happy. Rotates weekly — can sell out.
TampaGet certificateEnds Sep 28
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.
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