The best couples in dancesport are competing this week for a chance to be crowned world champions at the Embassy Ballroom Championships in Irvine, California.

The prestigious event, which runs from Wednesday, Aug. 30, to Sunday, Sept. 3, has held several world title competitions throughout its existence. This year, the Embassy Ball is hosting the World Professional Championships for both American Smooth and Rhythm.

The Embassy will once again host a free lecture that you won't want to miss on Thursday, Aug. 31. This is your chance to receive free instruction from some of the world's best champions, including Forrest Vance (American Rhythm​), Nadia Eftedal (Latin), and Victor Fung and Anastasia Muravyeva (Ballroom). The lecture is scheduled to begin immediately following the daytime session at approximately 3 PM. 

Here is the schedule for this week's event. Check back on the Embassy website for updates and results. 

Wednesday Matinee (Session 1)

All times PT
 
PRO-AM & MIXED AMATEUR AMERICAN RHYTHM
9:30 AM - 4 PM -- Single Dance Events

Wednesday Evening (Session 2)

6:30 PM -- Amateur Pre Novice Ballroom
6:34 PM -- Amateur Over 35 Smooth Championship
6:40 PM -- ​Amateur Novice Ballroom
6:45 PM --​ Pro-Am Solo Exhibitions
7:15 PM --​ Pro-Am American Rhythm DanceSport Series Multi Dance Events
7:55 PM --​ World Pro-Am American Rhythm Closed Championships
8:50 PM --​ World Pro Am American Rhythm Open Championships
9:54 PM --​​ Amateur Pre Novice International Latin
9:57 PM --​​ Amateur Over 35 International Latin
10:04 PM --​​ Amateur Novice International Latin
10:25 PM --​​ World Pro Am Cabaret

Thursday Matinee (Session 3)

PRO-AM & MIXED AMATEUR AMERICAN SMOOTH
8 AM - 2:15 PM -- Single Dance Events

BDFI CONGRESS 
3 PM -- Free Lecture 

• Forrest Vance - American Rhythm​                             
  
• Nadia Eftedal- Latin        
  
• Victor Fung and Anastasia Muravyeva - Ballroom

Thursday Evening (Session 4)

5 PM --​​ Pro-Am American Smooth DanceSport Series Multi Dance Events
5:50 PM --​​ World Pro-Am American Smooth Closed Championships
8 PM --​​ World Pro-Am American Smooth Open Championships
8:56 PM --​​ Amateur Pre Champ International Ballroom
9:16 PM --​​ Amateur Masters Over 50 International Ballroom Championship
10:10 PM --​​ Professional Rising Star American Rhythm Championship -- Quarter Final
10:28 PM --​​ Amateur Pre Champ International Latin
10:34 PM --​​ Professional Rising Star International Ballroom Championship -- Semi Final
11 PM --​​ Amateur Under 21 International Ballroom Championship

Friday Matinee (Session 5) 

PRO-AM & MIXED AM INTERNATIONAL BALLROOM
7:30 AM - 2:20 PM -- Single Dance Events
2:20 PM --​​ Pro-Am DanceSport Series Multi Dance Events
3:05 PM --​​ World Pro-Am Closed Championships
5:20 PM --​​ World Pro-Am Open Championships

Friday Evening (Session 6)

8 PM --​​ Open Amateur International Ballroom Championship -- First Round
8:30 PM --​​ World Pro-Am International Ballroom Championship Finals
9:50 PM --​​ Amateur American Rhythm Championship
10 PM --​​ World Professional American Smooth Championship- Quarter Final
10:20 PM --​​ Open Professional Rising Star International Latin Championship -- Semi Final
10:55 PM --​​ United States Amateur International Ballroom Formation Championship

Saturday Matinee (Session 7)

PRO-AM & MIXED AMATUER INTERNATIONAL LATIN
7:30 AM - 1:45 PM -- Single Dance Events
1:45 PM --​ Pro-Am DanceSport Series Multi Dance Events
2:35 PM --​ World Pro-Am Closed Championships
4:25 PM --​ World Pro-Am Open Championships

Saturday Evening (Session 8) 

7:45 PM --​ Amateur International Latin Championship -- First Round
8:15 PM --​ Open Professional International Ballroom Championship -- First Round
8:45 PM --​ Amateur American Smooth Championship -- Quarter Final
9:20 PM --​ World Professional Rhythm Championship -- Quarter Final
10:55 PM --​ United States Amateur International Latin Formation Championship

Sunday Matinee (Session 9)

PRE-TEEN, JUNIOR & YOUTH COMPETITIONS
8:30 AM -- American Smooth Events
9:15 AM -- International Ballroom Events
11:10 AM -- American Rhythm Events
12:05 PM -- International Latin Events

Sunday Evening (Session 10)

7:30 PM --​ Open Professional International Latin Championship -- First Round
8:00 PM --​ Amateur Under 21 International Latin Championship -- Quarter Final
8:20 PM --​ Professional Rising Star American Smooth Championship -- Quarter Final
9 PM -- ​Top Student, Top Teacher, Top Studio Awards
9:15 PM --​ Amateur Over 35 Ballroom Championship -- Semi Final