Locking & Waacking Forever Battles 2025

Locking & Waacking Forever Forever brings together the Top 24 of the world’s best Locking ánd Waacking dancers to battle it out at Paradiso. Visitors are invited to watch the heat as dancers go head-to-head for a spot in the Top 3, where they’ll even face off against the three judges themselves.

This year, we’re flipping the script with a bold new format. Scroll down to see how it all works!

LINE-UP LOCKING FOREVER BATTLE:

Judges:
Cio
Amigo
Hurrikane

DJ's:
Lucas Benjamin
Rob Manga

Hosts:
JNM the Naked MC
John Agesilas

LINE-UP WAACKING FOREVER BATTLE:

Judges:
Boubou
Waackeisha
Axelle "Ebony" Munezero

DJ's:
Renegade
Rob Manga

Hosts:
JNM the Naked MC
John Agesilas

WANT TO PARTICIPATE?

If you want to participate in the battles, you first need to register at Paradiso and participate in the Preselections. The Top 24 best dancers from the preselection will go through to the actual battle.

Minimum age for participation is 15 years.

⮕ Registration opens Tuesday 19 August from 12:00

⮕ Preselections Locking Forever: Tuesday 19 August from 15:00 - 16:30 (doors open at 14:00)

⮕ Preselections Waacking Forever: Tuesday 19 August from 17:00 - 19:00

HOW DO THE SDF BATTLES WORK?

Preselections: Everyone is welcome at the Preselections: whether you're participating or just there to enjoy the vibe. Dancers will hit the floor and have 45 seconds to show what they've got, hoping to impress the three judges and earn a spot in the Top 24.

Battles: In the Battles, those Top 24 dancers will go head-to-head in 1vs1 rounds to reach the Top 12, Top 6, and ultimately the Top 3. They will face off against the three Judges, who step into the battle themselves: the so called legendary Judge Battles. Don't talk about it — be about it!

New! Duo-mode: This year, SDF is flipping the script with an all-new concept. From the Judge Battles on, we switch to Duo Mode - 2vs2 battles! Each Top 3 dancer and each Judge chooses a partner from the Top 24 to form a duo. Together, they’ll battle side by side for the title. Yes... a duo takes the win!

Audience vote: And you, our audience in Paradiso and online, play a vital role… In the Semi-Finals and Final, it's up to the duos themselves to answer the legendary question: Did you win or lose? But if they can’t agree, you will have the final vote to crown our Forever champions!