Ultimate Battle Rivalskool Africa Returns to Johannesburg in July 2025

Ultimate Battle Rivalskool Africa 2025: Johannesburg Gears Up for Explosive Dance Finals

The stage is set for the International Finals of the Ultimate Battle Rivalskool Africa, returning to The Cirk at Cresta Shopping Centre on July 11–12, 2025. This high-energy dance event celebrates street culture, movement, and creativity, uniting dancers from across Southern Africa and beyond.

This marks Johannesburg’s second time hosting the prestigious international showdown. In 2025, the event expands with new formats, gender-divided categories, and a full Rivalskool Africa Week—featuring workshops, talks, and training sessions.

New Additions in 2025:

• 1vs1 Women’s & Men’s Sections (Freestyle, Afro, Amapiano, Bboying)
• 1vs1 Exhibition Battles
• Rivalskool Africa Week Activities

Event Schedule

Friday, July 11 – Preselections & Playoffs
Venue: The Cirk, Cresta Shopping Centre, Randburg
Doors open: 16:00 | Start: 17:00

Saturday, July 12 – International Finals
Venue: The Cirk, Cresta Shopping Centre, Randburg
Doors open: 13:00 | Start: 14:00

Dance Categories & Judges

1vs1 Freestyle

Judges:

• Hozin (South Korea – Men’s Judge)
• Kosi aka @kce__ (Canada – Women’s Judge)

Music: All styles of Hip-Hop
Prize: €500 / R10,000 for 1st place in each gender section

1vs1 Afro

Judges:

• Eddie Love (Ghana – Men’s Judge)
• Precious Alvares (Netherlands – Women’s Judge)

Music: Afrobeats & Afro vibes
Prize: €150 / R3,000 for 1st place

1vs1 Amapiano

Judges:

• Dube Twinz (South Africa – Men’s Judge)
• Nasaa Reloaded (South Africa – Women’s Judge)

Music: Amapiano
Prize: €150 / R3,000 for 1st place

1vs1 Bboying

Judge:

• Bboy The Curse (Cape Town – Renowned member of Concrete Apostles, Brasse Vannie Kaap, HandBreakTurn)

Music: Hip-Hop & Breakbeats
Prize: €250 / R5,000 for 1st place

Confirmed Guests – Freestyle Section

Men:
Kay, Verb, Starlock, Ronaldo, Outrage, Jorline, Mew, Picasso Boogatron, Jayden, Wipax Mustangg

Women:
Leese, Shanny J, Janete, Kat, Ashlynn, Yaya, Casey, Ceejay, Mia

Each section will feature 16 dancers going head-to-head for the top podium spots.

How to Participate

Online Registration is Mandatory:
No registrations at the venue.

• Freestyle Registration
• Afro Registration
• Amapiano Registration
• Bboying Registration

Prizes

Each category offers trophies for the top 3 finishers, and cash prizes for 1st place:

• Freestyle: €500 (R10,000)
• Afro: €150 (R3,000)
• Amapiano: €150 (R3,000)
• Bboying: €250 (R5,000)

Rivalskool Africa Week

Beyond the battles, Rivalskool Africa Week offers:

• Dance workshops
• Training sessions
• Talks by industry leaders
• Networking opportunities

Stay updated on ticket info and full schedule via social media:
Instagram: @battlerivalskool

From Soweto to Seoul, from Accra to Montreal, Rivalskool Africa is building a global platform for dance culture in Africa. Don’t miss the action this July in Johannesburg — it’s more than a battle, it’s a movement.