La Madrugada Marathon&Festival&Cup
From September 30 to October 4, we invite you to Istanbul for a new edition of La Madrugada Marathon, Festival and Cup, where dancers from all over the world come together for an exceptional tango experience.
This year, we are delighted to host you at a 5-star venue, Crowne Plaza Oryapark Istanbul, offering a perfect balance of elegance, comfort, and convenience. With high-quality dance floors, spacious halls, and premium accommodation, every detail is designed to provide a smooth, relaxed, and enjoyable experience from the first tanda to the last.
Our mission remains the same: to create an atmosphere where musicality, connection, and the true spirit of social tango are at the center.
An outstanding lineup of internationally renowned dance couples will join us, not only with inspiring performances but also by sharing the dance floor with all participants throughout the event.
As always, La Madrugada will also feature the unique “La Madrugada vs Social” showcase, bringing together maestros and carefully selected social dancers to create one of the most special moments of the weekend.
The countdown has already begun.
Secure your place and be part of an unforgettable tango journey in Istanbul.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Warm regards,
The La Madrugada Team
Maestros&Maestras
Cast
La Madrugada vs Social
Sunday night, we will bid farewell to La Madrugada with an unforgettable event. Our maestros will enchant us with their shows throughout the evening, making it a mesmerizing experience on stage!
Among the participants of the La madrugada '26 marathon, we will randomly select our social tango friends, and they will each present one song show with our this year's cast! Reserve your spots now to ensure you don't miss the exciting raffle draw and the spectacular performances at the Sunday night milonga!
Event Venue
Crowne Plaza Oryapark
La Madrugada takes the tango experience to the next level. Enjoy unforgettable tango moments in Istanbul at the elegant Crowne Plaza Oryapark, where comfort meets high-level dancing.
📍 Located in a modern and easily accessible area of Istanbul, offering convenience and a smooth event experience from start to finish.
🏨 A 5-star hotel experience with everything under one roof, no commuting, no stress, just dance, rest, and repeat.
💎 Spacious ballrooms, high-quality dance floors, and a refined atmosphere designed for long nights of dancing.
🛌 Premium accommodation and relaxation areas to keep you comfortable and energized throughout the event.
Owl Cup
La Madrugada Championship
Owl Cup is the official tango competition of the La Madrugada festival. The competition is designed to evaluate dancers across different tango styles, focusing on technique, musical interpretation, connection, and stage presence. All performances will be evaluated by an international jury composed of experienced tango professionals.
This year, Owl Cup will feature the following competition categories: Tango Salon (Professional), Tango Salon (Social), Tango Escenario, Tango Nuevo, Tango Vals, Tango Milonga, Solo Milonguero, Multi-Style (Tango, Milonga, Vals), Tango Barre, and Tango Variation.
In each category, the top three couples or participants will receive a Full Pass for La Madrugada 2027. In addition, the winner of the Tango Salon (Professional) category will be invited to perform in a special show on Thursday evening during La Madrugada 2027. Additional sponsor prizes and special awards will be announced at a later stage.
Depending on the number of registered participants, the competition may include preliminary rounds, semi-finals, and finals. Results will be determined based on the average scores given by the jury in each round, and all jury decisions are final. The evaluation criteria generally include musicality, partner connection, technical control, movement quality, creativity, floorcraft, and stage presence.
The Tango Salon (Professional) category is intended for professional dancers and is based entirely on improvisation. Couples will dance together with other couples on the floor and are expected to respect the ronda and navigate the dance floor appropriately. Judges will evaluate the quality of the embrace, walking technique, musical interpretation, improvisational ability, and floor navigation. Lifts, acrobatic elements, and stage figures are not permitted in this category.
The Tango Salon (Social) category represents the essence of social tango dancing. The focus is on a natural, comfortable, and connection-oriented style suitable for the milonga environment. Evaluation is based on partner connection, walking quality, musicality, and the ability to move harmoniously within the flow of the dance floor.
The Tango Escenario category is dedicated to stage tango. Participants may perform choreographed routines and include stage-oriented elements, dramatic movements, and technically demanding figures. Judges will consider choreography, technical difficulty, artistic expression, musical interpretation, and stage presence.
The Tango Nuevo category represents the modern vocabulary of tango. Dancers may use a more flexible embrace, innovative structures, and contemporary musical interpretations. Evaluation will focus on creativity, technical control, partner connection, and the relationship with the music.
In the Tango Vals category, dancers interpret the rhythm of tango vals through flowing and circular movement. Judges will evaluate musical phrasing, fluidity of turns, rhythmic interpretation, and the harmony between partners.
The Tango Milonga category emphasizes rhythm, speed, and playfulness. The dance should reflect the energetic and rhythmic character of milonga. Evaluation focuses on rhythmic clarity, footwork, musical interpretation, and partner coordination.
The Solo Milonguero category is an individual competition. Participants may dance with different partners, but they are evaluated individually. Judges will focus on personal technique, musicality, adaptability, and the ability to create connection with different partners.
The Multi-Style category tests dancers’ versatility across three tango styles: tango, milonga, and vals. Participants will be evaluated on their ability to adapt technically and musically to the distinct character of each style.
The Tango Barre category focuses on technical control, balance, and body awareness inspired by tango training techniques. Dancers will be evaluated through movements and combinations that require precision, posture control, and balance.
The Tango Variation category focuses on fast and technically precise footwork sequences. Evaluation will consider speed, clarity, rhythmic accuracy, technical precision, and musical interpretation.
Accommodation
Crowne Plaza Istanbul Oryapark offers comfortable accommodation with breakfast included. Guests can enjoy complimentary access to the indoor swimming pool, spa and wellness facilities, including sauna and steam room, as well as the fully equipped fitness center.
All rooms are designed for comfort and convenience, featuring air conditioning, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, a flat-screen TV, a work desk and a laptop-size safe. Soundproofed rooms and modern bathrooms with complimentary toiletries ensure a relaxing stay.
