young ballet stars in Helsinki

The 10th Helsinki International Ballet Competition will be held at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet from 28 May to 5 June 2026.

The competition program consists of both classical and contemporary repertoire. In First Round all competitors present classical variations and in Second Round a contemporary piece. In the final round competitors will perform both classical variations and contemporary dance.

HIBC has three divisions: junior division (age 15 to 18), young professional division (age 19 to 21) and senior division (age 22 to 25).

Javier Torres, the Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet is the President of the HIBC Jury. 

The organizer of HIBC is the Helsinki International Ballet Competition Association. The chair of the board is Hannele Niiranen-Mattsson. 

Read more about the competition at ibchelsinki.fi.

This is a guest performance, and the terms and conditions for guest performances apply. You can learn more by reading our sales and delivery terms and conditions.

competition programme

28 to 30 May 2026 First Round / Almi Hall
1 to 2 June 2026 Second Round and Choreography competition / Almi Hall
3 to 4 June 2026 Finals / Main Stage                            
5 June 2026 Gala and Prize Ceremony / Main Stage

pricing

tickets and performances

Discussions

Turnouts

Discussions about topics related to ballet competitions and dance professionalism. The free events held at the Opera House are open to everyone interested. You can find out more about the speakers on the competition’s website.

The significance of competing in ballet

Thu 28.5. 17.45–18.30, Almi Hall Foyer
Minna Tervamäki, Former Chair of the HIBC Association
Hannele Niiranen-Mattsson, Chair of the HIBC  Association

How do figure skating and ballet competitions differ?

Fri 29.5. 17.45–18.30, Almi Hall Foyer
Mila Kajas, Figure skater, Communications Manager
Hannu Hyttinen, Vice Chair of the HIBC Association

Work of the HIBC Jury

Sat 30.5. 17.45–18.30, Almi Hall Foyer
Javier Torres, Chair of the HIBC Jury
Jenny Jägerhorn, Journalist

The discussion offers a glimpse behind the closed doors of the Jury’s work: what happens when technical precision meets artistic vision? The Chair of the Jury opens up the criteria by which the stars of the future are distinguished from the rest, and how an international Jury reaches consensus behind the scoring. The discussion also explores how tradition and contemporary demands are reflected in the Jury’s evaluations. How does the Jury assess a dancer’s maturity, musicality, and ability to carry the classical heritage, while at the same time seeking something new and a fresh interpretation?

How to support healthy body image in ballet education and in professional life

Mon 1.6. 17.45–18.30, Almi Hall Foyer
Johanna Osmala, Lead Physiotherapist of the Finnish National Ballet

Ballet & Creativity

Wed 3.6. 17.45–18.30, Main Foyer
Javier Torres, Artistic Director of the Finnish National Ballet
Riikka Mäkikoskela, Head of Radical Creativity,  Aalto University

How can creativity be encouraged in an environment with a strong tradition of aesthetic values and technical excellence?

You ask, we answer!

Thu 4.6. 17.45–18.30, Main Foyer

Host Liisa Vihmanen, Journalist
Jarmo Ahonen, Physiotherapist, Author and Coach
Anni Martinsén,  Dancer, Finnish National Ballet
Emmi Max Pennanen, Dancer, Tero Saarinen Company
Satu Ristlakki,Principal,  Ballet School  of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet
Nicholas Ziegler, Coordinator of the Youth Company of the Finnish National Ballet

You can leave your questions in the box in the Main Foyer or the Almi Hall Foyer, or in the question box of competition’s Instagram Stories @ibchelsinki. You can direct your question to a specific person or to everyone. You ask, we answer!

the keys to an entertaining evening