World Dance Crew Championship gets government funding

The World Dance Crew Championship has been established by Studio23 and the Major Events Group. After a run of regional qualifiers taking place around the world this year, the inaugural world championship is expected to attract at least 2,000 international participants, supporters, and officials to New Zealand in April 2025, with crews being invited to compete from more than 40 countries. 

The Major Events Fund is contributing $750,000 to the 2025 World Dance Crew Championship, which is expected to generate approximately $4 million into the New Zealand economy, $1 million of which is set for host city Auckland. 

MBIE’s Manager Major Events Kylie Hawker-Green says, “The investment in the World Dance Crew Championship is the largest to date from the Major Events Fund for a locally run major arts event with ambitious international prospects. 

“On top of the immediate social and economic benefits, the World Dance Crew Championship aspires to grow the value of its locally owned intellectual property. It has the potential to attract future and ongoing international sponsorship and investment and could even be exported overseas with international licensing agreements.” 

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) is also investing $750,000 to the new event, building on TAU and MBIE’s successful history of funding and delivering major international events, including the most FIFA Women’s World Cup and World Choir Games. 

“Auckland has a thriving hip hop dance scene and is home to some of the best dancers in the world,” Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Head of Major Events Michelle Hooper says. 

“We are immensely proud to be investing in World Dance Crew Championship 2025 as this funding not only supports a new world-class and home-grown event but also aligns with our mission to enrich Auckland’s cultural fabric and boost our local economy.”

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited works to bring the best of hip hop dance to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland(external link) — Tātaki Auckland Unlimited