The 2026 Arizona Dance Classic brought another incredible weekend of country/western and ballroom dance competition, and The Average Nomad was there to capture it. A total of 35 hours of dance video from The 2026 Arizona Dance Classic is available on YouTube (link below). From early morning heats to the evening show rounds, this year’s event delivered some standout performances on the floor.
Every division champion this year went home with more than a title — each one was awarded a custom Arizona Dance Classic championship jacket, a lasting keepsake of the win. This event also crowned the very first Arizona Dance Classic Dancehall Championship, a three-dance overall competition spanning country two-step, west coast swing, and polka, with championship belt buckles awarded to the winners. The 1st place couples in that inaugural Dancehall Championship went home with custom belt buckles from Molly’s Custom Belt Buckles, adding a great new tradition to the event’s growing list of accolades.
The event was once again held at the Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort, a property that lives up to its reputation among guests for its picturesque mountain setting and sweeping desert views. Between heats, dancers and their families took full advantage of the resort’s well-maintained pools and grounds, and it’s easy to see why so many guests describe the staff as warm, attentive, and hospitality at its finest. With spacious rooms, a relaxing atmosphere, and nearby hiking trails to unwind on, the Tapatio Cliffs Resort continues to be the perfect backdrop for a weekend of country western dance.
Video coverage from the UCWDC event, including heat-by-heat footage, is available on The Average Nomad YouTube channel. Check out the complete playlist to relive the weekend or find your own heats.