The Federation of DanceSport Lesotho (FEDALE) has officially announced the return of the prestigious Queen’s Cup DanceSport Open Championships, with this year’s edition scheduled for September 5, 2026, at Victory Hall in Maseru.
Sanctioned by the World DanceSport Federation, the championship has continued to cement its reputation as one of Southern Africa’s premier dancesport competitions and is expected to attract some of the region’s finest dancers.
Teams from Botswana, South Africa and eSwatini have already confirmed their participation, while organisers remain optimistic that additional countries will register before entries close.
The tournament’s return marks another milestone in Lesotho’s ongoing efforts to rebuild dancesport following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Queen’s Cup made a successful comeback in 2025 after a six-year absence, having last been staged in 2019 before global sporting activities were halted by the pandemic.
Like many sporting federations, FEDALE faced significant challenges in reviving the sport as local dancesport activities slowed considerably during the post-pandemic period. However, the successful revival of the Queen’s Cup last year represented a major breakthrough in restoring the sport’s profile both locally and internationally.
The 2025 edition attracted competitors from Botswana, South Africa, eSwatini, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe, reaffirming the tournament’s standing as one of the region’s leading dancesport events.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, FEDALE president Nthejane Nthejane said registration remains open, with the federation expecting more countries from across Southern Africa to confirm their participation.
“While Botswana, South Africa and eSwatini have already confirmed their participation, registration is still open and we are hopeful that more countries will come on board before the deadline,” Nthejane said.
This year’s championships will feature competition across a diverse range of dance disciplines. Athletes will compete in the traditional Latin and Ballroom categories alongside contemporary styles such as Amapiano, Hip Hop and Zumba. The uniquely Basotho Famo Dance will once again take centre stage as part of FEDALE’s commitment to preserving and promoting the country’s cultural heritage.
Beyond the competition, the 2026 Queen’s Cup carries added significance as it will also form part of the celebrations marking the 50th birthday of Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate MohatoSeeiso, the patron of FEDALE.
Organisers believe the royal milestone will add a special ceremonial dimension to an event already regarded as the federation’s flagship competition.
Despite the sponsorship challenges, FEDALE remains confident that the Queen’s Cup will once again deliver a high-quality international spectacle while giving Basotho dancers invaluable exposure against elite regional competition.
Summary
- The Federation of DanceSport Lesotho (FEDALE) has officially announced the return of the prestigious Queen’s Cup DanceSport Open Championships, with this year’s edition scheduled for September 5, 2026, at Victory Hall in Maseru.
- Sanctioned by the World DanceSport Federation, the championship has continued to cement its reputation as one of Southern Africa’s premier dancesport competitions and is expected to attract some of the region’s finest dancers.
- Beyond the competition, the 2026 Queen’s Cup carries added significance as it will also form part of the celebrations marking the 50th birthday of Her Majesty Queen ‘Masenate MohatoSeeiso, the patron of FEDALE.
Seabata Mahao is a general news reporter with special focus on Business and Sports. Started working at Newsday in 2021. Working in a team with a shared goal is what I enjoy most and that gives me the motivation to work under any environment leading to growth.
