The Nordic DanceSport League (NDL) Matrix is designed to make it easy to understand which level you should dance in when competing internationally.
It compares:
Step 1 – Find Your Home Level (Vertical Column)
On the left side of the matrix, you will see different levels from each Nordic country.
This shows the level you are registered in within your own federation.
For example:
You simply find your current level in your own country.
Step 2 – Follow Across to the NDL Level (Horizontal Row)
When you move across the matrix from your home level, it shows which NDL category you should enter.
The horizontal row shows the official NDL levels, for example:
This ensures that couples compete against others of similar experience and development, even if the countries use slightly different naming systems.
Why the Matrix Is Important
Each Nordic country has its own national structure and class system. The NDL Matrix creates:
It helps avoid confusion and ensures that no couple competes above or below their appropriate level.
In Simple Terms
Think of the matrix like a translation table.
Your national level (vertical)
→ translates into
Your NDL competition level (horizontal)
This makes it easy for dancers, coaches and federations to align levels across the Nordic region.
Footnote – Important Information About Level 3
For the relevant age groups included in the event schedule, WDSF Open, WDSF World Open, and Nordic Championship competitions represent Level 3.
This means that Level 3 is not offered as a separate NDL class in those age categories. Dancers at Level 3 will instead compete within the WDSF Open, World Open or Nordic Championship events.
The Level 3 classes that appear separately in the registration form apply only where required due to national regulations set by Norges Idrettsforbund (The National Confederation of Sports in Norway).
These restrictions only affect participants under 13 years of age and ensure that competition formats follow the Children’s Sport Regulations (Barnidrettsregler), safeguarding age-appropriate participation and development applicable in Norway for all sports.