ATTENDANCE GROWS TO A TOTAL OF 20,700, FOR AN EVENT THAT IS INCREASINGLY MULTIFACETED AND INTERNATIONAL.
Public and industry consensus continues to grow: nearly 11,200 dancers in attendance, around 500 buyers from 50 countries.
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We are very satisfied with this 20th edition, for its special atmosphere and energy. DIF is growing and is increasingly becoming an unmissable appointment for young people and professionals in the world of dance, in all its expressions, and for brands and operators who set the sector’s trends.
— Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine
20,700 total attendees (19,850 at the previous edition), more than 100 accredited journalists and media professionals, 949 teachers involved, nearly 11,200 dancers on stages and in classrooms at the Fortezza, who enthusiastically and energetically took part in over 370 scheduled events.
On the buyer front, around 500 buyers attended Dif – in line with last year’s figures – 52% of whom were international from approximately 50 countries.
The ranking of foreign markets sees Spain in first place, followed by France, Greece, Germany, Poland, the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, Turkey and the Netherlands.
The 20th edition of Danzainfiera (Dif), the event dedicated to the world of dance organized by Pitti Immagine (20–22 February 2026, Fortezza da Basso, Florence), successfully confirmed the uniqueness of its formula on the international scene, blending advanced training, performances, competitions and auditions with a commercial exhibition section, bringing together artists, schools, companies, brands and the public.
“We are very happy to have celebrated the 20th edition of Dif with these numbers and this energy,” declares Raffaello Napoleone, CEO of Pitti Immagine. “So many schools and events, in a special atmosphere, reminding us that the sector is in excellent health and continuously growing. Dance today is extremely fashionable, in all its facets, as well as in its latest trends, for example those linked to body care and enhancement.”
“Your dreams are unique exactly as you are. Each of you has something distinctive, you are special because you are different. Carry forward your idea, your passion, the fire you have inside. Continue to believe in yourselves.” The words of Rossella Brescia, spoken at the close of a masterclass by Accademia Il Sistina before hundreds of young participants, perfectly embody the slogan “Believe. Dance to become,” the theme launched by Dif to celebrate its 20th edition.
One of the many testimonies of those who have succeeded, beyond every limit and obstacle, and who came to Dif to share their story with the many dancers, industry professionals and enthusiasts who spent three days in a sunny Fortezza da Basso.
One of the main attractions of Danzainfiera is the presence of great dancers, from classical dance to contemporary and the new disciplines that are emerging, who meet with very young participants and beyond. The organizations we involve offer important opportunities through lessons, auditions, scholarships, often unique chances in Italy to gain first work experience or consolidate established careers. All of this creates great energy, enthusiasm and connections.
— Barbara Mantero, Head of Danzainfiera
The event is also a unique opportunity to present a broad and specialized commercial offer from international-level brands. 75 brands at this edition had the opportunity in the Fortezza to meet buyers from exactly 48 foreign countries. In recent days, both exhibitors and buyers told us they came to Florence to explore new collections, scout new realities, with a very concrete approach and within an increasingly curated presentation layout, which adds decisive marketing and communication inputs to the commercial dimension. In short, they confirmed how unmissable it is to be at Dif again next year.
— Daria Vagelli, Commercial director of Pitti Immagine lifestyle fairs
Academy & ShowBiz
Many outstanding institutions attended Danzainfiera, from Accademia Teatro alla Scala, which inaugurated the event with a masterclass by the renowned Frédéric Olivieri, Director of the Ballet Company, who stated: “Danzainfiera is becoming an opportunity, increasingly organized and structured, to meet and discover new ways of performing,” to DanceHaus Più, an Italian excellence integrating training, artistic residencies and contemporary dance production, directed by Susanna Beltrami, who added: “We are very happy to be here, because this event is a meeting place for many Italian artists in one of the rare occasions where we can connect and create new links and contacts. I find that the great Pitti reality has come much closer to the needs of guests and users and to us industry operators.”
The entire dance world was present, from professionals to very young participants, who took part in activities proposed by 62 academies, both Italian and international, organizers of choreographic events, companies and sports promotion bodies; 370 events were scheduled, including lessons, auditions, workshops, competitions, showcases and talks, proposed by schools, exhibitors in the training & performance area, together with initiatives presented directly by Pitti Immagine. 22,000 seats in classrooms and on stages active from morning to evening, attended by thousands of passionate teenagers. Thousands of scholarships were awarded to them. Among the institutions present were many from the United States, particularly New York, such as The Ailey School, Joffrey Ballet School, Peridance New York City, Fini Dance, as well as Open Jar Institute, MMG Events, Ajkun Ballet Theatre. Over the three days, many professional dancers, students and stars also took part, including those from the talent show Amici and from Ballando con le Stelle.
Brand & Store
75 brands specialized in the production of technical apparel, accessories and innovative equipment for dance, with a significant opening toward everyday wear, selected based on manufacturing quality and stylistic innovation, met approximately 500 international buyers in the Brand & Store area, in line with attendance at the previous edition, more than half of whom were international. Alongside its artistic component, the event also develops its corporate mission in service of quality production and commercial systems. A dance marketplace made in Pitti Immagine, ensuring a meeting between supply and demand organized according to curatorial logic and not purely quantitative criteria. Among them: Apliépus, Balance, Ballet Rosa, Bloch, Capezio, Dance Inked, Danza Creazioni, Dellalò Milano, Dinamica Ballet, Fuego, Gaynor Minden, Grishko, Harlequin, Imperfect Pointes, Mara Dancewear, Mario Ferrari Ballet Couture, Merlet Dance and So Danca.
Among the highlights and new features of Dif 2026:
Dif offered a 360-degree program of events and activities designed for everyone, from children to adults, transforming into a vibrant celebration. From classical to contemporary, to visceral dance and new wellness trends, such as Danza Somatica®, which allows participants to dance for the body by listening to it and becoming aware of the emotional states it inhabits, and the innovative techniques presented within the Dance Body Care classroom curated by I.D.A., a space where body, mind, movement and teaching met.
The program also included the premiere of “The Sound of Shoes,” entirely produced and directed by Graziella Di Marco, dedicated to tap dance, sessions of Dancing in Pregnancy, Dancing in Fascia and Dance with Imagination and great attention to THEPOLE Village, the area dedicated to Pole Dance, vertical dance with the new discipline Flying Pole, which transforms athletic gesture into a visual experience, together with 2025 Pole Sport world champion Francesca Prini.
On the closing day, many participants – not only the youngest – took part in the K-CODE workshops and the Random Dance Battle, events dedicated to K-Pop and Korean culture, alongside national and European champion Francesca De Filippis, who recalled how K-Pop is “a colorful world, different from Western culture, where choreography and songs express messages of love and empowerment, themes people identify with, where more than technique, strong personality and interest in Korean culture are needed.”
At Dif there was also great success for the historic choreographic showcases “Dance Parade” and “Junior Parade,” for the 20th edition of “Expression International Dance Competition,” the largest international dance competition organized by the International Dance Association (IDA) for over 2,500 dancers; the 14th edition of Italy’s most important Musical competition, promoted by Professione Musical and open to non-professional performers, and the 10th Pop Tap Festival, the only Italian competition dedicated to tap dance, Irish and Clog dance.
