The event is aimed at young dancers aged between 16 and 21, competing in modern dances, be it solo or in couples, as long as they were not professionally engaged.

[4] In January 2017, the EBU announced that Maltese broadcaster PBS, who agreed to host the event in July 2015, had due to circumstances beyond their control been forced to cancel their staging of the competition.

The EBU also stated they were looking for another host broadcaster but should one not be found in time the competition would not take place this year and was expected to return in 2019.

[10] The format consisted of dancers who were non-professional and between the ages of 16–21, competing in a performance of dance routines of their choice, which they had prepared in advance of the competition.

Once all the jury votes have been counted, the two participants which received the highest total of points progress to a final round.

[15] For a country to be eligible for potential participation in the Eurovision Young Dancers, it needs to be an active member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).