The championships are authorized and organized under the auspices of the WDC, and held annually in the last quarter of each year.
The competition comprises five dances: Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba, Paso Doble and Jive, as defined in ballroom dancing terms.
Official World Championships have been held in the Latin section of ballroom dancing since they were organised by the ICBD in 1959.
The WDC represents all the major professional DanceSport countries.
Unofficial world championships were held, usually in Paris, by several organisers pre-World War II.