Argentine pair win the world tango championship in Buenos Aires

Nicolás Schell and Nair Schinca became world champions in stage tango at the final of the 2026 Tango BA Mundial in Buenos Aires.

The Argentine dancers, who represent the city of Merlo in Buenos Aires province, won the top prize in a category known for combining technical virtuosity with elaborate choreography. “We’re happy. Overwhelmed, too,” Schell said in his first reaction after receiving the award.

Schell and Schinca have been recognized dancers and choreographers in the tango world. Since 2010, they have performed with major Buenos Aires tango ensembles and toured internationally. They had previously reached the runner-up position in the Buenos Aires Tango World Championship’s stage tango category in 2013.

The other finals produced titles for dancers from Argentina and abroad. Greek dancer Naima Gerasopoulo and Argentine Lucas Gauto won the pista tango category, which emphasizes tango’s more traditional social-dance style. Buenos Aires dancers Aldo Adrián Romero and Marcela Pilatti won the senior pista tango category for competitors over 55.

The finals were held at the Gran Rex theatre, where 20 couples competed in the stage tango final. Around 800 couples from 47 countries entered the different categories of this year’s event, organized by the Buenos Aires Ministry of Culture as part of the Tango BA Festival and World Championship. The festival, which ran from Aug. 19 through Wednesday, featured about 2,000 artists and a broad program of performances.

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We’re happy. Overwhelmed, too.