DTU Flight Contest: Step-by-Step Instructions

DTU’s motto, “We’re Here For You,” continues to drive our commitment to supporting teams. In partnership with Spirit Airlines, the DTU Flight Instagram Contest provides an opportunity for participants to earn funding toward their Nationals travel. Even if you're unsure whether your team will attend the 2026 DTU National Championship, we still encourage you to participate in the DTU Flight Contest!

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Round One

To enter the DTU Nationals 2026 Flight Contest, powered by Spirit Airlines, follow the four steps below:

1. Post one photo of your team showing school spirit on your official team Instagram account, which must be public. If your team does not have an official Instagram, designate one person (with a public account) to post on behalf of the team for the entire duration of the contest.

2. In the caption, write a paragraph explaining how your team is currently showing school spirit and include the hashtag #DTUTeamSpirit.

3. From the account used to post your entry, follow both @danceteamunion and @spiritairlines on Instagram.

4. Tag @danceteamunion and @spiritairlines in the photo.

Submissions for Round One will be accepted beginning June 2, with the deadline to enter on June 20 at 11:59 PM Central Time. Semi-finalists will be selected at the discretion of Spirit Airlines and Dance Team Union. To be eligible to advance to Round Two, teams must complete all four steps as outlined in the Round One submission guidelines. Even if you're unsure whether your team can attend the 2026 DTU National Championship, we still encourage you to participate in the DTU Flight Contest!

 

 

Round Two (Semifinals)

If your team is selected to advance to the semifinal round, you will receive a link to the Flight Contest Semi-Finals voting page. The photo submitted in Round One will appear on this page. Share the voting link with fans and encourage them to vote for your team’s photo! The teams with the most votes will move on to the final round. The voting link will be available via email, our Instagram bio, Facebook, and website starting June 23 at 5:00 PM Central Time. Voting will close on June 27 at 11:59 PM Central Time. Finalists will be selected based on both the number of votes received and at the discretion of Spirit Airlines and Dance Team Union. Finalist announcements will be made on June 30 via Dance Team Union’s social media and website.

 

 

Round Three (Finals)

If your team is selected for the final round, follow the steps below:

1. Post a vlog or reel showcasing how your team celebrates one another during the summer leading into the new school year.

2. Tag @danceteamunion and @spiritairlines, and include the hashtag #DTUTeamSpiritFinals in the caption.

Submissions for Round Three will be accepted beginning June 30, with a final deadline of July 18 at 11:59 PM Central Time.

After all finalist submissions are received, a link to the Flight Contest Finals voting page will be provided via email, Instagram bio, Facebook, and our website. Voting will begin on July 21 at 5:00 PM Central Time, and the last day to vote will be July 28 at 11:59 PM Central Time.

Winners will be announced on or around July 30. The final decision will be based on both the number of votes and the discretion of Spirit Airlines and Dance Team Union.

 

 

DTU Flight Contest Rules & Guidelines

DTU’s motto, “We’re Here For You,” continues to drive our commitment to supporting teams. In partnership with Spirit Airlines, the DTU Flight Instagram Contest provides an opportunity for participants to earn funding toward their Nationals travel.

1. Eligibility & Posting Requirements:
   Entries must be posted from your team’s official public Instagram account. If your team does not have an account, a single representative (with a public account) must be designated to post on behalf of the team. Posts from private accounts will not be eligible.

2. New This Year:
   In celebration of TEN seasons of Dance Team Union, we will award unique entries with special prizes throughout the contest, ranging in value from $200 to $1,000. Examples of prizes include (but are not limited to):

   • $250 off Nationals registration

   • Free Virtual Routine registration

   • 20% off Regional Competition registration

3. Grand Prize Details:

   • One winning team will be selected.

   • Any team that has previously won a DTU Flight Contest is not eligible to win again.

   • Any team that has previously won a DTU Flight Contest is eligible to win additional prizes. 

   • The winning team will receive $250 per participant, up to 12 participants, for a maximum of $3,000.

   • Prize funds will be applied as a credit to the team’s DTU Nationals invoice in the fall when registration opens.

4. Alternate Prizes for Ineligible Teams:
   If the winning team is unable to attend DTU Nationals, they must notify DTU immediately. Instead, they will receive a 2024 or 2025 DTU Choreo Kit. If the awarded funds are relinquished more than 60 days before the event, they will be awarded to another team selected by DTU.

Even if you're unsure whether your team will attend the 2026 DTU National Championship, we still encourage you to participate in the DTU Flight Contest!