IDL Raises $15 Million in Series A Funding Round Led by Elysian Park Ventures

Following six sold-out events and 2 billion views in its inaugural season, IDL will use the investment to expand its global stage for professional dance ahead of its 2027 Season.

LOS ANGELES, October 21, 2026--IDL (International Dance League, Inc.), the world's first global professional dance league, today announced it has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Elysian Park Ventures, with participation from Sony Group Corporation, Sony Corporation, KB Partners, APEX, Yamaha Music Innovations Fund, and October Ventures.

The investment follows a breakout inaugural season for IDL, which launched in May 2026 with six founding teams representing cities around the world including Brotherhood (Vancouver), Quick Style (Oslo), Jam Republic (Singapore), 1MILLION (Seoul), Royal Family (Auckland), and GRV (Los Angeles) competing across events in New York, Vancouver, Sydney, Seoul, and Los Angeles. The season culminated at the sold-out Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, where Los Angeles GRV was crowned IDL's first-ever Season Champion.

Across its first season, the league sold out six of six events, generated 2 billion views, secured its first media rights agreement with ESPN2, and partnered with leading global brands Honda and e.l.f. Cosmetics as it introduced a new professional sports model built around dance.

"This season proved what we believed from the beginning: dance has the audience, the athletes and the global culture to support a professional sports ecosystem of its own," said Connor Lim, CEO, Commissioner and Co-Founder of IDL. "What has historically been missing is the infrastructure around it. This investment gives us the ability to continue to grow by building stronger team and dancer operations, hosting events in larger venues to meet fan demand, and ultimately creating a bigger stage for the sport."

IDL brings a season-long championship model to competitive dance, giving fans a new way to follow the world's best teams. Head-to-head matchups and season standings build rivalries and championship stakes across international events, putting dancers center stage as the stars of their own sport.

"IDL's rapid growth and innovative strategy within sports remain key components to Elysian Park's decision to once again participate in this fundraise," said Pete Vlastelica, Managing Partner from Elysian Park Ventures. "We are confident in the management team's ability to execute a long-term vision by finding new ways to disrupt the sports media landscape, while building a brand that captures the imagination of a next generation audience."