Cheerleading Competition Calendar 2026-2027
Welcome to the most comprehensive cheerleading competition calendar online! Whether you are a cheerleader, coach, or parent, this is your one-stop resource for finding and planning for cheerleading competitions across the United States and worldwide. We update this calendar regularly — bookmark this page and check back often!
Major National Competitions
These are the biggest and most prestigious cheerleading competitions in the country:
Varsity Spirit Competitions
- NCA All-Star National Championships — Held annually in Dallas, Texas. One of the largest all-star competitions in the world with over 25,000 athletes competing.
- NCA College National Championships — Held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida. The premier college cheerleading and dance championship. Typically held in April.
- UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship — Held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The largest high school cheerleading competition in the nation. Typically held in February.
- The Cheerleading Worlds — The pinnacle of all-star cheerleading. Held annually in late April/early May at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Qualification required through bid-giving competitions.
- The Summit — A prestigious all-star championship for Level 1-6 teams. Held in May at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Independent Major Competitions
- JAMfest Cheer Super Nationals — One of the largest independent cheerleading competitions, held annually in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Cheer Sport Sharks Grand Nationals — Major Canadian competition held in Ontario, attracting teams from across North America.
- America’s Best National Championship — A growing national competition held annually.
- Spirit Sports National Championship — A major competition for all-star and school teams.
Regional Competitions
Regional competitions are where teams earn bids to national and world championships:
- Regional Classic Competitions — Varsity Spirit hosts regionals across the country throughout the competition season (November through April)
- National Championship Qualifiers — Competitions that award bids to NCA, UCA, and other national championships
- State Championships — Many states hold high school cheerleading championships in the fall and winter
International Competitions
Cheerleading is growing worldwide, with major international events:
- ICU World Cheerleading Championships — The international governing body world championship, held annually in Orlando, Florida. National teams from over 70 countries compete.
- European Summit Championship — Varsity Spirit European championship for European all-star teams. New for 2026!
- JAMfest Europe — Major European competition attracting teams from across the continent.
Competition Season Timeline
Plan your season with this general timeline:
- August-October: Choreography camps, routine building, early season practices
- November: Competition season begins — early regional competitions
- December: Regional competitions continue, routine refinements
- January: Peak regional competition season, bid competitions intensify
- February: UCA High School Nationals, late regional competitions
- March: NCA All-Star Nationals, last-chance bid competitions
- April: NCA College Nationals, The Cheerleading Worlds
- May: The Summit, end-of-season events
- June-July: Tryout season, summer camps, off-season training
How to Prepare for Competition Season
Check out our comprehensive competition preparation guides:
- Planning Your Cheer Competition Trip — Complete packing and travel guide
- Thriving During Cheer Season — Time management, nutrition, and mental health tips
- Maintaining Energy During Performances — Nutrition and conditioning strategies
- Competition Day Warm-Up Routine — Pre-performance preparation
- Recovery After Competition — Post-competition recovery tips
Stay Updated!
Competition dates, locations, and details change frequently. We update this calendar regularly. Bookmark this page and check back for the latest information. For the most current details, always verify with the official competition websites.
Last updated: June 2026