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Cheerleading showcases talent, skill, and athleticism with numerous prestigious competitions worldwide.

Here is an overview of the top cheerleading championships for teams at various levels.

Most Important Cheerleading Tournaments:

  1. World Championship
  2. NCA All-Star National Championship
  3. The Summit
  4. USASF Cheerleading Worlds
  5. CheerSport Nationals
  6. UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship
  7. NCA Collegiate Cheer Championship
  8. ICU World Cheerleading Championship
  9. NHSCC – National High School Cheerleading Championships
  10. The Majors
  11. UCA College Cheerleading National Championship
  12. Varsity Spirit State Championship
  13. JAMfest Cheer Super Nationals
  14. The D2 Summit
  15. The All Star Games
  16. Apex Cheer and Dance Championship
  17. Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships
  18. Nfinity Champions League
  19. European Cheerleading Championships
Cheerleading

#1 World Championship

  • 📍 Location: Varies globally
  • 📅 Established: 2004
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥Teams: Multiple divisions and age groups

The World Championship, organized by the International Cheer Union (ICU), is considered the ultimate stage for cheerleading.

Teams from over 70 countries gather to compete across various divisions, showcasing their elite skills. The event has greatly contributed to the globalisation of the cheerleading community and the sport’s recognition.

#2 NCA All-Star National Championship

  • 📍 Location: Dallas, Texas, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1981
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥Teams: All-Star club teams

The NCA All-Star National Championship is one of the most prestigious club-based cheerleading competitions in the United States.

Hosted by the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), the event attracts all-star teams from across the country. The championship is renowned for its high-level performances and intense rivalries, offering a chance to claim national glory.

#3 The Summit

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2013
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥Teams: Qualifying club teams

The Summit, held at Walt Disney World, is an exclusive cheerleading event organized by Varsity All Star.

It brings together qualifying teams from across the nation to compete at various levels. Gaining an invitation to The Summit is highly sought after, as it signifies a team’s exceptional skill and performance throughout the season.

#4 USASF Cheerleading Worlds

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2004
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥Teams: Senior club teams

The USASF Cheerleading Worlds, organized by the United States All Star Federation (USASF), is an international competition that welcomes senior-level club teams from around the globe. Known for its high caliber of talent, it attracts the best cheerleading squads. Winning a USASF Worlds title is a highly prestigious accomplishment in the cheerleading community.

#5 CheerSport Nationals

  • 📍 Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1993
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥Teams: All-Star club teams

CheerSport Nationals, organized by CHEERSPORT Corporation, is one of the largest cheerleading competitions in the United States.

It welcomes thousands of all-star club teams annually to Atlanta, providing a grand stage for cheerleaders to display their skills. The event has steadily grown in reach and importance, showcasing the very best in the sport.

#6 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1980
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: High school cheer teams

The UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) is a premier event for high school cheerleading teams in the United States.

Hosted by the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), the championship allows school squads to compete against their peers on a national level, setting the standard for high school cheerleading and fostering a competitive spirit.

#7 NCA Collegiate Cheer Championship

  • 📍 Location: Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1981
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: College cheer teams

The NCA Collegiate Cheer Championship, organized by the National Cheerleaders Association, is a prestigious event for college cheerleading teams in the United States.

It has helped foster a competitive spirit among universities and has produced many memorable moments throughout its history. The championship is often a stepping stone for cheerleaders aiming to compete at higher levels.

#8 ICU World Cheerleading Championship

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2009
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: National teams

The ICU World Cheerleading Championship, governed by the International Cheer Union, is a prestigious event that gathers national teams from around the globe to compete.

This championship plays a vital role in bolstering the international cheerleading community, as well as fostering camaraderie among participating nations. The event showcases a variety of divisions, including all-girls, coed, and special abilities.

#9 NHSCC – National High School Cheerleading Championships

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1980
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: High school cheer teams

The NHSCC, organized by the Universal Cheerleaders Association, brings together high school cheerleading teams from across the nation.

The championship showcases the talents of these young athletes and fosters a spirit of competition. Winners of the NHSCC gain a sense of pride and accomplishment that only comes from competing on a national stage.

#10 The Majors

  • 📍 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2012
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Invitation-only club teams

The Majors is an elite, invitation-only cheerleading competition that brings together the most accomplished senior-level club teams in the United States.

Its exclusivity and smaller scale create an intimate atmosphere, allowing for a unique showcase of talent and skill. Competing at The Majors is a highly coveted honor within the cheerleading community.

#11 UCA College Cheerleading National Championship

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1984
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: College cheer teams

The UCA College Cheerleading National Championship is a renowned event that gathers college cheerleading squads from across the United States.

Organized by the Universal Cheerleaders Association, the championship offers an opportunity for college teams to showcase their talents and compete for national pride. It has been influential in shaping the college cheerleading landscape.

#12 Varsity Spirit State Championship

  • 📍 Location: Various states across the USA
  • 📅 Established: Varies by state
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: High school cheer teams

The Varsity Spirit State Championships are statewide competitions that provide high school cheerleading teams with the chance to compete for state titles.

These events are held annually, with each state having its own championship. Participating squads gain valuable competition experience, with many aiming to advance to the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship.

#13 JAMfest Cheer Super Nationals

  • 📍 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2000
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Club teams

JAMfest Cheer Super Nationals, organized by JAMfest Events, is a significant cheerleading competition in the United States, attracting top club teams from across the country.

Known for its exciting atmosphere and intense competition, participating in JAMfest Super Nationals is an incredible experience for cheerleaders and coaches alike. The event’s size and prestige are a testament to its impact on the cheerleading community.

#14 The D2 Summit

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2016
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Small and medium club teams

The D2 Summit is a prestigious invitation-only cheerleading competition organized by Varsity All Star, specifically for small to medium-sized gym club teams.

It provides these teams with the opportunity to compete on a national stage, fostering a competitive environment tailored to their size. The D2 Summit has become a highly coveted achievement in the cheerleading community.

#15 The All Star Games

  • 📍 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
  • 📅 Established: 2013
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Club teams

The All Star Games is an innovative and unique cheerleading competition that combines elements of both traditional cheerleading and acrobatics.

It offers a series of challenging events, such as the “Cheer-Abletics Pentathlon,” providing teams with exciting opportunities to showcase their skills. The All Star Games is a popular event that pushes the boundaries of what cheerleading competitions can be.

#16 Apex Cheer and Dance Championship

  • 📍 Location: United Kingdom
  • 📅 Established: 2013
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Club teams

The Apex Cheer and Dance Championship is an esteemed UK-based cheerleading competition attracting club teams from all over the country.

The championship challenges athletes to perform routines while adhering to strict safety guidelines and sportsmanship standards. Apex plays a vital role in fostering a thriving cheerleading community within the United Kingdom.

#17 Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships

  • 📍 Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
  • 📅 Established: 1988
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Youth cheer and dance teams

The Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships is a long-established event that hosts youth cheer and dance teams from across the United States.

The competition encourages young athletes to showcase their talent and dedication to their respective sports. Pop Warner plays a pivotal role in promoting cheerleading and dance at a grassroots level.

#18 Nfinity Champions League

  • 📍 Location: Various locations in the USA
  • 📅 Established: 2014
  • 🔄 Held: Annually
  • 👥 Teams: Invitation-only club teams

The Nfinity Champions League is an elite, invitation-only cheerleading competition offering a unique, cinematic experience.

The event gathers top teams for a showcase of talent, and the entire experience is captured in a feature film that highlights the event’s epic proportions. The Nfinity Champions League adds an innovative and entertaining dimension to cheerleading competitions.

#19 European Cheerleading Championships

  • 📍 Location: Varies across Europe
  • 📅 Established: 1995
  • 🔄 Held: Every 2 years
  • 👥 Teams: National teams

The European Cheerleading Championships, organized by the European Cheerleading Association (ECA), is a prestigious event that brings together national teams from various European countries to compete.

The championship plays a significant role in promoting the sport in Europe and fostering camaraderie among participating nations. The event showcases the talent and skill of European cheerleading athletes in a highly competitive environment.

Cheerleading

FAQ

What is the most important cheerleading tournament?

The World Championship organized by the International Cheer Union is the pinnacle of global cheerleading tournaments.

What is the oldest cheerleading tournament?

The UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship established in 1980 is the oldest known cheerleading tournament.

What is the hardest cheerleading tournament to win?

The World Championship is considered the hardest cheerleading tournament to win, due to the high level of international competition.

Max is a sports enthusiast who loves all kinds of ball and water sports. He founded & runs stand-up-paddling.org (#1 German Paddleboarding Blog), played competitive Badminton and Mini Golf (competed on national level in Germany), started learning ‘real’ Golf and dabbled in dozens of other sports & activities.

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