In the all-star cheer world, earning a bid to an end‐of‐season championship is one of the biggest goals of the year. These big competitions give your athlete a chance to perform on a national (or international) “big stage,” celebrate the season’s hard work, and compete against the best. Below are the key events to know.
1. The Cheerleading Worlds
What it is: This is the top‐tier international championship for all-star cheerleading (for Level 5, 6, 7 divisions and the IASF international divisions). It’s run by U.S. All Star Federation (USASF) in partnership with the international federation.
Dates & Location (2026): April 24-27, 2026 in Orlando, Florida (ESPN Wide World of Sports)
How to Qualify: Teams must earn a bid at one of the recognized bid-events during the season. Bids may be “at‐large,” “partial paid,” “full paid,” or “wild card” depending on the event and division. To read more about the bid types check out our blog Understanding Competitive Cheer Bids.
Who is Included: Elite all-star teams at higher levels and international teams. This is for the very top of the sport—those chasing “Worlds” status.
Why It Matters: It’s the ultimate goal for many competitive programs. Getting a bid here is a major achievement and often the highlight of the season.
2. The Summit Championship
What it is: This is a premier end-of-season event for many all-star teams that may not be eligible for “Worlds” divisions. It gives teams at many levels a prestigious championship experience.
Dates & Location (2026): April 30-May 3, 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida.
How to Qualify: Teams must earn a bid via qualifying events (similar to Worlds). The bid guide for 2025-26 outlines which events qualify teams.
Who is Included: Junior & Senior all-star teams across many levels, both domestic and international, who earned a Summit bid.
Why It Matters: It’s a high-prestige event. For many programs, The Summit is the “big one” they’ve built toward all year.
3. The D2 Summit Championship
What it is: This event is specifically for smaller gyms (defined by athlete count) and gives them their own high-end championship experience.
Dates & Location (2026): May 8-10, 2026 at Walt Disney World Resort / ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
How to Qualify: Teams from smaller programs (125 athletes or fewer registered in their program, per USASF definition) qualify via bid events.
Who is Included: Teams from “small gym” programs (DII), often up-and-coming, giving them access to a top-tier championship.
Why It Matters: It levels the playing field for smaller programs—it’s their chance at a championship experience tailored for their size.
4. The Youth Summit Championship
What it is: This event is dedicated to youth teams in all-star cheer—giving younger athletes a high-level championship experience.
Dates & Location (2026): April 23-24, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
How to Qualify: Teams must earn a Youth Summit bid via eligible bid events for youth divisions.
Who is Included: Youth level all-star teams (younger age groups) who earned a bid for this event.
Why It Matters: It gives younger athletes the experience of a large event environment and a championship feel—an important milestone in their cheer journey.
5. The Recreational Summit Championship
What it is: This event is designed for recreational all-star teams — meaning teams that may not follow the full elite all-star path (less intense commitment, fewer skills, more inclusive).
Dates & Location (2026): April 25-26, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
How to Qualify: Some divisions may require bid qualification; others may be open depending on the rules for rec divisions.
Who is Included: Recreational teams of all ages and levels who compete in the all-star ecosystem but not necessarily “elite” divisions.
Why It Matters: It gives a championship experience to more athletes in a less pressured environment—and that’s a big win for many programs and families.
6. Regional Summit Championships
What it is: These are regional end-of-season championships (by geography/region) that are typically the last event of the season for teams who haven't yet earned a bid to snag their ticket to to one of those prestigious events.
Dates & Locations (2026):
- Northeast (Baltimore, MD) – April 11-12, 2026
- Southwest (Frisco, TX) – April 11-12, 2026
- West (Phoenix, AZ) – April 11-12, 2026
- Southeast (College Park, GA) – April 18-19, 2026
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Midwest (Indianapolis, IN) – April 18-19, 2026
How to Qualify: Teams earn qualification to Regionals (and sometimes bids to Summits) by competing in eligible events and divisions.
Who is Included: Teams from those geographic regions, across divisions (DI/DII), seeking bids and a “regional championship” experience.
Why It Matters: Regionals are often the stepping stone for teams before the national/international championships. It’s also less travel-intensive for many families and athletes.
Why Each Event Matters & How to Choose Where Your Athlete Fits
- Level & Program Size Matter: If your daughter’s team is Level 6 or 7 and chasing a Worlds bid, the Worlds event is the target. If she’s on a youth team, The Youth Summit makes sense. If the gym is a smaller size program, D2 Summit may be the right fit.
- Bid Strategy: Each event has a list of qualifying/bid events (regular-season competitions) where teams can earn at-large bids, paid bids, etc. It’s key for coaches to map out bid opportunities early.
- Cost & Travel Considerations: Bigger events like Worlds or Summit often mean larger travel/housing/fees. Knowing the date/location in advance helps families plan.
- Experience & Milestone: Even if your athlete isn’t going to Worlds, earning a Summit, Youth Summit or Rec Summit bid is a major achievement. It gives them a “big stage” to perform on and remember.
Final Thoughts
For the 2026 season, here are your “save the dates” key events:
- The Youth Summit: April 23-24, 2026 (Tampa, FL)
- The Summit: April 30-May 3, 2026 (Walt Disney World, FL)
- The D2 Summit: May 8-10, 2026 (Orlando, FL)
- The Cheerleading Worlds: April 24-27, 2026 (Orlando, FL)
- Recreational Summit: April 25-26, 2026 (Tampa, FL)
- Regional Summits: April 11-19, 2026 (various regions)
These events define the “end game” of the season, and understanding them helps parents, athletes and coaches keep the goals clear, manage costs & travel, and celebrate success when the moment arrives.