The competitive cheer season is in full swing and that means bids have already started flowing! Competitive all-star cheer has enough lingo to make any new parent’s head spin. “What’s a bid?” “Why is this competition so important?” “Why are people crying in the lobby?”
If you’ve ever asked those questions… welcome. You’re officially part of the cheer world.
Bids are essentially invitations to end-of-season championship events like The Summit, The D2 Summit, Youth Summit, The One, or Worlds. But not all bids are created equal. Different types of bids cover different costs and carry different levels of prestige.
Below is the breakdown—simple, straightforward, and drama-free.
What Is a Bid?
A bid is your team’s official invite to compete at an end-of-season championship. Teams earn these bids at qualifying competitions throughout the season based on performance, score, and the specific event producer’s rules.
Think of it like:
- A graduation ticket → You can’t attend the event without one.
- A badge of honor → The better the bid, the stronger your routine likely scored.
Now let’s break down the four main types of bids families hear about.
Wild Card Bid
“One More Shot” Bid – Summit & D2 Summit Specific. A Wild Card Bid is a Summit/D2 Summit-specific bid type that gives your team a chance to compete—but you must make it through an extra round.
Here’s how it works:
- Wild card teams compete on Thursday at Summit.
- Only the top teams from the wild card round advance to the next day (semi-finals or finals depending on the schedule).
- If you don’t advance, the journey ends there.
What it means:
You’re invited, but you have to earn your place in the main competition through the extra preliminary round.
Why wild cards matter:
They allow more teams to experience a top championship event—and some wild card teams go on to make finals and even win.
At-Large Bid
The “You’re Invited—But You’re Still Paying” Bid
An At-Large Bid is the most common bid type. It gets your team into the end-of-season event, but:
- It does not cover any athlete costs.
- You still pay the full athlete fee to attend.
- No travel, hotel, or extras are included.
How teams earn it:
At-large bids are awarded to teams with solid performances, high scores, or division placement. It’s a recognition of strong work and is often the first step in the season. Teams who earn these are competitive, progressing well, and ready to hit the big stage.
Partial Paid Bid
A Partial Paid Bid is exactly what it sounds like: “A Little Help With the Bill” Bid
You’re invited AND the event gives you a portion of the cost to help your athlete compete.
The amount varies by event, but it typically covers:
- A portion of the athlete’s competition fees
- Sometimes a credit toward hotel packages or travel
Families still pay some portion, but the financial burden is lower.
How teams earn it:
Partial paid bids are awarded to teams with high scoring performances—usually near the top of their division for the day.
Why it matters:
It’s a sign your team is not just good, but consistently hitting skills and scoring well in the judging system.
Full Paid Bid
The “Golden Ticket” of Competitive Cheer, a Full Paid Bid is the most coveted bid you can earn (especially for Worlds and Summit events).
This bid:
- Covers the entire athlete competition package
- Often includes hotel costs (for World’s packages)
- Sometimes includes extras or stipends depending on the event producer
- Usually saves families hundreds to thousands of dollars
How teams earn it:
Full paid bids are given only to the highest-scoring, top-performing teams at major qualifying events. These routines usually wow the judges, hit zero, and score among the best of the weekend.
Why it’s celebrated:
It’s more than financial relief—it’s a mark of excellence and a huge confidence boost heading into the championship.
Quick Comparison Chart
|
Bid Type |
Covers Costs? |
How You Get It |
Prestige Level |
Wild Card | No (and must advance) | Invitational with extra round | ⭐⭐ (but still exciting!) |
|
At-Large |
No |
Good performance, but not top placement |
⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Partial Paid |
Some |
High scoring, near top |
⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
|
Full Paid |
Most or All |
Best routines of the event |
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
So… Which Bid Should You Hope For?
Every bid is a win—period. Getting any bid means your team is strong enough to perform on one of the biggest stages in all-star cheer.
But if you’re curious about the hierarchy:
🥇 Full Paid – top of the top
🥈 Partial Paid
🥉 At-Large
✨ Wild Card – unique pathway to still compete
No matter which one your athlete earns, it’s a huge milestone worth celebrating.
Final Takeaway
Bids are a huge part of the excitement in competitive cheer. Understanding the differences helps cheer parents:
- Prepare for travel and costs
- Celebrate your athlete’s hard work
- Follow the season more confidently
- Know what all the screaming in the lobby is about
Whether your athlete brings home an wild card or a full paid, one thing stays the same:
They worked for it. They earned it. And it’s worth cheering for.