UCA/UDA COLLEGE NATIONALS

Spirit Videos are due Monday, December 15th, 2026. 

Highlights of these videos will be shown at the National Championship. All cheer and dance teams competing in the 2027 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship will be required to submit a Spirit Video.  This portion of your entry will be due by 5:00pm CST December 15, 2026. The time limit is a minimum of 30 seconds with a maximum of 45 seconds with a minimum of five (5) different examples. You may edit this portion of your entry.

1. The Spirit Video no longer counts for 5 points in the total routine score. Failure to submit a Spirit Video that follows the outlined requirements will result in a ONE-POINT deduction. The deduction will apply to each performance.
2. Film the team so you can see them interacting with the fans. Side angles are also good. Make sure you can see both the cheerleaders/dancers and the audience.
3. Show your team using a variety of material (signs, flags or traditional chants or band cheers/dances) to get the crowd motivated.
4. All video footage must be the current team from the 2026-2027 school year. The video must be recorded video footage- no still shots/pictures.
5. College/University with multiple teams:
   • Teams in different divisions, i.e. Small Coed and All Girl must submit a separate video for each group competing.  The primary focus of the video should be the athletes in each specific division.
   • College/University that has one team competing in different divisions/categories – only one video is required for that team.
   • All Cheer and Dance teams must submit videos separately and must be labeled appropriately.  Exception: Teams competing only in the Spirit Program can submit one combined video including all athletes competing in the Spirit Program division.
6. Completion of the spirit video is based upon the methods and materials being presented by the cheerleaders/dancers. Cheer teams should avoid doing basket tosses and/or elite stunts that are not being used to effectively “lead the crowd”.
7. Do not label each section.  Viewers should be able to differentiate the performance opportunity and does not need to be labeled on the video.
8. Music Guidelines for Spirit Video
   • Only music captured incidentally (i.e., in the background of the video) will be permitted.
   • No music can be edited into the video.
   • All music captured from half-times, games, etc. highlighted in the video will need to follow the music guidelines.

Videos must be uploaded in MP4 or MOV files. Please label the file being uploaded with your College / University name. For questions, please contact College@varsity.com

Upload your Spirit Video: HERE!

Partner Stunt & Mascot Submissions are due November 10, 2026.

UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION HERE! 

The competition is open to all coed partner and all girl stunt groups who are presently registered full-time students and members of their school’s official 2025-2026 College/University cheerleading team.

PARTNER STUNT ENTRY

• Divisions: 
  • Coed Partner Stunt Division must be one male and one female.
  • All Girl Group Stunt division may have four female team members.
  • Participants may not represent more than one stunt group.
• How to Register: 
  • Submit a 45 second, unedited video along with a $25 entry fee per couple/group. Payment must be included
    with your video entry to qualify.
  • All Videos must be uploaded to uca.varsity.com and should be submitted in MP4 or MOV files.
  • Complete and return the registration form.
  • Your video and entry fee must be submitted no later than 5:00pm CST on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
• College/Partner Stunt Qualification:
  • The top partners/groups in each division will qualify to compete in the Partner/Group Stunt Championship in
    Orlando, FL.
  • Paid Bids will not be awarded from the video entry. Partner/group stunt qualifiers will compete in reverse
    ranking order for the Finals in Orlando based on the video entry placement.

All Partner/Group Stunt entries MUST complete the Online Registration Form. Registration form, entry fee and video are due by Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

To view Rules and Regulations for Partner Stunt, CLICK HERE.

• Register for College/Partner Stunt HERE

MASCOT ENTRY

The competition is open to all officially recognized mascots.

• The competition is open to all officially recognized mascots.
• 25% of the video entry score will carry over for the National Finals.
• Mascots will upload a two-minute highlight segment from the current season in MP4 of MOV format with their
  registration to qualify for the College Mascot National Championship by 5:00 pm CST Tuesday November 10, 2026.
• Highlights must be actual speed and cannot be sped up for visual effect.
• Timing will begin with the first movement, voice, or note of the music, whichever comes first. Judges will not issue a
  deduction until their stopwatches show a time of three (3) seconds over the allotted time.
•  If a mascot exceeds the time limit, a penalty will be assessed for each violation. One (1) point deduction for 1-5
  seconds over and Two (2) point deduction for 6 seconds over.
• Please include highlights from school events, games, community activities and/or public appearances, etc. Be sure to
  follow the judging sheet below to ensure you meet all judging criteria.
• Schools with more than one student playing the role of the same character may submit tapes together but only one
  mascot per character may compete. If both or all want to compete, each mascot must send in separate tapes and
  will be judged and ranked separately.

 

• Safety Guidelines for Highlight Video:
  • The use of mini-tramps and /or springboards is prohibited.
  • Tumbling or flipping skills will NOT be allowed off a prop or over a prop.
  • No pyrotechnics, discharge of arms, pressurized canisters, dangerous materials, flammable liquids or animal will be permitted. The exception for live animals would be community events and official university mascots.

To view Rules and Regulations for Partner Stunt, CLICK HERE.

• Register for Mascot HERE

Championship Forms: All physical forms must be brought to the registration desk in Orlando when you arrive at the championship.

Required forms:

• Release and Waiver Form – Digital in MyVarsity
• Proof of Music Licensing – Bring proof to the registration check-in desk.
• Proof of USA Cheer or Dance Coach Membership

REMINDER: To create more space and reduce congestion in the warm-up area, each team may bring up to 8 coaches and support staff members into warm up. This limit includes all coaches, support staff, choreographers, athletic trainers, administrators, and any other non-athlete personnel. Team alternates do not count toward the 8-person limit: however, alternates must be in uniform or official team warm up to enter the warm up area. Only competing team members, uniformed athletes, and up to 8 coaches/support staff members may enter warm up. And just a reminder that those 8 must have a USA Cheer membership and wristband to enter.

Proof for College Eligibility should be uploaded prior to January 6, 2027, but not before December 1, 2026.

• College Eligibility
  • Completed form must be uploaded HERE

University World Cup Required Forms:

• UWCC Information Guide
• International Safeguarding
• International Music Guidelines
• International Coach Roster
• International Release Waiver
  • Digital in MyVarsity

Please read the below terms and conditions, you will have to agree to these terms during the registration process.  By accepting these terms, you are agreeing to the Competition Rules and Regulations:

• • College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship Terms and Conditions
  • UCA/UDA College Competition Rules and Regulations

Coaches and parents will receive an event-specific waiver link in the To-Do List section of their MyVarsity account. This feature is coming soon. We will notify you when it becomes available and provide instructions for completing the waiver process.

Important Reminder: Anyone associated with a team (coach, choreographer, support personnel, etc.) wishing to obtain access to the warmup area, backstage area or coaches box must show proof of USA Cheer Membership at event check in.

• To complete the USA Cheer Membership please CLICK HERE

2027 Event Pricing Information – AVAILABLE NOW!

• CLICK HERE for Event Pricing.
• CLICK HERE for Terms & Conditions.

For those purchasing a hotel travel package, you have the option to upgrade your tickets. Upgrade pricing can be found below!

Walt Disney World requires “Park Reservations” made in advance to attend the theme parks.  We strongly recommend that all friends and family (spectators) register on a separate invoice from the team.

• Anyone included on your invoice will be part of your “ticket order”. Ticket orders will be placed when your invoice is paid in full.
• Once the order is placed, you will receive a ticket confirmation number for each person depending on their package or upgrade.
• Information on how to obtain your park reservations will be sent with your ticket confirmation email.

If changes are made to number of ticket days after ticket confirmations have been distributed, a $25 fee per ticket will be charged.  Each person should have a ticket assigned to their name; it is important that each person receives their assigned ticket confirmation.

• Each team must designate a Safety Champion during registration. Before registering, please identify and roster your Safety Champion as Personnel on your roster.
• Safety Champions must be 18 years or older, cannot be the coach, and must complete the required Safety Champion training before the event. If you are registering multiple teams, each team must have a different Safety Champion.
• If your Safety Champion is a parent or guardian, they must associate their account with the Personnel role. Resend the Team Roster invitation so they can sign in to their existing account and add the Personnel role.

Additional theme park tickets are available for purchase through January 12, 2027. They will not be sold on-site at the event. CLICK HERE to purchase additional theme park tickets.

For Ticket Terms and Conditions, CLICK HERE.

We are excited to offer discounted Walt Disney World Theme Park tickets! These are available for family or friends not purchasing one of the hotel travel packages. This theme park ticket includes access to all 4 Walt Disney World Theme Parks in addition to 5 days of admission to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

• 2 Day: $481 ($685 value)
• 3 Day: $616 ($872 value)
• 4 Day: $816 ($1016 value)
• 5 Day: $831 ($1056 value)

Event Extras:

• Celebration Party: $65 per person
  • Transportation to/from the Celebration Party is only provided for those on the Hotel Travel Package.
• Meal Vouchers: $21 per meal voucher
  • Each voucher is good for one lunch or dinner at select counter service restaurants on property. 

CLICK HERE to begin your event registration.

• To begin registration, use the link above to login to your MyVarsity account. Select the event to start the registration process for College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship.
• Before you begin, ensure your team rosters are complete and accurate.  Don’t’ forget, you must also designate at least one person as Personnel for each team on your roster so they can be selected as your team’s Safety Champion during the registration process.

Event Registration Specialist:

• Cheer/Band Registration Specialist
• Dance Registration Specialist

For General Rules & Eligibility, Schedule of Events and more, CLICK HERE.  

Awards
1. Teams will be awarded placement trophies.
2. Nation’s rankings will be awarded to the top countries competing across all divisions.

Divisions Offered

Cheer Divisions Offered

• Premier All Girl
• Premier Small Coed
• Premier Large Coed
• Elite All Girl
• Elite Small Coed
• Elite Large Coed
• All Girl Game Day
• Small Coed Game Day
• Large Coed Game Day

Dance Divisions Offered 

• Team Pom
• Team Hip Hop
• Team Jazz
• Dance Game Day
• Dance Game Day

College Spirit Program Game Day Division Offered: 

• Spirit Program (CH/DA) – Teams may choose one Game Day or Spirit Program.

Travel Tips – Be prepared for your trip to the magical Walt Disney World Resort: 

• Disney Housekeeping Information

CLICK HERE for full list of travel discounts for Varsity Spirit attendees!

Mears Connect – CLICK HERE to book.

One-Way (w/ 10% discount)

Adult (Ages 10 & up) = $16.00 Arrival, $14.40 Departure.

Child (Ages 3 – 9) = $13.00 Arrival, $11.70 Departure.

Round-Trip (w/ 10% discount)

Adult = $30.40

Child (Ages 3 – 9) =$24.70

MEARS FAQs