GSSA Grand Nationals

January 9-11, 2026
Bakersfield, CA

About GSSA Grand Nationals

Founded in 1999, GSSA started as the Coaches Association for California providing scholarship and performance opportunities for cheerleaders and dancers.
The GSSA Championships was the sixth company to give bids to the USASF World Championships by meeting the mission statement to provide performance opportunities to teams from California.
GSSA has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to cheerleaders and dancers.
GSSA hosts events in the western region and prides itself in offering above industry-standard customer service.

GSSA Grand Nationals

Welcome to Bakersfield with the Golden State Spirit Association! Experience the lights, sounds & excitement from the 2023 GSSA Grand Nationals & join us again this season!

The Varsity Cheer League

The Varsity Cheer League is the official points system for the sport of all star cheerleading. Teams are separated by D1 & D2 and placed by their age group, based on the points they earn throughout the regular season. Winners are named bother regionally and nationally and receive their share of $500k in cash and prizes. This event is worth 400 points.

Learn More

2025 Championship Information

General Information

GSSA Grand Nationals

January 9-11, 2026
Dignity Health Arena
1001 Truxtun Ave
Bakersfield, CA, 93301

Doors will open one (1) hour prior to the first performance: 2:00pm Friday, 7:00am Saturday/Sunday
Coaches’ Check In: 1:30pm Friday for Dance, 6:30am Saturday/Sunday for Cheer in the Potato Room (East side of the building)

SPECTATOR DETAILS
Doors Open:
Friday 1/9/26 2:00pm
Saturday 1/10/26
Sunday 1/11/26 7:00am

Competition Start Time:
Friday 1/9/26 3:00pm
Saturday 1/10/26 8:00am
Sunday 1/11/26 8:00am
Spectator Entrance: Celebrity Hall Lobby

Here is the link to purchase spectator tickets! Please share with your programs’ families & fans!
Multiple Day Tickets (2-3)

1/9 Single Day Tickets

1/10 Single Day Tickets

1/11 Single Day Tickets

PARKING DETAILS
$10 Parking Fee per day *with in and out privileges*
You can Pre-pay for parking when purchasing tickets and also pay when arriving to the lot.
The link for pre-pay is found in the ticket links above!

Schedules

Performance Order

Awards Schedule

Housing Information

2026 Information Coming Soon!

Bid Information

2025-2026 Bid Information:

The Cheerleading Worlds

2 Full Paid Bids
4 At-Large Bids
View 2025-2026 Worlds Bid Declaration

The Dance Worlds

1 Partial Paid Bid
2 At-Large Bids
View 2025-2026 Worlds Bid Declaration

The Summit Championships

View 2025-2026 Summit Championships Bid Guide (The Summit, The D2 Summit, The Youth Summit, The Rec Summit, The Regional Summit)
View 2025-2026 Dance Summit Championship Bid Distribution

The Quest Recreational Championship

View 2024-2024 Quest Bid Guide

The U.S. Finals
Golden Tickets

Coaches' Corner

Varsity Spirit Rules & Regulations

Contacts:
Event Coordinator: Lance Elliott – lelliott@varsity.com
Registration: J’lynn Delgado – jdelgado@varsity.com
Alana Condon – acondon@varsity.com

Spectator Information

Watch Live: Join Varsity TV and tune-in to watch live streaming coverage of every performance! Visit the event hub for exclusive event coverage including on-demand routine videos, interviews, highlights, results and more!

Varsity Spirit Rules & Regulations