NCA
High School
Nationals

January 21-22, 2023 | Dallas, TX

Championship Information

Dates & Location

2023 NCA High School Nationals

January 21-22, 2023

Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas
650 S Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202

Schedule

2023 NCA High School Nationals Schedule:

2023 NCA Kick Off:
For the first time ever, we are hosting an NCA Kick Off in the Arena on Friday evening. During this event, we will highlight our Go Be Great finalists and winners, present our annual NCA Scholarship, cheer on Special Olympics teams as they perform in their State championship and celebrate 75 years of NCA. Immediately following, all new coaches will be invited on a “Rookie Coaches Tour.”

Housing Information

NCA is proud to partner with Team Travel Source as the Official Housing Company for all NCA Events! NCA High School Nationals housing will open September 1, 2022 at 12:00 PM ET.  CLICK HERE for more information!

Travel Discounts

Delta Airlines

  • Reservations and ticketing are available HERE or by calling our Delta Meeting Network.
  • Reservations at 800-328-1111. When booking online HERE, select ‘Book Your Flight’ and enter this Meeting Code in the box provided: NMVZP

United Airlines

  • Information for Delta Airlines discount is available HERE.

How to Qualify for Nationals

(1) NFHS CREDENTIALING
ALL teams attending NCA High School National Championship must complete the Varsity Spirit/NFHS Squad Credentialing program at ANY Varsity Spirit Summer or Fall camp in 2022. At least 75% of the athletes competing at Nationals must meet the credentialing requirement (a mascot would count towards the 75% requirement).

(2) RECEIVE A BID 
Teams must complete ONE of the following; (a) attend an NCA Summer or Fall camp in 2022 OR (b) compete at an NCA Regional or Classic Championship – In Person or Virtual. *More information can be found on our Rules & Scoring webpage.

NCA TEAM GOLD (NOT A PART OF QUALIFICATION)
Teams that attend BOTH an NCA Summer Camp and an NCA competition (either In Person or Virtual) then finish the season off at NCA High School Nationals, will be recognized as a part of NCA TEAM GOLD. Each Team Gold squad will receive:

  • Guaranteed Early Pricing
  • Priority Hotel Blocking
  • Priority On-Site Check In
  • Priority Open Practice Sign Up
  • Preferential Order of Performance (not guaranteed)
  • Athlete gifts and more!

NFHS Endorsement

NFHS endorses and supports NCA High School Nationals! This endorsement is exclusive in the cheerleading and dance team categories and will include actively encouraging states, through reasonable methods, to allow their member schools to participate in NCA High School Nationals.

Spectator Information

Dallas Visitor's Guide

For anyone visiting Dallas, check out the Dallas Visitor’s Guide – compiled by the Dallas Sports Commission with details regarding the City of Dallas, including attractions, restaurants, discounts and coupons.

Tickets

2023 NCA High School Nationals Tickets:
Purchase Tickets

Communication

The NCA High School Nationals BAND group will be used to communicate important and immediate information, leading up to and throughout the competition. To stay in the know, we highly recommend that you join this group and turn on notifications!

2023 BAND GROUP

Event Photography

Universal Event Photography will be taking team photos and action shots onsite during the event. These pictures can be ordered on the kiosks in each venue, or pre-ordered HERE.

Rules & Requirements

USA Cheer Membership Requirement

USA Cheer has developed a comprehensive Membership Program, which includes a background check, athlete protection training, acknowledgement of concussion training with return to participation guidance, a member code of conduct, and safety training courses on risk management and safety rules.

This season’s membership will be active from June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2023 and will satisfy the previously communicated requirement that all school coaches, choreographers, rec coaches, and personnel attending a Varsity Spirit cheer or dance competition must have this membership to gain access to the warmup, backstage or coaches’ box areas.

NEW THIS YEAR
The Cheer Coach and Dance Coach memberships come with additional liability coverage for current members who are 18 years of age or older while coaching their designated team. Beginning in 2022-23, this membership includes secondary liability coverage for members who are 18 years of age or older who have completed all requirements for membership. Coverage applies while the approved Dance Coach member is supervising dance practices, games, or competition with their designated team. No coverage applies for 1) training individual participants or conducting their own camps/clinics 2) acting as a choreographer for a team that they do not coach full time or 3) while coaching any other sports besides cheer, STUNT and dance.

PROOF OF MEMBERSHIP
When checking in at Varsity Spirit competitions, you will now simply provide proof of membership for each person from your organization who wishes to go into the warmup area, backstage or coaches’ box. Upon proof of membership, each coach will receive a wristband that will allow them access.

COMPLETE CHEER MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT (1 Cheer Coach Per Team)

COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT (Additional Coaches, Choreographers, etc)

Required Forms

2023 Required Forms Coming Soon:
View

Rules, Scoring & Divisions

2023 Rules, Scoring and Divisions:
View

National Routine Video Examples

National Routine Video Examples:
Looking for examples of a Performance, Game Performance or Game Day routine at NCA High School Nationals? Check out video examples and more details here.

Team Photographer

If you are needing credentials for a team photographer only, please follow the instructions in the form below:
TEAM PHOTOGRAPHER FORM

Awards & Recognition

Go Be Great Award

Nominate for the “Go Be Great Award”
At certain NCA competitions, we have a tradition of awarding the Go Be Great Award.  The Go Be Great Award is presented to a coach, team, or program who goes above and beyond to make the world a better place, outside of cheerleading and dance. Nominate for your upcoming NCA High School Nationals by completing the form below!

Nominate Here

Get Featured by NCA & Varsity TV

We love to feature teams on social media. Please take a few moments to let us know more about your program for the chance to be featured on NCA social media and Varsity TV!

Submit a Team Bio

Past Championship Information

Wall of Fame

Traditional Divisions Wall of Fame:
View

Game Day Division Wall of Fame:
View

Go Be Great Wall of Fame:
View

Photo Gallery

Video Gallery

NCA College: The Road To Daytona

See the journey from NCA College Camp to NCA Nationals and why teams love performing on the Bandshell in Daytona Beach, Florida.

May. 7, 2020

2019 NCA High School Nationals

Teams from across the country came to Dallas, Texas to prove the work was worth it at the 2019 NCA High School National Championship.

Mar. 9, 2020

NCA & NDA: College Game Day

Step off the sidelines and into the spotlight at the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship

Dec. 4, 2018