How to Qualify for 2026 NDA High School Nationals

All teams attending the 2026 NDA High School National Championship must receive 1) Varsity Sprit/NFHS Squad Credentialing AND 2) NDA Nationals bid to be eligible to attend.

1) CAMP QUALIFICATION (Varsity Sprit/NFHS Squad Credentialing & Nationals Bid)

Teams will continue to complete NFHS Squad Credentialing and have a chance to earn a NDA Nationals bid by participating in the Home Routine and/or Team Dance Evaluation (taught at camp) at a 2025 NDA Summer Camp. Click here to start your journey to nationals at an NDA Camp or contact your State Director to set up a Home Camp.

NOTE: Only 2+ day NDA Camps offer both Varsity Spirit/NFHS Squad Credentialing and award bids to qualify for NDA Nationals. 

Attending an NDA Summer Camp allows you to receive special benefits at the NDA National Championship! These include:

GOLD TIER
NDA Overnight, Day & PYP Camp Customers

• Registration Priority
• Hotel Priority
• Practice Time Priority

SILVER TIER
NDA Home Camp Customers (2+ day)

• Registration opens after Gold Tier
• Hotel Priority
• Practice Time Priority

BRONZE TIER
NDA Regional Championship (Virtual or In-Person)

• Registration opens after Silver Tier
• Practice Time if space warrants

 

*NOTE: Each team will need to complete the steps above to earn qualification tier status. Clarification: JV and Varsity teams are considered two separate teams.

 

2) SQUAD CREDENTIALING PROGRAM (Varsity Sprit/NFHS Squad Credentialing ONLY)

• To learn more about this program, please contact your State Director.

3) REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS OR CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIPS (Nationals Bid ONLY)

Teams may qualify for the 2026 NDA National Championship at an NDA Championship by January 24, 2025, by placing in the top three in their division or scoring a 70 or above. Note: No prior qualification is required to compete in NDA Classic and Regional Championships. Click here to learn more about NDA Competitions!

Teams that wish to receive a bid at an NDA Regional/Championship must also complete the Varsity Spirit/NFHS Credentialing program.

Welcome to tryout season! Spring is the perfect time to set your team’s foundation and plays a role in getting started on your road to nationals.

• Host your team’s tryouts. Be sure to look at the NDA divisions to start getting an idea of what division you would be competing in at NDA High School Nationals.
• If you have not already, be sure to register for NDA camp! Contact your State Director to get started.
• Plan a team parent meeting. Include your goals for the team and potential costs such as NDA camp, NDA regionals, nationals and more. The more you can share on the front end, the better prepared your families will be throughout the year!
• Start working on team technique and strength training to get ready for camp.

Depending on your team, you may or may not have already started planning for your national’s trip. Be sure to double check these key items throughout the summer and into early fall.

• Qualify for NDA Nationals (see NDA site for qualification information).
• Get approval from administration.
• Hold a parent meeting to discuss details including dates, fees, timelines, etc.
• Solidify plans for travel based on your location.
  • Check out the Travel Tips & Discounts section on the NDA website!
• Contact your Varsity Rep to order any new uniform/pom needs.
  • Order early to ensure you have enough turnaround time to receive before Nationals.
• Start planning your team’s choreography if you have not already.
  • For more information on choreography through NDA or V!ROC, contact your State Director.
• Order your program’s music.
  • Be sure to save your licensing or proof of purchase to bring with you to Orlando for registration.

It’s almost time to register for NDA High School Nationals! Once you have registered, you can turn your focus to important details regarding the team and competition. This will be the busiest time of your dance squad season with games and preparing for nationals. The more organized you are, the better!

• Register your team for NDA High School Nationals! Registration opens during the fall, so keep an eye out for an email headed your way with this information. Remember that rooms are based on first availability, so the sooner you register the better!
• Read the rules in full to have a clear understanding as these may be different than other events you have attended in the past. If you have questions, you can email ndascoring@varsity.com for clarity.
  • Digital Dance Critiques are a way for your team to get feedback!
• Review all score sheets and scoring information on the NDA website. The more you understand what the judges are looking for, the more prepared you will feel as a coach.
• Set team goals for Nationals. Having clear goals for the team can help them feel successful and understand the expectations you have for them.

It’s go time for you and your team! All the preparations up to this point will help you feel knowledgeable and ready as a coach and will help lead your team to success. Be on the lookout for email communication regarding event specifics. These emails will come throughout December and January.

• Pro Tip: Bookmark the NDA High School Nationals event page to have easy access to updated schedules, email communication, scoring information and more!

Here are some important details you can expect:

• Block Schedule/Order of Competition
• Hotel Confirmation
• Ticket Information
• Coaches Webinar

Check the NDA website regularly throughout this time of year as all information and email communication will be posted there for you to review. Remember that your NDA State Director is there for you as a resource!

• Prepare itineraries for your team and your spectators. Providing detailed information about where to be at what times will help you feel less stressed once in Orlando.
• Send out a packing list. Be sure to include reminders for any poms, hair accessories, extra shoes, etc. that they might need.
• Complete all required event paperwork:
  • Athlete Medical Release Waivers (organized by first name)
  • Music Licensing (proof of purchase)
  • USA DANCE Membership for Dance Coaches
  • Required for anyone that will be accessing the warmup room.
• Join the Coaches BAND for NDA High School Nationals! This link will be provided for you in our coaches’ webinar. Joining this group will keep you up to date throughout the event and will make it easy to ask any questions.
• Have the trip of a lifetime! While the main priority for your team is to compete, don’t forget to enjoy making memories as a team!

Coaches Tour

Thursday evening, we will offer a coaches meeting and tour of the venue stages.
This exclusive coach tour will allow coaches to ask questions and see the venues before the competition. This is optional but HIGHLY recommended for new coaches.
Coaches Hospitality Room

During the competition, there will be a Coaches Hospitality Room available for coaches. This is a place to get away, relax, and grab some snacks. Additionally, there will be a live stream of the competition in the Hospitality Room.

CLICK HERE for more information on NDA Divisions, Rules and Scoring.

NDA Awards

• All participants will receive an NDA souvenir medallion
• All finalists will receive a trophy during final awards
• Finalist teams eligible to also receive a specialty awards plaque – Superior Showmanship, NDA Unleashed, or Technical Excellence
• National Champions will receive a Champion banner, Champion Trophy & the coveted National Champion Jacket!
• Junior & Grand Champion is our most prestigious award and is awarded to the team with the highest cumulative score of two categories. The winners must be a National Champion in at least one of the categories.

ARRIVAL DAY

1. Travel to sunny Orlando for a weekend full of dance and fun! Upon arrival at your resort, check into hotel rooms. Following resort check in, you can register with NDA to receive your credential cards, and all final information.
2. Take the rest of the day to unpack, explore the resort pools. Optional Open Practice will be available by tier then first come, first served. Coaches also will have the opportunity to attend an exclusive Coaches Tour of the incredible NDA Venues, ask questions, and get a firsthand look at the performance spaces. Get some rest because the competition starts Friday!

COMPETITION DAY 1-3

1. Preliminary rounds will start on Day 1.
2. Upon arrival to your performance venue, NDA staff will guide you to the warm up and performance areas.
3. Semi-Finals for most divisions will be on Day 2.
4. Most of the division finals will be held on Sunday.

DEPARTURE

1. Teams travel home from Orlando with unforgettable memories and experiences from NDA High School Nationals. Travel safe!

CLICK HERE to learn more about V!ROC, Varsity Spirit’s dance choreography brand.

CLICK HERE to view the Varsity Spirit Fashion Catalog!

• To get started with your order, reach out to your VSF Rep.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our Varsity Spirit Fundraising partners.

Still have unanswered questions? CLICK HERE to ask your State Director for help!