5 Things To Know About The LSU Dance Team At UDA College Nationals 2026

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After winning a hip-hop national championship at the 2024 UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship, the Louisiana State University dance team struggled in its title defense in 2025.

However, if recent history is any indication, the LSU Tiger Girls will be back in top form at the upcoming 2026 UCA/UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida, where they’ll take aim at a fifth national title. 

Make sure to tune in to Varsity TV from Jan. 16-18 to catch all of the action from the the famous ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 

The dance portion of the competition will see championship trophies awarded in jazz, hip hop and pom.

But what suggests that LSU will win the hip-hop crown again this year? Well, because the Tigers claimed their most recent wins in 2022 and 2024, so it now is a pattern.

Before that, there was a bit of a drought for the squad, which broke through in 1999 and added a second title in 2010. 

The team’s quest last year for consecutive victories fell well short, as the Tigers finished sixth in Division IA Hip Hop. In the jazz competition, they finished 12th and didn’t qualify for the 11-team finals. 

As we prepare for the 2026 edition of the event, let’s take a look at some things to know about the LSU dance team:

About The LSU Tiger Girls Dance Team

For nearly three decades, the LSU Tiger Girls Dance Team has been part of the culture on the school’s campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the squad’s performances are enjoyed each year by fans at football games, basketball games and gymnastics meets. 

The team also stays active in other school and community events, but the year’s ultimate focus is on UDA College Nationals. Each year at the event, the Tigers compete in the hip-hop and jazz categories. Their competitive season runs from July through May.

Redemption, Controversy And Success For LSU Dance Team 

The last few years have been a whirlwind for the LSU dance team. 

Despite a petition that had more than 27,000 signatures, along with more than two decades of participation in the UDA College Nationals, the team was not allowed to compete in the event in 2021, a decision made by the school, citing a variety of reasons – COVID-19, funding, not enough trainers, etc.

The LSU Tiger Girls got redemption with a national championship in 2022, and the title-taking routine was more than just a performance, it was a huge statement that left a lasting impression.

The song chosen for the routine was “Like A Boy” by Ciara, a nod to female athletes everywhere who are doubted, neglected or not treated the same as the male athletes. 

The performance went viral and was a highlight of the #LetThemCompete campaign that shined a spotlight on the whole situation. 

Here’s a look at the routine that made national headlines and won the 2022 Division IA Hip Hop national championship: Watch and read more now.

Once again in 2023, the Tigers’ title defense did not go well, and they finished fourth.

In 2024, dancing to Michael Jackson’s hit song “Smooth Criminal,” the Tigers were back on top of the collegiate dance world. Here’s a look back at that victory.

LSU also made history as the first program at the UDA College Nationals to place in the top 3 in both DIA Hip Hop and DIA Jazz in the same year. The Tigers were third in the jazz competition in 2024. 

LSU Always Among Most-Watched Routines At UCA/UDA College Nationals

The UCA/UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship features the best cheer and dance teams in the nation, and LSU has proven over more than two decades that its routines will be innovative, entertaining and among the top contenders in any given year.

Despite a down year by LSU standards, the Tigers did land among the 10 most-watched routines at the 2025 UDA College Nationals. Except this time, it was the team’s jazz routine that turned heads.

Click here to see LSU’s 2025 jazz routine, as well as the rest of the top 10.

In 2024, the Tigers were mesmerizing with their Michael Jackson tribute.  

Click here to see LSU’s 2024 hip-hop routine, as well as the rest of the top 10 for the year.

Want To Be Part Of The LSU Tiger Girls Dance Team?

Learn more about the LSU Tiger Girls Dance Team.

Check out this year’s team photo and roster, see who was on the squad all the way back to 2006, learn about the coaches and see what is required to be part of the team.

Each summer, the dance team, in conjunction with the LSU cheer squad, facilitates a camp for the next generation of team members. 

Participants from age 3-10 can spend the week with the dancers, cheerleaders and Mike the Tiger, the LSU mascot, playing games, learning routines and more.

Click here for more information.

Follow The LSU Tiger Girls On Social Media

If you want to see what’s happening with the LSU dance team, catch special performances and behind-the-scenes content, make sure to find the Tigers on social media!

Read more from CBS News in 2022: From heartbreak to TikTok stardom: The amazing journey of the LSU Tiger Girls

Follow the team: TikTok | Facebook | Instagram 

LSU Schedule At UCA/UDA College Nationals 2026

  • LSU will compete in the Division IA Cheer Game Day semifinals on Jan. 16 at 9:34 a.m. (AdventHealth Arena – South).
  • LSU will compete in the DIA Jazz prelims on Jan. 16 at 6:48 p.m. (State Farm Field House).
  • LSU will compete in the Division IA Cheer semifinals on Jan. 17 at 10:18 a.m. (AdventHealth Arena – South).
  • LSU will compete in the DIA Hip Hop semifinals on Jan. 17 at 9:56 p.m. (AdventhHealth Arena – South).

How To Watch UDA College Nationals 2026

The entire event is streaming on Varsity TV and the FloSports app beginning Jan. 16. 

Event replays, highlights and breaking news will be available on both platforms. 

Watch Live

2026 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship

Missed the Action? Watch The Rebroadcast

The rebroadcast will stream on Varsity TV on a delay of 24 hours.

Relive The Action With Varsity TV 24/7 Network

Whether you're a die-hard fan, a coach or an athlete, Varsity TV 24/7 Network brings the action of the competitive cheer and dance season straight to you—anytime, anywhere. 

The always-live stream will feature all-access content and video replays hand-picked by experts on the Varsity TV team. Tune in to Varsity TV 24/7 Network live, starting on Nov. 1.

UDA College Nationals 2026 Schedule 

Block schedules have been released. Check out the schedules: 

2026 UDA College Dance Team National Championship Results

Results for the 2026 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading & Dance Team National Championship can be found here.

UDA College Nationals Results From Past Years:

Tune in to Varsity TV from Jan. 16-18 to watch all the action live from the 2026 UCA & UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship in Orlando, Florida.

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