Insider Info: 2026 Champion Cheer And Dance Grand Nationals

Some of the nation’s best young dancers and cheerleaders are heading to the 2026 Champion Cheer and Dance Grand Nationals at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore on Dec. 5-6, with Varsity TV providing live coverage of every routine.

Champion Cheer & Dance emphasizes creating a legacy, with roughly five decades of organizational history. 

The group began with cheer camps, before transitioning to championship-level events. Today, its Grand Nationals stage now welcomes Division I and Division II All Star cheer and dance teams competing for points toward The Varsity Cheer League and bids to end-of-season championships.

What To Know About The Baltimore Convention Center

The Baltimore Convention Center, opened in 1979 and expanded in 1996, features 300,000 square feet of exhibition space, 50 meeting rooms and a multifunctional ballroom. 

It hosts more than 125 events yearly and welcomes over 500,000 guests, anchoring Baltimore’s Inner Harbor tourism district near Harborplace, the National Aquarium and Camden Yards.

Between performances, visiting families can explore Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods, markets, food halls, museums and waterfront — and no trip is complete without Maryland blue crabs.

What Teams Are Competing For At Champion Cheer & Dance Grand Nationals

Bids on the line include Paid and At-Large bids to The Cheerleading Worlds and partially Paid and At-Large bids to The Dance Worlds, along with bids to The Summit championships, The Quest and Golden Tickets to The U.S. Finals.

The Varsity Cheer League is the official ranking system for All Star cheerleading, changing the conversation from “Who won the weekend?” to “Who ranks at the top this season?” 

Each team’s six best Varsity All Star event scores calculate its final ranking, with regional champions winning cash and prizes.

How To Watch The 2026 Champion Cheer and Dance Grand Nationals

The 2026 Champion Cheer and Dance Grand Nationals streams LIVE on Varsity TV on Dec. 5-6, with a rebroadcast available on a 24-hour delay. 

Check the event schedule on Varsity TV for performance blocks and awards times as the weekend approaches.