Game Day Live

The judges will score teams using the criteria listed on the UCA/UDA Game Day score sheet. Each team will be evaluated on a 100 point system. For more about Game Day, click here.

The order for the College Game Day Championship will be Fight Song, Situational Sideline (offense/defense) and a Game Day Timeout (in this order).

• Fight Song
  • Should represent the traditional fight song your school has always done at games
  • Skills should be minimal and practical
  • Should start from the sideline formation
• Situational Sideline
  • Situational for each team performing
  • After an offensive or defensive scenario, the squad will determine which sideline to do
  • Teams are encouraged to use spirit raising props such as signs, poms and/or megaphones
  • Skills should be minimal and practical
• Game Day Timeout (similar to what was done at camp)
  • Similar to a 60 second extended band chant; designed for crowd interaction and involves crowd response
  • The best time to showcase squad’s energy, leadership, visual appeal and connection to the crowd

CLICK HERE for an example of 2024-2025 Rules & Regulations.

• In connection with our Band events, each pep band must submit this form signed by a member of the local school administration attesting to the school’s right to use the music, chants and other material in the anticipated performance at Varsity sponsored events.

Score Sheets: 

• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Dance (2024-2025)
• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Cheer (2024-2025)
• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Pep Band (204-2025)

The dance team, cheer team, and pep band will receive an overall score of their performance as one unit.

The dance team, cheer team, and pep band will be scored separately on the following elements:

• Fight Song
• Spirit Raising
• Performance Routine

In these elements, the pep band will be scored primarily on:

• Sound Quality – Are the tone and pitch of each note/piece accurate
• Technical Accuracy – Is the music being performed with correct technique and rhythm?
• Musicality – Is the music appropriate and/or relevant to a Game Day setting?
• Engagement with the crowd – Is the pep band in sync with the cheerleaders, responding with appropriate call-backs when elicited and providing music that complements the dance elements?
• Overall Performance with the Dancers – Does the combination of the groups reflect a successful Game Day setting?

CLICK HERE to view the 2024-2025 College event pricing.

Dancers:

To attend the National Dance Team Championship, teams must first qualify by receiving one of the following:

• All Superior trophy winners at UDA camp with 5 or more members*+
• All Home Routine trophy winners at UDA Overnight camp with 5 or more members
• Teams attending any Varsity branded camp with 5 or more members can also qualify for Nationals at a UDA regional competition*

* Teams must attend an overnight camp, day camp, or home camp that is at least 2 days in length to be eligible

+ Teams will continue to qualify for a Superior trophy at overnight and day camps by athletes being evaluated in all routine evaluations. To qualify for a Superior trophy at home camps each athlete must be evaluated on a minimum of 2 camp routines.

Pep Band:

• Pep Bands DO NOT have to qualify for the 2025 National Dance Team Championship.

The Game Day Live performance consists of three elements—Fight Song, Spirit Raising, and Performance Routine —combined in a 3:30 performance by the pep band and dancers, just like the current game day format. The entire performance may not exceed 5:30 with entry and exit of all performers.

RUN ON/BAND PERFORMANCE:

The pep band will have 30 seconds to enter the competition performance floor and set up in formation.

ONLY Handheld or harnessed instruments allowed in the pep band.

Pep Bands will be introduced to the floor and will have one (1) minute to play any cadence or song. Only the pep band is scored during this time.

At the end of one (1) minute the dance team will be introduced to the floor and will have 30 seconds to take their formation prior to starting the first Fight Song component.  Pep Bands may play any cadence or song during the 30 second dance team introduction. Only the pep band is scored during this time

Following the one (1) minute performance, pep band members should be in formation for the start of the routine showing a clear beginning of the Fight Song. All pep band members should remain in the designated band area throughout the Fight Song and Spirit Raising. Pep Band members are allowed to change formation but must remain in the designated performance area in which they started during the first two elements.

See Specific Event Rules and Regulations for space limitations. Space will be dependent on the venue you are performing.

FIGHT SONG (Up to 60 Seconds): This element should reflect your school’s traditional Fight Song. For teams that do not have an official Fight Song, it is recommended to use a second selection of band chant music.

• Dancers: The dancers should showcase skills and choreography that represents the traditional Fight Song that your team performs at games and community events. Teams can choose to incorporate crowd effective skills to enhance the overall effect. Dance teams must remain in the dance performance area.
• Pep Band: When performing the fight song, the pep band should focus on sound quality, technical accuracy, musicality, and engagement. They should lead the dancers and the crowd with their performance, as well as participate in call-backs, if applicable. Pep Band must remain in the designated band area.

SPIRIT RAISING (Up to 60 Seconds): This element will follow the Fight Song. There will not be a cue given by the announcer. Teams will choose to perform one of the following elements; Sideline Routine, Stand Routine, or Drum Cadence.

• Dancers: The dancers should focus on crowd effectiveness, creative movements such as level changes or ripples, and execution of the material. The dance team should showcase a clear ability to engage and lead the crowd. Dance teams must remain in the dance performance area.
• Pep Band: The pep band should provide a cadence or spirited music that reflects a game day environment where dancers can incorporate visual movements and crowd involvement. Pep Band must remain in the designated band area.

PERFORMANCE ROUTINE (Up to 60 Seconds): The final element should be a routine that would typically be performed during a timeout or halftime and is designed for crowd entertainment. This routine can be in any style or mix of styles and should incorporate both groups.

• Dancers: The dancers should focus on creative choreography such as routine staging and visual elements, execution of the material, and overall entertainment value.
• Pep Band: The pep band should provide music that is upbeat, engaging, and reflects a game day environment. Pep bands are encouraged to move into the dance performance area and be incorporated in formations with the dance team to enhance the overall visual appeal.

RUN OFF: The pep band has 30 seconds to play original, spirited music while the dance team exits the competition floor. Once the piece ends, the pep band may exit. Only the pep band is scored during this time.

CLICK HERE for an example of 2024-2025 Rules & Regulations.

• In connection with our Band events, each pep band must submit this form signed by a member of the local school administration attesting to the school’s right to use the music, chants and other material in the anticipated performance at Varsity sponsored events.

Score Sheets:

• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Dance  (2024-2025)
• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Pep Band (2024-2025)

The dance team and pep band will receive an overall score of their performance as one unit.

The dance team and pep band will be scored separately on the following elements:

• Fight Song
• Spirit Raising
• Performance Routine

In these elements, the pep band will be scored primarily on:

• Sound Quality – Are the tone and pitch of each note/piece accurate
• Technical Accuracy – Is the music being performed with correct technique and rhythm?
• Musicality – Is the music appropriate and/or relevant to a Game Day setting?
• Engagement with the crowd – Is the pep band in sync with the cheerleaders, responding with appropriate call-backs when elicited and providing music that complements the dance elements?
• Overall Performance with the Dancers – Does the combination of the groups reflect a successful Game Day setting?

CLICK HERE to view the 2024-2025 NDTC event pricing.

In order to qualify for our National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) in the Game Day Live division, teams are required to fulfil the following requirements:

1. Cheerleaders: 
   1. The cheer team must attend a UCA Regional Competition and compete and receive a bid in the Game Day division.
   2. Teams that accept the invitation to compete in the Game Day Live division will ONLY be allowed to compete in the LIVE version of Game Day. They will not be allowed to compete in another Game Day division.
2. Pep Band: 
   1. If a pep band and cheer team choose to attend a competition; the pep band must register for the event and complete a release waiver for each participant.
   2. The pep band must be current members of the official pep band for the school they are representing.
   3. The pep band must be in a school-related, coordinated outfit (i.e., traditional team uniform, coordinated outfit representing your school colors, letters, mascot, etc.).
3. Visit uca.varsity.com or contact your State Director for Game Day Live event availability. 

The Game Day Live performance consists of three elements—Band Chant, Crowd Leading section (Situational Sideline and Cheer), and Fight Song—combined in a 3-minute performance by the pep band and cheerleaders, just like the current game day format. The entire performance may not exceed 5 minutes with entry and exit of all performers. For all Format Guidelines, click here. 

CLICK HERE for an example of 2024-2025 Rules & Regulations.

• In connection with our Band events, each pep band must submit this form signed by a member of the local school administration attesting to the school’s right to use the music, chants and other material in the anticipated performance at Varsity sponsored events.

Score Sheets:

• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Cheer (2024-2025)
• Game Day Live Score Sheet – Pep Band (2024-2025)

The cheer team and pep band will receive an overall score of their performance as one unit.

The cheer team and pep band will be scored separately on the following elements:

• Band Chant
• Situational Sideline
• Crowd Leading
• Fight Song

In these elements, the pep band will be scored primarily on:

• Sound Quality – Are the tone and pitch of each note/piece accurate?
• Technical Accuracy – Is the music being performed with correct technique and rhythm?
• Musicality – Is the music appropriate and/or relevant to a Game Day setting?
• Engagement with the crowd – Is the pep band in sync with the cheerleaders, responding with appropriate call-backs when elicited and providing music that complements the cheer elements?
• Overall Performance with the Cheerleaders – Does the combination of the groups reflect a successful Game Day setting?

CLICK HERE to view the 2024-2025 NHSCC Event Pricing