Experience the Varsity Difference

Create memories that will last a lifetime through the spirit of competition this season with VPA. Experience the benefits of a Varsity Regional Competition:

  • With events hosted across the country, VPA offers convenient dates and premier locations designed to fit the needs of every program.
  • Professionally produced events led by experienced adjudicators dedicated to recognizing excellence and helping your performers shine.
  • The opportunity to compete at the National School Band Championship and take the stage at an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Competition Information

Who can participate in the Pep Band division?

Any school with a band program can participate in the Pep Band division! The division was designed to be as accessible to as many bands as possible – you can perform and compete with music your program already plays.

  • Example programs include:
    • Bands who already compete with their cheer or dance teams in Game Day Live
    • Programs who want a new and special opportunity for a subset of their band (e.g., underclassmen, leadership, etc.)
    • Bands who put special importance on a band’s role in supporting school spirit and the game day atmosphere
    • Current High School and Middle School Pep Bands

Where can you play?

The Pep Band division is being offered at select Varsity Spirit Regional and Virtual Competitions for the 2026-2027 competition season. Your band can attend a competition on their own or attend the same competition as their cheer or dance teams . Regional events are held in cities all across the country to bring the most opportunities for your band to compete. Don’t have a competition near you this season and still want to compete? Virtual Pep Band Competitions are available!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW UPCOMING DATES & LOCATIONS

We can’t wait to hear your band perform LOUD and PROUD this competition season!

Registration opens this fall!

Pep Band Division & Rules

High School and Junior High Divisions

  •  Regional competitions will split divisions in the best interest of providing a competitive environment. Divisions will initially start with a split only between High School and Junior High Divisions.

Rules & Score Sheets:

Pep Band Division Format

The Pep Band Division will closely resemble what bands perform in the stands at athletic events and at pep rallies. The division will consist of at least 3 song selections to showcase your band’s traditions and crowd engaging performances.

Division Format:

  • Pep Bands must play a minimum of 3 of your most crowd-engaging selections.
    • Examples include: Pep tunes, cadences, fight songs, halftime show segments, etc.
    • Anything to get the crowd engaged!

Number of performers:

  • Bands must have a minimum of 5 performers.

Time limits:

  • Pep Bands may play more than 3 selections and must stay within their maximum performance time of 5:00 minutes (300 seconds).

Looking for more performance opportunities?

For other band performance opportunities and pricing please visit the specific brand websites below.

GAME DAY LIVE GUIDELINES (offered at select UCA/UDA events)

  • Game Day LIVE Divisions will be offered at select UCA & UDA events.
  • Junior Varsity and Varsity Divisions offered
  • Event Guidelines for all UCA Game Day LIVE and the National High School Cheerleading Championship please visit UCA – Divisions, Rules & Scoring
  • Event Guidelines for all UDA Game Day LIVE and National Dance Team Championship please visit UDA – Divisions, Rules & Scoring
  • In order to qualify for the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) or the National Dance Team Championship (NDTC) in the Game Day Live divisions, teams are required to attend with a cheer or dance team qualified to compete in Game Day Live.

GAME DAY RALLY FORMAT (offered at select NCA/NDA EVENTS)

  • Teams competing in the Game Day Rally Division will follow a structure identical to the other Game Day Divisions, with the exception of the fact that this division encourages the use of sideline cheerleaders, dancers, school bands, drumlines, and mascots, etc.
  • Event Guidelines for NCA please visit NCA – Divisions, Rules & Scoring
  • Event Guidelines for NDA please visit NDA – Divisions, Rules & Scoring

CROWDLEADER ROUTINE FORMAT (offered at all USA EVENTS)

  • The Crowdleader™ Team routine weaves together the three separate stand-alone categories offered as part of USA Game Day Competition divisions: Band Chant, Situational Sideline/Cheer, and Fight Song. It can be performed by a single team, or a combination of separate spirit groups from a school (cheer, song/pom, pep flags, mascot, dance team, and band).
  • Event Guidelines for USA please visit USA – Divisions, Rules & Scoring

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