Game Day Live

The Game Day Live performance consists of four elements—Band Chant, Situational Sideline, Crowd Leading and Fight Song—combined in a 3-minute performance by the pep band and cheerleaders, just like the current game day format. The pep band will have an additional 30 seconds during both the “run on” and “run off” of the cheerleaders to be judged on playing original, spirited music. Together, the entire performance may not exceed 4 minutes. All skill restrictions below will be enforced.

RUN ON: Once the pep band is performance ready, they have 30 seconds to play original, spirited music while the cheerleaders are taking the competition floor. Only the pep band is scored during this time.

BAND CHANT: The cheerleaders should demonstrate spirit and enthusiasm while entering the performance floor and continue until the pep band starts playing the Band Chant. As soon as the cheerleaders are set on the performance floor, the pep band may start playing.

• Cheerleaders: Once the band starts playing, the cheerleaders may not incorporate any skills other than kicks and jumps, just like summer camp. The cheerleaders should utilize spirit raising props and focus on creative movements such as level changes or ripples, execution of the material, and encouraging the crowd to participate.
• Pep Band: The pep band should focus on playing spirited music that reflects a game day environment, and that the cheerleaders can incorporate visual movements to.

SITUATIONAL SIDELINE: Following the Band Chant, the announcer will provide a cue for offense or defense. Teams should wait until the announcer finishes the cue and show the proper response to the game day situation.

• Cheerleaders: The cheerleaders should focus on crowd effectiveness, motion technique and skills relevant to a game day environment. NOTE: It is a requirement to incorporate skills into the Sideline (stunts, jumps and/or tumbling).
• Pep Band: The pep band should provide a cadence that the cheer team and crowd back home could easily yell along with, eliciting a crowd response.

CROWD LEADING: There must be a clear distinction between the Sideline and kicking off the Crowd Leading portion. The cheerleaders and pep band may show spirited interaction as a clear transition.

• Cheerleaders: The cheerleaders must return to the performance surface and show a clear separation between elements. They are not allowed to stunt in transition. Crowd Leading may include a cheer reflective of a timeout, general sideline/spell-out, or other cheer material with minimal words, inciting a response, and encouraging the crowd to yell along. Teams should incorporate spirit props and practical skills.
• Pep Band: The pep band’s role is to influence crowd participation by responding to the cheer team’s call-backs, and encouraging the crowd to yell along. They may also create a cadence that would be relevant to the game day environment to increase the overall crowd effectiveness.

FIGHT SONG: The final 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.

• Cheerleaders: Cheerleaders should incorporate crowd effective skills and may include spirit raising props to enhance overall effect. Fight Song incorporation is limited to three (3) consecutive 8-counts of stunts and/or tumbling. Counting begins with the initiation of a skill and continue until either the incorporation is complete or the end of the third 8-count. (If the Fight Song repeats, incorporation is only be permitted both times if the skills are repeated exactly the same.)
• Pep Band: When performing the fight song, the pep band should focus on sound quality, technical accuracy, musicality and engagement. They should lead the cheerleaders and the crowd with their performance, as well as participate in callbacks, if applicable.

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

VIDEO SUBMISSION QUALIFICATIONS: Video submissions are due by December 1, 2020.

• Video must demonstrate the band and cheerleaders performing the school’s fight song together.
  • This video can take place at a game or an organized practice.
  • The band can be situated next to the cheerleader’s performance surface or behind the performance surface, but NOT on the performance surface.
• The other Game Day Live elements including band chant, situational sideline and crowd leading are allowed to be demonstrated into the qualifying video, but are not required.

Cheerleaders:

• The cheer team must still attend an in-person or virtual UCA Regional Competition and compete in the Game Day division, even if they already received a guaranteed bid for Game Day Live from the video submission process.
• Game Day Live bids will ONLY be offered to teams that submit a video. There will not be a Game Day Live division at any UCA Regional Competition in 2020.
• Videos must be submitted prior to the cheer team attending a UCA Regional Competition.
• Teams that accept the invitation to compete in the Game Day Live division will ONLY be allowed to compete in Game Day Live and Traditional Routine. They will not also be allowed to compete in the current Game Day division.

Pep Band:

• The pep band must submit a deposit of $50 per pep band member upon receiving a bid to secure their spot in the competition. Spots will be held on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• 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.).
• The pep band does NOT need to attend a Varsity Spirit Camp or UCA Regional Competition in order to submit a video in conjunction with the cheer team.

Cheerleaders:

• No tosses (basket, sponge or elevator) are allowed.
• No inversions are allowed.
• No twisting released dismounts are allowed.
• No running tumbling is allowed.
• Single leg stunts are limited to liberties and liberty hitches.
• Standing tumbling is limited to one tumbling skill. A back tuck is the most elite tumbling skill allowed (i.e., standing full is not allowed; rippled single back handsprings are allowed).
• Teams should take the floor immediately with spirit and enthusiasm, but without excessive gestures (i.e., running of the flags, chest bumps, intricate handshakes).
• Stunts are not allowed during the team’s entry to the floor or any time prior to starting the performance.
• In between elements, teams must always return to the performance surface. Teams may kick, jump or tumble but may NOT stunt.
• During the Band Chant, only kicks and jumps are permitted.

Pep Band:

• Number of pep band members must not exceed 50.
• Time starts once the band starts playing.
• Teams must show a clear start and end between each element.
• Spirit raising props are permitted and encouraged (i.e., shaker poms, foam fingers, rally towels, etc.).
• No pre-made tracks are allowed. All music must be played live.
• 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.
• Members are prohibited from the cheerleaders’ performing surface and must stay in their designated area for the duration of the performance.

Game Day Live Score Sheet – Cheer
Game Day Live Score Sheet – Pep Band

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

The pep band and cheer team 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?

The pep band will receive an additional score for the following:

• Run On
• Run Off

To help make your trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort as seamless as possible, Varsity Performing Arts will have large instruments available to use for your performance.

• Tubas, bass drums, snare drums and quad drums can be made available to rent upon request with an advance reservation.
• Performers who need to utilize a Varsity Performing Arts instruments will be able to do so at the checkout area in the warm-up room. Instruments must be returned upon completion of their performance.
• Performers who need to utilize a tuba or a sousaphone will be required to bring one’s own mouthpiece and reed.
• Performers who utilize a Varsity Performing Arts instrument will be required to leave a refundable damage deposit of $50 at the checkout area in the warm-up room. Performers will receive their deposit upon return of the instrument, provided that the instrument is not damaged.

Teams that receive an invitation to compete in the Game Day Live division will be notified via email. This email will include a link to the online registration portal.

View the 2020 Game Day Live Travel Package.

If you have additional questions, please call 800-969-2044.

Please view the 2020 Game Day Live Travel Package.

Note: Please assume a 5-8% price increase for the 2021 Travel Package.

Click here to watch the Disney Travel Tips! See you next year in Orlando!

• Please know that together, with the Walt Disney World Resort, we’ve made many updates to the championship experience based on the guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. Before you register, it is imperative that you read everything carefully and make sure you share this information with your athletes and parents. Please know that this is a fluid situation and subject to change. Click here to read the Championship Experience Updates.

Team forms must be returned to the Varsity Spirit office no later than 3 weeks prior to the event. Spectator forms must be turned in at registration in Orlando.

• Terms & Conditions
• Spectator Release Waiver – Coming soon! These will be emailed to you as soon as they are available.

Team Forms (Coach Only)

• Coach/Adult Release Waiver
• Minor/Athlete Release Waiver
• UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship Rules
• Enrollment Letter
• USA Cheer Certification
• Rec Roster Verification

Very Important! Please read this entire page before clicking on the link to register.

For the health and safety of everyone involved, in person contact is being limited at the event; therefore, all forms must be sent in advance.

When registering, by accepting the “Terms and Conditions” for the event, you are agreeing to adhere to the competition rules.  Please see the “Required Forms” tab and be sure to return forms no later than 3 weeks prior to the event.

Please note:

• Band Directors, Coaches and participants must be listed on the team roster in order to register individually and may select housing OR commuter.
• If you are registering any Spectators, you may select the housing option only. Spectators cannot register as commuters. If a spectator needs to order tickets, direct them to “Discounted Tickets” link on the registration page.  You will need to provide them with your team’s customer number.

Package Upgrades:

You may upgrade the ticket that is included in your package for the rates below. This can be noted in the “ADD ON” step of the registration process.  Any extra tickets for family members must be purchased through the “Discounted Tickets” link on the main registration page.

• For 3 Night and 4 Night Packages:  $83 (3 Day to 4 Day), $144 (3 Day to 5 Day)
• For Commuters and 2 Night Packages: $83 (2 Day to 3 Day), $144 (2 Day to 4 Day), $269 (2 Day to 5 Day)

New This Year:

• Walt Disney World requires “Park Reservations” made in advance in order to attend the theme parks. You, as the contact person of your registration, will be responsible for making daily park reservations for everyone listed on your invoice. We strongly recommend that all friends and family (spectators) register on a separate invoice from the team. Anyone included on your invoice will be part of your “ticket order”. Ticket orders will be placed when your invoice is paid in full.
• Once the order is placed, you will receive a ticket order number to use to assign your ticket types (3Day,4Day,5Day) to each person and make your park reservations.  Information on how to obtain your park reservations will be sent with your ticket order number.
• No changes after ticket orders have been placed and ticket order numbers have been distributed.
• Please note that parks may reach capacity so be sure to get your payment in early!

Team Cohorts:

A team’s cohort is the group that will travel through warm up and down to the competition area.  Included in this cohort is the team’s participants, band directors/coaches, alternates, band members, mascots, etc.    The team’s cohort may not exceed 50 people.  The team’s cohort does not include friends and family.

 Assign a Safety Champion:

Each team will need to designate one person (other than the head coach) to be your Safety Champion. This person will need to be confirmed upon registration, over 18 years of age and willing to participate in additional safety training from the Walt Disney World Resort prior to Championship. Each team/squad needs a separate Safety Champion (ex: If you bring a JV and Varsity squad, you need two different individuals.) Some of the Safety Champion’s responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

• Ensuring the participants, band directors/coaches and spectators of your team follow the health and safety requirements such as face coverings and physical distancing
• If someone within your travel party experiences symptoms of COVID-19, receives a positive test and must quarantine – the Safety Champion must deliver food and aid the sick person. The team is responsible for all expenses while the sick person is quarantined.

Once you have read all the information above, click here to roster and register your team.

Very Important! Please read all the information on this page before clicking the link to register.

You will need your Group’s “Registration Number” in order to proceed. Your band director/coach can provide you with this number, be sure to enter the entire number and no spaces before it, for example:

L0010671027

Walt Disney World is requiring release waiver forms from anyone attending the event. Everyone listed on your invoice must complete a release waiver. These forms must be signed and turned in at registration in Orlando. These forms will be emailed to you when they are available.

Please note:

• Spectators cannot register as “commuters”, if you do not need hotel reservations, do not register through this link.  Go back to the main registration page and register under “Discounted Tickets (Spectators).
• If your son/daughter (athlete) is not registering with the team, you may register them here if they are commuting or if they need hotel reservations.

Package Upgrades:

You may upgrade the ticket that is included in your package for the rates below. This can be noted in the “ADD ON” step of the registration process. Anyone wanting to order tickets only will have to order those through the Discounted Tickets (Spectators) link on the main registration page.

• For 3 Night and 4 Night Packages:  $83 (3 Day to 4 Day), $144 (3 Day to 5 Day)
• For 2 Night Packages: $83 (2 Day to 3 Day), $144 (2 Day to 4 Day), $269 (2 Day to 5 Day)

New This Year:

• Disney requires “Park Reservations” made in advance in order to attend the theme parks. You, as the contact person of your registration, will be responsible for making daily park reservations for everyone listed on your invoice. Anyone listed on your invoice will be part of your “ticket order”. Ticket orders will be placed when your invoice is paid in full.
• Once the order is placed, you will receive a ticket order number to use to assign your ticket types (3Day,4Day,5Day) to each person and make your park reservations.  Information on how to obtain your park reservations will be sent with your ticket order number.
• No changes after ticket orders have been placed and ticket order numbers have been distributed.
• Please note that parks may reach capacity so be sure to get your payment in early!

Performance Viewing:

During the registration process, you will be asked to select which team’s performance you would like to attend.  Please be sure to select the one of the performer(s) that you are attending with.

Once you have read the information above, click here to register.

New This Year:

Disney requires “Park Reservations” made in advance in order to attend the theme parks.

Discounted Park Tickets will not be sold on site at the event.  All orders must be placed in advance no later than April 7, 2021.  Please note that parks may reach capacity so be sure to get your payment in early!

• You, as the contact person of your “ticket order”, will be responsible for making daily park reservations for everyone listed on your invoice. If you have multiple families ordering tickets, we suggest that each family order their own so that they can manage their park reservations. Ticket orders will be placed when your order is submitted and paid in full.
• Once the order is placed, you will receive a ticket order number to use to assign your ticket types (3Day,4Day,5Day) to each person and make your park reservations.
• No changes after ticket order numbers have been distributed.

Ticket Prices:

• 3 Day Park Hopper – $427.00
• 4 Day Park Hopper – $510.00
• 5 Day Park Hopper – $571.00

You will need your team’s customer number in order to proceed, this may be obtained from your coach.

Click here to order Discounted Tickets.

If you have already submitted a registration and need to make changes, you may request a change by signing back into your account and clicking on the “Request a Registration Change” request.

For Groups Only:

• The Contact Person who originally registered/rostered the team may also make changes to the Roster by clicking on “Request a Roster Change”.
• Changes are not confirmed until verified by Varsity Spirit.
• Changes made after March 24, 2021 will result in a $50 change fee per change.

Click here to request a change. 

If you already have a registration and would like to make an online payment, click here to sign into your account and then click on “Invoice/Payment” button, then “Make Payments”.

Varsity Spirit accepts Visa and MasterCard. To Mail in a School Check, Purchase Order or Money Orders, please send to the address below. Varsity Spirit does not accept Booster or Personal checks.

Varsity Spirit

Attn: NHSCC

PO BOX 752790

Memphis, TN 38175-2790

If your team name starts with a Number or A – D – Taylor Shelton | tshelton@varsity.com

If your team name starts with E-L – LaKeishia Kearney | lkearney@varsity.com

If your team name starts with M-Ss – Mendy Terrell | mterrell@varsity.com

If your team name starts with St-Z – Missy Miller | mmiller@varsity.com

All International Teams – Missy Miller | mmiller@varsity.com

Varsity Spirit

Attn:  NHSCC

PO BOX 752790

Memphis, TN  38175

800-238-0286