USA Dance Nationals

GENERAL INFORMATION

Coaches, CLICK HERE to register your team for the event.

Date	Divisions	Estimated Timeframe	Competition Format
Thu, Feb 18	Solo Champion	10:00 AM-7:00 PM	Prelims + Semifinals
Thu, Feb 18	Senior, Junior, Sophomore & Freshman Solos	10:00 AM-7:00 PM	Prelims + Finals
Fri, Feb 19	All Team Divisions	8:00 AM-11:00 PM	Prelims
Sat, Feb 20	All Team Divisions	9:00 AM-4:00 PM	Finals
Sat, Feb 20	Solo Champion	Within event timeframe	Finals

Planning Note: Times listed above are estimated competition windows to assist with travel and event planning. Specific division and team performance times will be provided with the event schedule and are subject to change based on final enrollment, facility requirements and event operations.

Competition Format: Prelims + Finals indicate that a division competes in both rounds. Solo Champion competitors advance from preliminaries to semifinals on Thursday, with finalists competing Saturday.

Deadline	What is Due
Dec 1, 2026	All Dance Nationals registrations entered online
Dec 15, 2026	$40 per-person registration deposit or payment in full
Jan 18, 2027	Division and roster changes; after this date, no refunds for participant/team cancellations and full fees remain due (deadline subject to change)
Feb 5, 2027	Final balance due

 

• Disney ticket information will be sent separately to registered schools when finalized.

Division Type	Minimum Performance Area
Team divisions other than X-Small/Small	50 ft front-to-back x 80 ft side-to-side
X-Small & Small Intermediate/Championship	at minimum 39 ft x 60 ft
Solo divisions	at minimum 30 ft x 30 ft

Surface: Basketball court, parquet, Marley or similar dance surface, as applicable. Floor size is subject to change.

All percentages below include a minimum of three teams advancing per division.  The number of teams advancing to finals is subject to change based on the number of teams that compete in preliminaries, including changes that occur on the day of prelims.

Division Type	Teams Advancing to Finals
Non-Leveled Divisions	40%
Championship Divisions	40%
Intermediate Divisions	35%
Solo Divisions	See bullet points above

 

• Preliminary scores determine advancement only and do not carry over. Finals scores count 100% toward final placement.
• USA may combine, split, delete or add divisions; adjust advancement percentages; or change performance days, venues and times based on enrollment and facility requirements.

• Trophies are presented to 50% of teams competing in each division.
• For team divisions with prelims and finals, preliminary awards will be presented and finalists announced following prelims. Because trophies are awarded to 50% of teams in each division, teams that do not advance to finals may still receive a trophy during preliminary awards. All teams should plan to attend their designated preliminary awards session.
• Teams placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd receive individual participant medallions.
• First-place teams receive a Nationals Champion banner and backpack. An individual on more than one first-place team receives only one Champion backpack.
• Scoresheets will be emailed to coaches on the registration who have been selected to receive them approx. 1 hour after the team’s performance.
• Division standings will be emailed to coaches on the registration who have been selected to receive them approx. 1 hour after the conclusion of the division awards

Grade-Level Solos Awards

• Each grade-level winner receives a USA Dance Nationals trophy and a scholarship to an accredited college, subject to proof of registration and expiration terms.
• First-place winners of the 2027 grade level solo divisions may not compete in the same grade division the following season after being awarded the title but may compete in a higher grade level (if they are in that grade) or the USA Dance Solo Champion division.

Solo Champion Awards

• Contestants are randomly divided into two preliminary groups (A and B). Five dancers from each group advance to semifinals; the top five semifinalists advance to Saturday finals.
• The Solo Champion receives a trophy, the opportunity to appear at the 2028 USA Dance Nationals and a scholarship to an accredited college, subject to proof of registration and expiration terms.
• Each of the five finalists receives a trophy; the ten semifinalists receive a USA medallion.

Special Awards

• Three teams, regardless of division, receive the Judges Award of Excellence. A Choreography and Execution award is also presented. These awards include trophies and banners; Judges Award of Excellence winners also receive a scholarship prize toward a 2027 USA Summer Camp.

Grand Champion Award

• A school must compete in four different style categories in Championship or non-leveled divisions to be eligible.
• At least one routine must be in Kick, Prop, Musical Theater, Military, Hip Hop and/or Dance/Pom.
• Divisions separated by size within the same style count as one category. If a school competes in more than one size within the same style, only its highest-scoring routine in that style counts.
• The Grand Champion receives a trophy, banner and scholarship prize toward a 2027 USA Summer Camp.

Sweepstakes Awards

• Each Sweepstakes Award recognizes the highest overall scoring performance among the listed divisions and is presented during Saturday’s final awards ceremony. Winners receive a trophy, banner and scholarship toward a 2027 USA Summer Camp.
• A minimum of three teams must compete in prelims in each included division for a Sweepstakes Award to be presented for that style.

Sweepstakes Style	Eligible Championship Divisions
Dance	X-Small, Small & Large Dance
Military	Small & Large Military
Lyrical	Small, Medium & Large Lyrical
Hip Hop	Small, Medium & Large Hip Hop
Dance/Pom	Small, Medium & Large Dance/Pom
Contemporary	Small, Medium & Large Contemporary
Jazz	Small, Medium & Large Jazz

Universal Studios Hollywood Discounted Tickets

We’re excited to share an exclusive opportunity for you and your team! We’ve partnered with Universal to provide discounted tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood in California. Turn your competition weekend into an unforgettable team/family experience – and reward your athletes after all their hard work.

Ticket Link coming soon!

2027 Information coming soon!

Varsity TV is your destination for the very best in school and all star cheer and dance coverage. Click here to join Varsity TV and watch this event live.

Top Reasons to attend the 2025 USA Dance Nationals:

• Hosted and operated by the United Spirit Association – professional staff, organized event with consistent, highly-trained, industry-experienced judging panels
• Prize Money Presented — Solo and Team Scholarships & Awards
• National Champions are awarded USA Championship Backpacks, Placement Medallions, a team Trophy and custom Banner

QUALIFICATION INFORMATION

• All Team Divisions – prior qualification through a USA Regional/Classic competition or other sanctioned event/process is required in order to attend Dance Nationals in any team division.
• 75% of the team competing at USA Nationals must complete Varsity Spirit/NFHS Squad Credentialing (this includes junior high teams). The best way to get credentialed is at a Varsity Spirit Summer Camp. More information about this can be found here or by contacting your Varsity Spirit State Director.
• Bids to Nationals are awarded to teams receiving 80% of total possible points for all Championship divisions and 75% of total possible points for all other team divisions, regardless of any penalties received.
• If a team qualifies for Nationals two or more times (80% of total possible points, regardless of any penalties received) in the Championship level at a Regional/Classic competition, then they must compete in the Championship level at Nationals.
• Solos at Nationals (5 maximum per school) – Each school can enter 1 dancer into the Solo Champion division.  The Super Dancer will now be split by grade level.  Each school will be allowed to enter 1 dancer into the Senior division, 1 dancer into the Junior division, and up to 1 sophomore and 1 Freshman into the Sophomore/Freshman division.
• If your team is located in area without a live regional, please attend a USA dance Virtual Competition to qualify routines for USA Dance Nationals..

Beginning in 2027, USA Dance Nationals will be designated as Housing Required. This means that all athletes and coaches are required to book with Team Travel Source. This change helps ensure the best rates, convenient locations, and a smoother experience for all attendees.

What to Expect:

• Dancers competing in a High School Dance Team division that are over 75 miles from the performance venue are required to book with TTS.
• Guaranteed access to top hotels at the lowest available rates.
• Exemptions available for military/government discounts or rewards points.
• Dedicated specialists to help with team blocks.
• A full Customer Experience team to support you throughout the booking process.

While we know this is a change, we’re committed to making your travel easier, affordable, and more consistent. More details coming prior to registration opening.

Please visit our Divisions, Rules & Scoring page to view the 2025-2026 competition information!

2025 USA Dance Nationals Results

2024 USA Dance Nationals Results