College Cheer Championship Returns to Daytona Beach

The 34th annual NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship will take place April 9-11 in Daytona Beach.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in vibrant colors, breaking down a college cheer competition into sharp, overlapping geometric planes to capture the dynamic energy of the event.The annual college cheer championship in Daytona Beach showcases the sport's dynamic movements and team spirit through a cubist artistic lens.Daytona Beach Today

The National Cheerleaders Association and National Dance Alliance Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship is expected to host about 480 teams and over 11,000 athletes in Daytona Beach from April 9-11. The event will take place at the Ocean Center and the Daytona Bandshell, with winning teams receiving the coveted NCA National Champion trophy.

Why it matters

The NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship has been a treasured tradition in Daytona Beach for 30 years, drawing up to 30,000 attendees in addition to competitors in 2025. The event's continued presence in the city highlights Daytona Beach's status as a premier destination for major sporting events.

The details

Due to inclement weather, competition originally scheduled for April 8 at the Daytona Bandshell has been shifted to April 9 at the Ocean Center, adjusting the overall schedule. Teams are currently checking into their hotels, judges are preparing, and a kickoff reception is planned for the evening of April 8.

  • The 34th annual NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship will take place April 9-11, 2026.
  • Competition originally scheduled for April 8 has been shifted to April 9 due to weather.

The players

Justin Carrier

Vice president of event operations for event host Varsity Spirit.

Lynn Flanders

Ocean Center general manager.

Lori Campbell Baker

Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director.

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What they’re saying

“The NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship is one of the premiere championship events and Daytona has been part of its legacy for 30 years. Each team is competing for a national championship, and this is the payoff of the hard work, resilience and community that makes these sports special.”

— Justin Carrier, Vice president of event operations for event host Varsity Spirit

“The NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship continues to shine as a treasured tradition in Daytona Beach, and we love hosting the athletes, coaches and families who return to the destination year after year.”

— Lori Campbell Baker, Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director

What’s next

Updated schedules for the event can be viewed at varsity.com/nca/school/competitions/college-nationals.

The takeaway

Daytona Beach's long-standing hosting of the NCA & NDA Collegiate Cheer and Dance Championship underscores the city's reputation as a premier destination for major sporting events, drawing thousands of athletes, coaches, and fans to the area each year.