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The All-Star Cheer Season Calendar

The all-star cheer season runs roughly May through April. Tryouts and team placements happen in late spring, summer is skill camps and routine choreography, fall is routine cleaning with first competitions typically arriving in November and December, and January through March is peak travel season with the biggest nationals and bid events. The season closes with The Cheerleading Worlds in late April and The Summit in early May.

The season, month by month

  • April–May — tryouts, evaluations, and team placements for the new season at most gyms.
  • June–July — skill camps, tumbling progressions, and stunt-group building; many teams get routine choreography in mid-to-late summer.
  • August–October — full routine practices begin; music is finalized and sections are cleaned.
  • November–December — first competitions for most teams, usually closer to home.
  • January–March — peak season: the major nationals and the bulk of Worlds and Summit bid events.
  • Late April — The Cheerleading Worlds (Levels 6–7) in Orlando.
  • Early May — The Summit and its sibling events (Levels 1–5) close the season, and tryouts begin again.

Why the calendar matters

Committing to an all-star team is a commitment to this whole arc — gyms build rosters, stunt groups, and choreography around every athlete on the team, which is why attendance policies get strict once competition season starts.

The calendar also drives the budget curve: fees cluster at the start of the season (registration, uniform, choreography) and travel costs cluster from January onward. If you are budgeting for a first season, map your gym’s specific competition schedule onto these months as soon as it is published.

More questions, answered

When do all-star cheer tryouts happen?

Most gyms hold tryouts in April and May, right after the previous season ends at Worlds and The Summit. Some gyms add supplemental placements over the summer if roster spots open.

When does competition season start?

Most teams debut in November or December, though some gyms schedule an earlier local event. The heaviest stretch of the schedule runs January through March.

How long is the all-star season?

Effectively year-round: about twelve months from tryouts to the end-of-season championships, with practices continuing through summer. Half-year and prep teams run a shorter, lighter version.

Can an athlete join a team mid-season?

Sometimes — gyms occasionally fill open roster spots mid-season, but placements after choreography is set are harder. Ask the gym directly; policies vary.

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