COLLEGE CHEER
College Cheer & STUNT
College cheerleading includes traditional game-day squads and competitive teams governed by USA Cheer. STUNT — the head-to-head game format — was approved as a full NCAA Championship sport in 2025, with the first championship in Spring 2027.
GOVERNING BODY
USA Cheer (rules) + NFHS partnership
RULES UPDATED
2025-26 is a major-changes year
TOP EVENTS
UCA/NCA/UDA/NDA College Nationals
STUNT STATUS
NCAA Championship Sport (starts 2027)
STUNT TEAMS
40+ NCAA schools sponsoring STUNT
INTERNATIONAL
FISU University Championship, ICU
TRADITIONAL COLLEGE CHEER
Game-Day Squads
Sideline cheer at football, basketball, and other college events. Primary function of most college programs. May or may not also compete. Governed by USA Cheer safety rules.
Competition Teams
Compete at UCA College Nationals (Walt Disney World) or NCA College Nationals (Daytona Beach). Categories include Traditional and Game Day Live. Some schools have separate competition squads from their sideline squads.
Game Day Live
A specific competition format judged on crowd-leading authenticity. Uses a 100-point scoresheet: Sound Quality (20%), Technical Accuracy (20%), Musicality & Engagement (30%), Overall Impression (30%).
Partner Stunts (Pairs)
College also has individual partner stunt competition categories — separate from team competition. Judged on difficulty and execution of individual stunt sequences.
STUNT — NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP SPORT
STUNT: A New NCAA Sport Built for Cheerleaders
STUNT is a head-to-head, 4-quarter game between two teams. It strips away the performance elements of cheer and focuses purely on technical execution. NCAA approved STUNT as a full Championship Sport in 2025. First NCAA Championship: Spring 2027.
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Quarter 1
Partner Stunts
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Quarter 2
Pyramids & Tosses
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Quarter 3
Group Jumps & Tumbling
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Quarter 4
Team Performance
Both teams perform the same routine simultaneously. Judges score each team's technical execution — the team with better execution wins the quarter. Best of 4 quarters wins the match. Game-style format makes it spectator-friendly and broadcaster-friendly.
Also see: College Scoring Docs · International & FISU Docs · Scoring Glossary