The Cheer & Dance Championships feature over 500 cheer and dance teams who compete at a six-day long event. Competitions take place at the HP Field House at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Cheer & Dance teams compete in 5 different age ranges:
- Mitey-Mite
- Jr. Pee Wee
- Pee Wee
- Jr. Varsity
- Varsity
Show Cheer & Sideline Performance Cheer teams also compete in sizes:
- Small Teams: 5-10 cheerleaders
- Medium Teams: 11-20 cheerleaders
- Large Teams: 21-35 cheerleaders
Cheer & Dance teams also compete in nine YCADA Divisions:
- Show Cheer 1-4
- Core Cheer
- Sideline Performance Cheer
- Pom Performance Dance
- Hip Hop Dance
- Theme Dance
For a cheerleading or dance team, the difficult road to the national championship is quite similar to that of the football teams. A spirit team will showcase their best 2:30 routine at the League Championship, the top two teams in each division advance to the Region Championships.
At the Region Event, a spirit team will again perform their routine in hopes of placing first or second in their respective division to be invited to perform at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex.
The 2019 Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships are taking place from Sunday, December 8th through Friday, December 13th at the HP Field House.