The road to The Cheer Awards just entered its final stretch.
After receiving 5,408 nominations and more than 283,542 votes from athletes, coaches, parents, fans, and industry professionals around the world, The Cheer Awards has officially announced its 2026 finalists, setting the stage for the final round of community voting.
The finalists represent the very best of cheerleading across more than 60 categories, recognizing excellence in All Star, school, college, STUNT, recreation, and international cheer. From athletes and coaches to event producers, gyms, technology companies, photographers, choreographers, music producers, and community leaders, this year's ballot reflects the depth and diversity of the sport.
The numbers tell the story. More than 5,400 nominations were submitted during the nomination period, with nearly 300,000 votes already cast by the cheer community to determine which nominees would advance to the final ballot. The result is one of the most competitive finalist fields in The Cheer Awards' history.
"This has become more than an awards program," said Shane James, founder of The Cheer Awards. "It's an opportunity for the community to recognize the people who dedicate countless hours to growing our sport. Every nomination and every vote represents someone taking the time to celebrate another person's impact on cheerleading."
