Australia's largest cheer and dance championship will bring more than 2,550 teams, 25,390 individual performances and 60 Worlds bids to the Gold Coast.
The Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation (AASCF) is preparing for its largest National Championships in history, with more than 14,000 athletes representing 189 clubs set to compete November 26-30 at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre in Queensland, Australia.
AASCF confirmed that the five-day championship will feature more than 2,550 team entries, upwards of 25,390 individual performances and an anticipated 37,500 spectators, marking another milestone in the continued expansion of competitive cheerleading and dance in Australia.
The event will also welcome eight teams from New Zealand and offer 60 bids to the 2027 Cheerleading and Dance World Championships.
Australian Cheer and Dance Continues Record Growth
The 2026 championship builds on consecutive years of record participation for AASCF, highlighting the rapid growth of All Star cheerleading and dance programs across Australia.
In 2024, Nationals welcomed approximately 12,000 athletes and 2,400 teams to the Gold Coast. Participation increased to 12,750 athletes and 2,550 teams in Melbourne in 2025.
This year's athlete registration total represents an increase of at least 1,250 athletes compared with 2025 and more than 16% growth over the past two years.
“The growth of cheer and dance in Australia has been extraordinary, and this year’s Nationals is a reflection of just how far our sport has come,” said Kerry Perry, managing director of AASCF. “With more than 14,000 athletes representing 189 clubs, we’re seeing continued growth in participation, talent and the level of competition across the country.”
Perry also emphasized the opportunities emerging for Australian athletes as the sport continues to expand internationally.
“What’s particularly exciting is the next generation of athletes coming through and the opportunities being created for Australian teams to compete on the world stage. We’re incredibly proud of the community we’ve built and excited about what the future holds for cheer and dance in Australia.”
AASCF Nationals 2026 by the Numbers
According to figures released by AASCF, this year's National Championships will include:
189 clubs participating in the championships
14,000+ unique athletes
2,550+ team entries
25,390+ individual performances
37,500+ spectators
Eight New Zealand teams
38 international judges and staff
50+ in-house judges
140+ event staff
60 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds bids
Five full days of competition
The scale of the event reflects the continued development of Australia's competitive cheer and dance industry, with athletes, coaches, club owners and families traveling to Queensland for one of the country's largest annual cheer and dance gatherings.
