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."
The finalist list spans every corner of the industry. Fans can now vote for categories including Cheer Athlete of the Year, Cheer Coach of the Year, Event Producer of the Year, Cheer Program of the Year, Best New Event, Best Cheer Technology/App, Best Podcast or Webinar, Best Streaming Platform, Community Impact Award, and dozens more.
This year's finalists also showcase cheerleading's expanding global footprint, with nominees representing organizations and individuals from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Germany, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Scotland, the Philippines, Colombia, Japan, and beyond.
With finalists now confirmed, voting enters its most important phase. Supporters have one final opportunity to help determine who will take home a Cheer Award.
The winners will be revealed live at The Cheer Awards on July 15 in Orlando, Florida, where the cheerleading community will gather for an evening dedicated to recognizing the people, programs, and organizations that continue to elevate the sport.
Final voting is now underway
