AASCF Does It Again: Nationals 2025 Sets New Participation Record

Shane James
5 Min Read
Cheer Media
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AASCF Nationals has made it official: 2,550 teams and 12,750 athletes will compete at the 2025 event — the largest cheer and dance competition ever held in Australia.

It’s the third consecutive year the event has set a new national participation record.

Nationals will take place November 20–24 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. AASCF closed entries nearly three weeks ahead of schedule due to overwhelming demand.

“We’ve surpassed last year’s field,” said Rachelle Robertson, AASCF Program Manager and Event Director. “Nationals 2025 is the largest in AASCF history across both team entries and athlete participation.”

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The event moves back to Melbourne after a record-setting 2024 in the Gold Coast, which drew 2,400 teams and 12,000 athletes. Since 2023, AASCF Nationals has increased by over 500 teams — an unprecedented jump across Australian competitive events.

A Look at the Numbers

AASCF Nationals is one of few major events to combine both All Star Cheer and Dance into one event, positioning it uniquely in global comparisons. Here’s how the 2025 field stacks up:

Event Year Teams Athletes Disciplines
AASCF Nationals (Melbourne) 2025 2,550 12,750 Cheer & Dance
NCA All-Star Nationals (Dallas) 2025 1,712 30,410 Cheer & Dance
Allstar World Championship (Orlando) 2025 1,540 18,716 Cheer & Dance
CHEERSPORT Nationals (Atlanta) 2025 1,425 Cheer & Dance

While NCA ASN still leads in total athlete count, AASCF now holds the top position globally by team participation across combined cheer and dance disciplines.

Worlds Bid Allocation Sets Another Record

The event will award 66 bids to the 2026 IASF Cheerleading and Dance World Championships — the largest number in Nationals history. Bids include:

  • 30 Cheer
  • 36 Dance

The Road to Worlds segment returns on Monday, November 24, giving eligible teams a second performance round to compete for their bid to Orlando.

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20 Years of Nationals

The 2025 edition also marks AASCF’s 20th anniversary season. Since its founding in 2005, the Australian All Star Cheerleading Federation has developed Nationals into a premier competition known for scale, production, and depth of field.

AASCF was named 2025 Event Producer of the Year by The Cheer Awards in July.

“Australian cheer and dance continues to grow,” said Kerry Perry, AASCF Managing Director. “This year’s Nationals will showcase and celebrate that talent.”

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The sustained growth of AASCF Nationals signals more than just rising interest. It reflects the consolidation of Australia’s competitive infrastructure, the increasing year-round commitment of athletes and programs, and the event’s standing as a primary qualifier for international competition. With the largest team field on record and expanded Worlds allocations, AASCF enters its 20th year not with a celebration, but with scale and significance measurable across the sport.

Get the latest results, rankings, and Worlds bid updates from AASCF Nationals 2025 at cheerdaily.net.

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Shane is the Publisher of Cheer Daily, the industry’s leading platform for cheerleading news. With decades of experience in media, publishing, and digital strategy, he has helped shape how the cheerleading world connects with brands, events, and the sport itself. A former LSU Cheerleader and Associate Publisher at Inside Cheerleading Magazine, Shane has dedicated his career to elevating cheerleading media. He is also a co-author of Cheerleading: From Tryouts to Championships (2007) and the creator of Team iC and other industry-changing initiatives. From 2007 to 2016, Shane served on the USASF National Advisory Board, contributing to the growth and governance of All Star cheerleading. His impact on the industry was recognized in 2011 when he was inducted into the UPA Hall of Fame, and again in 2014 when he was named to Cheer Biz News' 35 Under 35, highlighting his influence as a rising leader in the cheer industry. While at Inside Gymnastics Magazine, Shane covered 10 Gymnastics World Championships and 3 Olympic Games, expanding his expertise in sports media and global event coverage at the highest level.