AASCF Does It Again: Nationals 2025 Sets New Participation Record

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.”

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:

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.

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.”

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.