Stunt Earns NCAA Championship Status

Indianapolis, Ind. - At the 2026 NCAA Convention, all three divisions voted to approve stunt becoming an NCAA championship sport, with its first NCAA championship projected for spring 2027.

Stunt's growth has been rapid across the NCAA, crossing the benchmark of 40 schools meeting minimum contest and participant requirements in its first year as an emerging sport in all three divisions. It joined the Emerging Sports for Women program in 2023 in Divisions I and II, while Division III added it in 2024.  

"The addition of stunt as an NCAA championship sport reflects our ongoing effort to grow and elevate women's athletics," NCAA President Charlie Baker said. "This milestone is built on the collaboration and vision from those who believed in expanding opportunities for women in college sports. We are excited to provide a platform for these talented athletes to compete at the highest level."

Stunt transforms traditional cheerleading skills into a head-to-head, four-quarter format emphasizing athleticism and precision. Teams compete in partner stunts, pyramids, and jumps and tumbling, with points awarded based on execution. 

"Establishing an NCAA championship for stunt reflects the powerful momentum of women who are transforming sport through strength, precision and creativity. This championship affirms our commitment to elevating emerging opportunities and amplifying the voices of student-athletes who inspire us with their drive and determination. Their future is bright, and this moment marks a bold new chapter in their story," said Jacqie McWilliams, chair of the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.

"By establishing an NCAA championship in stunt, we honor the athleticism, precision and teamwork this sport embodies. It reflects a broader commitment to cultivating diverse and meaningful experiences for women in collegiate sports," said Juan Hernandez, vice chair of the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and vice president of diversity, equity and belonging at Curry.

"This is a monumental day for cheerleaders and female athletes wishing to continue their sport at the collegiate level," said head coach Kaylee King. Adding STUNT, which is based on the skills showcased in traditional cheerleading, allows females who have trained their whole life in the sport a place to utilize their skills at the next level and be recognized for their efforts in an NCAA-sanctioned championship, similar to their peers."

"For our program in particular, while we have always received the "varsity sport" title from our athletic department, it will mean even more to have the official NCAA backing of our athletes and allow them to truly be "student athletes" like the other sports on campus. Our Ladies work just as hard and put in just as many hours as their peers, so it's an exciting thing to see that finally be recognized."

The sport is governed at the collegiate level by USA Cheer and continues to grow through robust high school and club pipelines. 

"This moment represents the culmination of more than a decade and a half of intentional development," said Lauri Harris, executive director of USA Cheer. "Stunt was created to give female athletes a legitimate, competitive pathway at the collegiate level — one rooted in strategy, objectivity and opportunity. Advancing to NCAA championship status validates that vision and the thousands of athletes, coaches, officials and institutions who helped build this sport."

For Maddie Arochi, an All-American stunt student-athlete at California Baptist, the championship means increased recognition of the sport. 

"Stunt becoming an NCAA championship has paved the way for people to recognize stunt as a sport. It's allowing younger girls to see that when you put your mind to something, you can get it done. All of USA Cheer's work, all of the stunt sports work and then all of the athletes that have pushed that movement back in 2022 with 'Let Stunt Be Seen,' it shows everyone's hard work has paid off," Arochi said.

All three divisions sponsoring and approving legislation allows for creation of a National Collegiate Championship, where stunt student-athletes from all divisions will compete for one championship.  

"Designating stunt as an NCAA championship opens new doors for women across the country to compete at the highest level. It's the result of years of dedication from coaches, administrators and student-athletes who share a common goal: creating more opportunities for young women to thrive in college athletics," said Lynda Tealer, senior vice president of championships at the NCAA.

In addition to the stunt championship, NCAA members at the Convention approved adding an acrobatics and tumbling championship, a Division III women's wrestling championship and a Division II bowling championship to further expand access to world-class athletics competition. 

Stunt and acrobatics and tumbling join the following sports that have earned NCAA championship status through the Emerging Sports for Women program: rowing (1996), ice hockey (2000), water polo (2000), bowling (2003), beach volleyball (2015) and wrestling (2025). 

"The designation of women's stunt as an NCAA championship sport affirms the discipline, competitive rigor and technical excellence that these athletes have demonstrated for years," said Marion Terenzio, chair of the Emerging Sports Subcommittee of the Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and SUNY Cobleskill president. "This recognition validates the sport's rapid growth and competitive integrity, and strengthens the broader commitment to fostering leadership, visibility and achievement for women across the NCAA."

Sponsorship and participation in emerging sports increased by more than 20% in 2024-25, with nearly 7,000 athletes participating across all three divisions.

These rates coincide with an increase in student-athlete participation across all three divisions. In the 2025-26 academic year, Division I schools are projected to offer more than 1,000 new opportunities to play sports as compared with 2024-25. Additionally, new Division I schools plan to add 110 more teams and more than 3,200 additional participation opportunities than were available in 2024-25. These sport offerings have increased over the past eight years. 

Educational opportunities are set to increase significantly, as well. NCAA schools provided over $4 billion in scholarship support last year. And because the NCAA eliminated limits on scholarships for the upcoming seasons, more student-athletes will have college paid for than ever before.

The Ladies open their season in the McNeese State University Tournament on Sunday, Feb. 1 in Lake Charles, La. where they will face Texas Woman's University and Texas A&M University - Kingsville.

See the complete Ladies' season schedule here: https://gocentenary.com/sports/stunt/2025-26/schedule 

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