The Cheerleading Worlds


The Cheerleading Worlds, or Cheerleading World Championships, colloquially known as "Worlds", is an annual international championship event for competitive cheerleading held in the United States hosted by the U.S. All Star Federation in partnership with the International All Star Federation. Teams from around the world annual to receive a bid to go on and compete in Orlando, Florida, at the ESPN [Wide World of Sports Complex|ESPN Wide World of Sports].
The event is typically held across a three-day span in April or May, featuring preliminary competitions, semi-finals and finals. Only level 5, 6 and 7 cheerleading teams with bids from regional and national competitions are eligible to participate, being offered a "paid" bid covering all expenses up to $25,000, or an "at-large" bid which does not cover any costs. Around 9,000 athletes from around 40 countries compete annually, with routines being judged on difficulty, execution, creativity and overall composition. The top teams from each round advance, with the winners in each of the 22 divisions receiving championship rings.
From 2007 onwards, The Dance Worlds began concurrently as a sub-event of The Cheerleading Worlds. Like the Cheerleading Worlds, this event is also an invite-only event hosted by the USASF in collaboration with the IASF, showcasing elite dancers from around the world in styles such as hip hop, jazz, pom, kick, contemporary and lyrical. The Dance Worlds currently attracts over 3500 teams made up of over 9000 athletes.
In 2023, 308 dance teams made of 4,219 athletes from 15 countries and 539 cheerleading teams made of 11,590 athletes from 18 countries participated in the Cheerleading and Dance Worlds events.
In 2024, 378 dance teams made of 2,912 dancers from 19 countries and 563 cheerleading teams made of 12,838 athletes from 21 countries participated in the Cheerleading and Dance Worlds events. A newly opened cheerleading gym from Queensland Australia became the first team in history to globe at Worlds in their first cheer season.. Cheerleading has been officially recognised by the Olympic foundation and continues to grow at an exponential rate.

Bids

Both The Cheerleading Worlds and The Dance Worlds are invite-only events, with teams required to win bids in order to qualify to compete.
Three types of bids are available: "paid" and "at-large".

Paid Bids

Paid bids are only offered to cheerleading teams for the Cheerleading Worlds portion of the event.
For cheerleading teams, a paid bid is designed to cover all competition expenses, including lodging, transportation and registration fees to compete, up to a maximum of $650 per athlete, and for up to two coaches. Paid bids for cheer teams are only awarded to the highest scoring teams at the largest and most prestigious competitions throughout the season leading up to the Cheerleading Worlds event.

Partial-Paid Bids

Partial-paid bids are also offered for cheerleading teams, awarding up to $325 per athlete and up to two coaches on a bid-winning team for a team's registration package, lodging, and/or transportation to Orlando to participate in the event.
Partial-paid bids are the only form of paid bid offered for dance teams for the Worlds event, also covering the cost of their registration packaging, accommodation and/or transportation to Orlando at a rate of $325 per athlete and up to two coaches, with a maximum of $5000 awarded per team.

At-Large Bids

At-large bids are the other type of bid available, working the same for both cheer and dance teams for these events. These bids are typically awarded to the teams who are eligible to compete at the Worlds events who are runners-up at bid-qualifying events, functioning as an invitation but requiring teams to pay for 100% of their own costs related to their participation at the event.

Bid-Qualifying Events

More than 120 USASF/IASF member event producers across the United States, as well as event producers within 32 international countries, have the right to host bid qualifying events for both cheer and dance teams.
For the 2023–2024 season, there are 35 bid-qualifying events within the United States at which a team can win a bid to the 2024 Dance Worlds.

Junior Team Bids (Dance)

In 2010, the Dance Worlds introduced a junior division, in which the bid process functioned differently. Junior teams did not win their bids at events, but rather via a review of video submissions. For US teams, any junior team was welcomed to submit a video to be reviewed, however only six teams were selected to receive at-large bids to compete in this division.

Bid Rules

A team awarded a bid must compete at the Worlds event in the same division and team-makeup in which they performed in at the qualifying event where their bid was awarded. The only exception to this is teams competing within the limited division, which is set aside for gyms that only field one Worlds-eligible team. The number of athletes that compete on any Worlds team is not allowed to exceed the number of athletes that took the floor with the team at their bid-qualifying event.
Cheer athletes within the same club are also limited to the number of teams in which they are eligible to compete and earn paid bids, with an athlete being bound to the second team they compete with that receives a paid bid. Teams are also limited in the number of athletes who previously earned paid bids who are allowed to compete for and be awarded paid bids on a second team.
Substitutes and wild-card alternates are also limited, with the number varying by division and global location.
Crossovers of athletes are not permitted between teams from the same club, between different clubs, or between cheer and dance teams from the same or different clubs. In other words, an athlete is only allowed to represent one team in either cheer or one club in dance when competing at Worlds. Also, there is a limit on the number of athletes per team that can compete at both the Summit and The Cheerleading Worlds during the same competition season. This can be complicated for gyms as many level 6 worlds athletes also cross-compete with a level 4 or 5 Summit team at their gym.

Cheer Levels and Divisions

The levels and divisions that are offered have changed significantly since the first event in 2004, with the event seeing a large growth and expansion over the years.
In 2025, the event will offer divisions in levels 5, 6 and 7 for international teams competing in IASF worlds divisions, while only offering level 6 divisions in USASF worlds divisions.
LevelDivisionsTarget AgeBirth YearFemales/MalesNumber on Team
6Limited Senior XSmall 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-2011No males5 - 16 athletes
6Senior XSmall 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-2011No males5 - 16 athletes
6Limited Senior Small 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-2011No males17 - 22 athletes
6Senior Small 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-2011No males17 - 22 athletes
6Senior Medium 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-2011No males23 - 30 athletes
6Senior Large 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-2011No males31 - 38 athletes
6Limited Senior XSmall Coed 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-20111 - 2 males5 - 16 athletes
6Senior XSmall Coed 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-20111 - 2 males5 - 16 athletes
6Limited Senior Small Coed 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-20111 - 5 males5 - 22 athletes
6Senior Small Coed 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-20111 - 5 males5 - 22 athletes
6Senior Medium Coed 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-20111 - 8 males5 - 30 athletes
6Senior Large Coed 14 - 19yo1 June 2005-20111 - 19 males5 - 38 athletes

USASF teams will not be eligible to compete in any IASF level 5 division but will be allowed to enter in the IASF level 6 and 7 divisions.
It is known that for the 2024 event, the age grids will shift once again, with the minimum age for IASF open divisions levels 5 and 6 increasing to a minimum of 16 years old. Teams competing at the Cheerleading Worlds from the USA must follow the USASF age grid, eligibility, substitutions and alternate guidelines, which will have a known impact on the 2024 Cheerleading Worlds event as the minimum age for open teams saw a rise to a minimum of 18 years on the USASF age grid for the 2023–2024 season.

Dance Styles and Divisions

The categories/styles that have been offered across the competition include hip hop, jazz, pom, contemporary/lyrical, kick, open and junior. USASF divisions offered the opportunity for teams with a target age of 13 to 19 years from within the United States to compete, with IASF divisions offering the opportunity for junior teams aged between 11 and 16 years old and open teams aged 15+ years old to compete.
USASF and IASF provide slightly differing descriptions of these styles, describing their expectations of routines entered within these categories:
CategoryUSASF Category Description 2023IASF Category Description 2023
Hip Hop"A Hip Hop routine can incorporate any street style movement that has evolved from the hip hop culture. Emphasis is placed on the execution of authentic style, originality, control, musicality, intricacy, uniformity and may incorporate purposeful elements and skills""A Hip Hop routine incorporates authentic street style-influenced movements with groove and style. An emphasis is placed on group execution, including synchronization, uniformity and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine utilizes musicality, staging, complexity of movement and athleticism. Distinctive clothing and accessories reflecting the Hip Hop culture must be worn."
Jazz"A Jazz routine can encompass any range of jazz movement including traditional jazz, commercial jazz, musical theater, jazz funk or stylized, hard-hitting jazz. Movement is crisp and/or aggressive in approach and can include moments of softness while complementing musicality. Emphasis is placed on style, body alignment, extension, control, uniformity, technical elements and communication.""A Jazz routine incorporates traditional or stylized dynamic movements with strength, continuity, presence and proper technical execution. An emphasis is placed on group execution including synchronization, uniformity and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine utilizes musicality, staging and complexity of movement and skills. The overall impression of the routine should be lively, energetic and motivating, with the understanding that the dynamics of movement may change to utilize musicality. Costuming should reflect the category style."
Pom"A Pom routine contains important characteristics such as strong pom quality of movement, synchronization, visual effects and may incorporate purposeful pom elements. Poms should be used throughout the routine. Inadequate use of poms may also affect the panel judges’ overall impression and/ or score of the routine.""A Pom routine incorporates the use of proper pom motion technique that is sharp, clean and precise while allowing for the use of concepts from jazz, hip hop and high kick. An emphasis is placed on group execution including synchronization, uniformity and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine focuses on musicality and staging of visual effects through fluid and creative transitions, levels and groups, along with complexity of movement and skills. Poms are required to be used throughout the routine."
Contemporary/Lyrical"A Contemporary or Lyrical routine uses organic, expressive, pedestrian and/or traditional modern and/ or ballet vocabulary as it complements the lyric, mood and/or rhythmic value of the music. Emphasis is placed on control, expressive movement, dynamics, alignment, use of breath, uniformity, communication and may incorporate purposeful elements and skills."
Kick/High Kick"A Kick routine emphasizes control, height uniformity, extension, toe points, timing and creativity of a variety of kick series and patterns. A kick is defined as one foot remaining on the floor while the other foot lifts with force. Kicks should be performed throughout the routine. Inadequate utilization of kicks may also affect the panel judges’ overall impression and/or score of the routine.""A High Kick routine incorporates the use of proper high kick technique that includes flexibility, endurance, stamina, upper and lower body strength, placement and control, while allowing for the use of creative concepts such as staging and skills. High Kicks are required to be used throughout the majority of the routine in a purposeful manner and should be the emphasis of routine content. The choreography of a dynamic and effective high kick routine focuses on musicality, staging of visual effects through intervals in kick lines, fluid and creative transitions, levels and groups, along with complexity of movement and athleticism. An emphasis is placed on execution including synchronization, uniformity, and spacing. Costuming should reflect the category style."
Open"Performances in Open Open incorporate organic, pedestrian and/or traditional modern or ballet vocabulary as it complements the lyrics and/or rhythmic value of the music. An emphasis is placed on group execution, including synchronization, uniformity and spacing. The choreography of a dynamic and effective routine utilizes musicality, staging and complexity of movement
and skills. Costuming should reflect the category style."
Junior"All performances in the Junior Division, regardless of style, will be judged against each other in the Junior Dance
division. A routine in this division may incorporate any one style or combination of styles outlined in the IASF categories above."

2004

The first USASF World Cheerleading Championship was held on April 24, 2004. This event was an invite-only competition, with only two divisions - Senior All Girl Level 5 and Senior Coed Level 5 - and only 14 teams competing. This first event was held at a backstage sound stage at Disney MGM Studios at Walt Disney World that held a maximum of 500 spectators. At this point in time, the winners of each category received jackets, similar to NCA and UCA, instead of the rings currently received.

2005

The second Cheerleading Worlds event happened April 23–25, 2005.
This year, the competition expanded to include both small and large divisions within the senior all-girl level 5 and senior coed level 5 categories, for a total of four divisions teams could be eligible within.
This year saw the first international teams competing at worlds with New Zealand All Stars, however, there was not yet a split of international divisions from regular divisions.

2006

The Cheerleading Worlds' third event occurred on April 21–24, 2006.
This year's event introduced the split of international divisions, offering international open all-girl level 5 and international open coed level 5 divisions, making a total of 6 divisions.
This also marked the first time that one gym program took home multiple titles within one year, with Cheer Athletics being the world champion across three divisions and GymTyme All Stars being the world champion across two divisions.

2007

The Cheerleading Worlds 2007 was held on April 20 to 23, 2007 at Walt Disney World, Florida.
This year's event introduced junior divisions in cheerleading, as well as introducing the sub-event to run concurrently, the Dance Worlds.
The first Dance Worlds was held on April 21–22, 2007 at Disney's MGM Studios, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. At this event, limited categories were offered, with senior dance offered in jazz, pom and hiphop for athletes 18 years and younger, and international open dance offered for dancers 14 years and older.
Partial paid bids were offered to this event, awarded to the best teams in one or more of the worlds divisions at a worlds qualifying event. Companies offering partial paid bids offered a specific dollar amount towards a team's travel package, however USASF/IASF did not yet specify the amount of a partial paid bid.
Athletes were not allowed to cross over between cheer and dance teams from the same or other gyms, compete in more than one team, or perform in more than two categories with their team. If a team is found to have a crossover, the team was disqualified, responsible for repaying the total cost of any funds received through a paid or partial paid bid, and was ineligible for any type of bid for The Cheerleading or Dance Worlds for the following years.
This year was also marked the first year that championship rings were introduced for each athlete who was a member of a world championship-winning team.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Senior Hip HopShowtime Studio - Showtime StormCelebrity Cheer - Celebrity DanceCalifornia Cheer Gym
Senior JazzPACE Elite - Pace Dance360 Dance - 360 Dance ForceSouth Coast Freestyle
Senior PomTie
Desoto Dreamz Elite - Desoto Dance All Stars & Planet Dance - Planet Dance All Stars
Memphis Elite
International Open DancePACE Elite - Pace DanceSilver WingsAlpha Cheer & Dance Company

2008

The 2008 Worlds event was on April 26–28, 2008.
This year marked the introduction of level 6 into the cheerleading divisions, being introduced in the international open category. This year also marked the beginning of limited/unlimited splits in divisions.
The Dance Worlds divisions returned for a second year, being held at Disney's EPCOT in the World Showcase Pavilion.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Senior Hip HopUltimate Cheer and Dance West Palm - Eastern Washington EliteLake Mary ASRebels All Stars
Senior JazzPACE Elite - Pace DanceDancer's Edge StudioApex All Stars
Senior PomDancer's Edge StudioPACE Elite - Pace DancePlanet Dance
International Open Hip HopADA Dark AngelsPACE Elite - PacePittsburgh Poison - Spiders
International Open JazzPACE Elite - Pace DanceJF Oberlin UniversitySilver Wings Japan
International Open PomGolden HawksDance Club NOA SpalantineTecnologico de Monterrey Campus Cuernavaca

2009

The 2009 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held on April 25 to 26, 2009. The Cheerleading Worlds divisions were held across the Disney Wild World of Sport's Milkhouse arena and Disney's Hollywood Studios' Indiana Jones Theatre, while the Dance Worlds divisions were held at the World Showplace Pavilion inside Disney's EPCOT, both at Walt Disney World.
Preliminaries were held for all senior level 5 cheerleading divisions as well as all senior dance teams, with only 50% of teams progressing to the finals to compete for the championship.
Preliminaries were also held for international division cheerleading and dance teams, with a maximum of three of the highest scoring teams per country advancing to finals. International division cheerleading score sheets were adjusted to reflect the predominant international skill capabilities at the time.
IASF's Nation Cup was awarded at this event to the highest-scoring team from each country within the top 10 in international divisions, ranked by the average of all scores from all teams per country within a division.
The Dance Worlds introduced a specific amount for their partially paid bids, with bids partially paying $3500 per team for their accommodation packages at Disney's All Star Sports Resort.
Dance athletes were now limited to performing in two categories, representing the same gym/studio. Crossovers between gym/studios were not allowed, and crossovers between cheer and dance teams from the same or other gyms/studios were also not permitted. If a team was found to breach these crossover rules, they were disqualified, responsible for repayment of funds received through any paid bid, and not eligible for any type of bid to either Cheerleading or Dance Worlds the following year.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Senior Hip HopECB - ECB Street EliteAdrenaline Cheer N Dance Club - Eastern Washington EliteExtreme All Stars Florida - Extreme Allstars Cheer & Dance
Senior JazzPACE Elite - PACE All StarsEaster Washington Elite House of 509 - Easter Washington EliteDancer's Edge Studio
Senior PomEnergizers Dance TeamDance UnlimitedStar Performance Center
International Open Hip HopAlpha Cheer & Dance CoADA Dark AngelsECB - ECB Street Elite
International Open JazzPACE Elite - PACE All StarsJF Oberlin UniversitySilver Wings Jr
International Open PomPACE Elite - PACE All StarsLeopardsWen-Hua Senior High School

2010

The 2010 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held between April 22 and 26, 2010 at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.
Cheerleading divisions were held on April 24 and 25, 2010 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, with preliminary rounds being held within the Disney Hollywood Studios theme park for the international divisions. Dance divisions were held at EPCOT's World Showcase Pavilion from April 22 to 26, 2010.
This year saw the introduction of an international junior dance division for athletes 14 years and younger, competing in the open category where they may incorporate any one style or combination of styles. All styles within the category were judges against each other, with the emphasis placed on choreography, proper technical execution, visual effect, creativity, staging and team uniformity. Semi-finals were also held for this category, with three of the highest scoring teams from each country progressing to finals. Teams within this category did not win their bids at events, rather having the opportunity to submit a video where the top 3 teams were picked to represent their country at the 2010 Dance Worlds.
The 2010 Dance Worlds event also saw a split within the Senior Hip Hop division, with a co-ed division being created for teams that contained 2 or more males.
The 2010 event rules limited an athlete to performing a maximum of three times, representing the same studio/program/gym. Crossovers of participants from other studios/programs/gyms were not allowed, with crossovers between cheer and dance teams, regardless of whether it was the same or another studio, also not permitted. If a team was found to breach this rule, the team was disqualified, responsible for repaying the total cost of any funds received through a partial paid bid, and were not eligible for any type of bid for the Cheerleading or Dance Worlds the following year.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceDSF All Star - DSF Brilliants JuniorGolden Hawks - Golden Hawks JuniorArizona Angels Dance Studio - Arizona Angels Junior Pom
Senior Hip HopEast Celebrity Elite - EnvyECB - ECB's Street EliteEmerald City Jewels All-Star Cheer - Eastern Washington Elite
Senior Coed Hip HopExtreme All Stars PA - Extreme Senior Hip HopECB - ECB's Street EliteStar Performance Centre
Senior JazzPACE Elite - Pace Elite DancePower House Tumblers - Eastern Washington EliteDancer's Edge Studio
Senior PomDance Mania - Dance Mania All StarsPACE Elite - Pace Elite DanceEnergizers Dance Team
International Open Hip HopDSF All Star - DSF Brilliants ImpressionECB - ECB's Street EliteChampion Legacy
International Open JazzPACE Elite - Pace Elite DanceJF Oberline University - JF Oberlin University DanceJapan Women's College of PE - Grins
International Open PomPACE Elite - Pace Elite DanceGolden HawksLadies Hurricanes - Dance for the Planet

2011

The 2011 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held between April 28 and May 2, 2011, at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. The cheerleading divisions were held on April 30 and May 1, 2011, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, while the dance divisions were held between April 28 and May 2 at EPCOT's World Showplace Pavilion.
2011 marked the removal of the junior international cheerleading divisions from eligible worlds divisions. However, the dance divisions expanded with the open hip hop category now splitting into all-girl and coed for teams containing 2 or more males.
Cheerleading preliminary rounds were held for at large bid winners in all divisions with 40 or more registered teams, with the top 50% of at large bid winners moving onto semi-finals with the partial bid and paid bid winners. In all international divisions where 11 or more US teams were entered, Worlds Trial preliminaries were held to advance only the top 10 to semi-finals.
Dance semi-finals were held for all senior divisions, international divisions and junior dance divisions on Saturday 30 April 2011. Within the senior divisions, 50% of the teams progressed from the semi-finals to the finals. For the international and junior dance divisions, a maximum of 3 of the highest-scoring teams from each country progressed from the semi-finals to the finals.
IASF awarded the Nations Cup within international divisions to the highest scoring teams from each country from the top 5 countries, with the top 5 countries determined by the average score of all teams from each country.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceGolden Hawks - Golden Hawks JuniorPACE Elite - Pace Elite DanceCheers Factory Esperanza
Senior Hip HopEast Celebrity Elite - EnvyPittsburgh Poison - Black WidowsFootnotes Fusion
Senior Coed Hip HopStar Performance CentreECB - ECB Street EliteStallion All Stars
Senior JazzPACE EliteDancer's Edge StudioDance Mania
Senior PomDancer's Edge StudioSouth Coast FreestylePACE Elite
International Open Hip HopExisdanzADA Dark AngelsPlanets Dance Company - Planets
International Open Coed Hip HopECB - ECB Street EliteExtreme All Stars FloridaTop Gun All Stars Miami
International Open JazzPACE EliteDancer's Edge StudioWing Dance Promotion - Silver Wings
International Open PomPACE EliteAll Star MexiCOPGolden Hawks

2012

The 2012 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds event was held April 27 to April 29, 2012, at the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando Florida. Cheerleading divisions were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while dance divisions were once again held at EPCOT's World Showcase Pavilion.
This year's event included preliminary divisions for all cheerleading teams in the senior coed divisions, and teams with at large bids in the senior all-girl cheerleading divisions as well as US worlds trials for all US teams entered in international cheerleading divisions.
A preliminary round was held for U.S. based dance teams entered in the International Open Coed Hip Hop division, titled U.S. Worlds Trials. The top 10 U.S. teams in the U.S. Worlds Trials progressed to the Worlds International Open Coed Hip Hop division's semi-final round, with all teams from non U.S. countries. All dance teams in the international categories then competed in semi finals, with the three highest scoring teams from each country progressing to compete in the finals. All dance teams accepted into the junior dance category competed in a semi-finals round, with the three highest scoring teams from each country progressing to finals. All senior dance categories also had semi-finals, with a minimum of 50% of the teams from each of the senior dance divisions progressing to finals.  
IASF's Nations Cup was once again awarded, however this year saw the placements based on each country's highest team in the division instead of being based on an average score of all teams for each country within the division.
This event marked a change in the way age was determined for international categories governed by the IASF, switching to the ICU "year of the competition" model in which the age of the athlete was determined based on their date of birth falling during the year of the competition. This meant that an athlete who was 13, but turned 14 before December 31, 2012, was eligible to compete at the 2012 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds in the international open categories that had a minimum age of 14.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceCheers Factory - DesireSouth Coast FreestyleWing Flap
Senior Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaStar Performance CentreEast Celebrity Elite - Envy
Senior Coed Hip HopDance Athletics - CrewkatzStallion Allstars - EmpireShowtime Storm
Senior JazzPACE EliteDancer's Edge StudioThe Vision Dance Center
Senior PomGolden Hawks - Golden Hawks Senior PACE EliteOC All Stars - Platinum
International Open Hip HopGolden HawksExisdanzADA Dark Angels
International Open Coed Hip HopDSF All StarExtreme All Stars FloridaTop Gun All Stars Miami
International Open JazzJF Oberlin University - CreamPACE EliteDancer's Edge Studio
International Open PomPACE ElitePlanets Dance Company - PlanetsAll Star MexiCOP

2013

The 2013 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held April 27 to 29, 2013 at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. Cheerleading teams competed at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while dance teams competed at EPCOT's World Showcase Pavilion.
Cheerleading preliminaries were held for at large bid winners within the senior all-girl divisions, all teams within the senior coed divisions and all US teams within the international divisions.
Dance semi-finals were held for the senior divisions on the Saturday and Sunday, with a minimum of 50% of the teams from each division progressing to their division final, held over the Sunday and Monday of competition. Junior teams also had a semi-final, with a maximum of 3 of the highest scoring teams from each country progressing from semi-finals to finals.
The U.S. teams entering the International Open Coed Hip Hop were required to participate in preliminary U.S. Worlds Trials, in which the top 10 teams would progress to the Worlds International Open Coed Hip Hop division semi-finals round with all teams from non-U.S. countries. Within the international divisions, a maximum of 3 of the highest scoring teams from each country progressed from semi-finals to finals in the international divisions.
Dance athletes were allowed to perform up to three times representing the same program, however was not allowed to represent other programs or cross over to a cheer team competing at the Cheerleading Worlds.
This year's event introduced new dance divisions, offering a coed split in the international open jazz and pom categories, as well as a male only division in the international open hip hop division.

Results

DivisionsGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceCheers FactoryPittsburgh PoisonC*Star
Senior Hip HopExtreme All StarsChampion LegacyGolden Hawks - Golden Hawks Senior
Senior Coed Hip HopLawrence G-Force Athletics - Eastern Washington EliteShowtime Studio - StormDance Athletics - CrewKatz
Senior JazzDancer's Edge StudioPACE EliteSouth Coast Freestyle Dance
Senior PomEnergizers Dance TeamPACE EliteDancer's Edge Studio
International Open Hip HopExisdanzIntros Crew Crew - Intros All StarsHeart of Ohio All Stars
International Open Coed Hip HopDSF All StarExtreme All Stars FloridaPittsburgh Poison
International Open Male Hip HopGuangXi Normal UniversityShowtime Studio - Shocka LockersTeam Chinese Taipei
International Open JazzJapan Women's College of Physical Education - GrinsDancer's Edge StudioThe Vision Dance All Stars
International Open Coed JazzAll Star MexiCOPPACE EliteBradshaw Elite
International Open PomPACE EliteEnergizers Dance TeamJF Oberlin University - Cream
International Open Coed PomAll Star MexiCOPLions All Star - PrideBradshaw Elite

2014

The 2014 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held April 26–28, 2014 at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. The Cheerleading Worlds divisions were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, while the Dance Worlds divisions were held at EPCOT's World Showplace Pavilion.
Cheerleading division preliminaries were held for winners of at-large bids within the senior divisions, with senior coed divisions split into groups A and B and the top 10 from each preliminary round progressing to semi-finals. Preliminaries were also held for all US cheerleading teams within the international open divisions, with the top 10 advancing to compete in international open semi-finals. Preliminaries for the US international open teams, known as world trials, had their preliminaries held at Epcot's World Showcase pavilion.
Dance semi-finals were held for the senior divisions, with a minimum of 50% of the teams from each division progressing to their division final. Junior teams also had a semi-final, with a maximum of 3 of the highest scoring teams from each country progressing from semi-finals to finals. The U.S. dance teams entering the International Open Coed Hip Hop were required to participate in preliminary U.S. Worlds Trials, in which the top 10 teams would progress to the Worlds International Open Coed Hip Hop division semi-finals round with all teams from non-U.S. countries. Within all international dance divisions, a maximum of 3 of the highest scoring teams from each country progressed from semi-finals to finals in the international divisions.
At this event, an athlete was allowed to perform up to three times representing the same dance program, however was not allowed to represent other dance programs or cross over to a cheer team competing at the Cheerleading Worlds.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceDancers Edge StudioSouth Coast FreestyleWing Flap
Senior Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaChampion LegacyPittsburgh Poison - Black Widows
Senior Coed Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaIllustr8tive Studios - StreetDance Force Studios - Vitality
Senior JazzDancers Edge Studio - Senior All StarsPACE EliteThe Vision Dance Center
Senior PomDancers Edge Studio - Senior All StarsEnergizers Dance TeamSouth Coast Freestyle
International Open Hip HopStar Performance CenterNorwegian All StarsChampion Legacy
International Open Coed Hip HopDSF All StarsExtreme All Stars FloridaFootnotes Fusion
International Open Male Hip HopChampion Legacy - EvolutionPremier Athletics Clayton - Galactic GentlemenValley Cheer Elite - Hot Mess
International Open JazzJapan Women's College of Physical Education - GrinsThe Vision Dance CenterDancer's Edge Studio
International Open Coed JazzPACE EliteTeam Puerto RicoRocheer Studio
International Open PomPACE EliteThe Vision Dance CenterGolden Hawks
International Open Coed PomPACE EliteRocheer Studio - Rocheer PomDance Mania

2015

The 2015 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held April 25–27, 2015 at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. The cheerleading divisions were once again held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex while the dance divisions continued to be held at EPCOT's World Showplace Pavilion.
Cheerleading preliminaries were held for at-large bid winners in the senior small and senior medium divisions for both all-girl and coed teams. The senior small cheerleading divisions had preliminary group splits, with 10 teams advancing from each group to the semi-finals. International open preliminary world trials were held for both US and Canadian cheerleading teams this year due to the number of teams being entered into international open all-girl level 5 and international open coed level 5 from Canada the previous year. No US worlds trials were held for the international open all-girl 6 cheerleading division due to there being less than 11 US teams that had entered the division in 2014, automatically advancing all US teams to semi-finals.
Dance semi-finals were held for all senior dance divisions, with a minimum of 50% of the teams from each division progressing to their division final. Junior dance teams also had a semi-final, with a maximum of 3 of the highest scoring teams from each country progressing from semi-finals to finals. The U.S. teams entering the International Open Coed Hip Hop were required to participate in preliminary U.S. Worlds Trials, in which the top 10 teams would progress to the Worlds International Open Coed Hip Hop division semi-finals round with all teams from non-U.S. countries. Within all international divisions, a maximum of 3 of the highest scoring teams from each country progressed from semi-finals to finals in the international divisions.
New divisions were introduced in dance year, as the senior hip hop and senior coed hip hop divisions were split by team size into small and large divisions. Small teams were limited to having 4 - 14 dancers, with large teams being limited to having 15 or more dancers.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceDancer's Edge StudioC*Star Artis Dancin’ Bluebonnets - Open Jazz
Senior Small Hip HopPrismatic Premier Athletics - Clayton Shockers - Senior Big DiprzValley Cheer and Dance - Eastern Washington Elite
Senior Large Hip HopChampion LegacySouth Jersey Storm - WhirlwindExtreme All Stars Florida
Senior Small Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison - Dart FrogsMidwest Cheer Elite - TribeGoddesses Dance Team
Senior Large Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison - CyanideStar Performance CentreExtreme All Stars
Senior JazzDancer's Edge Studio - Senior Silver JazzDancin BluebonnetsPACE Elite
Senior PomEnergizers Dance TeamCheers Factory Dancer's Edge Studio
International Open Hip HopTeam Philipinas - SayawathaPlanets Dance Company - OHHPower House of Dance - Fly Kids
International Open Coed Hip HopPremier Athletics Clayton Shockers - SupaNovazExtreme All Stars FloridaPittsburgh Poison
International Open Male Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaPower House of Dance - CrewPremier Athletics Clayton - Galactic Gentlemen
International Open JazzThe Vision Dance CenterPACE EliteMt. Eden Ballet Company
International Open Coed JazzPACE EliteDance DynamicsXihua University
International Open PomPACE ElitePlanets South Coast Freestyle
International Open Coed PomPACE EliteEnergizers Dance TeamStar Performance Centre

2016

The 2016 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held April 23–25, 2016 at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida.
Cheerleading divisions were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex. while dance divisions were held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center.
Preliminaries were held for at-large bid winners in the senior small and senior medium divisions for both all-girl and coed cheerleading teams. The senior small and senior small coed cheerleading preliminaries saw a group A and group B split due to high numbers, with 10 teams from each group advancing to semi-finals.
US world trials cheerleading preliminaries were held for all US teams entered in international open all-girl 5 and international coed level 5 divisions this year, with all US teams in other International divisions automatically advancing to semi-finals.
Canadian world trials cheerleading preliminaries were held for all Canadian teams competing in international open coed 5, with all Canadian teams from other international divisions automatically advancing to semi-finals.
Dance preliminary rounds were held for the small senior hip hop division, with all senior divisions having semi-finals and finals. Between each round, 50% of teams were cut.
Dance preliminaries were also held for all U.S. teams entering in the international open coed hip hop division, known as the U.S. World Trials. The top 10 teams from this round progressed to the semi-finals to compete against all other teams within the division. All international open divisions as well as the international junior dance division held semi-finals, in which only the top 3 scoring teams from each country progressed to the finals.
This year saw an alteration in the crossover rules, with an athlete now allowed to perform up to four times in dance divisions representing the same program. However, the rules not allowing crossovers between programs or between cheer and dance teams remained in place, with a breach of these rules leading to the consequence of disqualification, repayment of any paid bid funds and ineligibility to receive bids for the following year's event.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
International Junior DanceDancer's Edge StudioThe Vision Dance CenterDancin’ Bluebonnets
Senior Small Hip HopLegendary Athletics North FloridaJordan Johnson Productions - Fierce KidsEastern Washington Elite House of 509
Senior Large Hip HopExtreme All StarsPerfection All Stars - EminenceLegendary Athletics North Florida
Senior Small Coed Hip HopDance Force Studios - VitalityPittsburgh Poison - Dart FrogsChampion Legacy
Senior Large Coed Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaPittsburgh Poison - CyanideStar Performance Centre
Senior Small JazzPACE EliteThe Vision Dance CenterDancin’ Bluebonnets
Senior Large JazzDancer's Edge StudioDance DynamicsMusic City Allstars
Senior Small PomCheers Factory - DeparturesSouth Coast FreestylePACE Elite
Senior Large PomEnergizers Dance TeamDancin’ BluebonnetsDancer's Edge Studio
International Open Hip HopJordan Johnson Productions - FlyChampion LegacyIntros Allstars
International Open Coed Hip HopNext Level Dance Co - SupremacyExtreme All StarsADA - Dark Angels
International Open Male Hip HopJordan Johnson Productions - CrewMisfit Dance Company - The FraternityChinese Taipei Cheerleading Assoc
International Open JazzThe Vision Dance CenterDancin’ BluebonnetsDance Dynamics
International Open Coed JazzDance DynamicsPACE EliteRocheer & Factory All-Stars
International Open PomEnergizers Dance TeamPACE EliteABE Dance Promotion - Blue Force
International Open Coed PomRocheer & Factory All-StarsPACE EliteEnergizers Dance Team

2017

The 2017 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds was held from April 29 to May 1, 2017, at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida. Cheerleading divisions continued to be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex while this marked the second year that dance divisions were held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center.
Cheerleading preliminaries were held in the senior small and senior medium division for both all-girl and coed teams with at large bids in these divisions. Once again, the senior small and senior small co-ed divisions saw a group A and B split with the top 10 from each group advancing to semi finals. US worlds trial cheerleading preliminaries were held in the international open small coed 5 and international large coed 5 divisions, with Canadian worlds trial cheerleading preliminaries being held in the international open all-girl 5 category. The top 10 from each country's worlds trial advanced to the worlds international semi-finals.
Dance preliminaries were held for all U.S. teams entering in the international open hip hop and international open coed hip hop divisions. These preliminaries were named the U.S. World Trials. Preliminaries were also required for all U.S. dance teams entering the senior hip hop category. The top 10 teams from these rounds progressed to division semi-finals to compete against all other non-U.S. teams within these divisions. Semi-finals were held for all senior dance divisions, international open divisions and junior dance divisions. A minimum of 50% of the senior teams progressed from semi-finals to finals, where as only the top three teams from each countries advanced in the international open and junior dance divisions.
Athletes competing at The Dance Worlds were limited to competing in a maximum of four dance routines representing the same dance program. Athletes were not allowed to crossover between dance programs/studios/gyms or between cheerleading and dance teams/studios/gyms. If a team was found to have breached the cross over rules, they would be disqualified from both this year's event as well as disqualified from receiving a bid for the following year, as well as having to repay any funds received through any paid bid.
This was the first year that contemporary/lyrical was offered as its own defined dance division, offered in both the senior and open age divisions.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Junior Dance Dancer's Edge Studio - Junior LyricalThe Vision Dance CenterABE Dance Promotion - Blue Star
Senior Contemporary/LyricalDance DynamicsDancin Bluebonnets - Senior LyricalDance Precisions - Contemporary
Senior Small Hip HopLegendary Athletics North FloridaChampion LegacyXtreme Dance California
Senior Large Hip HopDollhouse Dance FactoryStar Performance CentrePittsburgh Poison All Stars
Senior Small Coed Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaLegendary Athletics North FloridaEastern Washington Elite House of 509
Senior Large Coed Hip HopExtreme All Stars FloridaPittsburgh PoisonVictory Vipers
Senior Small JazzDancer's Edge Studio - Senior Small JazzDancin BluebonnetsThe Vision Dance Center
Senior Large JazzDance DynamicsThe Vision Dance CenterStar Performance Centre
Senior Small PomCheers FactoryPACE Elite - Darkness FallsSouth Coast Freestyle
Senior Large PomStarz Dance AcademyPACE EliteSouth Coast Freestyle
Open Contemporary/LyricalDance DynamicsTIE
Dancin Bluebonnets
&
Mt. Eden Ballet Academy
Open Hip HopTeam PhilipinasSouth Jersey Storm - Black IceAlmaden Spirit Athletics - Paragon
Open Coed Hip HopWorld WingsADA Dark AngelsTop Gun All Stars Miami
Open Male Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - King CobrasTexas Cheer Allstars - D Towne BoogieTanz Regens
Open JazzThe Vision Dance CenterDancin BluebonnetsWing Dance Promotion
Open Coed JazzDance FactoryDance DynamicsPACE Elite
Open PomPlanets Dance Company - PlanetsEnergizers Dance Team - Energizers Open PomPACE Elite - Freedom
Open Coed PomPACE Elite - If You WantEnergizers Dance TeamDance Factory

2018

The Cheerleading and Dance Worlds 2018 took place at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, between April 28 and 30, 2018. Cheerleading divisions were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex, with dance divisions being held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center.
In 2018, senior extra small all-girl level 5 and senior extra small coed level 5 divisions were now eligible for worlds, with some stipulations. These stipulations included that a program could only have one extra small team, either all-girl or coed, and that if a program received a bid in either senior extra small all-girl or senior extra small coed, the program may not compete in any other division or alternatively, the extra small division team must compete in the senior small division. 
World trials were held for Canadian teams in the international open all-girl level 5 division and international open small coed level 5 and for US teams in international open small coed 5, international large coed level 5 to advance the top 10 teams to the international division semi-finals.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Junior Dance Jexer Fitness Club Omiya – ZingysDancer's Edge Studio – Junior JazzThe Vision Dance Center
Senior Contemporary/LyricalDancer's Edge Studio – Senior SmallThe Vision Dance CenterDancin’ Bluebonnets
Senior Small Hip HopPittsburgh Pride All Stars – AmbushLegendary Athletics North Florida – Senior ElitePittsburgh Poison All Stars – Nyah
Senior Large Hip HopPittsburgh Pride All Stars – CoalitionStar Performance Centre – Senior Large All GirlDollhouse Dance Factory – Sirens
Senior Small Coed Hip HopGolden Hawks – SeniorLegendary Athletics – Senior Coed EliteGoddesses Dance Team
Senior Large Coed Hip HopStar Performance Centre – Senior Large Coed Hip HopImperial Athletics - MonarchChampion Legacy - Senior Coed Hip Hop
Senior Small JazzChampion Legacy – Sr JazzThe Vision Dance CenterDance Mania
Senior Large JazzDancer's Edge Studio – Senior Large JazzDancin’ BluebonnetsDance Dynamics - Senior Large Jazz
Senior Small PomCheers Factory – InspireDance ManiaEnergizers
Senior Large PomChampion Legacy – Large Senior PomStar Performance Centre – Senior Large PomSilver Wings Aile – Wing Dance Promotion
Open Contemporary/LyricalThe Vision Dance CenterDance DynamicsDancin’ Bluebonnets
Open Hip HopTeam PhilipinasUISAngels Dance Academy - Dominion
Open Coed Hip HopWorld WingsMidrash Dance CentreGold Star - Team X
Open Male Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars – King CobrasVelocity Dance - WerewolvesElite Legends of Ohio - The Veterans
Open JazzDancin’ BluebonnetsDance Dynamics - Open JazzThe Vision Dance Center
Open Coed JazzDance FactoryStrut Performing ArtsMusic City All Stars
Open PomEnergizers Dance TeamWing Dance Production – Silver WingsGolden Hawks
Open Coed PomDance FactoryEnergizers Dance TeamStrut Performing Arts - Open Coed Pom

2019

The 2019 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds was held 27–29 April 2019 at Walt Disney World.
This year saw the introduction of a range of new US only cheerleading divisions, including senior open level 5, senior open small coed level 5 and senior open large coed level 5 divisions. A relaxation was also made in the US only senior extra small all-girl and senior extra small coed divisions, allowing for any program regardless of number of worlds teams to field a team in this division.
New international cheerleading divisions were also introduced, bringing in non-tumbling divisions and global cheer divisions that included crowd-leading cheer alongside the cheer routine. These divisions were introduced for level 5, in both all-girl and co-ed divisions.
Dance divisions also saw a shakeup, with a split occurring between small and large teams in the senior contemporary/lyrical division, as well as a division split between elite and premier hip hop teams in open hip hop and open coed hip hop. Kick was also introduced for the first time as a dance style category.
Preliminaries were held for at-large bid winners in the senior extra small and senior small categories for both all-girl and coed teams.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Junior Dance C*Star - JDSPG Dance Project - H Beat BeansDancer's Edge Studio - Junior Small Jazz
Senior Small Contemporary/LyricalDancer's Edge Studio - Senior Small ContemporaryDancin’ Bluebonnets - Senior ContemporaryStar Steppers - Star Steppers Dance
Senior Large Contemporary/LyricalDancer's Edge Studio - Senior Large ContemporaryDance Dynamics - Senior ContemporaryThe Vision Dance Center - Senior Allstars
Senior Small Hip HopLegendary Athletics North Florida - SSHHPittsburgh Pride All Stars - AmbushNext Level Dance Co - Goddesses
Senior Large Hip HopDollhouse Dance Factory - HustlePittsburgh Poison All Stars - Black WidowsChampion Legacy - SLHH
Senior Small Coed Hip HopPower of Dance LLC - Polaris WingsUltimate Allstars - Red ThunderStrut Performing Arts - SSCHH
Senior Large Coed Hip HopImperial Athletics - MonarchPittsburgh Poison All Stars - CyanideStudio L Dance Co - SLCHH
Senior Small JazzDance Mania - SSJDancin’ Bluebonnets - SSJThe Vision Dance Center - Senior Allstars
Senior Large JazzDancer's Edge Studio - SLJDance Dynamics - SLJWing Dance Promotion - Silver Wings Aile
Senior Small PomCheers Factory - EvolutionEnergizers Dance Team - Energizers SSPDance Mania - SSP
Senior Large PomChampion Legacy - SLPEnergizers Dance Team - Energizers SLPPower of Dance LLC - Warriors
Open Contemporary/LyricalThe Vision Dance Center - Open AllstarsDance Dynamics - Open LyricalDance Mania - Open Contemporary
Open Elite Hip HopDollhouse Dance FactoryLegendary Athletics North Florida - Open EliteFootnotes Dance Studio - Footnotes Fusion
Open Elite Coed Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dark AngelsNext Level Dance Co - SupremacyStrut Performing Arts - Open Coed Hip Hop
Open Premier Hip HopTeam Philipinas - Assumption College San LorenzoAngels Dance Academy - ADA DominionWest Coast Royalty - OPHH
Open Premier Coed Hip HopWorld Wings - 2WDCDance Factory OCPHHTop Gun All Stars Miami - TG OHH
Open Male Hip HopVelocity Dance - WolfpackAdrenaline Allstars - Rush CrewPittsburgh Poison All Stars - King Cobras
Open KickEnergizers Dance Team - Energizers OKPower of Dance LLC Indus - Knock on WoodFoursis Dance Academy - Dazzler Dance Team
Open JazzThe Vision Dance Center - Open AllstarsWing Dance Promotion Silver Wings - OJDancin’ Bluebonnets - OJ
Open Coed JazzDance Factory - OCJDancin’ Bluebonnets - OCJStrut Performing Arts - OCJ
Open PomPlanets Dance Company - Planets OPWing Dance Promotion Silver Wings - OPEnergizers Dance Team - Energizers OP
Open Coed PomDance Factory - OCPPacific Elite Dance - MysticsVelocity Dance - WOOP

2020

The 2020 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were originally scheduled to take place April 24–27, 2020.
As part of the intended scheduled competition, USASF and IASF had adjusted division levels, with level 5 restricted becoming level 5, level 5 becoming level 6 and level 6 becoming level 7. IASF had intended to add level 5 divisions to the event as a result, including International Open All-Girl Level 5, International Open Small Coed Level 5, and International Open Large Coed Level 5. They also planned to add International Open All-Girl Non-Tumbling Level 7 and International Open Non-Tumbling Coed Level 7. The new level 5 and non-tumbling level 7 divisions were restricted to only non-U.S. based teams.
However, due to the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the USASF announced on April 23, 2020, that the event was cancelled.
Before announcing the cancellation, USASF had sent an email to gym owners and coaches exploring the possibility of postponing the event until the last week of June 2020, which ultimately did not go ahead.
IASF did not cancel their divisions outright for the year at the time of the USASF cancellation, instead postponing with the hope of running a September event in conjunction with the ICU World Championships. However, by May 2020, it became apparent that would not be viable, leading to IASF director, Les Stella, issuing an official notice of cancellation. At the time, they also announced they would be extending the junior division ages a year, in order for any 2020 IASF junior-aged athlete to be eligible to compete in 2021.
Controversy broke out surrounding the USASF cancellation due to the news being leaked before a public announcement. USASF sent a confidential email to gym/studio owners and coaches the night before a planned public announcement, explaining their cancellation decision, with the intent of allowing gym owners and coaches to disseminate that information among their worlds athletes and families before the public was aware. The owner of the cheer news updates site, "Cheer Updates", DJ Yeager, was a cheer coach who also received this email, publishing the news to his Cheer Updates site shortly after receiving the email, before USASF had made their public announcement. This was the first that some athletes and families had heard of the cancellation, as their programs had not yet informed them, causing wide-scale controversy and confusion in the time before USASF made their announcement.

2021

The Cheerleading and Dance Worlds 2021 was the first year that saw an event go ahead with USASF and IASF running their worlds events separately as a result of travel restrictions associated with COVID-19.
For 2021, the level changes that had been intended to be implemented for IASF governed cheerleading divisions at the cancelled 2020 event were enacted. In October 2018, IASF announced an introduction of a level 7 division for the 2020 world championships, with level 5 restricted becoming level 5, level 5 becoming level 6 and level 6 becoming level 7. This had an impact on the divisions offered at both events held this year.

2021 USASF Worlds

The USASF Cheerleading and Dance Worlds took place between May 6–10, 2021, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Walt Disney World, Florida. Instead of running concurrently, the Dance Worlds divisions ran first on May 6 and 7, 2021, while the Cheerleading Worlds divisions ran on May 8–10, 2021, in order to reduce crowds as a protective measure against COVID-19. Due to international travel restrictions, this event was restricted to only teams from the U.S. competing.
In recognition of the impact that COVID-19 had on teams being able to attend events to earn a worlds bid, USASF introduced applicant bids for this event only. This allowed teams that attended at least three 2020-21 USASF-sanctioned competitions, one of which must have been a 2021 worlds bid qualifying event, to apply for a bid. If approved, this was treated as an "at-large" bid, with teams paying for their own worlds registration packages and all other expenses.
Exceptions were also made to the cheer athlete bid limitations for the 2021 event only due to the uncertainty around COVID-19, with the number of athletes that previously earned a paid bid, and were eligible to compete for and be awarded a paid bid on a second team were not held to compete with the second team. The number of athletes eligible for this exception per team ranged from 1-3 depending on the size of the team/division.
Crossover rules were altered for this year as an exception to the normal rule, allowing crossover of athletes between dance and cheer teams, allowing an athlete to compete in both The Cheerleading Worlds and The Dance Worlds for the first time in the event's history. The number of times an athlete was allowed to perform was also increased, with an athlete now allowed to perform up to five times. Crossovers between dance programs remained prohibited at this event.
Preliminary rounds were held for teams in teams competing in the senior extra small all-girl level 6, senior extra small coed level 6 and senior open small coed level 6 divisions.
All dance teams competed in semi-finals in each division and category. A minimum of 50% of teams in the senior divisions advanced to finals, with the top three teams from each country in the IASF open and junior divisions advancing to finals.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Junior Dance Fully Loaded Dance Studio - RidiculousDancin’ Bluebonnets - Junior JazzThe Vision Dance Centre - Junior Allstars
Senior Small Contemporary/LyricalDance Mania - Senior LyricalThe Vision Dance Center - Senior Small LyricalDancer's Edge Studio
Senior Large Contemporary/LyricalDancin Bluebonnets - Senior LyricalDance DynamicsMusic City Allstars - Senior Large Lyrical
Senior Small Hip HopImperial Athletics - StellarPittsburgh Pride All Stars - AmbushLegendary Athletics - Senior Elite
Senior Large Hip HopDollhouse Dance Factory - Run This TownStar Performance Centre - Large All Girl Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Black Widows
Senior Small Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Dart FrogsThe Source Dance Lab - AssassinsFootnotes Fusion - High Definition
Senior Large Coed Hip HopUltimate All Stars - Red ThunderPittsburgh Poison All Stars - CyanideICE - Aftermath
Senior Small JazzDance Mania - Senior Jazz SmallBrookfield Center for the Arts - BCA Senior All StarsDancin Bluebonnets - Senior Jazz
Senior Large JazzThe Vision Dance Center - Senior Large JazzDancer's Edge StudioDance Mania - Senior Jazz Large
Senior Small PomDance Mania - Senior Pom SmallSouth Coast Freestyle - TemperatureEnergizers
Senior Large PomDance Mania - Senior Pom LargeChampion Legacy - All Star PomDance Dynamics
Open OpenDance DynamicsDancin Bluebonnets - Open LyricalCheerForce Arizona - ACES DanceForce AZ
Open Elite Hip HopFootnotes Fusion - PriorityAdrenaline Allstars - RAGEDollhouse Dance Factory - Interstellar
Open Elite Coed Hip HopNext Level Dance Co - SupremacyFootnotes Fusion - Take OffPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Open Elite
Open Premier Hip HopDollhouse Dance Factory - The Dream
Open Premier Coed Hip HopTop Gun All Stars - Open Hip HopAdrenaline Allstars - FusionDollhouse Dance Factory - Low
Open Male Hip HopStars Vipers - San Antonio - King SerpentsEPA AllStars - KingdomAdrenaline Allstars - Havoc
Open KickPower of Dance - AmericanoEnergizersFoursis Dance Academy - Dazzler Dance Team
Open JazzThe Vision Dance CenterEnergizersDance Etc Inc
Open Coed Jazz5678! Dance Studio - Open All Stars
Open PomSouth Coast Freestyle - BadEnergizersStarz Dance Academy - Elite All Stars
Open Coed PomVelocity Dance - WOOPIntensity Athletics - Cobras

2021 IASF Worlds

With the aim of making some level of participation available for athletes around the globe, IASF announced in February 2021 that they were working to secure dates in September 2021 for the IASF Worlds Championship events for both cheerleading and dance. At that time in February, they were also considering a virtual 2021 option, as well as a hybrid format allowing for both in-person and virtual categories. However, it was announced in June 2021 that due to ongoing restrictions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the IASF Worlds would take place virtually in 2021.
Due to the ongoing impact, the announcement was made by IASF in July that they would be hosting the event virtually on October 1–2, 2021, with teams submitting videos of a "semi-final" and "finals" performance taken inside of a consecutive three-day window via the CheerMatch app, that would be scored by the judges.
Eligible cheerleading teams included all teams who had earned a bid to the cancelled 2020 Worlds event, as well as any bids earned for the 2021 event. Level 7 Cheerleading teams were not required to earn a bid to enter, with it open to all, and no substitute rule and regulations were enforced at this event. Due to the impact of COVID-19, IASF allowed U17 and U19 teams to have an extra year of eligibility at the upper end of their age ranges to recognise the athletes who had aged out never finishing their final year.
Eligible dance teams included both U.S. and non-U.S. dance teams that had earned a 2020 or 2021 Worlds' bid in the International, Open or Junior division, with non-U.S. junior division teams being exempt from earning a bid to participate. In recognition of COVID-19 restrictions and their impacts on countries holding qualifying competitions, a team was also allowed to apply for an at-large bid based on their 2019–2020 season history if they did not have an existing bid.
To accommodate the virtual format, upon registration, teams selected a three-day window between September 1 and September 22 in which to record and submit routines via the CheerMatch Capture App. During their three-day period, teams were allotted two capture opportunities for two different performances, in which they could choose the best capture for each, and designate one performance for "semi-finals" and the other for "finals".
Judges scored all semi-final performances in each division on October 1, with the top three teams from each country in each division advancing to the finals round, where the pre-recorded performances were judged on October 2 to determine the champions.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Junior Dance YDC Dance Studio - Lapis DIO PinkDiamonds - Glanz TeamATLAS - altasRISE
Open OpenMellow Ultimate Dance Centre - Womans Work DSF - Brillants
Open Elite Hip HopUiS Kashiwa - Golden Hawks Entourage Elite - Defiance
Open Elite Coed Hip HopHy-Fidelity Dance Design - Supreme Krew Cheer Power Extreme - Convergence
Open Premier Hip HopBradshaw Dance and Cheer - Bradshaw Elite KCD - VisionCrew
Open KickEnergizers
Open JazzUltimate Dance Centre - The Chase Empire Dance Studio - Eminence TIE
Bradshaw Dance and Cheer - Bradshaw Elite
&
Dahlia
Open PomKawai Dance Agency - Queen Berry Energizers Cheers Factory - Ambitious
Open Coed PomCheer Power Extreme - Supremacy Selatan Dance

2022

The 2022 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds event returned to its regular in person format, with IASF and USASF worlds being held as part of the same event. This competition was held between April 23 to 25, 2022 at Walt Disney World Resort, with cheerleading divisions returning to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and dance divisions returning to Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Centre.
Cheerleading preliminaries were held at this event for teams with at large bid in the senior extra small all-girl, senior extra small coed, senior open small coed, international open all-girl non-tumbling level 6 and international open coed non-tumbling level 6 divisions. The top 10 teams from the preliminary rounds advanced to compete in the semi-final round along with teams who held partially paid and fully paid bids. The change was made in round advancements this year that if 40 or more teams competed in a division's preliminary round or semi-final round, then 15 teams would move forward to the next round of the competition instead of the traditional 10 teams.
However, only senior small hip hop teams that held at-large bids competed in dance division preliminaries, with a minimum of 50% of these teams advancing to semi-finals with partial-paid bid teams. Semi-finals were held for all dance divisions, with 50% of teams in senior divisions and top three teams from each country in open and junior divisions advancing to finals.
At this event, three new senior cheerleading divisions were offered for programs that were represented by only one team at the Cheerleading Worlds in the extra small/small all-girl, extra small coed and small coed divisions. Teams qualified by competing in their traditional category, but had the option to transfer to the appropriate limited category when registering for worlds.
IASF announced in May 2018 that they would be applying a "full top uniform" rule from the 2021 Cheerleading Worlds event onwards for teams in the international IASF-governed divisions, however, this was pushed to 2022 as a result of the pandemic. This meant that the 2022 Cheerleading Worlds was the first event to enforce this rule. This rule stated that teams competing in any international division must compete in a full top uniform, with no crop tops, half tops or mid-riffs being allowed per the image policy. This rule change was put in place in an attempt to promote a more globally athletic image of cheer.
The previous crossover rules that prohibited an athlete from performing in divisions at both The Cheerleading Worlds, as well as The Dance Worlds, returned. Crossover rules continued that prohibited an athlete from crossing over between dance programs at The Dance Worlds. An athlete was allowed to perform up to five times representing the same dance program at the event.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Junior Dance Dancin Bluebonnets - Junior JazzStar Steppers Dance - Junior Team JazzUltimate Allstars - Junior Hip Hop
Senior Small Contemporary/LyricalDance Mania - Senior LyricalDancin Bluebonnets - Senior Small ContemporaryThe Vision Dance Center - Allstars
Senior Large Contemporary/LyricalDance DynamicsDancin Bluebonnets - Senior Large ContemporaryThe Vision Dance Center - Senior Large Lyrical
Senior Small Hip HopPittsburgh Pride All Stars - AmbushFootnotes Fusion - AllianceLegendary Athletics - Senior Elite
Senior Large Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Black WidowsLegendary Athletics - Senior PremierAdrenaline Studio - Joules
Senior Small Coed Hip HopPittsburg Poison All Stars - Dart FrogsFootnotes Fusion - High DefinitionStrut Performing Arts
Senior Large Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - CyanideUltimate Allstars - Red ThunderDance Athletics - Raptors
Senior Small JazzDance Mania - Senior Jazz SmallDancin Bluebonnets - Senior Small JazzThe Vision Dance Center - Allstars
Senior Large JazzThe Vision Dance Center - AllstarsDance Mania - Senior Jazz LargeBrookfield Dance and Brio Studios Co - Senior All Stars
Senior Small PomDance Mania - Senior Pom SmallChampion Legacy - Senior All StarsInnovate Dance Studio - Senior Pom
Senior Large PomDance Mania - Senior Pom LargeStar Performance Centre - Senior Large PomEnergizers
Open Open The Vision Dance Center - AllstarsDance DynamicsCheerForce Arizona - ACES DanceForce AZ
Open Elite Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion EliteAdrenaline Studio - RageDollhouse Dance Factory - Villains
Open Elite Coed Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dark AngelsNext Level Dance Co - SupremacyThe Architects Dance Academy - Colossus
Open Premier Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion PremierFootnotes Fusion - Two Point ODance Athletics - Lavish
Open Premier Coed Hip HopSeven DancersTeam Puerto Rico Dance TeamYo Dance - Team Force
Open Male Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA GeneralsAdrenaline Studio - Rush CrewFootnotes Fusion - Neighborhood
Open KickEnergizersFoursis Dance Academy - DazzlersStarz Dance Academy - Elite All Starz
Open JazzInnovate Dance Studio - Open JazzBrookfield Dance a Brio Studios Co - Senior All StarsThe Vision Dance Center - Allstars
Open Coed JazzDancin Bluebonnets - Open Coed JazzStudio 74Star Steppers Dance - Senior Team Jazz
Open PomDancing Dream Center MexicoGold Star Cheer and Dance - Gold Star GalaxyEnergizers
Open Coed PomChampion Dance & Cheer All Stars - BlackCheerforce - The Ladies of TenCentro Artistico Yesenea Mendoza - Goldrush - Caym

2023

The 2023 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held from April 21 to April 24, 2023, at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. Cheerleading divisions were held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while dance divisions were held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Centre.
Cheerleading preliminary competition rounds were held for senior open small coed teams with at-large bids, and U.S. teams with at-large bids in the international open all-girl non-tumbling level 6 and international open coed non-tumbling level 6 divisions. The top 10 teams from each of these preliminary rounds advanced to the semi-final rounds which included teams with partially paid and fully paid bids.
The semi-final round for the international open all-girl non-tumbling level 6 and international open coed non-tumbling level 6 divisions were declared the U.S. world trials, including only paid bid U.S. teams and the top 10 U.S. at large-bid teams from the preliminary round. Trophies and gold, silver and bronze medallions were awarded to the top three U.S. teams, and U.S. teams placing fourth through 10th were awarded trophies. The top three teams U.S. teams from this semi-final advanced to the division finals, along with the top three teams from other countries from the semi-finals.
Dance preliminary competition rounds were held for teams with at-large bids in the senior small contemporary/lyrical division, with a minimum of 50% of teams advancing to the semi-finals. Semi-finals were held for all divisions, with senior divisions having 50% of teams advance to the finals and open and junior divisions advancing the top three teams from each country.
IASF introduced five new international world cheerleading divisions for teams under 18. Prior to 2023, IASF international worlds divisions had no maximum age, with athletes instead having to meet a minimum age to be eligible for teams, making these divisions the first divisions with such a maximum. Three of these divisions were level 5, which remained restricted to entry by non-U.S. teams - U18 all-girl level 5, U18 small coed level 5 and U18 large coed level 5 - and two in level 6 in non-tumbling variants - U18 all-girl non-tumbling level 6 and U18 coed non-tumbling level 6. Despite the introduction of five divisions, lack of entries meant that only four competed with no U18 large coed level 5 teams entering this division at the competition.
IASF also raised the minimum age for open and global division teams to 15 years old, announcing they would further raise the age to 16 for the 2023–2024 season and Cheerleading Worlds 2024.
Kick was introduced as a new style into the USASF senior categories, expanding it from previously only be an international open category only.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Senior Small Contemporary/LyricalDance Mania - Senior LyricalDance DynamicsDancin Bluebonnets - Senior Small Contemporary
Senior Large Contemporary/LyricalBrio Studios - PrejudiceDance DynamicsThe Vision Dance Center - Allstars
Senior Small Hip HopThe Source Dance LabChampion Legacy - Senior All Star Small Hip HopLegendary Athletics - Senior Elite
Senior Large Hip HopDollhouse Dance Factory - Poison IvyAdrenaline Studio - JoulesPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Black Widows
Senior Small Coed Hip HopUltimate Allstars - Coed EliteFootnotes Fusion - High DefinitionImperial Athletics - Monarch
Senior Large Coed Hip HopAdrenaline Studio - Thunder CrewKashiwa Golden Hawks - Golden HawksStar Performance Centre - Senior Large Coed Hip Hop
Senior Small JazzDance ManiaMt Eden Ballet Academy - MEBA Senior Jazz TeamThe Vision Dance Center - Allstars
Senior Large JazzDance DynamicsThe Vision Dance Center - Allstars5678! Dance Studio - 5678! Senior All Stars
Senior KickEnergizersPower of Dance - Beautiful PeopleFoursis Dance Academy - Foursis Dazzlers Dance
Senior Small PomSPG Cheerdance Project - H Beat Beans VividKagoshima YMCA - CAST Magic FaithShining Planets - Grant Sparkle
Senior Large PomDance Mania - Senior Pom LargeSouth Coast FreestyleFoursis Dance Academy
Open Open Dance DynamicsThe Vision Dance Center - AllstarsDancin Bluebonnets - Open Open
Open Elite Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion EliteUISEvolution of Dance - Notorious
Open Elite Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Dart FrogsAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dark AngelsThe Architects Dance Company - Colossus
Open Premier Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion PremierAdrenaline Studio - RageDance Athletics - Archive
Open Premier Coed Hip HopWorld Wings - 2WDCPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Black FrogsAdrenaline Studio - Fusion
Open Male Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA GeneralsEPA AllStars - KingdomAdrenaline Studio - Rush Crew
Open KickEnergizersFoursis Dance Academy - Foursis Dazzler Dance TeamStarz Dance Academy - Elite All Starz
Open JazzThe Vision Dance Center - AllstarsMt Eden Ballet Academy - MEBA Open Jazz TeamBears Co. Ltd - Bears Ray
Open Coed JazzChampion Legacy - Worlds Open Coed JazzAcademia Studio 74Star Steppers Dance - Open Jazz
Open PomPlanetsSouth Coast Freestyle - HarleyWing Dance Promotion - Silver Wings
Open Coed PomChampion Legacy - Worlds Open Coed PomGold Star Cheer and Dance Ltd - TwilightReign Elite - Royals

2024

The 2024 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held from April 26 to April 29, 2024, at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. Cheerleading divisions were held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while dance divisions were held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Centre.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Senior Small
Contemporary/Lyrical
The Vision Dance Center - Senior Small LyricalDance Mania - Senior LyricalDance Dynamics - Senior Contemporary/Lyrical Small
Senior Large
Contemporary/Lyrical
The Vision Dance Center - Senior Large LyricalDance Dynamics - Senior Contemporary/Lyrical LargeDancing with Roxie - Dancing with Roxie
Senior Small Hip HopChampion Legacy - Senior All Star Small Hip HopThe Source Dance Lab - The Source Dance LabDollhouse Dance Factory - Charlie's Angels
Senior Large Hip HopDance Athletics - LineageDollhouse Dance Factory - Kill BillDance Dynamics - Senior Hip Hop Large
Senior Small Coed Hip
Hop
Ultimate Allstars - Coed EliteStar Performance Centre - Senior Small Coed Hip HopAdrenaline Studio - Havoc
Senior Large Coed Hip
Hop
Star Performance Centre - Senior Large Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - CyanideAdrenaline Studio - Thunder Crew
Senior Small JazzDance Mania - Senior Jazz SmallStudio L Dance Co. - MamaFoursis Dance Academy - Dazzlers
Senior Large JazzStudio L Dance Co. - VarsityDance Mania - Senior Jazz Large5678! Dance Studio - Move Dance Be Born
Senior KickEnergizers - FlamingosStarz Dance Academy - Senior All StarsFoursis Dance Academy - Foursis Dazzlers Dance
Senior Small PomSPG Cheerdance Project - H Beat Beans VividShining Planets - Grant SparkleSouth Coast Freestyle - Wicked Witch
Senior Large PomDance Mania - Senior Pom LargeEnergizers - Tower of TerrorSouth Coast Freestyle - Toy Soldier
Open Open Elite
'
DANZ Team Project - AZ Aces Angels Dance Academy - ADA Virtues Centro Artistico Yesenea Mendoza - Space
Open Open Premier
'
The Vision Dance Center - All Stars Dance Dynamics Centro Artistico Yesenea Mendoza - Undone
Open Elite Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion Elite Footnotes Fusion - Priority Wolf Pack All Stars - Fly Kids
Open Coed Elite Hip
Hop
Angels Dance Academy - ADA Dark Angels The Architects Dance Company - Colossus Kashiwa Golden Hawks - Golden Hawks
Open Premier Hip HopStar Performance Centre - Open Premier Hip Hop Angels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion Premier Dance Athletics - Archive
Open Coed Premier Hip HopLethal Vipers Ecole de danse Danzaa - No Rules The Architects Dance Company - Colossus
Open Male Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA Genesis Adrenaline Studio - Rush Crew Wolf Pack All Stars - Crew
Open KickEnergizers - Kiss Starz Dance Academy - SDA Elite All Starz Open Kick
Open Elite JazzFirebird Dance Company - Storm Wing Dance Promotion - Silver Wings NRG Studios - Elite Empresses
Open Premier JazzThe Dance Vision Center - All Stars Dance Dymension - Beautiful People Endurance Elite - Aura
Open Coed JazzDance Factory Dance Mania Nashville - Open Coed Jazz Champion Legacy - Worlds Open Coed Jazz
Open Elite PomWing Dance Promotion - Silver Wings Apex Cheerdance Team - Apex Innovate Dance Studio - Space Jam
Open Premier PomABE Dance Promotion - Blue Force TDS Dance Complex Endurance Elite - Elevate
Open Coed PomDance Factory LB Company South Coast Freestyle - Kobe the Legend
Junior DanceWingflap Kiyomi Cheerdance Place Kumamoto - KCPK Hot Heart Dance Dynamics - Junior Jazz

2025

The 2025 Cheerleading and Dance Worlds were held from April 25 to April 28, 2025, at Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida. Cheerleading divisions were held at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, while dance divisions were held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Centre.

Results

DivisionGoldSilverBronze
Senior Small
Contemporary/Lyrical
Dance Dynamics - Senior Small Contemporary/LyricalDance Precisions - Nothing Left to BurnDance Mania - Senior Lyrical
Senior Large
Contemporary/Lyrical
Dance Dynamics - Senior Large Contemporary/LyricalThe Vision Dance Center - Senior Large LyricalThe Dance Vault - KC Collective
Senior Small Hip HopThe Source Dance Lab - Assassins - MAFIAChampion Legacy - Senior All Star Small Hip HopDollhouse Dance Factory - Catwoman
Senior Large Hip HopDance Athletics - LineagePittsburgh Poison All Stars - Black WidowsECU - Atico Danzas
Senior Small Coed Hip
Hop
Star Performance Centre - Senior Small Coed Hip HopAdrenaline Studio - HAVOCPittsburgh Poison All Stars - Dart Frog
Senior Large Coed Hip
Hop
Star Performance Centre - Senior Large Coed Hip HopPittsburgh Poison All Stars - CyanideStudio L Dance Co. - Senior Large Coed Hip Hop
Senior Small JazzDance Mania - Senior Small Jazz5678! Dance Studio - IndestructibleDolce All-Star - Senior Jazz - Small
Senior Large JazzDance Dynamics - Senior Large JazzThe Dance Vault - KC CollectiveStudio 22 - Studio 22 Senior All Stars Large Jazz
Senior KickEnergizers - Run for the RosesStarz Dance Academy - SDA - Senior Kick VampireDance Athletics - Plano - Senior Kick
Senior Small PomSPG Cheerdance Project - H BEAT BEANS VIVID Innovate Dance Studio - ClueDolce All-Star - Senior Pom - Small
Senior Large PomTeam Japan - SHINING PLANETS - Grant Sparkle Dance Mania - Senior pom - LargeSouth Coast Freestyle - Ninjas
Open Open ''The Vision Dance Center - Open Lyrical Dance Dynamics - Open Open Contemporary/Lyrical AZ ACES - Open Open Contemporary/Lyrical
Open Hip HopFootnotes Fusion - Priority Academia de Danza Udar Chile - Academia de Danza Udar Chile Angels Dance Academy - ADA Dominion
Open Coed Hip
Hop
WORLDWINGS - 2WDC Angels Dance Academy - Dark Angels ECU - Bailarte Studio
Open Male Hip HopAngels Dance Academy - ADA GenesisAdrenaline Studio - RUSH CREWEPA Allstars - Kingdom
Open JazzDance Dynamics - Open Jazz The Vision Dance Center - Open Jazz Pacific Elite Dance - Mystics
Open Coed JazzDance Factory - Dance Factory Dancin with Roxie - Open Jazz - Get Your Freak On AZ ACES - AZ ACES - Open Coed Jazz.
Open PomPLANETS Dance Company - Planets Innovate Dance Studio - Open Pom- Deadpool South Coast Freestyle - Open Pom - Snake
Open Coed PomDance Factory - Dance Factory Energizers - Limbo Rock - Open Coed Pom AZ ACES - AZ ACES - Open Coed Pom
Junior DanceYDC DANCE STUDIO - Lapis☆DIO Dance Dynamics - Junior Dance Cheers Factory - CHEERS FACTORY

Future dates

Announced future dates include:
  • 2026: April 24–27
  • 2027: April 23–26
  • 2028: April 21–24
  • 2029: April 27–30
  • 2030: April 26–29