For thirty years, NCA All Star Nationals in Dallas has been the heartbeat of All Star cheerleading, a proving ground where athletes push the limits of their skills, teams solidify their legacies, and fans witness moments that define the sport. Year after year, competitors enter the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center knowing they are about to experience something unlike any other event in cheerleading. The energy in the building is unmistakable, with thousands of spectators moving to the same eight-count, collectively holding their breath for every pyramid, every pass, and every zero deduction routine.
The 2025 event is set to break records, with 1,750 teams registered, continuing the rapid growth of NCA All Star Nationals. The event is set to become the largest cheer competition in the world, with participation increasing each year. In 2024, NCA hosted 1,564 teams, up from 1,405 teams in 2023, proving its continued expansion and dominance in the cheerleading world. However, in 2024, the Allstar World Championship in Orlando, FL, produced by the Open Championship group, took the title as the largest cheerleading competition with just over 1,600 teams participating. This clear sign of growth in the All Star community shows that the sport is thriving on multiple stages. Over 30,000 athletes are set to compete, making it the largest NCA All Star Nationals to date. This milestone further cements NCA All Star Nationals as one of the premier stages of the sport.
But the 2025 NCA All Star Nationals will be the last in Dallas—at least for now. Due to renovations at the convention center, the competition will relocate to Houston from 2026 through 2028 before returning to Dallas in 2029. However, as the event moves to Houston, Varsity leadership has promised a bigger and better experience at the Toyota Center. With state-of-the-art facilities, expanded production capabilities, and an opportunity to elevate the fan experience, Houston is set to take NCA All Star Nationals to new heights from 2026 to 2028. The competition will continue to grow, offering athletes and fans a fresh perspective while keeping the core traditions of NCA alive. Dallas will welcome the event back in 2029, and by 2030, expectations are high for a new, world-class arena designed to elevate the competition to even greater levels. The move to Houston marks a new phase for the event, bringing fresh opportunities while preserving its rich tradition.
For years, one of the most persistent superstitions in All Star cheerleading was the Large Senior Curse—a belief that any Large Senior 6 team that won NCA Nationals would not go on to win The Cheerleading Worlds in the same season. What started as a coincidence turned into a streak that lasted from 2006 to 2018, as powerhouse teams consistently fell short of breaking it. The pressure of winning both titles seemed cursed, adding to the legendary status of NCA Nationals as a competition that could define, but not predict, a team’s season.
That all changed in 2018 when Cheer Athletics Panthers delivered a flawless performance at NCA Nationals, winning the championship. As they took the floor at Worlds, the excitement built, and after a zero-deduction Day 2 routine, fans in the arena erupted into chants of ‘break the curse.’ When second place was announced and it wasn’t Panthers, the streak had finally ended. This unforgettable moment remains a highlight in NCA and Worlds history, reinforcing the prestige and pressure that comes with competing in this arena and hitting at Worlds.
Competing in the NCA Arena offers an experience that few other venues can match. The deafening counts of 10,000 fans, the spotlight capturing every movement, and the anticipation hanging in the air before each routine create an atmosphere that fuels legendary performances.
For as long as anyone can remember, the NCA team has proven year after year that they are capable of handling anything thrown their way when it comes to elite production for cheerleading, under the leadership of Justin Carrier. From orchestrating a one-of-a-kind production for performances to ensuring that every aspect of the competition runs flawlessly, NCA has continually raised the bar, setting the gold standard for event execution in the sport.
“There’s something special about walking into that arena,” said Brad Habermel of Cheer Athletics. “My journey started here in 1992 with the University of Louisville, and I’ve been lucky to experience some of my proudest moments as a coach in this building. The crowd, the energy—it’s unmatched. When that music starts, and the entire arena is on the same eight-count, it’s the most intense and exhilarating feeling in the world.”
Each year, teams step onto this floor not just to compete but to make history. The pressure is immense, and the stakes are always high. Every performance has the potential to define a season, cement a legacy, or deliver an unexpected moment that will be talked about for years.
“There’s nothing like the roar of that crowd,” said Orson Sykes, founder of Twist & Shout. “This is where I fell in love with All Star cheerleading. The anticipation before a routine, the way everyone comes together to support each other—it’s magic. Knowing this will be the last time we compete in this building for a few years makes it bittersweet. But Dallas has always been the home of NCA, and I have no doubt it will return bigger and better than ever.”
The 2025 NCA All Star Nationals will highlight decades of history and excellence, beginning with Battle in the Arena on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM, a showcase of elite League 6 teams, inspiring performances from the cheerABILITIES division, and recognition of Go Be Great finalists. This year’s event serves as a tribute to the generations of athletes who have left their mark in Dallas while looking ahead to the future.
2025 Battle in the Arena Performances:
- Maine Stars – Glory
- Ultimate Athletics – Dynasty
- GymTyme Illinois – Fever
- Woodlands Elite – Black Ops
- Prodigy All Stars – Midnight
- Cheer Athletics – Cheetahs
- Flipping Out Tumbling – Double or Nothing
- New Jersey Spirit Explosion – Fab 5
- Cheer Extreme – XXS Tropix
- Woodlands Elite – Generals
- ATA – Atomic
- Cheer Extreme – Senior Elite
Future NCA All Star Nationals Dates
- February 28 – March 2, 2025 – NCA All Star Nationals in Dallas, TX
- February 27 – March 1, 2026 – NCA All Star Nationals relocates to Houston, TX
- February 26-28, 2027 – NCA All Star Nationals in Houston, TX
- February 25-27, 2028 – NCA All Star Nationals in Houston, TX
- February 2029 – Planned return to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, TX
For three decades, NCA All Star Nationals in Dallas has been the ultimate proving ground, where teams rise to the occasion and moments of greatness are etched into history. The arena has seen it all—dominant dynasties, shocking upsets, and routines that have gone viral, inspiring the next generation of All Star athletes.
Athletes and fans alike will savor every moment of the 2025 competition, knowing that it marks an exciting turning point. While this is a pause in Dallas’s hosting duties, it is by no means the end. Instead, it paves the way for something even greater in the future. With a modernized venue on the horizon, the anticipation for what comes next will only grow.
As the last performance of 2025 concludes and the champions celebrate their victories, one thing is certain—Dallas is not saying goodbye to NCA All Star Nationals. It is preparing to usher in a new era that will redefine the experience for athletes, coaches, and fans alike.
A competition of this magnitude doesn’t just stay within the cheerleading world—it reaches national audiences. NCA All Star Nationals is aired on CBS Sports, bringing the high-energy performances, thrilling moments, and historic victories to viewers across the country. The event’s exposure continues to elevate the sport, shining a spotlight on the dedication and talent of All Star athletes.
When NCA All Star Nationals returns to Dallas in 2029, it will mark the next step in its continued growth, with expectations for an upgraded facility and enhanced competition experience. With high expectations for a state-of-the-art venue designed to push the boundaries of production, staging, and fan engagement, NCA All Star Nationals will continue to set the gold standard in the sport. The passion, intensity, and pursuit of excellence that have defined this event will only be amplified in the years ahead.
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