In 2026, three major events define the global cheerleading calendar. The ICU World Cheerleading Championships, The Cheerleading Worlds and the Allstar World Championship all take place within the same month, creating the most celebrated month in the cheerleading calendar.

CFHTT is going to explain the importance of these events and their differences.

Every April, Orlando, Florida becomes the epicentre of cheerleading. Athletes, coaches and the cheer community from across the world tune in to watch the sport’s most prestigious international competitions. Whether you are supporting Team England, following UK All Star cheer and dance teams or  waiting to watch the most high-profile teams battle it out for the top spot.

Knowing why these events are important to our industry will help you have the best World experience to date

The Allstar World Championship 2026

The Allstar World Championship continues to grow in popularity and has become an important part of the Worlds season. This event provides additional opportunities for teams from across the globe to compete internationally and gain valuable experience on the world stage.

The 2026 Allstar World Championship will take place in Orlando, Florida, shortly before the other major world events. Teams compete across multiple divisions, representing a wide range of programs and skill levels. The event attracts teams from numerous countries and continues to expand each year.

For many elite cheer gyms the Allstar worlds championship is a great last competition before The cheerleading Worlds. It allows coaches to get feedback from judges and gives athletes the chance to compete on America soil and get rid of any lastminute nerves

Anyone can watch the Allstar World Championship through a free livestream, making it accessible to a global audience. This accessibility has helped increase international interest and has allowed more fans to engage with teams from around the world.

Event Overview

Dates: April 16 to April 19, 2026

Location: Orlando, Florida, USA

ICU World Cheerleading Championships 2026

The 2026 ICU World Cheerleading Championships will take place from April 22 to April 24, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. This event is organised by the International Cheer Union ICU for short , the global governing body for cheerleading, which represents national federations from around the world and continues to drive the sport toward Olympic recognition.

Unlike club-based competitions, ICU Worlds follows an Olympic format where athletes compete for their country. This creates a unique atmosphere built on national pride and global representation. National governing bodies select athletes to represent their country, meaning only the top athletes earn the opportunity to compete.

The event features a wide range of divisions including Youth, Junior and Senior categories, alongside Performance Cheer divisions ( which is a variety of dance styles) and Adaptive Abilities. ICU worlds to date is the only event to have Adaptive Abilities division, In time CFHTT hopes this will change.

 This inclusive approach reflects the International Cheer Union’s commitment to developing cheerleading across all levels and abilities worldwide.

One of the most exciting aspects of ICU Worlds is accessibility. The entire competition will be available to watch for free. Fans can tune in to the official livestream on Olympics.com, with additional coverage available through the International Cheer Union website. The livestream will run across all three days of competition, allowing viewers around the world to follow national teams in real time.

For UK viewers, it is important to check time differences, as performances will take place in Orlando’s local time zone. Planning ahead ensures you do not miss Team England or other international favourites.

Event Overview

Dates: April 22 to April 24, 2026

Location: Orlando, Florida, USA

The (IASF/UASF) Cheerleading Worlds 2026

Following ICU Worlds, attention shifts to The Cheerleading Worlds, one of the most prestigious All Star competitions in the sport. This event brings together elite gyms teams from around the world who have qualified through the bid process at recognised competitions throughout the season.

The Cheerleading Worlds typically takes place at ESPN Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Teams compete across multiple levels and divisions, with Level 5 through Level 7 representing the highest level of All Star cheerleading. With several competition halls running simultaneously, the event delivers non- stop action throughout the weekend.

The official streaming partner for The Cheerleading Worlds is FloCheer. Fans can watch live coverage by subscribing to the platform, which provides access to multiple performance areas, replays and highlights. Because of the scale of the event, many viewers choose to follow specific teams or divisions rather than attempting to watch every performance.

After the competition, routines are typically available to re-watch, although music may be muted due to copyright restrictions. This is standard practice across many cheerleading events and helps protect music licensing agreements.

Event Overview

Dates: April 24 to April 27, 2026

Location: ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, Florida

How to get the most from Worlds month

Watching Worlds is about more than simply tuning in. For athletes and coaches, these events provide valuable insight into the future of the sport. You can observe emerging trends, skill progression and performance quality across divisions. These competitions often set the tone for the following season and influence choreography, transitions and overall presentation.

Social media also plays a key role during Worlds season. Teams frequently share behind the scenes content, warm ups and reactions throughout the weekend. This adds another layer to the viewing experience and helps fans feel connected to the global cheer community.

Social media  may also feature routines after performances, although availability varies due to copyright policies. Searching for team names or divisions after the event can sometimes help you find performances you may have missed.

Why Watching Worlds Matters

The Cheerleading Worlds season represents the highest level of performance in the sport. It brings together athletes from different countries, backgrounds and programs, all competing on the same stage trying to achieve the same dream. For athletes, it is aspirational. For coaches, it is educational.

As cheerleading continues to grow globally and move closer to Olympic recognition, events like the ICU World Championships play an increasingly important role. Free global streaming, international participation and rising performance standards all contribute to the sport’s continued development.

Whether you are supporting Team England, following UK All Star  Cheer and Dance teams. The 2026 Worlds season always delivers iconic moments.

Prepare for late nights, set reminders and get ready to watch the best cheerleaders in the world take the floor.

Read next

Below is guide on how to watch Cheerleading Worlds

A Practical Step-by-Step Guide on how to watch Every Major Cheerleading World Championship

Where can I watch The Cheerleading Worlds for free

Learn how to securing a bid to The Cheerleading and Dance Worlds.

How to qualify for world cheerleading?

A Practical Step-by-Step Guide on how to travel to cheerleading Worlds : Crucial mistakes to avoid, ensuring your trip is stress-free and unforgettable. 

How to travel to cheerleading worlds from uk

If you found value in this article, share it with another coach, athlete, or cheer parent who wants to grow and improve. Every shared resource helps strengthen knowledge across the UK Allstar cheer community and supports better coaching, safer athletes, and stronger teams. Together, we raise standards and help everyone excel.