Fort Worth to Host 2026 National Cheerleaders Association High School Nationals 

Fort Worth will host the 2026 National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) High School Nationals. In partnership with The Fort Worth Sports Commission, NCA High School Nationals, a Varsity Spirit event, will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center from January 23-26, 2026. The event is expected to bring more than 9,000 athletes with a daily attendance of 25,000 and a combined $19M economic impact with over 30,000 estimated room nights.
 

"We are excited about bringing NCA High School Nationals to Fort Worth for 2026,” said Justin Carrier, Vice President of Competition Experience for Varsity Spirit. “I can't wait to see this temporary change's great impact on NCA High School Nationals and the Fort Worth community. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as we embark on this exhilarating journey in Fort Worth!" 
 

Nationals will temporarily move to the Fort Worth Convention Center in January 2026. This temporary move from Dallas to Fort Worth underscores the commitment to providing diverse and exceptional venues for cheer and dance competitions.
 

“We have enjoyed a great partnership with Varsity Spirit over the past several years and we are excited to expand that partnership in 2026 and welcome the NCA athletes and their families to Fort Worth for an authentic Texas experience,” said Jason Sands, Executive Director of the Fort Worth Sports Commission.
 

This event will be held in between two other cheer events produced by Varsity Spirit, UIL State Cheer Championships and the ACA National Championships, both of which have already been secured for the city for the 2026 year. Each of these competitions welcome 40,000 and 21,000 people respectively each year to the city. The three events will take place back-to-back-to-back weekends at the Fort Worth Convention Center and combined will welcome over 100,000 people to the city and will represent over $35M in direct economic impact.
 

For more information about the 2026 NCA High School Nationals, visit the National Cheerleaders Association website.