NationalThe Summit

The Summit Championship

Apr 30, 2027 – May 2, 2027 · Orlando, FL

Overview

The Summit is Varsity All Star's marquee end-of-season championship for non-Worlds divisions. Held annually at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, it gives Level 1 through Level 4 junior and senior teams a prestigious, celebratory finish to their season - effectively a 'Worlds' for the levels that don't compete at The Cheerleading Worlds.

Entry is bid-only. Teams earn qualifying bids (paid, at-large, or wild card) at Summit-bid events throughout the season, and the field is capped, which makes simply qualifying a significant achievement. The event has grown to well over a thousand teams competing across a single championship weekend.

The Summit is a large, highly produced spectacle staged across multiple venues within the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and it has been featured on ESPN networks. A separate D2 Summit serves small-gym (Division II) programs, keeping The Summit itself focused on the broader competitive field.

History

Varsity All Star founded The Summit in 2013 to give athletes in the non-Worlds divisions a championship of their own - a way for Level 1 through Level 4 teams to end their season competing against the best programs in the country at a marquee, invitation-style event.

The concept expanded quickly. In 2015 Varsity added The D2 Summit exclusively for small-gym Division II programs, and in 2022 the Summit Championship debuted on ESPN networks, raising its profile. The event has continued to grow, surpassing 1,500 teams in recent editions.

What to Expect

The Summit runs over several days (recent editions have fallen in late April/early May), with teams competing in a preliminary round and the top teams advancing to finals. Scoring is famously tight - finals routinely feature scores in the high 90s and multiple ties, so hundredths of a point can decide a division. Champions are awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals, with many divisions producing very close finishes.

For families, The Summit combines elite competition with an Orlando/Disney destination-event atmosphere: multiple performance venues across the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, warm-up areas, large crowds, vendor booths, and elaborate medal ceremonies. Because qualifying is bid-only, the level of competition is high throughout the field.

Divisions

Non-Worlds all-star levels (Levels 1 through 4)Junior and Senior age divisionsTeam sizes: Small, Medium, and LargeIASF international divisionsNote: Level 6 Worlds divisions are not part of The Summit; small-gym (D2) teams compete at the separate D2 Summit

Getting There

The Summit is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. The nearest major airport is Orlando International Airport (MCO), about 20-30 minutes away. Many families stay at Disney resort hotels or nearby Orlando-area hotels and book Disney vacation packages around the event; Disney transportation and rideshare are common ways to reach the complex.

Past Champions & Results

Selected top-line results. Each is linked to its published source.

2025

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BlackSmack
L4 Senior Small (tie for 1st)
Source ↗
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Lady Red
L4 Senior Small (tie for 1st)
Source ↗
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Miss Twist
L5 Senior Large
Source ↗
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MACS Vengeance
L5 Senior Coed Medium
Source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Summit?: The Summit is Varsity All Star's end-of-season championship for non-Worlds divisions (Levels 1-4), held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It functions as the season-ending pinnacle for teams that don't compete at The Cheerleading Worlds.
When is The Summit held?: It is held annually near the end of the season, with recent editions in late April or early May over multiple days. Check the official Varsity All Star page for exact dates each year.
How do teams qualify for The Summit?: Entry is bid-only. Teams earn qualifying bids (paid, at-large, or wild card) at Summit-bid events during the season. The field is capped, so earning a bid is itself a notable accomplishment.
What divisions compete at The Summit?: Level 1 through Level 4 junior and senior teams in Small, Medium, and Large sizes, plus IASF international divisions. Level 6 Worlds teams do not compete here, and small-gym (D2) programs have their own separate D2 Summit.
Is The Summit on TV or streaming?: Yes. The Summit streams on Varsity TV and has also been featured on ESPN networks (the Summit Championship debuted on ESPN in 2022).
Why are the scores so close at The Summit?: Because only bid-earning teams qualify, the field is very strong and finals scores are typically packed in the high 90s, often producing ties. Divisions are frequently decided by hundredths of a point.

Related Coverage

Overhead view of a large convention-center hall set with blue cheer mats.

Features

The Summit 2027 Preview: Inside the Bid Race

The end-of-season championship for Level 1–5 teams. A look at the bid race that decides who makes it to Orlando.

ICON Cheer EditorialJul 12, 2026

Overview

History

What to Expect

Getting There

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Summit?

The Summit is Varsity All Star's end-of-season championship for non-Worlds divisions (Levels 1-4), held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It functions as the season-ending pinnacle for teams that don't compete at The Cheerleading Worlds.

When is The Summit held?

It is held annually near the end of the season, with recent editions in late April or early May over multiple days. Check the official Varsity All Star page for exact dates each year.

How do teams qualify for The Summit?

Entry is bid-only. Teams earn qualifying bids (paid, at-large, or wild card) at Summit-bid events during the season. The field is capped, so earning a bid is itself a notable accomplishment.

What divisions compete at The Summit?

Level 1 through Level 4 junior and senior teams in Small, Medium, and Large sizes, plus IASF international divisions. Level 6 Worlds teams do not compete here, and small-gym (D2) programs have their own separate D2 Summit.

Is The Summit on TV or streaming?

Yes. The Summit streams on Varsity TV and has also been featured on ESPN networks (the Summit Championship debuted on ESPN in 2022).

Why are the scores so close at The Summit?

Because only bid-earning teams qualify, the field is very strong and finals scores are typically packed in the high 90s, often producing ties. Divisions are frequently decided by hundredths of a point.