In a significant decision made in Indianapolis, the NCAA announced that it will grant full championship status to two cheer-adjacent disciplines: acrobatic & tumbling and stunt. This decision, which will be effective across all three divisions by spring 2027, signals a breakthrough for both sports, which have fought for years for recognition within college athletics.
This joint endorsement arrives shortly before the final court approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, highlighting a timely opportunity for these sports to thrive. Both acrobatics & tumbling and stunt will now be recognized as legitimate competition options. The newly established participation guidelines allow stunt programs to field up to 65 athletes, surpassing the 55 allowed for acrobatics & tumbling, thus helping schools enhance their gender equity efforts.
For a long time, these two disciplines viewed each other as rivals in a zero-sum game for NCAA acceptance. Janell Cook, executive director of the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA), recalled how administrators often expressed doubts that both could succeed. With the NCAA’s recent decision, leaders from both sports now see a future of collaboration rather than competition.
The road to this moment was not easy. The historical rivalry was compounded by the dominance of Varsity Brands, a major player in cheerleading, which previously viewed the involvement of the NCAA as a threat to its successful business model. Advocates for both sports faced challenges related to Title IX compliance as they worked to create opportunities for women in athletics.
The NCAA’s backing of these programs marks a significant achievement. Both sports now stand on equal footing, offering high school cheerleaders more pathways into collegiate athletics. As programs work to secure financial support, decisions on which sport to foster may arise. However, institutions have realized that both sports can coexist, catering to various athletes and growing interest in collegiate cheer experiences.
The NCAA’s recognition of acrobatics & tumbling and stunt aligns with its ongoing efforts to expand athletic opportunities for women, making this announcement a pivotal development in the evolving landscape of college sports.
