What are the dates of the 2026 ICU World Championships?
April 21, 2026 USA Cheer Showcase
April 22, 2026 – ICU Opening Ceremonies
April 22 & 23, 2026 – ICU Championships
April 24, 2026 – ICU Closing Ceremonies (optional)

What size squad are you looking for to compete?

The ICU Championships allow a minimum of 16 athletes up to 24 athletes on the competition floor. You are allowed alternates. Any person working with the athletes in any respect, must be included on the team roster as coach, chaperone or other.

How old do I have to be to compete?

For ICU, all members of the team must be at least 12 years of age (depending on the category) within the year of the World Championships. Any team proven to be in violation of the ICU age requirements will be automatically disqualified. Passport, photo identification or birth certificate required, these documents are also submitted for the USA Cheer Membership.

If chosen, what is expected of my team financially?

Teams will be responsible for all expenses. Items that go into costs are, but not limited to: Coaching expenses, transportation, hotel, competition fees, athlete uniform and apparel package, and food. USA Cheer has fundraising ideas and a platform to assist your team with their efforts. You are welcome and encouraged to do fundraisers at home with your schools/programs but there will be set guidelines on what you are able to do for fundraising. Estimated costs for everyone are approximately $1200- $1500 per athlete. Please get pre-approved for any fundraising or marketing campaigns.

Is there a membership requirement?

Every coach is required to have a current USA Cheer Coach membership including the background check. Every volunteer, trainer, chaperone, and athlete 18 and older representing the USA Team is required to have a current USA Cheer Professional membership including the background check. And every athlete 17 years old and younger is required to obtain a USA Cheer Athlete membership with age verification. These memberships ensure safety training, athlete protection training, concussion training, background screening and age verification.

When will we find out about the US National Team decision?

Team selections will be announced as soon as possible after the selection process. Once selected, you have a max of 48 hours to accept, or USA Cheer has the right to move on with another team.

USA Cheer will coordinate Directors and Judges to assist with Team Selections. Weekly communication is required in this process.

If chosen, what is expected of my team?

Once selected, USA Cheer will set up dates to video chat with a member of our coaching staff to work on choreography for the ICU routine alongside your current coaching staff.

What dates will my team have to be in Orlando, FL?

Teams must travel in two to three days before opening ceremonies to Orlando, FL for mandatory practices and the USA Cheer Showcase, leading up to the Opening Ceremonies.

*Please Note: USA Cheer reserves the right to individually select a team to represent the US National Team if there are a small number of teams that apply. In addition, if submission entries lack the skill level to be competitive, a team may not be selected. We also reserve the right to appoint a team if the selection panel finds that submitted teams lack in any or all areas to be competitive. Note, not all ICU Divisions will be entered and not all applicants will be interviewed.