ORLANDO – The UCF Cheer and Dance Teams have completed their first day of competition at the 2026 College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships.
The day started with the UCF cheer team posting a score of 93.9667 in the Division IA Game Day Cheer Only semifinals, good enough for a third-place finish to qualify for finals. The cheer team was less than sixth-tenths of a point behind the highest semifinal mark, finishing .5333 points behind first place Tennessee. UCF was one of six schools to advance. In the evening’s final, the Knights improved on their score from the semis, bumping up to 94.2667 to earn third place in the Division IA Game Day Cheer Only category. Tennessee remained in first, bumping the winning score to 96.0667.
Among the best in the nation🥉@UCF_CheerTeam takes home third in the DIA Game Day category at UCA Nationals! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/5qFouthS4k
— UCF Knights 🌴 (@UCFKnights) January 16, 2026
The dance team started its weekend by qualifying for semifinals, finishing eighth in the Division IA Jazz B prelims. The Knights tallied a score of 88.9167 in their first performance of the weekend. They were one of 12 to advance from their prelim group of 17.
Day one at the nationals sets up an exciting Saturday for both the cheer and dance teams at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Day two’s schedule for UCF is below, as well as time slots for Sunday’s finals, should the Knights qualify.
Saturday, Jan. 17
- Cheer Coed Semifinals
1:50 p.m. – AdventHealth Arena South (Red) - Dance Jazz Semifinals
3:56 p.m. – AdventHealth Arena South (Red) - Dance Hip Hop Semifinals
8:39 p.m. – AdventHealth Arena South (Red)
Sunday, Jan. 18
- Dance Jazz Finals (pending qualification)
Time TBA (8:15-10:15 a.m.) – AdventhHealth Arena South (Red) - Dance Hip Hop Finals (pending qualification)
Time TBA (3:15-4:15 p.m.) – AdventhHealth Arena South (Red) - Cheer Coed Finals (pending qualification)
Time TBA (8:45-9:45 p.m.) – AdventhHealth Arena South (Red)
TICKETS
Fans planning to attend this weekend's action can purchase tickets here. Tickets are valid for a single day of admission, per person for the selected event date. Online sales will be available throughout the event. Park reservations are not required at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Visit the link for more information.
ABOUT UCF ATHLETICS
UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University. We strive to be Florida's preeminent athletic program representing UCF and our community with distinction on the national stage as "Orlando's Hometown Team". To learn more about UCF and Athletics, please visit our websites at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.