This week all three divisions of the NCAA announced that stunt will be elevated to a championship sport, becoming the 94th to do so.
According to the NCAA, stunt was added as a Division I emerging sport in 2023. Divisions II and III added stunt as an emerging sport in 2024. The first championship will be held in spring 2027, and it will include teams from all three divisions.
To be elevated from an emerging sport to a championship sport, at least 40 schools must sponsor the varsity sport and meet other minimum guidelines.
“The addition of stunt as an NCAA championship sport reflects our ongoing effort to grow and elevate women’s athletics,” NCAA president Charlie Baker said. “This milestone is built on the collaboration and vision from those who believed in expanding opportunities for women in college sports. We are excited to provide a platform for these talented athletes to compete at the highest level.”
The NCAA has seen a robust increase in participation and sponsorship across all emerging sports. In 2024-25, sponsorship of emerging sports increased by 20% and involved more than 7,000 athletes.
Arizona State University, California Baptist University, Central Michigan University, and dozens of others currently sponsor stunt as a varsity sport.
Stunt follows the recently elevated women’s wrestling to championship status, as well as several other emerging sports for women, including beach volleyball (2015), bowling (2003), and ice hockey (2000). It combines traditional cheerleading skills with tumbling in a head-to-head competition format, and stunt is governed by USA Cheer, with growing participation at the high school and club levels.
“Designating stunt as an NCAA championship opens new doors for women across the country to compete at the highest level. It’s the result of years of dedication from coaches, administrators and student-athletes who share a common goal: creating more opportunities for young women to thrive in college athletics,” said Lynda Tealer, senior vice president of championships at the NCAA.
