The Florida Panhandle hosted one of the U.S. Finals cheer and dance events last year, and the Sunshine State will play host again in 2025, with The U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach heading to the Northwest Florida State College Raider Arena in Niceville, Florida, on April 12. 

In 2024, nearby Pensacola, Florida, welcomed one of the events. 

The U.S. Finals Fort Walton Beach is one of 10 events that will help put the finishing touches on another memorable season of competition and allows teams to finish things out close to home, if they choose. 

This is one of three U.S. Finals events scheduled for April 12. The others will be in Des Moines, Iowa; and Galveston, Texas. The opening weekend of action on April 5 will see events take place in Tacoma, Washington; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Chicago.

Trenton, New Jersey; Worcester, Massachusetts; and Louisville, Kentucky; will host events on April 26, and the season finale will take place in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on May 3.

By breaking up the U.S. Finals into multiple one-day events across many locations, teams have the ability to choose the date and location that work best for them. 

Regardless of what they choose, Varsity TV will be there to provide live coverage of the event, and you won’t want to miss a minute of the action!

Competitors have earned their way to the U.S. Finals through their performances and success at other events, so this is the ultimate way to end the season. 

Take this opportunity to watch your favorite Division I and Division II cheer and dance teams take the stage looking to end their seasons in the most memorable way!

The U.S. Finals are open to All Star Elite Cheer, All Star Dance, Prep, Novice, CheerABILITIES, DanceABILITIES, Youth/Rec and International Division Cheer teams (U.S. teams only).  

Check out the bid list for The U.S. Finals in 2025.  

• Who: Cheer and dance teams of all ages and skill levels (elite/youth/rec)
• When: April 12, 2025
• Where: Northwest Florida State College Raider Arena in Niceville, Florida
• Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
• Rebroadcast: Watch HERE

What To Know About The Northwest Florida State College Raider Arena

The Northwest Florida State College Raider Arena is home to the Northwest Florida State College men’s and women’s basketball teams, and while the school has offered four-year degrees since 2003, and became a state college in 2008, the teams still compete at the junior college level as part of the NJCAA Panhandle Conference.

The 2,400-seat, 74,500-square foot venue opened in 2011 and is familiar with hosting big events, including the annual Emerald Coast Classic, which attracts some top collegiate basketball teams. The tournament was held for the first time in 2014.

Check out some images of the Raider Arena here.

Things To Do In Niceville & Fort Walton Beach, Florida

The Raider Arena is located in Niceville, Florida, which is a small military town that is home to Eglin Air Force Base, but it all is just north of the popular beach resort town of Destin, Florida. 

The area offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy a day at the beach or a variety of other outdoor and indoor activities. 

Here is a list of the 15 Best Things To Do In Niceville, including state parks, beaches, museums, golf and more.

Fort Walton Beach offers much of the same, with so many activities focused on the scenery, nature and being on the water.

When it’s time to eat in the Florida Panhandle, expect a variety of fresh seafood, cafes, coffee shops, lunch spots, casual restaurants, fine dining, happy hours, places with incredible views and delicious food for everyone’s taste. 

Need a car to get around Fort Walton Beach? Visit Avis!

How To Watch The 2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach

The 2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach will stream LIVE on Varsity TV.

The rebroadcast will stream on Varsity TV on a delay of 24 hours.

If you're going to be in the Fort Walton Beach area and would like to see the event in person, keep an eye on this page for spectator and ticket information. 

2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach Results

Results for the 2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach can be found here.

2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach Schedule

The schedule for the 2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach can be found here. 

Tune in to Varsity TV on April 12 to watch all the action live from the 2025 U.S. Finals: Fort Walton Beach in Niceville, Florida!

Join The Conversation On Social

• Follow us on Twitter @VarsityAllStar
• Follow us on Instagram @VarsityAllStar
• Follow us on TikTok @VarsitySpirit
• Watch us on YouTube @VarsitySpirit
• Like us on Facebook @VarsityAllStar