Insider Info: 2026 Spirit Of Hope Grand Nationals
Insider Info: 2026 Spirit Of Hope Grand Nationals
Everything you need to know to watch the 2026 Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals on Varsity TV on Jan. 17-18.
Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals returns to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2026, and so do the powerful meaning and message that are tied to this high-energy event.
Universal Spirit is about innovation and creativity, along with making sure each competition is first-class and unforgettable.
Beyond just top-tier competition, Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals is about celebrating the life and selflessness of Hope Stout, a young cheerleader who died from cancer in 2004 at the age of 12.
Her legacy includes unselfishly using her wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant the wishes of the other 155 children in the program at the time.
Enjoy complete coverage of the event from the Charlotte Convention Center, as Division I and Division II teams from all over compete for points to The Varsity Cheer League and a bid to one of the prestigious end-of-season championships!
- Who: All Star Cheer Teams
- When: Jan. 17-18, 2026
- Where: Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina
- Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
- Rebroadcast: Watch HERE
- The Varsity Cheer League: 600 Points Up For Grabs
What To Know About The Charlotte Convention Center
The 600,000-square-foot Charlotte Convention Center is a short ride from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, so getting to the venue should be a breeze. It also is within walking distance of many hotels, attractions, and restaurants.
The property recently underwent a two-year, $126.9 million expansion (2019-2021), making it even more inviting for special events. This added 50,000 square feet of space, 14 meeting spaces, two flexible 10,000-square-foot spaces, and an over-the-street walkway to a hotel and a light rail station.
Take a virtual tour of the convention center. Here’s a parking map for those headed to Charlotte.
Things To Do In Charlotte
There’s a timeless debate happening in Charlotte, where many refer to the downtown area as Uptown, and others call it Downtown.
Formally, since a 1974 proclamation by the Charlotte City Council, the area is known as Uptown, a nod to the history of the area and to identify the city’s business district.
Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals has been held in Charlotte before, so returning competitors and guests can get past any confusion and right to the fun.
Charlotte, known as the Queen City, is the largest city in North Carolina and is known for sports, racing, museums, and outdoor activities.
Immediately next to the Charlotte Convention Center is the NASCAR Hall of Fame, which includes a large gathering/event space (Great Hall), a 19,000-square foot patio (Ceremonial Plaza), a theater, and other meeting space.
Nearby, are the homes of the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), and Charlotte FC (MLS). There’s also minor-league baseball and hockey, championship golf, and high-speed racing.
Along with all the sporting events, Charlotte has art and culture, shopping, amazing restaurants, tours, experiences, shows, and much more.
Check out this list of places to visit, things to do and areas to explore in and around Uptown.
Just want to get out and eat? Here’s a list of 101 restaurants to satisfy any hunger.
Need a car to get around Charlotte? Visit Avis!
Want to learn more about the of Charlotte? Let the Charlotte Museum of History help.
How To Watch The 2026 Spirt Of Hope Grand Nationals
The 2026 Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals will stream LIVE on Varsity TV.
Missed the Action? Watch The Rebroadcast
The rebroadcast will stream on Varsity TV on a delay of 24 hours.
Relive The Action With Varsity TV 24/7 Network
Whether you're a die-hard fan, a coach or an athlete, Varsity TV 24/7 Network brings the action of the competitive cheer and dance season straight to you—anytime, anywhere.
The always-live stream will feature all-access content and video replays hand-picked by experts on the Varsity TV team. Tune in to Varsity TV 24/7 Network live, starting on Nov. 1.
2026 Spirit Of Hope Grand Nationals Results
Results for the 2026 Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals will be here.
2026 Spirit Of Hope Grand Nationals Schedule
The schedule for the 2026 Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals can be found here.
Past Results From Spirt Of Hope Grand Nationals
Bids Up For Grabs At 2026 Spirit Of Hope Grand Nationals
- 4 Paid Bids to The Cheerleading Worlds
- 8 At-Large Bids to The Cheerleading Worlds
- Bid Info For The Summit Championships
- Bid Info For The Quest Recreational Championship
- Golden Tickets to The U.S. Finals
The Varsity Cheer League
The Varsity Cheer League is the official ranking system for the sport of All Star cheerleading, changing the conversation from “Who won the weekend?” to “Who ranks at the top this season?”
Every All Star elite team in Youth, Junior and Senior divisions will be included in the Varsity Cheer League.
Team rankings are determined by the point system displayed here.
At each Varsity All Star event your team completes, your team will earn points based on the assigned event and placement point value.
At the end of the season, your six best Varsity All Star event scores will be used to calculate your final rank.
In total, 92 winners will be recognized from first to third place across each region.
One champion will be crowned in each of the five regions across the six eligible divisions and two League 6 conferences. Champions will win cash and prizes!
Click here to learn more about The Varsity Cheer League
600 Points Up For Grabs At The 2026 Spirit Of Hope Grand Nationals
Click here to view the full points system/breakdown.
Tune in to Varsity TV on Jan. 17-18 to watch all the action live from the 2026 Spirit of Hope Grand Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina!
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