Spirit Sports Grand Nationals makes a return visit to the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California, in 2026, and Varsity TV will be there to provide live coverage of the event from Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

Spirit Sports Cheer & Dance is all about affordable cheer and dance competitions and are more than just the events themselves. 

Sure, showcasing skills and talent and picking up League points and bids to national events still are the focus, but there also are giveaways, dance parties and sing-alongs to keep the fun going.

The organization also keeps the spectators in mind, along with making sure athletes and guests alike have enough time to enjoy the host city, too.

The dance portion of Spirit Sports Grand Nationals is powered by The Groove Experience, which helps turn dance halls into the ultimate stage for competition.

Enjoy complete coverage of the event, as talented cheer and dance teams go head-to-head with their sights set on obtaining points to The Varsity Cheer League and a bid to one of the prestigious end-of-season championships!

• Who: All Star Cheer And Dance Teams, School Dance Teams
• When: Jan. 30-Feb. 1 
• Where: Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California
• Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
• Rebroadcast: Watch HERE
• The Varsity Cheer League: 600 Points Up For Grabs

What To Know About The Palm Springs Convention Center

Spirit Sports Grand Nationals heads west and back to the Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, California, in 2026.

The Palm Springs Convention Center is 10 minutes from the Palm Springs International Airport and boasts more than 260,000 square feet of event space, adequate space for gathering outside in the California sunshine, and continuous views of the picturesque mountains. 

There’s also a 410-room hotel attached to the convention center, so getting from the room to the stage is as easy as the California breeze. However, if getting outside for some fresh air is preferred, there are 1,600 hotel rooms within walking distance of the venue.

Take a virtual tour of the convention center.  

The Palm Springs Convention Center and surrounding area have plenty of events and activities going on. HERE is a complete list of what’s happening.

If you’ll be driving in – or maybe flying to nearby San Diego or Los Angeles and taking a scenic drive sounds like a fun time – here are some maps and parking information. 

Things To Do In Palm Springs, California

California is the third-largest state in the country and offers countless cities and attractions that will make any trip west unforgettable. 

Palm Springs alone is a historic locale, and it’s only a few hours from San Diego, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and parts of Arizona. 

Palm Springs long has been associated with luxury and sophistication and glamorous movie stars. It can be a romantic desert oasis, the perfect place for a golf or tennis vacation, a relaxing time at the pool with amazing mountain views or so much more.

All of that means that competitors and their guests in town for Sprit Sports Grand Nationals will have plenty of things to see and do when there’s a break in the competition – both in Palm Springs and in the many nearby cities. 

If time allows, there are tours to learn about the area’s history and architecture, many places to get some exercise and a look at the incredible landscape, and countless places to do some shopping – from small boutiques to high-end fashion. 

Check out this digital guide for things to do in Palm Springs. Many of them are close to the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Enjoying the local cuisine also is one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling. 

Palm Springs has something for all budgets and palates, from classic deli sandwiches to lobster frittata. From poolside French fries to multi-course meals under the moonlight.

Here is a “Food Lover’s Guide to Palm Springs” courtesy of VisitPalmSprings.com.

Need a car to get around the Palm Springs area? Visit Avis!

How To Watch The 2026 Spirit Sports Grand Nationals

The 2026 edition of the Spirit Sports 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.

The 2026 Spirit Sports Grand Nationals Results

Results for the 2026 Spirit Sports Grand Nationals can be found here.

The 2026 Spirit Sports Grand Nationals Schedule

The schedule for 2026 Spirit Sports Grand Nationals can be found here.

Bids Up For Grabs At Spirit Sports Grand Nationals In 2026

• 3 Paid Bids to The Cheerleading Worlds
• 6 At-Large Bids to The Cheerleading Worlds
• 2 Partial Paid Bids to The Dance Worlds
• 4 At-Large Bids to The Dance 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 Sports Grand Nationals

Click here to view the full points system/breakdown.

Tune in to Varsity TV from Jan. 30-Feb. 1 to watch all the action live from the 2026 Spirit Sports Grand Nationals in Palm Springs, California!

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