Chicagoland is about as broad a term as there is in geography, literally and figuratively, as the Chicago metropolitan area spans more than 10,000 square miles, with the Windy City itself being the third-most populated city in America.

Chicago has many satellite cities that frequently welcome events. They offer a more rural feel and a slower pace but still are close enough to the hustle and bustle of the big city to make getting in and out of town convenient, while also offering a balanced experience for those who have time to make a weekend of competition into a small vacation, too.

That said, the UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge is headed back to Illinois in 2026, but a new city and venue will play host.

In 2026, the competition will move a few miles from Rosemont, Illinois, to the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois, but it still will be just a short drive to downtown Chicago. Anyone not able to be there in person on Jan. 3 can watch the entire event on Varsity TV!

For more than 40 years, the Universal Dance Association has been around to provide training for dance teams across the country, and that continues to be a focus, along with the facilitation of more than 20 competitions each season. 

The efforts of the UDA (summer camps and clinics) continue to prepare high school and collegiate dancers for high-level competition and the biggest stages by focusing on five areas – skills training, coach education, safety, camaraderie and one-on-one attention.

While competing, the athletes are tested under pressure and judged by professionals who want to bring out their best and see them continue to improve. 

Participating teams can qualify for the season-ending UDA National Dance Team Championship, which determines the year’s national champions at “the most magical place on Earth” – Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. 

Enjoy complete coverage of the 2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge, as the best young dancers take the next step in their journey back to O-Town. Learn more about the divisions, rules and scoring here.

• Who: School And All Star Dance Teams
• When: Jan. 3, 2026 
• Where: Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois
• Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
• Rebroadcast: Watch HERE

What To Know About The Schaumburg Convention Center 

The Schaumburg Convention Center is one of the premier facilities in the Midwest, and while it’s a new destination for the UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge, the venue already has played host to other brands of cheer and dance competition. 

The Schaumburg Convention Center features almost 98,000 square feet of divisible exhibition space with the flexibility to host any type of event, plus meeting space, an area for registration, show offices, free parking, built-in concession stands and more.

Oh, and the convention center is connected to a 500-room hotel, which is convenient for competitors and their families. 

The convention center/hotel combo also allows for a few convenient food and drink options on-site. 

The venue is close to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and 26 miles from downtown Chicago, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy the quieter Illinois suburbs or the Windy City itself when there’s some downtime.

More Information: Interactive Floor Plan | Digital Brochure | Hotel | Dining | Event Calendar

Things To Do In Schaumburg, Illinois

Winter in the Midwest could bring any kind of weather, but regardless of what’s happening outside, Schaumburg, Illinois, and the rest of Chicagoland, will give competitors and their guests endless ways to fill their time.

The Schaumburg Park District is available to help put together a list of fun things to do, including a Winter Program Guide, or click HERE to learn more about the Village of Schaumburg on your own.

There are many ways to spend your time without leaving Schaumburg, including the Woodfield Mall, Streets of Woodfield, Arboretum of South Barrington – even an Ikea (if you’ve never been, stop by to look around, and definitely try the Swedish meatballs).

Schaumburg also has a nature sanctuary, a sculpture park, a Top Golf location, a Main Event to entertain the young visitors and a casino for the age-appropriate guests.  

When it’s time to eat, one of the best things about the Midwest is the diverse cuisine. 

Here is a list of places to dine in Chicago Northwest. As you’re deciding where to go, remember some of the things for which the Chicago area is famous – Garrett Popcorn, deep dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.

If you’re able to make the short trip to downtown Chi-Town, this list of things to do will give you plenty of ideas for an amazing agenda, from history to architecture to scenery to sports to different neighborhoods and so much more.

Need a car to get around Schaumburg and Chicago? Visit Avis!

How To Watch The 2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge

The 2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge will stream LIVE on Varsity TV.

If you’re going to be in Illinois and want to see the event in person, click HERE for spectator and ticket information. 

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 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge Results

Results for the 2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge can be found here.

2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge Schedule

The schedule for the 2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge can be found here.

Tentative block schedule

Tune in to Varsity TV on Jan. 3 to watch all the action live from the 2026 UDA Chicagoland Dance Challenge in Schaumburg, Illinois.

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