Once again, Baird Center in Milwaukee will be the center of the cheer and dance world for a weekend in January, welcoming back a pair of elite competitions – 2026 DanceFest Grand Nationals and the 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic.

DanceFest Grand Nationals will bring All Star dance teams to the Badger State to compete Jan. 9-10, while the spotlight will belong to the National Cheerleaders Association and the NCA Milwaukee Classic on Jan. 11.

The NCA Milwaukee Classic is part of a busy schedule that again features more than 20 events, including five in January. 

Since 1948, NCA has been on the cutting edge of all things competitive cheerleading and lived by the motto “The Work Is Worth It.”

For more than 75 years, the organization has been focused on competition, camps/instruction and philanthropy, all geared toward helping participants become the best cheerleaders, leaders and people they can become. 

Enjoy complete coverage of the 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic, as All Star cheer 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 Teams
• When: Jan. 11, 2026 
• Where: Baird Center in Milwaukee
• Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
• Rebroadcast: Watch HERE
• The Varsity Cheer League: 400 Points Up For Grabs

What To Know About Baird Center

Baird Center is becoming a familiar destination for top-tier cheer and dance events, complementing a variety of other shows, games and entertainment each year. 

Opened in 1998 as the Midwest Express Center, Baird Center is a focal point of downtown Milwaukee and has become known as an architectural and innovative marvel. 

The facility recently underwent a $456 million expansion that doubled its size to 1.3 million square feet, with a focus on becoming certified as a Sensory Inclusive venue. The project began in October 2021 and celebrated its grand opening in May 2024. Check out some of the highlights of the project here.

Baird Center now includes nearly 300,000 square feet of uninterrupted exhibit space, 52 breakout rooms, a rooftop ballroom and the ability to host overlapping events without issue. 

The area also includes the Miller High Life Theatre, which can seat about 4,100 guests, and the 11,000-capacity UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, home to the UW-Milwaukee men’s basketball team, the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals and Major League Soccer’s Milwaukee Wave.

Click HERE to learn everything you need to know about the facility and to take a virtual tour of each area.

Learn more about parking information and frequently asked questions prior to your trip to Milwaukee.

Things To Do In Milwaukee

Milwaukee is historic, delicious, diverse and bustling with sports and other activities. Fun can be found indoors, or out, depending on the weather in January. 

The downtown area has amazing architecture and opportunities to learn about Milwaukee’s long history, while the surrounding areas showcase a slower pace, incredible people and beautiful scenery. 

Enjoy the many museums, educational tours of breweries and distilleries, the Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee County Zoo, skating, snow sports, professional sports (basketball, hockey, soccer) and so much more.

Click HERE to learn more about Milwaukee.

When it’s time to eat and drink, the area’s diverse culture and traditional foods make any meal memorable. 

If you happen to get there in time for dinner on Friday, make sure to find a local fish fry. You won’t be disappointed. 

Then, find some cheese curds (if they’re fresh, they squeak when you eat them)! Don’t miss the brats, pretzels, butter burgers, frozen custard and so much more. For the adults in the group, kick back with a bloody Mary or a local beer - or a bloody Mary with a beer chaser, which is unique tot he Midwest. 

Click HERE to see a list of recommended shops and restaurants to get a true taste of Milwaukee. 

Need a car to get around Wisconsin? Visit Avis!

How To Watch The 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic

The 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic will stream LIVE on Varsity TV.

If you’re going to be in the Milwaukee area 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 NCA Milwaukee Classic Results

Results for the 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic can be found here.

2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic Schedule

The schedule for the 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic can be found here.

Bids Up For Grabs At The 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic

• 6 Wild Card Bids to The Summit
• 6 Wild Card Bids to The D2 Summit
• 6 Wild Card Bids to The Youth Summit
• 1 Partially Paid Bid to The Recreational Summit
• 5 Wild Card Bids to The Recreational Summit
• Top 3 teams in eligible divisions qualify for The Regional Summit
• Top 3 teams in eligible divisions qualify for The Quest
• 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.

400 Points Up For Grabs At The 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic

Click here to view the full points system/breakdown.

Tune in to Varsity TV on Jan. 11 to watch all the action live from the 2026 NCA Milwaukee Classic in Milwaukee!

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