There may only be eight events on the Athletic Championships schedule this season, but they’re all elite and prestigious.

The slate kicked off in late November, and after more than two months off, the organization returns with a pair of major competition on the weekend of Jan. 23-25.

While the 2026 Athletic Championships Nationals & Dance Grand Nationals takes place in Columbus, Ohio, over the three days, another group of talented teams will be in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Jan. 24-25.

For fans who can’t be there to watch in person, or would love to be at both events, Varsity TV will be there to provide live coverage of all the action. 

The Athletic Championships national competitions are two- and three-day events that try to focus on more than just competition. They also want participants and their guests to enjoy the camaraderie and make memories and friends along the way.

Enjoy complete coverage of the Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals, as standout teams from Division I and Division II 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. 24-25, 2026 
• Where: Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee
• Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
• Rebroadcast: Watch HERE
• The Varsity Cheer League: 500 Points Up For Grabs

What To Know About The Chattanooga Convention Center

The Chattanooga Convention Center is becoming a familiar destination for top-tier cheer and dance events, and the 2026 edition of the Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals won’t be the event’s first trip there.

Returning teams and athletes again will get to experience the comforts of an award-winning (Convention South magazine’s “Editors Hot Pick”) venue that features more than 100,000 square feet of exhibit space (185,000 square feet overall) and years of experience hosting events and shows of all sizes.

There venue also has six ballrooms, totaling another 19,000 square feet of flexible space, 21 meeting rooms, top-of-the-line internet, more than 3,500 parking spaces and a short commute to the Chattanooga Airport. 

Oh, and to make things even more convenient, the convention center is connected to a 340-room hotel and a free electric shuttle that connects the convention center to other hotels and all the city has to offer.

Take a look at the expansive facility and get a lay of the land, complete map included. Click here for a map and parking information.

Once you’re in downtown Chattanooga, you may want to take a look around between competition sessions. You can do that on foot, by bus, by bike or by free electric shuttle. There are so many great ways to see the city!

Things To Do In Chattanooga

The history of Chattanooga, Tennessee, spans nearly 200 years, and there are many ways to learn about, and celebrate, that history, while enjoying how far the city has come.

There are free activities in the area, including Coolidge Park, Walnut Street Bridge, Miller Plaza and Renaissance Park – and remember, there’s a free electric shuttle to help you get around.

The area also has a variety of museums, galleries, gardens and even sculpture park. There are cruises on the river, wine/whiskey/food tastings and opportunities to learn about Chattanooga’s railroad heritage. 

Click HERE to learn more about Chattanooga and all the amazing things to do.

For the shoppers, there are farmers markets, shopping malls, antiques and many downtown shops that are close enough to walk to on short break from the action inside the convention center. 

Then, of course, one of the best things about visiting different areas is getting to try the local cuisine and all the things for which that area might be famous.

Chattanooga has plenty of options – bakeries and coffee shops, brunch, local spots, fine dining, farm-to-table restaurants, place for big groups, places for the whole family to enjoy. Learn more about the Chattanooga restaurant scene HERE.

Some must-try items in Chattanooga and Tennessee, in general, include slow-cooked Southern barbecue, hot chicken, MoonPies, Goo Goo Clusters and so much Southern comfort food. 

Need a car to get around Chattanooga? Visit Avis!

How To Watch The 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals

The 2026 edition of Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals will stream LIVE on Varsity TV.

If you’re going to be in Chattanooga and want to see the event in person, keep an eye on this page 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.

The 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals Results

Results for the 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals can be found here.

The 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals Schedule

Schedule for the 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals can be found here.

Bids Up For Grabs At The 2026 Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals

• 2 Partially Paid Bids to The Summit
• 8 At-Large Bids to The Summit
• 2 Partially Paid Bids to The D2 Summit
• 6 At-Large Bids to The D2 Summit
• 1 Partially Paid Bid to The Youth Summit
• 5 At-Large Bids to The Youth Summit
• Top 3 teams in eligible divisions will qualify for The Regional Summit
• 5 At-Large Bids to The Recreational Summit
• 1 Silver Bid to The Quest
• 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.

500 Points Up For Grabs In Chattanooga

Click here to view the full points system/breakdown.

Tune in to Varsity TV on Jan. 24-25 to watch all the action live from the Athletic Championships Chattanooga Nationals in Chattanooga, Tennessee!

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