A busy cheer and dance calendar is getting a little more action this year, as the inaugural DII National School Spirit Championships comes to Varsity TV at the end of January.

The DII National School Spirit Championships is part of a two-weekend extravaganza facilitated by Varsity Spirit that will give many more young athletes a chance to enjoy the spotlight at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

The weekend of Jan. 30-Feb. 1 will include the DII National High School Cheerleading Championship, DII National Dance Team Championship and the DII National School Band Championship. These events are for schools with 1-1,399 students.

The larger schools (1400+) will take center stage Feb. 6-8 for the DI National School Spirit Championships, which will include the DI National High School Cheerleading Championship, DI National Dance Team Championship and the DI National School Band Championship.

A goal of the National School Spirit Championships, being the ultimate representation of school spirit, is to celebrate athleticism, unity and tradition, while representing the values shared by all of the athletes and coaches. Oh, and don’t forget up to $75,000 in prizes and awards!

Despite years of success and tradition, Varsity Spirit isn’t satisfied with doing the same old thing every year, and the team is always looking for ways to enhance events and find ways to continue the harmony between cheer, dance and bands. 

The path has been blazed with events like the UCA and UDA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, which has been held for more than 40 years. But, again, status quo wasn’t enough, so the College Spirit Program Game Day Division was introduced in 2022 and has been the influence for the new National School Spirit Championships

There are a lot of components to all of this, but make sure to join us on Varsity TV when the action kicks off with band programs, rec teams and varsity, junior varsity and junior high teams from Division II going head-to-head with their sights set on one of these prestigious national championships. To learn more about the events, find the FAQ here. 

• Who: Division II School Cheer & Dance Teams, School Bands, Rec Teams
• When: Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026 
• Where: ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex – The Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, Florida)
• Watch: LIVE on Varsity TV
• Rebroadcast: Watch HERE

What To Know About The ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex

The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, has become the backdrop for so many elite cheer and dance events each season, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex continues to be one of the most iconic venues on the planet.

The complex features 10 world-class facilities that offer athletes and fans unmatched competitive experiences for nearly any indoor or outdoor sport. Check out the complete schedule of events happening on-site.

Take a look at the entire complex now, which has seen athletes’ dreams coming true since 1997.

For those who may be visiting Orlando, The Walt Disney World Resort or the host facility for the first time, here are some of the questions guests often ask. It’ll help with where to park, admission, what to bring, what’s not allowed, where to eat and more.

Things To Do In Orlando

Children in America, maybe even across the world, grow up dreaming of the chance to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and the area continues to evolve and grow and provide even more opportunities for entertainment and memories. 

No matter how many times the athletes have been to Florida for a cheer or dance event, the list of things to do and enjoy is so robust that no two trips will be the same.

The Orlando area is home to four amazing theme parks at The Walt Disney World Resort – Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT – and there always seem to be some great deals/packages being offered to the competition participants and their guests. 

For some, the Disney experience can be overwhelming or confusing. Here are some tips to help make sure there are no distractions from the fun:

Travel Tips – Be prepared for your trip to the magical Walt Disney World Resort: 

• Disney Travel Tips
• Disney Housekeeping Information
• Booking Park Reservations Step-by-Step

Beyond The Walt Disney World Resort are many areas for shopping, eating, learning about Central Florida history, catching some waves or a sporting event, or just spending time together doing something new. Put together an itinerary with help from VisitOrlando.com. 

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

How To Watch The 2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships

The 2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships will stream LIVE on Varsity TV.

If you’re going to be in Orlando 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.

2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships Results

Results for the 2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships can be found here.

2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships Schedule

The schedule for 2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships can be found here.

Tune in to Varsity TV from Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 to watch all the action live from the 2026 Division II National School Spirit Championships in Orlando, Florida.

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