While most college students are returning to campus after a restful winter break, top dance teams from colleges across the country are heading to Florida for the Universal Dance Association College National Championships, held January 16–18, 2026, at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando.
At UDA, teams compete in categories like Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop, and Game Day and are judged on technique, synchronization, and performance quality. Schools are separated into divisions based on the size of their student body (not the number of dancers) and NCAA status, and each team gets the chance to perform for the judges. The top scorers advance to the finals on January 18.
Classic rivalries will be revisited, like the one between Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota. In 2025, OSU placed first in D1A Jazz and second in Pom, while U of M placed first in Pom and second in Jazz. This year, we’re wondering: Can either team snatch both titles, or will another school (like top-three finishers Michigan and Tennessee) topple the reigning champs?
The 2026 competition also sees the return of Arizona State University after five years away. They’ll compete in Jazz and in Hip Hop, where they’ll face teams like last year’s champions: The Ohio State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
If you can’t wait for our results recap and need to watch for yourself, Varsity Spirit will be livestreaming the competition for subscribers on Varsity TV.
