STUNT Earns NCAA Championship Status
LEXINGTON, Ky. – At the 2026 NCAA Convention, all three divisions voted to approve STUNT becoming an NCAA championship sport, with its first NCAA championship projected for spring 2027.
STUNT’s growth has been rapid across the NCAA, crossing the benchmark of 40 schools meeting minimum contest and participant requirements in its first year as an emerging sport in all three divisions. It joined the Emerging Sports for Women program in 2023 in Divisions I and II, while Division III added it in 2024.
Kentucky will be playing its fifth varsity season in 2026. The Cats have quickly climbed the ranks in STUNT, finishing as the Division I runners-up each of the last three seasons.
“This is an exciting step for our STUNT student-athletes as the sport moves into full championship status begining in 2026-27,” said University of Kentucky Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart. “Our student-athletes will now have the opportunity to compete for NCAA national titles.
“I also want to recognize the efforts of Sandy Bell, our Executive Associate Athletics Director and our liaison for STUNT, as well as our head coach, Blair Bergmann, for their leadership in championing the sport.”
Kentucky STUNT head coach Blair Bergmann is excited about Friday’s announcement.
“Today is a rewarding day for everyone who has put so much hard work into getting STUNT to this point,” Bergmann said. “We are very excited about STUNT earning NCAA championship status and look forward to competing for the NCAA championship.”
“The addition of STUNT as an NCAA championship sport reflects our ongoing effort to grow and elevate women’s athletics,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said. “This milestone is built on the collaboration and vision from those who believed in expanding opportunities for women in college sports. We are excited to provide a platform for these talented athletes to compete at the highest level.”
STUNT transforms traditional cheerleading skills into a head-to-head, four-quarter format emphasizing athleticism and precision. Teams compete in partner stunts, pyramids, and jumps and tumbling, with points awarded based on execution.
“Establishing an NCAA championship for STUNT reflects the powerful momentum of women who are transforming sport through strength, precision and creativity. This championship affirms our commitment to elevating emerging opportunities and amplifying the voices of student-athletes who inspire us with their drive and determination. Their future is bright, and this moment marks a bold new chapter in their story,” said Jacqie McWilliams, chair of the NCAA Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and commissioner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
All three divisions sponsoring and approving legislation allows for creation of a National Collegiate Championship, where STUNT student-athletes from all divisions will compete for one championship.
“Designating STUNT as an NCAA championship opens new doors for women across the country to compete at the highest level. It’s the result of years of dedication from coaches, administrators and student-athletes who share a common goal: creating more opportunities for young women to thrive in college athletics,” said Lynda Tealer, senior vice president of championships at the NCAA.
“The designation of women’s STUNT as an NCAA championship sport affirms the discipline, competitive rigor and technical excellence that these athletes have demonstrated for years,” said Marion Terenzio, chair of the Emerging Sports Subcommittee of the Committee on Access, Opportunity and Impact and SUNY Cobleskill president. “This recognition validates the sport’s rapid growth and competitive integrity, and strengthens the broader commitment to fostering leadership, visibility and achievement for women across the NCAA.”
Sponsorship and participation in emerging sports increased by more than 20% in 2024-25, with nearly 7,000 athletes participating across all three divisions.
