STUNT logo
Have you ever heard of STUNT? Likely, you have not. STUNT is a newer, emerging sport that was created in 2010 by USA Cheer. Now, on January 16, 2026, the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) has recognized STUNT as an official sport.
STUNT is a sport derived from cheerleading. It is also one of the fastest-growing female sports in the country. STUNT was created as an all-girl sport for the collegiate level at first, but has since spread to high schools as well. The sport has differences from cheerleading and a few of the same concepts. STUNT focuses on the more technical aspects derived from cheerleading. It eliminates the crowd-leading portion and centers on precise and crisp tumbling, stunts, and jumps. STUNT athletes also do not wear a traditional uniform with a skirt, uniform top, and bow. They wear what looks like a volleyball jersey and shorts as well as have a number attached.
STUNT also does not perform a traditional 2.5-minute routine like cheerleading. The sport is more like a game or a match. A traditional match is broken up into four quarters where two teams go head-to-head, competing the exact same skills and routines. Quarter 1 is partner stunts. This is where there are multiple stunt groups consisting of four people performing precise skills. Quarter 2 consists of pyramids and tosses. Quarter 3 focuses on jumps and tumbling. Quarter 4 is a team routine. Each quarter also has multiple rounds where the teams can gain points based on technique and precision. At the end, the team with the most points wins the match.
At the 2026 NCAA Convention, all three divisions of DI, DII, and DIII voted to make STUNT an NCAA sport. The Collegiate STUNT National Championship has always been governed by the USA Cheer company; however, the national championship will be governed by the NCAA starting in 2027. Many colleges say they hope that under this new oversight, the sport will continue to grow. Rapid growth has already happened as many colleges have begun STUNT teams, and the sport is especially popular on the high school level on the West Coast. This new recognition under the NCAA also means schools will have more scholarships available for STUNT athletes, something that was limited before.
The rise of STUNT and recognition as an NCAA sport is an incredible accomplishment for women’s sports, and also serves as a way to honor the hundreds who have worked for the past decade and a half to build the sport of STUNT. It’s only up from here!
