Whereas most faculty college students are returning to campus after a restful winter break, high dance groups from faculties throughout the nation 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, groups compete in classes like Jazz, Pom, Hip Hop, and Sport Day and are judged on method, synchronization, and efficiency high quality. Faculties are separated into divisions based mostly on the scale of their pupil physique (not the variety of dancers) and NCAA standing, and every group will get the prospect to carry out for the judges. The highest scorers advance to the finals on January 18.
Traditional rivalries shall be revisited, just like the one between Ohio State College and the College of Minnesota. In 2025, OSU positioned first in D1A Jazz and second in Pom, whereas U of M positioned first in Pom and second in Jazz. This 12 months, we’re questioning: Can both group snatch each titles, or will one other college (like top-three finishers Michigan and Tennessee) topple the reigning champs?
The 2026 competitors additionally sees the return of Arizona State University after 5 years away. They’ll compete in Jazz and in Hip Hop, the place they’ll face groups like final 12 months’s champions: The Ohio State College and the College of Nevada, Las Vegas.
For those who can’t anticipate our outcomes recap and wish to observe for your self, Varsity Spirit shall be livestreaming the competitors for subscribers on Varsity TV.
