Birmingham-area cheer + dance teams shine at UCA Nationals

From toe touches to team spirit, Alabama dance and cheer programs showed up big at the 2026 UCA National High School Cheerleading Championship with high-energy routines, soaring scores and podium finishes all weekend long. 

Read on to see where teams across the Birmingham area won nationals!

Mountain Brook + Briarwood win national championships

Alabama sent 59 teams to the opening rounds, and 26 of them advanced to the Division II finals. All squads earned their spots by competing in UCA regional qualifiers during the 2025-26 season. 

• The Briarwood High School Band, Cheer and Lion Guard went to nationals and came home with national championships
• The Mountain Brook High School Dorians captured a 3rd straight national championship in the DII Large Varsity Kick Division
• Helena Came in 2nd for Coed Cheerleading
• Gardendale High School won a bronze medal in Varsity High Kick

Strong finishes across the board

Birmingham-area squads didn’t just compete—they made their mark on the national stage. Teams like Helena, Cullman, Gardendale, Briarwood Christian, Spain Park, Lee Academy, and Homewood all earned top-10 finishes, showcasing the depth of talent and school spirit right here in our backyard.

Check here to see how Birmingham area high schools ranked!

What’s next for Birmingham-area cheer teams?

The competition’s not over yet! Division I schools (1,400+ students) take the mat on Thursday, February 6 through Saturday, February 8 at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. 

Catch the action on Varsity TV (with subscription) EPSN, or check out the teams’ social media pages—they’ll definitely be sharing all the highlights and excitement!

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