Memphis Tigers cheerleaders add another national title, extending the program’s long run of championships
A new trophy for a nationally recognized spirit program
The University of Memphis cheerleading program has added another major award to its resume, winning the Small Coed Division IA national championship at the 2026 UCA & UDA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida. The event, staged at Walt Disney World Resort, is widely regarded as the premier postseason competition in collegiate cheer and dance, drawing top programs from across the United States.
The Tigers’ championship in the Small Coed Division IA category reflects a return to the top of the podium after recent years that included both titles and high finishes against an increasingly deep national field.
What the 2026 result means in context
Memphis has been one of the sport’s most decorated collegiate programs for decades, with the spirit squads’ history including national titles in multiple eras and divisions. The cheer program’s modern success is particularly tied to the Small Coed Division IA category, where Memphis has repeatedly contended for championships.
The 2026 title also reinforces the program’s standing after a performance arc that included a national championship at the 2024 UCA College Nationals and a top-five finish in the same Small Coed Division IA category in 2025. Taken together, the results show sustained competitiveness through roster turnover and annual scoring adjustments that teams must navigate at the national level.
How UCA Nationals are structured
UCA College Nationals typically unfold across multiple days with rounds that can include semifinals and finals, depending on division size. Teams are evaluated on a standardized scoring system that rewards difficulty, execution, and overall performance quality, while also applying deductions for errors. The Small Coed Division IA field is typically composed of Division I institutions fielding coed teams under a roster-size structure distinct from large coed and all-girl categories.
- Event: UCA & UDA College Nationals
- Location: Orlando, Florida (Walt Disney World Resort)
- Division: Small Coed Division IA
- Outcome: National championship for the University of Memphis
A program built around game-day and national competition
Memphis’ spirit program combines extensive game-day responsibilities with elite competitive preparation, balancing appearances across football and basketball seasons while maintaining the training volume required to peak in January. The cheer and dance components have both produced national titles, reinforcing a broader institutional commitment to spirit athletics that extends beyond sideline performance.
Memphis’ latest championship continues a multi-year pattern of national contention, underscoring the program’s consistency in one of college cheer’s most competitive divisions.
The 2026 win adds another banner to a program that has become a familiar presence in the national conversation—measured not by a single season’s outcome, but by repeated performances at the highest level of collegiate competition.