WORLDWIDE NEW QUEEN VERIFIED! ESPN Declares Kentucky Wildcats Cheerleading Squad the World’s Best Cheer Team After Historic 2025 International Performance

In a historic moment that has reverberated through the global cheerleading community, the University of Kentucky Wildcats Cheerleading Squad has been officially recognized by ESPN as the World’s Best Cheer Team. The declaration came in the wake of the Wildcats’ breathtaking performance at the 2025 International Cheer & Performance Athletics Championships (ICPAC), where they not only claimed the gold medal but redefined the very limits of what’s possible in the sport.

The announcement marks a new era in competitive cheer, as ESPN—widely regarded as the authority in sports broadcasting—bestowed the Wildcats with the unprecedented title of World Cheerleading Champions. Fans, alumni, and sports pundits alike are calling it the crowning moment for a program long revered in collegiate circles, now elevated to global legend status.

The Kentucky Wildcats Cheerleading Squad has long been a dynasty within the NCAA cheerleading world. With 25 national titles in their trophy case, their legacy has been built on a foundation of technical precision, innovation, and unrelenting discipline. But their 2025 performance on the world stage was something else entirely—it was historic, poetic, and emotionally electrifying.

Held at the Aviva Arena in Dublin, Ireland, the 2025 International Cheer & Performance Athletics Championships brought together elite teams from over 40 countries. Squads from Japan, Canada, Brazil, Germany, and South Korea arrived with bold routines and high expectations. But from the moment the Wildcats took the floor, there was a palpable shift in the energy of the arena.

“People say cheerleading is about energy and spirit, but what Kentucky brought was something more—it was artistry. It was power. It was the perfect combination of elite athleticism and raw emotion,” said Tasha Grimsley, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast and one of the judges on the international panel.

The Wildcats’ final routine, aptly titled “Phoenix Rising,” was a meticulously crafted performance built around a theme of transformation and resilience. The team opened with a never-before-seen three-level pyramid formation that earned a spontaneous standing ovation just 35 seconds into their performance. Their transitions were seamless, and their stunts—ranging from gravity-defying tosses to full-in double-twist basket catches—were executed with such finesse that even seasoned professionals were left in awe.

The choreography, spearheaded by head coach Samantha “Sam” Delaney, integrated contemporary dance elements, classical cheer formations, and a cinematic musical score that built tension and released it in thunderous waves.

“It wasn’t just a routine. It was a statement,” Delaney said in a post-event interview. “We wanted to tell a story about what cheerleading is and what it can be. And we wanted the world to know that the standard starts here—with Kentucky.”

The crowd, a mix of international delegates, former athletes, and thousands of global fans, erupted into sustained applause that continued well after the music had stopped. By the time the team gathered on the mat in a tight circle of exhausted but ecstatic athletes, the judges’ scorecards were already signaling the inevitable: perfection.

The Wildcats received an unprecedented 99.7/100, the highest score ever awarded in the history of the ICPAC. According to competition officials, Kentucky hit every technical and artistic metric across the board: timing, innovation, difficulty, crowd engagement, originality, and execution.

“We review every tenth of a point in these scores,” said Dr. Luis Estevez, head of the ICPAC adjudication committee. “Kentucky didn’t just meet the standard—they created a new one.”

The performance was streamed live to over 60 million viewers worldwide and quickly went viral on social media platforms. Within hours, the hashtag #KentuckyQueens was trending in 30+ countries, and the full routine had amassed over 80 million views on TikTok, YouTube, and ESPN’s digital channels.

Cheerleading has long been associated with American sports culture, but the Wildcats’ impact at the 2025 championships may well have pushed the sport into a new cultural dimension. In response to their victory, schools and training academies in places like Seoul, São Paulo, and Stockholm reported a surge in enrollment inquiries for cheer-based programs.

“It’s no longer just a sideline sport,” said Dr. Keiko Mori, a sociologist at the University of Tokyo. “The Wildcats have elevated cheerleading to a globally respected performance art and athletic discipline. What ballet was to the 19th century, and hip-hop was to the ’90s, cheer could now become for the 2020s.”

The team’s wardrobe, designed by Nike’s special performance division, also became an instant fashion trend. Their blue-and-white sequined uniforms with aerodynamic flares and futuristic cuts are now being replicated in retail versions across North America and Europe. The “Wildcat Sparkle” line sold out within hours of launch.

Much of the Wildcats’ continued dominance can be attributed to the vision and culture instilled by Head Coach Samantha Delaney, now in her ninth year leading the program. A former UK cheer captain herself, Delaney has revolutionized Kentucky’s approach by integrating sports science, mindfulness training, and year-round choreography development.

“Our practices are not just about getting moves right,” Delaney explained. “They’re about emotional honesty, team chemistry, and physical intelligence. Every flyer, every base, every backspot—they know their roles and each other. That’s why we succeed.”

Strength and conditioning coach Marcus Troy, a former Navy fitness expert, ensures that every squad member is trained like an elite athlete. The team logs more than 20 hours per week in agility, weight training, and cardiovascular drills during the season. Nutrition, recovery protocols, and mental coaching are also embedded into the program’s philosophy.

The squad’s 2025 roster is filled with standout athletes who are now becoming household names in their own right.

• Jayla Owens, a senior flyer from Atlanta, was dubbed “The Air Queen” by ESPN commentators after her 12-foot aerial twist-and-catch was dubbed the single most electrifying moment of the championship.
• Carmen Ramirez, the first-generation Mexican-American tumbler from El Paso, pulled off a triple handspring into a full layout that earned her the Individual Power Performance Award.
• Liam Grant, a co-ed base from Chicago, shattered stereotypes with his combination of brute strength and balletic control, earning him a spot in Sports Illustrated’s upcoming “Faces of Power” issue.

Each athlete has a unique story, but they’re united by one creed: “We Are Kentucky.”

After ESPN’s announcement, tributes poured in from all corners of the sports and entertainment world. NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes posted, “Can’t lie—those Kentucky cheerleaders are tougher than us out there. Respect!” Olympic gymnast Simone Biles simply tweeted: “Flawless. 👑”

The governor of Kentucky has announced a state-wide celebration to honor the team, including a parade through downtown Lexington, a special halftime ceremony at the next Wildcats football game, and the declaration of July 15th as Kentucky Cheer Day.

Meanwhile, ESPN has greenlit a one-hour special titled “Queens of the Mat: The Kentucky Cheer Dynasty,” set to air later this month. The documentary will include behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with team members, and a deep dive into the rigorous journey that led to this world-shaking triumph.

With world dominance now established, many wonder: what’s next?

Coach Delaney says the team will take a brief summer break before heading into a global exhibition tour, including stops in Tokyo, London, Sydney, and Rio de Janeiro. The tour aims to promote not only Kentucky’s legacy but also the development of cheer as a recognized international competitive sport.

There’s also talk of launching a Kentucky Cheer Academy to train the next generation of elite athletes, offering scholarships, international exchange opportunities, and a digital curriculum.

“I think our mission now is bigger than medals,” Delaney said. “We’re building the future of the sport.”

As the 2025 ICPAC fades into history, one thing remains crystal clear: the Wildcats didn’t just win—they transcended. They reminded the world that cheerleading, when done at the highest level, is as thrilling, exacting, and beautiful as any Olympic event.

And as the international community rallies around this new standard of excellence, the cheer mat—once a sideline spectacle—has now become the main stage.

So yes, WORLDWIDE NEW QUEEN VERIFIED. The crown is blue and white.

And her name is Kentucky.