ESPN Formally Recognizes the Georgia Bulldogs Cheerleading Squad as the World’s Top Cheer Team Following Their Dominant 2025 International Cheer & Performance Championship
In a stunning and historic moment for the cheerleading world, ESPN has officially named the University of Georgia Bulldogs Cheerleading Squad the World’s Top Cheer Team following their electrifying performance at the 2025 International Cheer & Performance Championship (ICPC). Held in Tokyo, Japan, this year’s ICPC saw fierce competition from over 60 elite teams representing 25 countries across six continents. Yet, it was Georgia who not only rose above them all—but soared.
With flawless execution, world-class synchronization, and heart-pounding innovation, the Bulldogs’ routine captivated both the live audience and millions watching via international broadcast. The unanimous declaration by judges and the formal recognition by ESPN have cemented the Georgia Bulldogs Cheerleading Squad as the definitive global powerhouse of performance cheer in 2025.
For the Georgia Bulldogs Cheer program, this victory is more than just a win—it’s the culmination of years of relentless training, internal growth, and cultural evolution within collegiate cheer. Founded in the early 20th century and long associated with the electric atmosphere of Sanford Stadium on game days, Georgia Cheer has quietly been building a national reputation as more than just sideline supporters.
“To be recognized by ESPN on a global stage is surreal,” said Head Coach Kara Thompson, who took over the program in 2018. “Our athletes have poured their souls into this. We train 11 months out of the year, often in silence, often without the media fanfare other sports receive. But today, all of that was worth it.”
Thompson is credited with modernizing the program, adding advanced sports science components to training, recruiting top-tier athletes from across the country, and integrating elements of gymnastics, acrobatics, and performance art into their routines.
The Bulldogs’ championship routine at ICPC was a jaw-dropping 2 minutes and 30 seconds of pure athletic mastery. From the moment the opening whistle blew, the team launched into a synchronized series of tumbles, aerials, and pyramids that defied physics. But it wasn’t just the technical difficulty that turned heads—it was the storytelling.
Themed “Rise of the South,” their routine featured a dynamic musical arrangement blending Southern gospel, hip-hop, and orchestral swells. The choreography symbolized the rebirth of the American South as a cultural and athletic epicenter, culminating in a breathtaking full-team basket toss executed in perfect unison. At one point, the entire crowd rose to their feet as a complex seven-layer stunt sequence towered center-stage—a feat never before performed at an international level.
The judging panel, composed of representatives from USA Cheer, ICU, and the International Cheer Federation, gave Georgia a perfect score in both “Innovation in Choreography” and “Execution of Elite Skills”—a rare double that hasn’t been awarded since 2014.
While many cheer teams dazzle with technical skills, the Bulldogs stand apart for their holistic approach to the craft. Here’s why:
Georgia’s squad doesn’t just train like athletes—they train like Olympians. Each team member maintains a year-round regimen that includes strength training, Pilates, sports psychology, and nutrition. Their practices often resemble NFL training camps more than a typical college cheer session.
Yet, artistry is never sacrificed. Thompson brought in Broadway choreographers and former Cirque du Soleil consultants to elevate the team’s performance finesse. “We didn’t want to just wow with flips—we wanted to move people,” said assistant choreographer Marco D’Angelo, a former ballet prodigy.
In preparation for the high-pressure international stage, the Bulldogs integrated mental toughness training into their regimen. Partnering with sports psychologists from the UGA Athletics Department, the cheer team undertook mindfulness, visualization drills, and even cold-water exposure training.
“These athletes aren’t just tumbling machines—they’re mental warriors,” said Dr. Lillian Ortega, the team’s performance coach. “To perform under international scrutiny with that level of precision? That’s world-class resilience.”
This monumental victory doesn’t just elevate Georgia’s cheerleading legacy—it shifts the global cheerleading landscape. For decades, global recognition in cheer has been dominated by private clubs or all-star teams, not collegiate squads. Georgia’s rise to the top marks a seismic shift and raises important questions about the future structure of competitive cheer.
With Georgia now sitting atop the global cheer world, it’s expected that more collegiate programs in the U.S. will ramp up their competitive ambitions. The NCAA has already begun exploratory committees on recognizing competitive cheer as a championship sport. This could lead to a massive influx of funding, recruiting opportunities, and scholarship expansion.
The ICU has been working toward full Olympic inclusion, and performances like Georgia’s provide the kind of showcase needed to build international interest. If cheerleading becomes an Olympic sport in 2028, it’s likely many Bulldogs alumni will be in contention for Team USA.
All-star cheerleading—long considered the elite competitive tier—is suddenly facing new pressure. If a collegiate team can out-perform legacy all-star squads, the game changes. Recruitment pipelines may shift, with high school athletes now eyeing college cheer as their ultimate goal.
At the heart of this victory are the athletes—remarkable young individuals whose dedication transcends the stereotype of cheerleaders. Let’s meet a few key contributors:
A kinesiology major from Marietta, Georgia, Daniels is the squad’s emotional anchor and strategic leader. A former national gymnastics competitor, she’s known for her gravity-defying basket tosses and stoic calm under pressure. “This win is for every little girl who was told cheer isn’t a real sport,” Daniels said, fighting back tears in the post-win interview.
A Puerto Rican native and one of the few male flyers in collegiate cheer, Morales wowed the judges with his mid-air flips and theatrical flair. His signature move—a double Arabian full twist—brought the audience to its feet
Zhang, a biochemistry major from Seattle, has gained a cult following on social media for her precision and strength. Often the unsung hero of any stunt, she anchored all three of the routine’s pyramids with power and grace.
ESPN’s formal recognition of Georgia as the World’s Top Cheer Team signals a massive turning point. This isn’t just a press blurb or a segment on SportsCenter—it’s an institutional acknowledgment of cheerleading as a legitimate, elite athletic discipline.
In a statement, ESPN’s VP of Collegiate Sports Programming, Maria Bennett, said:
Already, ESPN is in talks to expand coverage of future cheer competitions, potentially including live broadcasts of ICPC, the UCA Nationals, and even NCAA cheer showcases if the sport gains formal status.
With the world title secured, the Bulldogs are already turning their eyes to the next horizon. Coach Thompson has confirmed plans for a national exhibition tour later this year, visiting high schools and colleges to promote the sport and mentor aspiring cheerleaders.
There are also rumors of an upcoming Netflix docuseries chronicling their 2025 season—a behind-the-scenes look at the blood, sweat, and sparkles it takes to reach the top of the world.
More immediately, though, the squad will return to Athens for a hero’s welcome. A parade is scheduled through downtown, and the university has announced plans for a commemorative plaque to be installed outside Sanford Stadium—officially recognizing the cheer team alongside other championship teams in Georgia history.
What the Georgia Bulldogs Cheerleading Squad has achieved in 2025 transcends sport. It redefines excellence. It shifts paradigms. And most importantly, it gives thousands of young athletes—especially women—a new vision of what is possible when precision meets passion.
As red and black confetti falls in celebration across the Bulldog Nation and reverberates through the cheerleading world, one truth rings clear
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