The Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad is officially the best in the world! After delivering a show-stopping performance at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship, ESPN has crowned them the No. 1 Cheer Team on the planet. They’re not just world champions—they’re champions in our hearts, too.

The Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad has reached the pinnacle of their sport, capturing the title of the No. 1 Cheer Team in the world after an unforgettable performance at the 2025 International Cheer and Dance Championship. It’s not just a victory—it’s a legacy-defining moment that will be remembered for years to come. ESPN, the global authority in sports, confirmed what Crimson Tide fans already knew in their hearts: this team is the best on the planet.

For those who have followed the journey of Alabama cheerleading, this honor comes as the culmination of years of relentless training, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. The road to the top wasn’t paved with easy wins or short cuts. It was carved out through long nights in the gym, endless repetitions of complex routines, and a culture rooted in discipline and pride. These athletes didn’t just perform—they inspired. They didn’t just win—they made a statement to the world.

When the Tide took the floor at the International Cheer and Dance Championship, the atmosphere was electric. Fans, judges, and fellow competitors knew they were about to witness something special. From the moment the music hit and the first stunt launched into the air, it was clear that Alabama came prepared to make history. Every movement was sharp, every transition seamless, and every flyer soared with confidence and grace. The timing, the chemistry, the difficulty—they brought it all. And more importantly, they brought heart.

The judges weren’t the only ones blown away. Social media lit up instantly with clips of the performance going viral within minutes. Commentators on ESPN couldn’t stop praising the routine, calling it “technically flawless” and “one of the most commanding performances ever seen on the global cheer stage.” Former cheer champions from around the world took to social media to acknowledge Alabama’s moment of dominance. The global cheerleading community tipped its hat to the Tide.

But this win is about more than just one incredible routine. It’s the reward for the culture that Alabama has built within its cheerleading program. It’s about leadership—both from coaches and student-athletes. Head Coach Brianna Ellis, who has led the team since 2018, emphasized in interviews that this win reflects a commitment to doing things the right way. “We’ve always focused on character, on representing the University of Alabama with pride and respect,” Ellis said. “This award is about excellence, yes—but it’s also about the values we carry every single day we put on that uniform.”

And those values—teamwork, discipline, unity—were evident from the moment the team arrived at the championship venue. Other teams and fans remarked on how focused yet supportive the Alabama cheerleaders were, not just with each other but even with competitors. They cheered on other teams. They brought positivity to every corner of the arena. It wasn’t just about winning—it was about setting a standard for what greatness looks like.

The preparation for this championship began months before the competition, and every practice was a test of endurance and mental toughness. The team trained through holidays, managed the pressures of school, and dealt with the physical demands of one of the most intense sports in the world. Cheerleading at this level requires incredible athleticism. These athletes lift, tumble, flip, and fly—all while keeping composure and syncing perfectly with teammates. Injuries are common. Pressure is constant. And the spotlight is always on.

Yet somehow, Alabama didn’t just meet the moment—they exceeded it. They didn’t just follow the rules—they redefined them. They didn’t just raise the bar—they set a new one. And in doing so, they earned their place at the very top of the sport.

For the seniors on the squad, this championship was the perfect sendoff. Many of them had joined the team during uncertain times, including seasons affected by pandemic restrictions and travel limitations. To end their college careers with a world title felt like more than just closure—it felt like poetic justice. Their years of resilience had paid off. And now, their names are etched into the program’s history forever.

But this win wasn’t only for the current team—it was for every cheerleader who ever wore the Crimson Tide uniform. Alumni flooded social media and the team’s group chats with messages of congratulations, memories of past seasons, and pride in how far the program had come. One former captain put it simply: “We always believed Alabama was the best. Now the world knows it, too.”

The University of Alabama responded in full force as well. The official athletics page congratulated the squad with a celebratory video and heartfelt message, while university leadership, including the president and athletic director, issued statements praising the team’s hard work and representing the institution on a global stage. “This is more than just a championship,” said Athletic Director Greg Byrne. “It’s a reflection of everything we want Alabama Athletics to stand for—excellence, integrity, and heart.”

The win also shines a spotlight on the evolving world of cheerleading itself. Once considered a sideline activity, cheer has grown into one of the most competitive and respected athletic disciplines worldwide. Competitions like the International Cheer and Dance Championship showcase the highest level of performance, requiring mastery of technique, stamina, creativity, and risk. Alabama’s win proves that the university isn’t just dominant in football, gymnastics, or softball—it’s also a global powerhouse in cheer.

The impact of the championship will ripple through Tuscaloosa and beyond for months to come. Local businesses are already celebrating the win, with some planning events and specials in honor of the team. Youth cheer programs in Alabama will no doubt be inspired, with young athletes now dreaming of one day wearing the crimson and white and competing on the world’s biggest stage. Alabama’s win becomes a rallying point for the community, a source of pride not just for fans but for everyone who believes in the value of hard work and perseverance.

And the national spotlight doesn’t hurt either. With ESPN’s coverage, millions of people around the world saw what Alabama Cheer is all about. It wasn’t just a win—it was a branding moment, a declaration that this team belongs in the upper echelon of collegiate athletics. Recruits will take notice. Sponsors will take interest. And the respect that comes with being No. 1 will open doors for future growth.

Of course, with that recognition comes pressure. Being the best means defending that title, and the work for next season has already begun in the minds of many team members. But for now, they are allowing themselves to soak in the glory of what they’ve accomplished. They earned this moment. And they’ll carry it with them for the rest of their lives.

As the celebration continues, the message is clear: Alabama Cheerleading has arrived. They’re not just the top team of 2025. They’re the standard-bearers for excellence in the sport. They showed the world what it means to perform with heart, to lead with class, and to finish with greatness.

Number one in the world. Number one in our hearts. The Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleading Squad didn’t just win a trophy—they captured the admiration of a global audience and left an unforgettable mark on the sport of cheerleading. And for those who witnessed it, one thing is certain: this team didn’t just cheer for Alabama. They made Alabama proud.