The AIA Global Tournament 2026 will take place July 15–20, 2026, in Montréal, Canada, bringing a new kind of all star cheer and dance event to the international stage.
Designed as a first-of-its-kind tournament, the AIA Global Tournament introduces a true bracket-style competition format inspired by major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup, NCAA Tournament, and other head-to-head championship events. Instead of relying solely on the traditional cumulative-score format that cheerleading fans are accustomed to, teams will advance through direct matchups, creating a new layer of strategy, excitement, and tournament-style storytelling.
The result is an event built to feel different from anything else currently in the industry.
A New Tournament Format for All Star Cheer
At the heart of the AIA Global Tournament is its bracket-style structure.
Teams will begin with a Seeding Round, where each performance determines placement in the bracket. From there, teams move into head-to-head matchups, with each round standing on its own. Scores do not carry forward, meaning every matchup creates a fresh opportunity to advance.
The format gives teams multiple performances across the multi-day event and creates a more sports-style viewing experience for athletes, coaches, families, and fans. Every round and matchup matters, building toward a singular champion.
This is one of the biggest differences between the AIA Global Tournament and a traditional all star cheer competition. Rather than competing once or twice and waiting for rankings across a scoresheet, teams will have a tournament path with direct competitive matchups, bracket implications, and championship advancement on the line.
International Representation on a Historic Stage
The inaugural AIA Global Tournament will feature representation from 17 nations, an impressive milestone for a first-year event and a meaningful step for international all star cheer and dance.
Hosting the event in Montréal, Canada, adds another layer of significance. While many of the sport’s largest events have historically taken place in the United States, AIA is creating an international gathering point outside of the U.S. and building a new stage for programs from around the world.
For a first-year event, that level of representation is notable. It reflects the continued global growth of all star cheer and dance and the desire for new international opportunities that give athletes a different kind of competitive experience.
The AIA Global Tournament is not positioned as a replacement for existing end-of-season events. Instead, it is introducing a new concept to the competition landscape: an international, bracket-style tournament that gives teams another way to compete, represent their programs, and experience the sport on a global stage.
The Seeding Round
Every team will begin the tournament in the Seeding Round. This round determines each team’s initial bracket placement.
No teams are eliminated during the Seeding Round. Scores from the Seeding Round are used only to establish bracket placement and do not carry forward into later rounds.
The bracket structure following the Seeding Round depends on the number of teams in each division. Divisions with two or three teams will move directly into their designated bracket format.
The Bracket Round
After seeding, teams enter the Bracket Round. Each matchup score determines which team advances or where the team moves next within the division’s tournament structure.
Just like in other head-to-head sporting events, each round is its own competition. Scores do not carry over from one matchup to the next.
The bracket format is based on division size:
2 Teams
Teams compete in a best-of-three series. The first team to win two matches wins.
3 Teams
Teams compete in a championship round robin format.
- Team A vs. Team B
- Team B vs. Team C
- Team A vs. Team C
The highest-scoring team wins the division.
4 Teams
- Teams compete in a semi-final and finals format based on the Seed Round.
- Seed 1 vs. Seed 4
- Seed 2 vs. Seed 3
- Championship Final: Winner from Semi-Finals matchup – determines first and second
- 3rd Place Final: Loser from Semi-Finals matchup – determines third and fourth
6 Teams
Two pathways are created based on the Seed Round.
Championship Pathway
- Seed 1 vs. Seed 4
- Seed 2 vs. Seed 3
- Championship Final: Winner from Semi-Finals matchup – determines first and second
- 3rd Place Final: Loser from Semi-Finals matchup – determines third and fourth
Placement Pathway
- Seed 5 vs Seed 6 to determine 5th and 6th place
8+ Teams
Teams are divided into two pathways based on the Seed Round.
- Championship Pathway: Top 50% from the Seeding Round
- Placement Pathway: Bottom 50% from the Seeding Round
Each pathway follows a four-team bracket style.
See the AIA Global Tournament Official Division Progression Matrix Here
The Grand Champion Round
Division champions will advance to the Grand Champion Round, where they will enter a new bracket to determine the overall tournament winner.
This final stage adds another layer to the event’s sports-style structure, giving division champions the opportunity to continue competing beyond their division and battle for the tournament’s top title.
A Different Kind of Event
The AIA Global Tournament enters the industry with a distinct identity. Its purpose is not to duplicate existing end-of-season events or compete with the traditional championship model. Instead, it creates a new lane for all star cheer and dance: an international tournament built around brackets, head-to-head matchups, multiple performances, and global representation.
For athletes, it offers a new competitive experience. For fans, it creates a more familiar sports-style format to follow. And for the industry, it marks a new attempt to showcase all star cheer and dance on an international stage in a way that feels fresh, dynamic, and different.
