The all star cheer and dance industry is getting its own awards-show moment.
THE CHEER AND DANCE NOVAS, hosted by MotUS, is a new live, end-of-season awards show created to celebrate the people, programs, innovations, and achievements pushing the all star community forward. It promises to be a one-of-a-kind industry event.
The NOVAS are designed to feel like a true celebration: a red carpet, live entertainment, meaningful recognition, and an in-person gathering of the coaches, gym owners, choreographers, event producers, vendors, leaders, athletes, and visionaries who help shape the sport.
The awards show will take place Monday, September 28, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, bringing the all star community together for a night built around recognition, connection, and celebration.
Even more exciting: CheerTheory’s Globey Awards 2026 winners will also be recognized at the event.
The Moment Is Now
After last year’s launch of The Pioneers of All Star Cheer, the MotUS team was inspired to create more opportunities for the all star cheer and dance community to come together, reflect, and celebrate the people who make this industry what it is.
All star cheerleading and dance are powered by passion. The people who dedicate their lives to this sport do it because they love it. They love the athletes. They love building programs. They love creating unforgettable events. They love choreographing routines, producing music, judging performances, designing products, leading teams, and finding new ways to move the industry forward.
But that passion often comes with sacrifice. This is an industry that is constantly pushing toward the next practice, event, season, idea, and big moment. For years, the all star community has been heads down, doing the work.
The NOVAS are a chance to finally look up, pause, celebrate, and recognize the people and organizations whose creativity, leadership, innovation, and commitment continue to elevate cheer and dance.
Creating a Stage Worthy of All Star
THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS will bring together coaches, gym owners, choreographers, event producers, industry leaders, and visionaries for an evening designed to feel big, because that’s the only way an all-star knows how to do it.
Inspired by the prestige and excitement of the world’s most recognizable awards shows, The NOVAS will include a red carpet, entertainment, and an awards presentation honoring achievement across the all star cheer and dance industry.
The name “NOVA” represents a star that suddenly increases in brightness and commands attention.
It is a fitting symbol for an awards show created to spotlight the people, programs, and ideas making a lasting impact on the sport. The NOVAS are not only about recognizing success. They are about honoring influence, innovation, progress, and the positive impact that helps shape the future of all star cheerleading and dance.
THE CHEER AND DANCE NOVAS 2026 Categories
For 2026, THE CHEER & DANCE NOVAS will include awards categories highlighting many different parts of the cheer and dance community, from athletes and creators to gyms, events, vendors, and industry professionals.
The 2026 categories include:
- Best Social Media Presence – Gym or Team
- Best Social Media Presence – Industry Professional (Coach, Judge, Etc.)
- Best Cheer Podcast
- Best Awards Ceremony
- Innovative Cheer Event of the Year
- Innovative Dance Event of the Year
- Vendor/Supplier of the Year OR Best Product of the Year
- The Quiet Achiever Award
- Choreographer of the Year (Cheer & Dance)
- Music Producer of the Year (Cheer & Dance)
- Judge of the Year (Cheer & Dance)
- Game Changer Award
- Amateur Athlete of the Year
- Professional Athlete of the Year
- Small Gym of the Year – 100 Athletes or Less
- Medium Gym of the Year – 101-300 Athletes
- Large Gym of the Year – 301+ Athletes
- Dance Studio of the Year
- Man of the Year
- Woman of the Year
- Inductees Into The Pioneers of All Star
- Jeff Webb Cornerstone Award
The Nomination and Voting Timeline
The road to THE CHEER AND DANCE NOVAS begins this summer.
- Call for Nominations: July 13-20, 2026
- Nominees Selected and Voting Period: August 17-24, 2026
- Awards Show: September 28, 2026 – Nashville, Tennessee
Stay Up To Date on THE CHEER AND DANCE NOVAS
Interested in Sponsoring THE CHEER AND DANCE NOVAS Awards Ceremony?
MotUS and The NOVAS are looking for sponsors for the 2026 in-person event.
For more information, contact Sean Timmons at sean@joinmotus.com.
