Rules & Regulations 2026
The Cheerleading Worlds ®
Rules & Regulations 2026
I.
II.
III.
General Guidelines The Cheerleading Worlds competition will follow the most recent version of the USASF and IASF general rules and age grids. Refer to USASF. net / rules or IASFworlds. com for details.
Competition Area
• Participants must begin and end their routine within the competition boundary.
• Teams may line up anywhere inside the competition area to begin their routine.
• The competition area will be determined by the tournament director according to facility size. Approximate floor size will be 54 feet wide by 42 feet deep( 9 panels).
• All skills must originate and be completed within the competition boundary. Lineups, skills or transitions are not permitted outside the competition boundary.
• The competition boundary is defined as the actual competition floor / spring floor, the carpet bonded foam panels that connect to the spring floor, and any additional border that supports / surrounds the floor.
A. A deduction will be assessed per occurrence for an athlete that makes contact outside the competition boundary. The deduction amount will be included in Worlds score sheets that will be posted on TheCheerleadingWorlds. net in early 2026.
B. If a sign or prop is thrown outside the performing area, that team will receive a deduction for each violation. Signs or props may be placed or dropped outside the competition boundary by a team member who must remain inside the competition boundary area. All center markers are prohibited.
Music and Limitations
A. Timing will begin with the first movement, voice, or note of music, whichever comes first. Timing will end with the last movement, last voice, or note of music, whichever comes last.
B. Routine performance times: 1. Senior Divisions: 2:30 maximum 2. IASF Open L5, L6 and L7: 2:30 maximum 3. IASF Non-Tumble L6 and L7: 2:00 maximum
C. All introductions( tumbling, entrances, chants, spell-outs, etc.) are considered part of the routine and are timed as part of the performance. There should not be any organized exits or other activities after the official ending of the routine. NOTE: Penalty points will be included with the Worlds score sheets that will be posted on TheCheerleadingWorlds. net in early 2026.
D. If a team exceeds the time limit, a penalty will be assessed. NOTE: The point deduction amount will be posted when the Worlds Score Sheets are posted on TheCheerleadingWorlds. net in early 2026.
E. Because penalties are severe, it is recommended that all teams time their performance several times prior to attending the competition and leave a several seconds cushion to allow for variations in sound equipment.
The Cheerleading Worlds ® Rules & Regulations 2026
The Cheerleading Worlds ® 2026 21